The First Important Words Your Dachshund Should Learn: A Guide to Basic Training

Training your Dachshund is a crucial step in ensuring he grows up to be a well-behaved and happy companion. One of the first steps in this process is teaching him important words and commands. These basic words will help you communicate effectively with your Dachshund, set boundaries, and ensure his safety. In this blog post, we'll discuss the most important words your Dachshund should learn and provide tips on how to teach him.

Why training is important

Dachshunds are intelligent and independent dogs, which can make them a little stubborn at times. Early training will help put their intelligence to positive use, make them understand what is expected of them, and strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Training also helps prevent behavioral problems and keeps your Dachshund safe in different situations.

The most important words to teach your dachshund

1. "Seat"

   • Why it's important: Teaching your Dachshund to sit on command is one of the most basic and useful commands. It helps control his behavior and makes him more manageable in different situations.
   • How to teach it:
     • Hold a treat close to your dachshund’s nose.
     • Move your hand upwards so that he follows the treat with his head and sits down.
     • As soon as he sits, say “sit”, give him the treat and praise him.
     • Repeat this process several times a day until he masters the command.

2. "Stay"

   • Why it's important: The stay command is crucial to ensuring your Dachshund stays in place, which can prevent him from getting into dangerous situations.
   • How to teach it:
     • Start with your dachshund in the sitting position.
     • Open your palm in front of you and say “Stay.”
     • Take a few steps back and reward him when he stays in place.
     • Gradually increase the distance and duration before rewarding.

3. "Come"

   • Why it's important: This command is essential for calling your Dachshund back to you and ensuring he comes to you when called, which is especially important for his safety.
   • How to teach it:
     • Put a leash on your dachshund and let him walk a little way away.
     • Pull gently on the leash and say “Come” in an enthusiastic tone.
     • When he comes to you, reward him with a treat and praise him.
     • Practice in different environments to reinforce the command.

4. "Place"

   • Why it's important: Teaching your Dachshund to lie down on command will help calm him down and can be useful for managing his behavior in different situations.
   • How to teach it:
     • Start with your dachshund in the sitting position.
     • Hold a treat close to his nose and then move your hand to the ground so that he follows with his head.
     • Drag your hand along the floor in front of him to encourage his body to lie down.
     • As soon as he lies down, say “sit”, give him the treat and praise him.

5. "No"

   • Why it’s important: The “no” command is crucial for correcting unwanted behavior and setting boundaries.
   • How to teach it:
     • Use a firm but calm tone when saying “no” whenever he displays undesirable behavior.
     • Draw his attention to a positive behavior or activity and reward him when he participates.
     • Consistency is key – make sure everyone in the household uses the same command and tone of voice.

6. "Out of"

   • Why it's important: This command helps prevent your Dachshund from picking up or chewing on inappropriate or dangerous objects.
   • How to teach it:
     • Hold a treat in your closed hand and show it to your dachshund.
     • If he tries to sniff or lick it, say "Off" and wait until he loses interest.
     • As soon as he backs away, reward him with another treat from your other hand.
     • Practice with different objects and in different environments to reinforce the command.

Tips for effective training

Be consistent: Consistency is key when training. Always use the same words, tone of voice and hand signals when giving a command. Make sure all family members follow the same guidelines to avoid confusion in your Dachshund.

Use positive reinforcement: Reward-based training is very effective for dachshunds. Use treats, praise and affection to encourage good behavior. Immediate rewards help your dachshund associate the command with a positive outcome.

Keep training sessions short and fun: Dachshunds have a short attention span, so keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes) and fun. Always end training on a positive note to keep your Dachshund motivated.

Be patient and persistent: Training takes time and patience. Your dachshund will not always understand everything right away, but with perseverance and consistent effort he will learn. Celebrate small successes and be patient with his progress.

Conclusion

Teaching your Dachshund these basic commands will lay the foundation for a well-trained and happy dog. By starting with commands like sit, stay, come, down, no, and out, you'll give your Dachshund the best foundation for a successful life. Remember to be consistent, use positive reinforcement, and keep training sessions short and fun. With patience and persistence, your Dachshund will become a well-trained and loved member of the family.