Why Are Dachshunds Hard to Potty Train? 🐶 Guide

I’ve often asked myself why are dachshunds hard to potty train, especially after cleaning the same spot twice in one day 😅. If you’ve ever owned one, you’ll know they’re adorable—but also a little… opinionated. Let me walk you through my experience section by section, with some laughs along the way.

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1. Understanding the Dachshund Breed 🐾

When I first got my Dachshund, I thought, “How hard can this be?” Well… I quickly learned they were bred for hunting, not listening 😂. These little dogs were originally trained to chase badgers, which explains their strong-willed personality and independent nature.

In my experience, my dog didn’t care much about pleasing me—he cared about doing what he wanted. That’s classic Dachshund temperament.

For example, I’d call him to go outside, and he’d just stare at me like, “You go first.”

They are also very smart, which sounds great—but it means they know when to ignore you too! This mix of intelligence in dogs and independence makes training slower compared to other breeds.

So I learned early: if I wanted success, I had to work with his instincts, not against them.

Read more How to Potty Train a Dachshund Dog Fast 🐾 Guide

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2. The Psychology Behind Potty Training Challenges 🧠

I realised quickly that potty training is all about repetition and habits. But with my Dachshund, building those habits took time. Their canine behavior patterns don’t always align with what we expect.

For example, I would take him outside, wait patiently… nothing. Then we’d come back in, and boom 💥—accident within 2 minutes!

This happens because dog training psychology depends on clear associations. Dachshunds sometimes struggle to connect the right place with the right action.

I had to repeat the same steps over and over—same door, same spot, same words.

Consistency became my best friend. Without it, the confusion just grew.

I learned that patience isn’t optional here—it’s survival 😄.

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3. Stubbornness: Myth or Reality? 😏

Let me be honest: my Dachshund is stubborn. Not a little bit—a lot. But I also realised it’s actually dog stubbornness traits, not bad behavior.

He understands what I want. He just doesn’t always agree.

For instance, on rainy days, he’d look outside and decide, “Nope, not today!” 🌧️

This comes from their independent dog breed mindset, where they weigh choices instead of obeying instantly.

I learned to negotiate 😅—yes, negotiate with a dog! Treats worked wonders. High-value rewards like chicken or cheese made him suddenly very cooperative.

So yes, stubbornness is real—but it’s manageable if I stay consistent and motivating.

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4. Small Size, Big Bladder Issues 🚽

One mistake I made early? Expecting my Dachshund to hold it like a bigger dog. Nope.

Their small dog bladder capacity means frequent potty breaks are essential.

In my case, if I missed the schedule by even 30 minutes—accident. Guaranteed.

Puppies are even harder because their puppy potty training limits are very low. Think every 1–2 hours.

I had to create a routine:

• After waking up
• After eating
• After playing

It felt like I was constantly on “bathroom duty” 😂

But once I accepted this, things improved. The key was adjusting my expectations, not blaming the dog.

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5. The Impact of Weather Sensitivity 🌧️

If there’s one thing my Dachshund hates, it’s bad weather. Rain? Refuses. Cold? Absolutely not. Wind? Dramatic exit 😆

This is due to their weather-sensitive dogs nature. Their small bodies make them feel temperature changes more.

I remember one rainy morning—he stepped outside, got one drop on his nose, and ran back in like he’d seen a ghost 👻.

This led to indoor accidents because of bad weather potty problems.

My solution? A little dog coat and a covered area. Suddenly, things improved.

So yes, weather matters more than we think!

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6. Inconsistent Training and Owner Mistakes 🙋‍♂️

I’ll admit it—I made mistakes. And Dachshunds don’t forgive inconsistency easily.

Sometimes I delayed walks, sometimes I missed cues. That’s when accidents increased.

This is where house training consistency becomes crucial.

If I wasn’t consistent, my dog got confused. Simple as that.

Another mistake? Getting frustrated 😬. But punishment doesn’t work—it just causes fear, which affects positive reinforcement training.

Once I switched to rewarding good behavior instead, things improved dramatically.

Lesson learned: training the owner is just as important as training the dog!

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7. Separation Anxiety and Stress Factors 😟

My Dachshund loves me—a lot. Great, right? Yes… until I leave the house.

Then comes separation anxiety in dogs, which often leads to accidents.

One time, I left him alone for a few hours and came back to… chaos 💩.

Stress affects dog emotional behavior, which can interrupt potty habits.

I noticed accidents only happened when he felt anxious, not during normal routines.

To fix this, I started leaving for short periods and gradually increased time. I also created a cozy space where he felt safe.

It didn’t fix everything overnight, but it helped reduce stress-related accidents.

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8. The Role of Scent and Habit Reinforcement 👃

Dogs follow their noses—and Dachshunds are pros at it.

Once my dog had an accident in one corner, he kept going back. Why? scent marking behavior.

Even if I cleaned it, the smell lingered. That reinforced the habit.

This is where dog odor training issues become real problems.

I had to use special enzymatic cleaners to fully remove the smell.

After that, he stopped targeting that spot.

So yes, if your dog keeps going in the same place—it’s not random. It’s habit.

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9. Proven Strategies to Potty Train a Dachshund ✅

After all the trial and error, here’s what worked for me:

• Crate training for dogs helped build control
• Strict routine (same time, same place)
• Immediate rewards after success 🍖
• Constant supervision

I remember the first week I stayed fully consistent—no shortcuts. And guess what? Fewer accidents!

Using positive reinforcement techniques, I celebrated every success like he won an award 😂

Potty training became easier when I stayed disciplined.

It’s not magic—it’s consistency.

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10. Final Thoughts: Patience, Persistence, and Success 🎯

Looking back, I understand things much better now. The challenge isn’t just the dog—it’s the whole process.

Dachshunds need:

• Routine
• Patience
• Understanding

Their dog training challenges come from personality, not bad behavior.

Today, my dog still has the occasional stubborn moment—but we’ve made huge progress.

So if you’re struggling and wondering again why are dachshunds hard to potty train, just know—you’re not alone. Stick with it, stay consistent, and laugh through the chaos 😄

Trust me, it gets better.