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Dachshund Temperament: The Badger Dog That Lives in Your House

The Dachshund was not bred to sit on your lap and look pretty. They were bred to crawl into underground burrows and fight badgers -- animals twice their size with razor-sharp claws. That required courage, tenacity, independence, and a loud voice. Every single one of those traits is still very much present in the pet Dachshund sleeping on your couch right now.

Understanding the Dachshund temperament -- and working with it instead of against it -- turns a frustrating experience into a deeply rewarding one. They are not broken Labradors. They are exactly what they were designed to be.

The Five Dachshund Personality Traits

1. Stubbornness (Independence)

This is the trait that defines the Dachshund experience. They hear your command. They understand your command. They weigh it against what they want to do. And they often choose themselves. This is not a training failure -- it is a feature of a dog bred to work alone underground where no handler could direct them. You cannot force compliance from a Dachshund. You have to make compliance more rewarding than the alternative.

2. Loyalty

Dachshunds bond fiercely to their family -- often one person above all others. They follow their person from room to room, sleep under the covers, and want to be involved in everything. This loyalty can tip into possessiveness and jealousy if not managed. They can be suspicious of strangers and protective of their home and their people.

3. Prey Drive

Dachshunds have a strong prey drive inherited from their hunting background. Squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, birds -- anything small and fast will trigger the chase instinct. They will dig after burrowing animals with remarkable determination. This means off-leash reliability is low, yards need to be fenced, and small pets (hamsters, guinea pigs) should be kept well separated.

4. Vocality (Barking)

Dachshunds are loud. They have a deep, surprisingly powerful bark for their size -- another trait from their hunting days, when they needed to be heard from underground. They bark at the doorbell, the mailman, other dogs, suspicious noises, and things only they can hear. This makes them excellent watchdogs and challenging apartment dogs. Training can reduce excessive barking, but a silent Dachshund is a contradiction in terms.

5. Bravery (Sometimes Too Much)

A Dachshund does not know it is small. They will confront dogs five times their size, stand their ground against perceived threats, and charge into situations that a more sensible dog would avoid. This fearlessness is endearing but dangerous -- a Dachshund picking a fight with a large dog risks serious injury, especially given their vulnerable backs. Socialization and leash control are essential.

Training a Dachshund

The #1 Rule

Food is your only leverage. Dachshunds are not motivated by praise or your approval. They are motivated by food. High-value treats (real meat, cheese, small pieces of hot dog) are the currency of Dachshund training. Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes max), end on a success, and never lose your temper. The moment you get frustrated, the Dachshund wins.

What works

  • Positive reinforcement with high-value treats
  • Short, fun training sessions
  • Consistency from every family member
  • Crate training for housetraining
  • Early socialization (8-16 weeks is critical)
  • Patience -- lots of it

What does not work

  • Punishment or dominance-based methods
  • Yelling (they will yell back)
  • Long, repetitive training sessions
  • Expecting off-leash reliability
  • Inconsistency (one person enforces rules, another does not)
  • Giving in when they refuse (they learn that refusal works)

The Housetraining Problem

Dachshunds are consistently ranked among the hardest breeds to housetrain. There are three reasons:

  1. They are stubborn -- if they do not want to go outside in the rain, they will not
  2. They are small -- small bladder, frequent need to go, and accidents are easy to miss
  3. They are low to the ground -- they can sneak behind furniture to have an accident without you noticing

What works: strict schedule, crate training, reward-based reinforcement every single time they go outside, and cleaning accidents with enzymatic cleaner (not ammonia-based products). Expect 6-12 months for reliable housetraining. Some Dachshund owners use indoor potty solutions (pee pads, dog doors) as a permanent supplement, especially in cold climates.

Related Dachshund Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Dachshunds aggressive?
Dachshunds are one of the breeds most likely to show aggression toward strangers and other dogs, according to multiple behavior studies. This is not because they are mean -- it is because they were bred to be fearless hunters and they have a strong territorial instinct. Early socialization, consistent training, and not encouraging "tough dog" behavior are essential. Most Dachshund aggression is fear-based or resource-guarding and responds well to positive training methods.
Can Dachshunds be left alone during the day?
Adult Dachshunds can generally handle 4-6 hours alone. They are more prone to separation anxiety than some breeds, and bored Dachshunds will bark, dig, and destroy things. A second dog, puzzle toys, and a consistent routine help. Puppies should not be left for more than 2-3 hours. If you work full-time, a midday dog walker or doggy daycare is worth considering.
Do Dachshunds get along with other dogs?
Many Dachshunds do well with other dogs, especially if socialized early. They tend to prefer other Dachshunds or similarly-sized dogs. Same-sex aggression can be an issue. Introducing a Dachshund to a much larger dog requires supervision -- Dachshunds do not understand they are small and may provoke a fight they cannot win. Their fragile backs make rough play with large dogs risky.
How do I stop my Dachshund from barking so much?
You will not eliminate Dachshund barking entirely -- it is a breed trait from their hunting heritage. What you can do: teach a "quiet" command with high-value treats, redirect attention when barking starts, avoid reinforcing barking by yelling (they think you are joining in), ensure adequate exercise and mental stimulation, and address the root cause (boredom, anxiety, territorial behavior). Consistent training reduces excessive barking but will not create a silent Dachshund.
Why is my Dachshund so stubborn?
Dachshunds were bred to independently track and confront badgers underground -- an animal that outweighs them and fights back. This required a dog that makes its own decisions, does not give up, and does not back down. That same tenacity that made them effective hunters is what you experience as "stubbornness" in daily life. They are not being defiant to spite you. They are doing what their genetics tell them to do -- evaluating whether your request is worth their effort.