Basic Obedience for Your Dachshund Puppy

As your puppy gets older you can teach him to sit, always using a simple one-word of command, Sit, while exerting gentle pressure on his rump to guide him into the position that you expect. This will take a little time, but you will soon succeed. Always giving plenty of praise when appropriate!

Never shout or get angry when your dog does not achieve your aim, for this will do more harm than good. If yours is destined to be a show dog, you may decide not to teach sit, as in the show ring he will be expected to stand. Nonetheless, good manners are required.

When your Dachshund puppy can venture into public places, begin by taking him somewhere quiet without too many distractions. Soon you will find his confidence increasing, and you can then introduce him to new dog-friendly places with exciting sights, sounds and smells. He must always be on a safe lead that cannot be slipped. When you have total confidence in one another, you may be able to let him off-lead, but always keep him in sight. Be absolutely sure that the place you have chosen for free exercise is utterly safe and securely enclosed, and that no strange dogs can suddenly appear from nowhere!

Whether you have a show dog or a pet, you will need to train your puppy to stay in a crate when required. At shows in most countries, smaller breeds are housed in crates for at least part of the time while not being actually exhibited in the ring. Crates are useful for traveling, and if used in the home, most dogs seem to look upon them as safe places to go and don't mind staying in for short periods. This can be helpful sometimes if you are out of the house or otherwise cannot supervise your dog. The crate is also an essential component of house-training. When you commence crate training, remain within sight of your dog and give him a toy or treat to occupy him.

To begin, leave him in the crate for very short spells of just a minute or two, then gradually build up the timespan. However, never confine a dog to a crate for long periods, for this would be unkind.

Next step: Training Overview

Reprinted from Breeders Best: Dachshund © 2004. Permission granted by Kennel Club Books, an imprint of BowTie Press.