Dachshund Obedience Training
Although a Dachshund is a small animal, he can be willful and independent – making him a difficult prospect to train. The good news is that there are some techniques that you can employ during your Dachshund’s obedience training to help the process go a little bit smoother. If you have worked with your dog for some time on Dachshund training, and have tried some of these tips with little or no success, it might be time to consider an obedience class for you and your dog. You can find classes in Dachshund obedience training through your local pet store or by asking your veterinarian for a recommendation.
Finding your Inner Alpha Dog
The first step in Dachshund obedience training should be to establish yourself as the Alpha dog of your Dachshund’s new pack. The Alpha dog is the one who is in charge of the pack, and the rest of the dogs learn to submit to him. Can you see the benefit of the Alpha dog title? In order to become the Alpha dog, it is helpful to begin to think like a dog – or at least to understand the psychology behind the members of the pack. For example, the Alpha dog of a pack always eats first, meaning that you should finish your own meal before feeding your Dachshund. The Alpha dog always leads the way, so be sure that you always enter a room before your Dachshund – are you getting the picture? Once you have established yourself as your dog’s pack leader, Dachshund training should become a smoother ride because your dog is now prepared to submit to your authority.
Don’t Break the Rules
The other key to training your little hound will be consistency with the house rules. If you have decided that your Dachshund is going to sleep in his crate at night, do not ever let your dog sleep on your bed with you! If you want your Dachshund training to include keeping your dog off of your living room sofa, make sure that he never gets up on that piece of furniture! A Dachshund is a very intelligent and opportunistic creature. If you break or bend a house rule even once for your pup, he will see that as a permanent loophole in that particular boundary. Not only will he try to wear you down with his constant efforts at disobedience, he is smart enough to figure out if the rule is only going to be enforced by one family member. Many a doxie has taken the afternoon nap on that living room sofa while Mom rules the roost, only to make himself scarce the second that Dad walks through the door. The solution in training your Dachshund is to maintain consistency in your rules no matter what they are and who is home to enforce them.
Discipline with Love
Harsh discipline and punishment do not work effectively on any dog, and Dachshunds are no exception. The most effective means of training your Dachshund is through patience and consistency, with plenty of love and positive reinforcement thrown in. Handle your doxie with care, and the result will be a well trained Dachshund that is a happy addition to your family. One of the first types of training that you will tackle with your dog will be Dachshund potty training.
