If you have an older dachshund who isn’t potty trained for some reason, then the only way to cure it is to start all over as a puppy.
Sometimes dachshunds are fully potty trained and then go back to urinate in the house. If this has happened, it is important that you first check with your vet that he is not ill. Some diseases cause dogs to not have full control of their bladder and need to urinate more often.
If all is well with your dachshund, it’s time to remind him of what he should be doing. It’s very easy for Dachshunds to fall into bad habits and a little gentle, positive reinforcement will soon get you on the right track.
I think it’s a great idea to have a word that you use every time you want him to go to the bathroom. I use “potty” and have done it since I was a puppy. My dachshund is now 8 years old and even though he’s fully potty trained, he still needs to be reminded to “potty” sometimes. It’s so easy for him to get distracted by wonderful new grass smells and forget what came out. to do!
Having this command is also very useful because you travel a lot in the car with us and by understanding “going to the bathroom”, you know what to do before getting in the car and at rest stops. It’s so much easier than loading it in the car and then having to stop your journey because your dog wants to urinate!
Believe me, it is very possible to retrain an older Dachshund and we have done it many times with the rescue dogs that we have hosted at home. If you haven’t been able to train your senior dachshund so far, don’t despair.
Take some time to learn about Dachshunds and the best way to potty train them. Potty training an older dachshund can easily turn into a battle of wills and an ongoing struggle. Owners who haven’t gone the extra mile to potty train unfortunately often hand over their dachshunds to shelters. However, these same Dachshunds have been easily potty trained by ordinary people who understand this breed. I have raised many Dachshund rescue dogs in my home and each one has left fully trained and happy.
Due to the uniqueness, stubbornness, and intelligence of dachshunds, it’s worth investing the time to understand these cute little bundles of joy and fun. However, there is a lot of information available on potty training dogs, from puppies to adults; I recommend that you find information that targets dachshunds.
Don’t give up on your Dachshund!