Are Dachshunds hard to train?

The AKC calls Dachshunds very intelligent but independent and often stubborn, so they can be a challenge to train, and says they do best with positive, reward-based training. VCA adds that short, engaging sessions with rewards are usually most effective. The AKC rates their trainability 4 out of 5.

Can my Dachshund use stairs or jump on the sofa?

The AKC's advice is to never allow a Dachshund to run up and down stairs or jump on or off furniture, to avoid injury. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons also lists minimizing jumping off furniture among the steps that reduce the risk of disc disease. Ramps, gates and lifting your dog down help.

How much exercise does a Dachshund need?

The AKC says Dachshunds need regular exercise, not only to stay fit but to build strong muscles that support and protect the back, while noting they aren't built for distance running, leaping or strenuous swimming. Walks, sniffing and scent games are a good fit.

Why does my Dachshund bark at everything?

VCA rates their barking level as high and the AKC gives them 5 out of 5 for barking. Manage window views, reward quiet and teach a doorbell routine; our barking guide has the full plan.

Should my Dachshund wear a harness or a collar?

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons lists using a body harness instead of a neck lead among the lifestyle changes for dogs at risk of disc disease, and PetMD notes that some predisposed dogs do better with a harness.

Training a Dachshund: Barking, Digging and Back Care

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AKC group	Hound
Typical energy	Moderate
Common training challenges	alert barking, digging, independence, back care

What Dachshunds were bred to do

The AKC explains that “Dachshund” is German for “badger dog,” that the breed’s German history goes back some 600 years, and that it was developed to dig its way into a badger den and take on its occupant. A badger, it notes, is a formidable adversary. The AKC describes the result as a dog that can be brave to the point of rashness, and a bit stubborn.

What that means for training: courage, a big voice, a love of digging and an independent streak all come from that job. Work with them: give digging and sniffing a legal outlet, keep sessions short and rewarding, and plan around a long back from day one.

A Dachshund in training at a glance

Trait	What the sources say
Energy	3 out of 5 (AKC); needs regular exercise to build muscles that support the back (AKC)
Mental stimulation needs	3 out of 5 (AKC)
Trainability	4 out of 5 (AKC); “independent and often stubborn,” does best with positive, reward-based training (AKC)
Barking	5 out of 5 (AKC); barking level “high” (VCA)
Motivators	Short, engaging sessions with rewards (VCA); affection (AKC)
Health points that affect training	Spinal health is “the most important concern” (VCA); Dachshunds account for 45–70% of disc ruptures in the ACVS’s figures

Typical challenges and a mini plan for each

1. Alert barking

With a barking score of 5 out of 5 (AKC) and a watchdog score of 4 out of 5, expect a vocal dog.

Keep a short barking log to find the triggers.
Block window views where your dog watches the street.
Reward quiet, and teach a go-to-mat routine for the doorbell.

Full plan: our guide to stopping barking.

2. Digging

The AKC says the breed was developed to dig into badger dens, so digging is built in.

Choose one place where digging is allowed, such as a sandbox or a patch of the yard.
Bury toys or treats there and praise your dog for finding them.
Add scent games indoors on rainy days.

Full plan: our guide to mental stimulation.

3. Independence and stubbornness

The AKC calls Dachshunds very intelligent but independent and often stubborn, and VCA says short, engaging sessions with rewards are usually most effective.

Train in short bursts and stop while your dog is still keen.
Use rewards your dog really values, and teach a clear “yes” marker first.
If a cue isn’t working, make the step easier rather than repeating the cue.

Full plan: our basic commands guide.

A sample day

This is an example, not a prescription: adjust it to your dog’s age, health and your schedule, and keep training sessions short. No stairs or furniture jumping in any of it.

Time	Exercise	Brain work	Training	Rest
Morning	Walk on a harness	Breakfast in a snuffle mat	3 minutes: “wait” before being lifted down	Nap in a low bed
Midday
Afternoon
Evening

Protecting the back: safety points that change training

VCA says spinal health is the most important concern in Dachshunds because of their long backs, and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons reports that chondrodystrophoid breeds account for most disc ruptures, with Dachshunds making up 45 to 70 percent of cases. Veterinary sources point to the same everyday habits:

No stairs, no jumping off furniture. The AKC says to never let a Dachshund run up and down stairs or jump on or off furniture; the ACVS and Cornell both advise minimizing jumping off furniture. Teach your dog to wait to be lifted down, and use gates and ramps.
Lift with support. PetMD advises that when lifting a predisposed dog, you support their back and hind end.
Harness, not collar. The ACVS lists a body harness instead of a neck lead, and PetMD notes that some predisposed dogs do better with a harness.
Keep them lean. VCA says excess weight and high-impact activity increase the risk of disc disease; count training treats as part of the daily food.
Choose low-impact games. The AKC notes Dachshunds aren’t built for distance running, leaping or strenuous swimming, and PetMD advises avoiding jumping, frisbee and stairs. Scent work and short walks fit well.
Act on warning signs. Cornell advises contacting your veterinarian at the first sign of back discomfort.

Puppies and adults

Start handling, lifting and potty routines early; our puppy training guide and house training guide cover both. With adults, the AKC’s point that regular exercise builds the muscles that protect the back matters more than ever: keep daily walks going, alongside short training sessions.