Training: Like many other hounds, Dachshunds are bred to be independent and follow their own judgment in high-stakes situations. In short—they’re stubborn. They are trainable though not usually immediately. Dachshunds understand what is being asked of them, and want to do it their own way, at their pace. It’s important to start early with training, and use firm guidance. Out of many small dog breeds, Dachshunds are ranked as the most aggressive and likely to bite strangers and other dogs. Although they are unlikely to cause serious injury, firm training and leadership are all the more important in maintaining a well-mannered and mentally sound Dachshund.
Dachshunds are also notoriously difficult to housebreak. The crate training method, which involves taking your puppy immediately outside after napping in its crate, is recommended. Another method is paper training, which teaches your puppy to relieve itself in a specific area inside. Theoretically, after they are accustomed to the papers, you can then make the transition to having them urinate outside. If you’re going to housebreak a Dachshund puppy and don’t want to be replacing wet papers all the time, look into a Wee-Wee Patch.
Barking: Dachshunds are barkers. They can be expected to bark, and bark loudly, at anything that gets their attention. In the field, these confident vocalizations were necessary to drive game out of their underground hiding places. Nowadays, it mostly drives neighbors up the wall. Like all dogs, Dachshunds need training to be taught not to bark, by rewarding their silences and teaching them when to “speak” and when to be “quiet”.
Personality: Dachshunds are cuddly clowns with their owners but can be reserved around strangers. Proper socialization is extremely important for this breed can be nippy.
Temperament & Behavior: Dachshunds are lively little dogs with some lovable contradictions. They are devoted to their owners but can be stubborn to work with, and scrappy with unfamiliar dogs that are much larger. They are energetic torpedoes but their favorite activity is cuddling and burrowing into just about any soft thing they can find. It’s hard not to enjoy their friendly, attentive expression, curious attitude, and pluckiness. All varieties are extremely companionable, growing very attached to their owners and enjoying the company of other pets in the household.
It’s commonly believed that different coat types are more prone to have specific personalities. Long-haired Dachshunds are said to be the most sweet and relaxed, due to the Spaniel part of their heritage. Wire-haired Dachshunds are the clowns. They can be more mischievous and energetic. Short-haired Dachshunds are more suspicious and perhaps the most independent variety.
Behavior with Kids: Dachshunds are usually good with kids in their families but don’t tolerate rough handling. Likewise, kids need to be educated about playing with these long, funny-looking dogs.
Protection: Dachshunds may not be much of an attack dog, but they can raise hell and can produce the volume of a much bigger dog. They also tend to be suspicious and alert.
