How to Teach a Dachshund to Lie Down
Teaching your Dachshund to lie down is a powerful foundation for impulse control and calm behavior—especially important for this clever, stubborn breed. Dachshunds are intelligent and lively, but their independent streak and high barking tendency mean they need clear, consistent guidance and strong motivation to comply. The "down" cue gives your dog a constructive outlet for energy and helps manage impulsive behaviors. Since Dachshunds can be stubborn and benefit from mental stimulation, this training builds confidence and strengthens your bond. With positive reinforcement tailored to their food-motivated nature, you'll transform the lie down into a reliable settle cue that manages their moderate-to-high energy and reduces unwanted barking. Consistency and patience are essential with this determined breed.
Step-by-step
- 1
Start with Sit as Your Foundation
Before teaching down, ensure your Dachshund has a solid sit. Start with your dog sitting in front of you with high-value treats (small, soft pieces work best). This gives your stubborn Dachshund a clear starting point and builds confidence before introducing the new cue.
- 2
Lure from Sit to Down with Treats
Hold a treat close to your dog's nose while they're sitting, then slowly move it toward the ground between their paws in a "J" shape—downward and slightly under their body. Most Dachshunds will naturally follow the treat into a down position. Reward generously the instant their elbows touch the floor.
- 3
Add the Verbal Cue and Hand Signal
Once your Dachshund reliably follows the lure into down, begin saying "down" just before you make the luring motion, then reward. Pair this with a clear hand signal—a downward point or open-palm gesture. Consistency matters for this clever breed's understanding.
- 4
Fade the Lure Gradually
Over several sessions, hold treats higher and further away, rewarding your dog for responding to the verbal cue and hand signal alone. Dachshunds are food-motivated, so they'll maintain focus if rewards remain unpredictable and valuable—never fall into predictable treat patterns.
- 5
Practice Duration and Impulse Control
Once down is reliable, gradually extend the time your Dachshund stays down before releasing and rewarding. Start with 2–3 seconds and build up. This teaches settling behavior and helps manage their lively, barking tendencies by giving them a directed calming activity.
- 6
Generalize to Different Environments
Practice down in various locations—living room, yard, quiet park—with different distractions. Dachshunds can be selective about obeying in exciting situations, so varied practice ensures the cue works reliably even when they're stimulated or tempted to bark or dig.
Pro tips
- Keep treats tiny and rewards varied—Dachshunds are motivated by food but tire of monotony. Rotate different treats and occasionally use toys or praise to maintain enthusiasm and prevent the stubborn refusal that can creep in with repetition.
- Train before meals or during your dog's energetic window—typically morning or early evening. Post-exercise sessions work well for this moderate-energy breed, as mental work after physical activity prevents the barking and digging that result from pent-up energy.
- Use down as a settle tool during calm times at home. Cue it when your Dachshund naturally wants to rest, reward, and release. This builds the association between down and relaxation, making the command especially effective for managing their lively temperament and high barking tendency in daily life.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my Dachshund lie down? He just sits there and ignores me.+
Dachshunds are stubborn and will only comply if the reward is worthwhile. Ensure you're using high-value treats (cheese, chicken, or special training rewards), rewarding immediately and enthusiastically, and practicing consistently. Break sessions into 2–3 minutes to maintain focus. If luring isn't working, try training after exercise when your dog's energy is slightly lower.
My Dachshund lies down but pops up immediately. How do I build duration?+
This is normal and especially common in energetic Dachshunds. Reward him for staying down even 1 second, then release with "okay" or another release word. Gradually extend duration to 2, 3, then 5 seconds before rewarding. Keep sessions short and fun to prevent frustration—this breed's independent nature means they'll resist boring repetition.
Should I use the down command to stop barking or jumping?+
Yes, absolutely. Down is an excellent redirect for Dachshunds' high barking tendency and impulsive jumping. Reward heavily when your dog chooses down instead of barking or jumping. Consistent practice in calm moments makes it easier for your dog to respond even when excited—building genuine impulse control rather than just suppression.
How often should I train my Dachshund's down command?+
Practice 2–3 short sessions daily (3–5 minutes each) for best results with this breed. Dachshunds learn quickly but have limited attention spans and can become bored, leading to stubbornness. Mix training with their 45 minutes of daily exercise, and always end on a positive note to keep them eager for the next session.