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TRAINING · DACHSHUNDS

How to toilet train a dachshund who has other plans

The carpet is not an alternative bathroom. Here is a calm, repeatable routine for helping a little dog make a better choice.

A dachshund can be clever, affectionate and fully aware that you are holding a treat. That does not mean they automatically understand which patch of ground counts as the toilet.

Make the right place easy to find

Choose one toilet spot and use it consistently. Take your dog there after waking, eating, playing and before bedtime. Young puppies may need many more opportunities; watch your own dog’s pattern and adjust. Keep the outing calm and give them time to sniff.

When they finish in the right place, reward them straight away with praise or a small treat. Timing matters: a reward after you have gone back inside is much harder to connect with the behaviour.

For indoor pads, decide on one clear setup

If you use a pad or tray, keep it in a predictable location. A tray with a raised edge can help contain misses near the edge. If your eventual goal is outdoor toileting, gradually move the routine toward that goal instead of switching locations every day.

What to do when you find a puddle

Clean it thoroughly with a suitable non-ammonia cleaner. Avoid scolding your dog for an accident you discovered later; they will not connect the reaction to something that happened earlier. Make the next successful trip easier by increasing supervision and taking them out more often.

Try this for one week: note when your dog eats, sleeps and toilets. Use the pattern to schedule trips before accidents tend to happen. Celebrate the successes immediately.

When the routine is not working

Progress can be uneven. If a previously trained dog suddenly starts having accidents, is straining, seems uncomfortable, or is urinating unusually often, speak with a veterinarian. If the dog is healthy but training remains difficult, a reward-based trainer can help you adjust the setup.