Dachshunds are some of the most adorable and lovable dogs. However, if you are planning on having one as a pet, they require just as much care and attention as any other type of dog. Crate training your puppy can be a very important part of their development, but also a great way to help them stay safe while you’re not around.
We’ll look at why crate training is so important for dachshund puppies within this article, and provide tips on how to get started with this process.
Table of Contents
How to Crate Train a Dachshund Puppy
The first thing you should do is put the crate in a familiar room of the house. Your dachshund puppy will be more comfortable if it is in a place they are used to and recognize. This also helps with potty training, because your dachshund puppy will know when it is time to go outside by going into its crate.
Next, feed your dachshund puppy in their crate while they are asleep or not paying attention. Then, let them finish eating before opening up their crate door so that they associate something good happening with the crate door being open (this includes playtime and treats).
Another way of doing this is letting them out after feeding so that they can explore before going back into their kennel area for sleeping time. When getting up at night for walks outside, take them out first thing in the morning too.
This will help get rid of any accidents inside overnight as well as give them an opportunity to go outside earlier than usual during winter months when days are shorter and less light comes through windows during those times.
Especially important if you live someplace where temperatures drop below freezing each year, like Alaska or Minnesota. We recommend closing off any other doors leading outside until after potty training has been achieved successfully for best results.
Preparing a Crate for Your Dachshund Puppy
Now that you have your crate, it’s time to make sure it will be the most comfortable and welcoming place for your dachshund puppy. The first step is determining just how big the crate should be for your particular pup.
Crate training should begin when the puppy is about 12 weeks old, and during this time, he or she will likely grow in size quite a bit before reaching his or her adult size at about 6 months of age.
You’ll want a crate that gives him/her enough room to move around comfortably when s/he’s full grown—but not so much space that s/he can’t get comfortable as a young pup.
Most breeders recommend choosing one with dimensions of 30″ long by 20″ wide by 24″ tall; however, if you want your dog to be able to stretch out fully while inside his/her kennel (like after coming home from work), go ahead and choose one with slightly larger dimensions (32″-34″).
The next thing you’ll need for successful crate training are some comfy blankets or pillows where your Dachshund can lay down inside its den-like shelter—this helps give him/her something familiar from home while traveling through unfamiliar territory (i.e., being left alone).
Put the Crate in A Familiar Room of The House
When you first bring your Dachshund puppy home, you’ll want to crate train him. Crate training is the best way to housebreak your dog and can help with other behavior problems as well. Here are some tips for how to get started:
- Put the crate in a familiar room of the house. The first place where you put your puppy’s crate should be somewhere that he feels comfortable and safe—like where he used to sleep at night before coming home with you. Make sure that he’s not too hot or cold when he’s crated for long periods of time, and provide lots of toys for him so that he can entertain himself while in confinement (assuming this is something people don’t do often).
- Feed him near his crate whenever possible. Keeping food nearby will help make it easier for him not only to learn what goes on inside there, but also associate positive things with his new place.
Feeding Your Dachshund Puppy in The Crate
In your puppy’s crate, you don’t want to feed him or give him water. Instead, set some food and water out of the crate (and take both away after your puppy eats and drinks). You can put treats in a separate area of the kitchen where your pup can see them, but not eat them until you say so.
Your puppy should go through at least two short training sessions per day for about five minutes each time. In these sessions, he should learn to sit on command and stay calm when he wants something from you (such as attention).
When he does this well enough that it gets boring for both of you, start increasing the difficulty of commands by stopping before giving him what he wants or having him do something else first before getting what he wants (e.g., sitting before getting food).
Letting Your Dachshund Puppy Get Used to Being in The Crate
For your dachshund puppy to accept the crate as a den, it must be comfortable and safe. The crate should be large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. It should also be placed in a quiet room that is familiar to your puppy.
If you have an older dachshund who has already learned how to use a litter box or has had some experience being confined in a small space such as an aquarium or kennel, then the training process will go more smoothly once you begin using the crate as part of your daily routine.
Closing The Door When Your Dachshund Puppy Is in Its Crate
When you’re ready to leave the room or house, close the door behind you. Your dachshund will be in his crate and will not be able to get out until you return.
It’s important that the puppy learns that it is okay to stay in his crate when you are not there, so do not worry if he cries or whines at first. You should wait a few minutes before returning to see if he has calmed down enough for you to enter safely without worrying about him hurting himself or getting into something dangerous.
Leaving Your House With Your Dachshund Puppy In Its Crate
When you’re ready to leave your dachshund puppy in its crate while you’re away from the house, keep the door open. This will make it easy for your dachshund puppy to get in and out of its crate and will help with potty training as well.
It’s important that your dachshund puppy is comfortable inside its crate, so make sure there are blankets or soft toys in there for them to lay on. Don’t leave them in their crate too long at first. If they start getting restless or uncomfortable, take them out immediately and try again later when they have calmed down some more.
Crate Training For Dogs Is An Important Part Of Training
Crate training for dogs is an important part of training that can help keep them safe and happy. Many people choose to crate train their dog because it’s a great way to ensure they are comfortable in the home.
Especially if you need to leave the house for a few hours or go on vacation. Crate training works best when used as a tool for housebreaking, so it’s best if you begin this process before your Dachshund puppy reaches six months old.
Crate training can also be beneficial when dealing with separation anxiety; if left alone, some puppies may become destructive due to boredom or stress.
If your pet has already developed an anxiety habit like chewing furniture or barking excessively when left alone at home, then crate training may help him adjust his behavior by giving him something more productive than chewing on your favorite slippers.
Conclusion
Dachshunds are small dogs with an even smaller temper. As such, crate training is a great way to help your dachshund adjust to their new home and keep them safe from harm.
Crate training can also be used as a way to keep your dachshund quiet while you work or go out of the house without having to worry about them making any noise at all.
Now that we’ve covered why crate training is such a great option for dachshund owners looking for ways to manage their pup’s behavior, let’s get into the nitty gritty details on how exactly you can do it.