How to Toilet Train a Dachshund Puppy: A Complete, Proven Guide

Toilet training a dachshund can feel hard, especially for new owners who have read that this breed, particularly miniatures, has a reputation for being difficult to house-train. But it isn’t impossible. In my experience, it’s more about the process than the puppy.

This article focuses on outdoor potty training, not using pads, and offers tried-and-tested tips I’ve developed through years of trial, error, and helping clients. Whether you’re dealing with a puppy or an adult, these techniques can be effective.

It’s important to remain consistent, be patient, and understand that every dog learns at their own pace. From choosing the right place to go, to understanding common challenges, this protocol will help you get your dachshund on the right track—outside.

How to Toilet Train a Dachshund Puppy: A Complete, Proven Guide – Short Answer

To toilet train a Dachshund puppy, use a consistent routine, positive reinforcement, and close supervision. This proven method builds strong habits and prevents accidents.

Why Potty Training Dachshunds Is Challenging

Natural Stubbornness and Independence

Dachshunds, like many small dog breeds, have a bold and independent personality, making the training journey for these clever dogs more complex. Their intelligent minds and instinctive problem-solving abilities can make them seem stubborn during training—but often, it’s just a lack of proper communication or motivation.

• They may ignore training attempts if they don’t see a direct benefit.
• What appears as stubbornness is usually a disconnect in motivation.
• Positive reinforcement builds trust and interest in learning.

Small Bladders and Frequent Bathroom Needs

Being small dogs, Dachshunds have smaller bladders and a higher metabolism, which leads to more frequent potty needs than larger breeds.

• Puppies may need to go out several times per hour.
• Adult Dachshunds typically require a potty break every 2 to 4 hours.
• If not taken outside often enough, accidents in the house will happen.

Sensitivity to Cold and Wet Weather

Due to their low body profile and short legs, Dachshunds are more exposed to weather conditions, making them reluctant to potty outside.

• Being close to the ground, they generate less body heat.
  
• Conditions like cold, wet, or snowy weather increase discomfort.
  
• Wet belly syndrome causes them to avoid going outside in bad weather.
  
• In challenging climates, this can significantly complicate training.

Easily Distracted by Scents

As natural scent hounds, Dachshunds are highly alert to smells, which can delay potty time.

• Their hunting instincts make them easily distracted.
  
• They prefer exploring and sniffing over using the bathroom.
  
• Unstructured potty time slows down the training process.

Subtle Signals and Communication Challenges

Unlike larger dogs, Dachshunds might not clearly communicate when they need to go, making it harder for owners to respond in time.

• May not bark, pace, or give noticeable signs.
  
• Small dogs tend to have more subtle cues.
  
• Owners must learn and watch for these smaller signals carefully.

This breakdown helps you understand the unique challenges that come with potty training Dachshunds, giving you a head start on overcoming them with patience and smart strategy.

How Long It Takes to Potty Train a Dachshund

Expecting to fully housebreak a Dachshund in just 5 days is completely unreasonable—and to be fair, this applies to any puppy. While each puppy is different, completely potty training your pup within 6 months of coming home is a very reasonable goal. In my experience, most puppies are fully trained sometime before the 6-month mark, though results vary depending on how much work the breeder or rescue did with the puppy before sending them to you.

If you’re training an adult or older Dachshund, past habits and accidents in the house can slow progress. Some people I’ve worked with say their pup wasn’t reliably trained until closer to 9 months. This delay is also true for those dogs who’ve been having accidents for a long time. 

You’ll need to dedicate more time and adjust based on your individual puppy’s personality. Just be aware that success takes consistency, more dedication, and patience to train them reliably.

When to Start & Best Season for Training

When most people consider the best times to potty train a puppy, they usually choose late spring or summer. The weather is pleasant, days are longer, and it’s less likely to be raining—which seems ideal. That’s exactly what I thought before I brought my Dachshund puppy home in the fall. I feared potty training in cold, wet conditions would be a nightmare.

But on the contrary, that turned out to be the best time of year. She quickly learned to go potty outside in all temperatures and conditions, which made it feel normal no matter the weather. It taught her that even bad weather isn’t a reason to go inside.

I do note that many Dachshunds, regardless of how well trained they are, may occasionally try to potty inside the house when the weather turns cold and nasty. I jokingly call it “pooping in the house” season.

When that happens, just take a few steps back in your training protocol and remind them that outside is still the right place to go—even if they don’t seem like they need to. Look for cues that they may be looking for a place indoors, and guide them back out again.

Daily Potty Training Schedule (Sample Routine)

Creating a daily potty training schedule is essential for housebreaking your Dachshund puppy. Begin each day with a morning potty break to align with their natural rhythm and set the tone for consistency. Puppies need to go after meals, naps, and playtime, as these are key moments when their bladder control is minimal. Also, a quick trip outside before bed can help avoid nighttime accidents.

For young puppies, aim for a potty break every 20–30 minutes. Yes, it sounds frequent—but short, consistent intervals help teach timing and build good bathroom habits. As your puppy matures, you can gradually extend the time intervals between potty trips.

With close supervision, structured routine, and reinforcing positive behavior, your Dachshund will start to show reliable signs when it’s time to go. This structure ensures steady progress, fewer accidents, and a smoother potty training journey overall.

Where to Potty: Choose a Designated Spot

Creating a designated potty spot is a smart way to build consistent bathroom habits for your Dachshund puppy. Whether it’s a specific corner of your yard or a pre-selected area just outside your apartment, always bring your puppy to the same spot every time you take them outside to go potty. This routine helps your puppy learn where to go faster by building a strong association with that familiar location.

The science behind it is simple—your puppy will begin to smell themselves at that spot, which helps trigger the urge to go again. Repetition and routine reinforce the behavior, turning it into a predictable habit. Over time, returning to the same place not only makes your training easier, but also gives your Dachshund clear guidance and expectations during every outdoor potty trip.

Signs Your Dachshund Needs to Go

Understanding the early signals your Dachshund puppy gives before they need to go to the toilet is key to successful house training. These signs can often be subtle, so it’s important to watch carefully for behaviors like losing interest in their current activity, sniffing around the floor or furniture, circling, or even whimpering. These are all common cues that your puppy may soon need to go.

The window of time from when your puppy begins signalling to when they actually need to go can be very short. That’s why monitoring your Dachshund closely and being ready to take them outside immediately is crucial.

Reacting quickly not only helps prevent accidents in the house but also strengthens their understanding of the proper toilet routine, building a more consistent and reliable bathroom behavior over time.

Supervise & Confine for Success

To make potty training a success, it’s crucial to supervise and confine your Dachshund puppy properly. Use a crate, pen, or tether them to you when they’re indoors. This keeps their movement controlled, helps establish a structured routine, and builds awareness around proper bathroom habits.

Limiting house access early on is not about restriction—it’s about giving your puppy clear boundaries while they’re still learning.

Avoid giving your puppy full freedom in the house until they’re reliably trained. Unmonitored access can lead to sneaky accidents, which may delay progress. Using this supervise and confine strategy encourages consistent behavior, reduces the chance of mistakes, and helps your dog transition smoothly from crate training to independent access—once they’ve shown they understand where to go, especially in distracting social settings.

Use Verbal Cues and Praise

Introducing verbal cues like “Go potty” or “Toilet” during potty training helps your Dachshund puppy understand exactly what’s expected. Use the same phrase each time you take them to their designated bathroom spot, and say it just before they go.

When your puppy successfully does their business, give immediate praise in a happy tone and offer a treat to reinforce the positive behavior.

The key to success lies in consistency and timing. Always reward right after your puppy finishes to help them link the action with your cue and the reward. Some owners even use outside playtime as an additional motivation, turning each toilet trip into a chance to celebrate and build a stronger bond.

Over time, your Dachshund will respond faster to your verbal signal, making the potty training process smoother and more effective.

Clean Accidents Correctly

If your Dachshund has an accident in the house, avoid scolding, punishing, or pushing their nose in it. These actions can break your puppy’s trust and make them sneakier about going indoors. Instead, clean up the mess calmly and use it as a moment to guide—not discipline.

• Gently blot the pee or poop with a paper towel or rag.
  
• Place it in your dog’s designated potty spot outside.
  
• Immediately bring your Dachshund to that spot and encourage them to go potty.
  
• Clean the indoor area with an enzymatic cleaner to fully remove the smell.
  
• Take your dog back to the same spot next time—they’ll smell themselves and remember.

Dogs are inclined to return to where they’ve gone before, so redirecting the behavior while protecting your bond is key to long-term potty training success and curbing behavior issues at the source.

Should You Use Puppy Pads? (Pros & Cons)

Using potty pads inside the house can be a double-edged sword. While they offer convenience in some cases, they also create confusion and may slow down potty training progress. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Pros of Using Potty Pads Indoors

• Useful when a puppy is left alone for extended hours and can’t hold their bladder or bowels
  
• Helps avoid accidents in the house during the early stages of training
  
• Can be a backup option in extreme weather conditions
  
• Helpful for traveling, especially during flights or at airports, where placing a pad in a bathroom can allow your dog to relieve themselves

Cons of Using Potty Pads Indoors

• Sends a confusing signal that going potty inside is acceptable
  
• Encourages the dog to associate familiar indoor environments like furniture, flooring, or carpet with a place to eliminate
  
• Slows down the transition to outside potty training
  
• May result in a dog that is never 100% housetrained
  
• Can create a permanent habit that’s difficult to break later
  
• Leads to mixed messages if not phased out properly, affecting long-term training consistency

If you choose to use potty pads, do so as a temporary measure with a clear plan to transition your Dachshund to going outside.

Bonus Tips for Smoother Success

Once your Dachshund puppy is showing progress, a few simple tricks can speed up training and prevent accidents. Consistency, clear cues, and smart use of rewards go a long way. These final touches can make your potty training efforts more effective and long-lasting.

• Use a consistent verbal cue like “go potty” each time.
  
• Reward with treats and praise immediately after success.
  
• Stick to one preferred surface (grass, not carpet or pads).
  
• Avoid distractions—train in a quiet, familiar area.
  
• Keep training positive—no punishment for mistakes.
  
• Return to the same spot outside and introduce these positive habits early

Final Thoughts

Toilet training a Dachshund isn’t always quick, but with patience, consistency, and the right routine, you’ll see steady results. Accidents are part of the process—don’t let a few setbacks discourage you. Stick to your potty training protocol, remain calm, and remember: repetition builds habits.

Most Dachshund puppies can become fully house-trained within 6 months, especially when owners stay committed and positive. Over time, your pup will learn exactly where to go, and you’ll enjoy a cleaner, more confident home routine.

FAQ’s

Are Dachshunds difficult to potty train?

Miniature Dachshunds often have a reputation for being difficult to house-train, but in practice, it usually comes down to how the owner handles the process, not the breed itself.

With the right techniques, consistency, and understanding of their behavior, even the most stubborn Miniatures can be successfully house-trained.

How long does it take to potty train a Dachshund puppy?

When we were considering whether to take on a dachshund puppy, we had read a lot about how difficult it could be. It was certainly something we thought about carefully. However, it’s not impossible—we managed to fully house train our dachshund by the age of about 5-6 months with the right methods and consistency.

How do I get my Dachshund to stop pooping in the house?

When potty training a Dachshund puppy, it’s important to take them out frequently and make a big deal every time they go potty outside. Celebrate these moments so your pup connects outside pottying with praise and positivity.

If there’s an accident inside, don’t punish them. Doing so can make them more likely to hide future accidents rather than learning the right behavior. Keep the tone calm, stay consistent, and reward every correct action to build trust and lasting habits.

Can a Dachshund go all night without peeing?

Your Dachshund shouldn’t be expected to hold it for more than 4 hours during the day, no matter their age. While they may go 8–10 hours overnight, regular daytime potty breaks are essential for consistent training and avoiding accidents.