Seven Things I Wish I’d Known Before Owning a Dachshund

I became a dachshund owner approximately four and a half years ago at the time of writing this post, or rather my dog, Rocky, became the owner of two very naive human companions just over four years ago.

As a first-time dog owner, I didn’t make the decision lightly. I researched everything there was to know about dachshunds before we decided to visit a litter of puppies. But despite all my reading, nothing truly prepared me for the whirlwind that came with owning this small but mighty dog, and how much our little pup completely took over our lives.

Looking back, there are a few things I wish I had been more prepared for, and I’m sharing them here for anyone considering adopting a dachshund.

Dachshunds Are Stubborn (Really, Really Stubborn!)

One of the first things I learned about dachshunds is just how stubborn they can be. I had read about this trait before getting Rocky, but I thought, “With consistent training, how hard can it be?” Well, let me tell you, these little dogs don’t back down easily.

Dachshunds have adorable, unique personalities with their own little quirks, but one shared trait of the breed is definitely their stubbornness. If your dachshund doesn’t want to do something, good luck trying to get them to do it. This can make training, especially toilet training, quite hard. Persistence and consistency is key here to success with training. However even now, after four years of owning our boy, if he doesn’t want to do something, he absolutely won’t be doing it!

Stubbornness also translates to what I like to call Rocky’s “selective deafness” streak. Consistency is key here. If they’re not in the mood to listen, they’ll just pretend they didn’t hear you. It can be a bit of a challenge, but trust me, it gets easier with time… and treats!

Rain? Not a Chance

Another lesson I learned early on is that dachshunds really hate the rain. I had read about it online, but I didn’t fully believe it until I experienced it myself. Our dachshund, like most, is a sunshine lover. Give him a warm patch of garden, and he’ll happily bake in the sun for hours. But the moment it starts to rain, getting him outside becomes a major challenge.

This makes it particularly challenging to toilet train them, as combining their stubborn nature and hatred of the wet stuff, means that coaxing them outside on a bad weather day can be a fun challenge. When we were toilet training Rocky, there were many occasions where we had to go outside in raincoats and umbrellas, standing with a shivering, wet pup for a good half hour or more before he did his business (cue lots of treats and praise)! However even to this day, over four years later, getting him to go outside on a wet day can be tricky, although thankfully, he’s learned to hold it rather than go indoors now he’s older.

And it doesn’t stop at bathroom breaks… walks in the rain are just as challenging. I’ve often had to wrestle with him, as he plants himself firmly on the ground and refuses to move an inch. Wet weather means short, reluctant strolls, so we save our longer walks for dry days. If you plan to own a dachshund, invest in a good raincoat and plenty of patience!

Dachshunds: Surprisingly Active for a Small Dog

Before becoming a dachshund owner, I thought smaller dogs needed less exercise. How wrong I was! While it’s important to moderate exercise for puppies to protect their growing bones, once your dachshund is fully grown, they have boundless energy. We’ve easily walked Rocky up to five miles, which was more of a limit for us than him. And when given the chance, he races around the garden or a field like there’s no tomorrow.

This breed is highly active and loves to burn off energy, so don’t be fooled by their size. Regular walks and playtime are essential to keeping them happy and healthy.

Dachshunds Bark. A Lot.

Before we owned a dachshund, I had read that the breed is known for being prone to barking, and now from experience, this certainly is the case, so it’s one to be prepared for. They were originally bred as hunting dogs, and are known for being very vocal.

Our boy tends to be noise-reactive when in the house, barking at everything from car doors, to people walking past and the doorbell, as well as sometimes barking a lot when left alone. You’re never going to be able to stop a dog barking entirely, but while we have had success training our boy in other areas, we have found training to reduce the barking the most challenging. We have also met other dachshunds on walks who are also reactive in barking at other dogs while out and about too.

Luckily, there are techniques to help manage it, such as redirecting their attention and rewarding calm behaviour.

Fiercely Loyal and Protective

Dachshunds are incredibly loyal to their owners, and once they’ve chosen their “person,” there’s no going back. Our boy is particularly protective of his family and territory, including the house, the garden, and even the car. This sometimes results in him barking or becoming overly protective when unfamiliar people approach. We’ve tried to train him out of this behaviour, but it’s still something he holds dear.

Despite their protective nature, dachshunds are loving and affectionate dogs who form strong bonds with their family. Their loyalty is unmatched, and they will always have your back, whether it’s greeting you at the door or keeping you company on the sofa.

A Love of Blankets (and Warmth)

Dachshunds are known for their love of blankets, and Rocky is no exception. From the moment he was a puppy, he was attached to a soft comfort blanket that came home with him from the breeder. As he’s grown older, he’s developed an almost obsessive need for warmth, especially when the weather turns colder. He’ll happily spend hours under a blanket, and at night, he insists on being covered up before he’ll settle into bed.

If you’re adopting a dachshund, be prepared for them to claim your blankets as their own. A warm, soft blanket will quickly become their favourite retreat, especially during chilly months.

Dachshunds Will Steal Your Heart

Despite all their quirks and challenges, there’s no denying that dachshunds are incredibly charming and lovable. With their unique personalities and unwavering loyalty, they’ll become an irreplaceable part of your family. Rocky has brought so much joy to our lives, and while I’ve learned a lot through the ups and downs of dachshund ownership, I wouldn’t change a thing… and I certainly couldn’t imagine being without our boy..

If you’re considering adopting a dachshund, know that they will fill your life with laughter, love, and the occasional bit of mischief. Prepare for a unique, heartwarming experience, and lots of cuddles.