Have you just got a Dachshund puppy? Are you wondering how to teach them to do some basic commands? Maybe you aren’t sure where to start with training? Here’s how to teach your Dachshund to sit.
How To Teach A Dachshund To Sit:
- Decide on a reward
- Go to a quiet place
- Choose your command word
- Get your Dachshund’s attention
- Hold your hand above your Dachshund’s nose
- Move your hand slowly upwards above his head
- Use the command word ‘Sit!’
- Give lots of praise
- Switch out the treats
But, before you go and grab the treats, there’s more you need to know! Read on for all the details on how to teach your Dachshund the ‘Sit’ command and what you need to do next.
This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
How To Teach A Dachshund To Sit
Teaching your Dachshund to sit is the best command they can learn first.
‘Sit’ is the foundational command leading to lay down, paw, or stay, so it really is a great start to the training process with your Dachshund.
Teaching ‘Sit’ seems straightforward enough, but there are some key tips you should know to make progress much easier.
Please keep in mind that your Dachshund’s long spine means sitting down might not be the most natural position for their long body.
So, as with all training, it’s best to practice in short sessions over time.
This is what you need to do:
Decide on a reward
Before you even start training, decide how you’re going to reward your Dachshund when he does sit.
Ideally, you need some dog training treats. However, you could also use tiny bits of chopped carrot or cucumber (less than the size of a small pea).
It could take a little while for your Dachshund to master the command, so you want to make sure you aren’t giving him too many rich or fatty treats.
You also want to use tiny treats so they can be eaten quickly and you can then make faster progress.
Go to a quiet place
Find a quiet place to train your Dachshund which is free from distractions (as much as this is possible) in order to get the best results.
Focus really is key when it comes to dog training. So choose a comfy spot for your Dachshund to plonk his rear end down.
Dogs often don’t like to sit on cold, hard surfaces (just like most of us probably don’t either!) so having a soft rug, blanket or carpet might speed up his training.
Choose your command word
Your Dachshund can’t learn how to sit if he doesn’t know what you’re trying to teach him.
So choose a simple command word like ‘Sit!’, and use the same word every single time.
Get your Dachshund’s attention
Hold up a treat and show your Dachshund what you’ve got. This is to let him know you have something for him, and to get him engaged with you.
If your Dachshund is food motivated, he might get a bit over-excited at this point. So make sure your hand is closed around the treat or he might try to jump up and grab it (and that’s not what you want!).
Hold your hand above your Dachshund’s nose
Hold the treat just above the end of your Dachshund’s nose and start moving your hand slowly back up his nose towards the top of his head.
As his nose follows the treat upwards, he should automatically sit down.
Don’t hold the treat too high above your Dachshund’s head, or he might jump upwards rathe than sit down. Your hand should literally skim the top of his nose.
Use the command word ‘Sit!’
As your Dachshund starts moving into the sitting position, make sure you say the command word ‘Sit!’ before you reward him.
This is to help him understand that ‘Sit!’ is associated with sitting down.
If your Dachshund isn’t getting it, try placing your hand on his romp (very gently!) to encourage him to sit down. Just be sure not to push or put any pressure on his fragile back.
Make sure you use the command word ‘Sit!’ as you do this, so he gets the hang of what ‘Sit!’ means.
Give lots of praise
When your Dachshund realises that he’s being rewarded for sitting down, he’ll likely start to sit once he sees you holding up a treat.
Make sure to reward him every time he sits with a small treat and verbal praise.
Your Dachshund will love to please you, and lots of praise will keep him interested in training.
Switch out the treats
Once you’re certain your Dachshund has got the hang of sitting on command, and he’s able to do it even with distractions around him, you’ve got to slowly stop using treats.
This doesn’t mean stop rewarding your Dachshund! It just means switching from yummy snacks to verbal praise or cuddles and fuss!
So, there you have it! Teaching basic commands is an important part of training and bonding with your Dachshund. Once you get him to ‘Sit!’, move on to the next command and continue the sessions daily.
What do I do next?
If you read all the way to the end of this article, you’re exactly the sort of person I’d LOVE to join my Facebook Group. Your support for my blog means everything to me so, if you found this article helpful, please kindly share below. Thank you! 💋
