True Doxie Moxie and Training
If you own a Dachshund, you already know they are strong-willed and like to rule the roost! This seems even more acceptable as they are small, and really, how much trouble can they become?
Well, LOTS of trouble! If a hierarchy is not immediately established and held firm, you are looking at potential damage to your home, behavioral issues that reach outside the home, and a dominance beyond your authority.
First, never use corporal punishment on your dog. Hitting a dog does not breed respect nor change behavior. Hitting a dog is more likely to lead to aggression rather than compliance. Being consistent and making rules are the only genuine ways to train to your dog.
There are some important hard and fast rules for Dachshunds that should always, always be followed; for your safety and the safety of the animal. Never let your Dachshund jump on furniture. This allows them to put themselves in your position, which is a bad lesson, and it is extremely dangerous if they fall.
Never feed your Dachshund from the table and always eat before you feed your dog. This shows the dog that your needs come first. Of course, they are your little babies and your adore them, but they do not have human reasoning and just see this as them getting what they want when they want it, and that is not food for any person nor dog in the family equation.
One of the most important rules for a Dachshund is to never, never leave them off leash. This a feeling of freedom they truly can not control. They are hunters by nature and if they see something they want to chase, even the voice of the person they love most in the world may not bring them back to safety in time. Always keep your dog on a leash outside your home.
At the top of the critical list for your Dachshund is to absolutely never leave him or her alone with children. Even with the best training and the most complaint behavior dogs are still dogs. And the small and vulnerable Dachshund can lash-out if cornered or injured. Small children are especially unaware of the damage they can cause a dog.
If you have small children or have them at your home regularly, you must always supervise your Dachshund around them. Neither the dog nor the child is cognizant of the consequences. Even children as old as 10-12 still think the little doggy will love to be picked up and cuddled. We whom love Dachshunds know this is not always the case. Children can not always read the signals. It is the job of the adults and owners to keep them apart when unsupervised.
As far as issues specific to your Dachshund, it is best to consult a trainer. These general rules are meant for a safe start when you bring your new Dachshund puppy home.
