How to raise and train a dachshund?

If you really want to have a playful, temperamental dog, but you are cramped in the living space - a dachshund may be the ideal solution. A small, charming and cheerful dog with character is what you get when you get an animal of this breed. Looking at her, you do not even think that this charming dog was bred for hunting. But it is precisely in this that lies the peculiarity of her character; therefore, there arises the need for appropriate upbringing in order to clearly understand who is the boss in the house.

The breed has its own characteristics. First of all, they are very friendly, if, of course, you did not get an adult individual who was locked up. Dachshunds love to play around with other people, dogs, and play with them, in addition, they are very clever, willingly learn the commands and repeat them, showing considerable intelligence.

Dachshunds are persistent in their views on the nature of things, so rudely forcing her to do something that she does not want is very difficult. To make the most efficient use of the potential of this animal, it is necessary to diversify both the learning process and the stimuli used in the process, since the living mind of the taxes will “stick” in monotony.

At about 3 months, the characteristics of character are laid in the dachshunds, therefore during this period it is critically important not only to give the puppy maximum warmth, comfort and care, but also to properly raise the animal. Recommendations for handling a dachshund during this period are approximately as follows:

• increases the likelihood of success in the process of raising a dog of the Dachshund breed - an early start of training, therefore it is necessary to start from puppyhood;
• it is necessary to draw up a daily routine in which time for walking, eating and resting will be strictly defined; the schedule must be followed;
• the owner must exercise more patience and expect that the process of dressing taxes takes time, so it is necessary to work out the commands correctly and for a long time by doing this regularly;
• the owner must immediately establish its leading role, as the dog is a pack animal, prone to adhere to a certain pattern of behavior; the tax cannot be begged or persuaded to execute the command - the command must be given clearly and firmly, but it is important not to overdo it - the self-will of the tax will not allow it to put up with pressure;
• Dachshund needs physical exercise, and walking will not be enough to create them; in the apartment the dachshund has no opportunity to play enough, which can lead to the appearance of behavior problems;
• Dachshunds remember the weaknesses of their owners and then actively use them, therefore it is necessary to keep a clear leading position.

Among other things, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the dachshund, like any other dog, is not able to read your thoughts, therefore it is silly to demand this from it. Dachshund is able to understand 100–150 words, in the process of training it is necessary to actively use these words.

The education of dogs relies primarily on the mechanisms of positive and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is based on the promotion of desirable behavior, negative - on punishment for undesirable.

The food reflex is the desire of the animal to get food, orienting is the desire to repeat a pleasant irritant or to avoid an unpleasant one.

In 1994, Canadian researcher Koren ranked dogs according to their level of intelligence; dachshunds got a place in the group of "hard workers". The breeds that are in this group, in half of the cases, execute commands at the first request, after twenty repetitions they master the commands in principle, and they need about 40 repetitions to fix the result. If the dog has no deviations in mental development, the commands are absorbed by them for life. It is worth noting that the learning process is also facilitated in the presence of other dogs.

To raise a dog is a task of varying degrees of difficulty, even within the breed, because they also have various types of nervous activity according to Pavlov.

Choleric people more welcome encouraging teams, and prohibiting them are absorbed harder. Phlegmatic longer get stuck in both types of teams, but in them they are fixed for a longer period. Melancholic is difficult to train, as the excitement in them is weaker than inhibition.

It is necessary to understand the key features of dogs at different ages.

• Monthly dog ​​willingly plays and interacts with the outside world. During this period of life, the master's task is to protect the animal from stress.
• At 2 months, the dachshund attracts attention with a voice. This puppy can already be temporarily separated from the mother in another room.
• At three months, the dog begins to tear out into the street and for the first time to try "to the tooth" of the owners. During this period, they may begin to spoil the property. That is why this period is optimal for the beginning of animal training in basic commands and signals. When training it is very important to consider the state of health of the animal - they should not tire the dog.
• At four months the dog is trying to take the leading place in the "flock", so it is this period that will be critical in the formation of the hierarchy. The owner must be an uncompromising and stubborn leader.
• At 4–7 months old, the dog seeks to explore the outside world. The owner during this period increases the time of the walk, the puppy meets other dogs and people. At this time, the dachshund should already well obey the commands.
• At 7–9 months, there are differences in characters between boys and girls. Boys are beginning to mark the leaders and show aggression, and the girls for the first time experience estrus. During this period, females must be protected from encroachment and excessive negative, and males must be resolutely reasoned, not allowing them to take the primacy of the family.
• In the period from 9 to 12 months, the dachshund matures, becomes balanced, and at this time you can move on to a serious training. In this period of time they begin to study complex commands, periodically repeating the material covered.

To train a puppy yourself at home should be from two months. From three weeks to this time, the puppy only knows the world around it. Beginning already from two months, he is ready to interact and adapt to this world, in particular - to his master.

An animal of this breed at an early age, it is advisable not to overdo dressing, 15 minutes a day will be quite enough to start.

It is worth more to consider the main commands for taxes.

• "To me". You can learn the command “to me” in the following way: call a puppy with this command, after which it should come to you. If this does not work, you can pretend to leave and repeat the command. This option almost always works. If the puppy does, praise him.

• "Stand". The “stand” team is trained by applying both encouragement and coercion.This means that if a dog has difficulty, then you should push it by the stomach (an element of coercion), and in case of success - to treat and caress. It is better to train this team outside the inspection or other care of the dog. Go to her and give the signal "stand", then lift the back of her belly, with your other hand holding the collar - the dog should not take a step, executing this command. If the starting position when performing a command is lying down, you can easily pull on the collar or harness in the process. For the success of reward pet. Gradually increase the interval between the team and the reward, and start the gesture - lowered right arm, palm of which is turned up.

• "Beside". When performing the command "near" the initial position of the dog is opposite you face to you. As a result, the dog should sit on the left near your foot. You must stand face to the dog, holding the leash in his left hand. Then give the command, step back with your left foot, pull a little on yourself and to the left. The right foot does not change the position. The dog turns clockwise, its head is where your left leg was. Then we return the leg to its place and reward the dog. Ideally, gradually the dog will learn to execute this command without a leash and, having heard it, follow alongside you.

• "Fu" and "no". The command “no” (or “fu”) is learned when the puppy performs an undesirable action. In such a situation, you should say the command and gently slap the puppy, in case of categorical disobedience.

• "Show your teeth." To train an animal in the command “show your teeth”, one should pronounce it, squeeze the jaws and move its lips apart. Initially, this procedure is not very pleasant for the dog, but over time it will get used, and then learn the command altogether. This command can be especially useful when visiting a veterinarian.

• "Sit". The "sit" team trains with a treat, sandwiched in the hand over the puppy's face. Reaching for a tasty morsel, the dog will be forced to sit down. In case of failure, you can press the hand on the back of the dog. For success, reward the dog with a present. Sometimes you can accompany the team by snapping the collar up (but only moderate). Over time, make the time interval between the team and the supply of snacks, as well as enter the gesture - the palm of the right hand, facing the front at ear level (starting position) goes down.

• "Lie down." The “lie down” team should be taught in a similar way with the “sit” team. For training pick a quiet place. The dog sits, the treat is located under her face. To eat it, the puppy will be forced to lie down. In the case of dog stubbornness, you can press on the withers. The second method is to place one hand on the withers, the other place behind the front paws. Giving the command, lightly press on the withers, pushing the front paws and allowing the dog to lie down. It is important that the dog lay down neatly, stretching forward the front paws and picking up the rear. The third option is to press on the withers and pull the collar a little down and forward.

• "Give me a paw." To train an animal for this signal, hold the treat in your hand, let your pet sniff the hand and wait for the dog to reach out. When the dog does it, say the command, give it a treat and stroke it. You can try to do it without food - just hold the dog's paw in your hand and say the command. Without a treat, it will take more time, but then the skill will not be based on the petitioner's desire to receive a treat. It is important to teach the dog to feed the other paw. This can be achieved simply by giving the command and not returning the “first” paw of the pet, with time he will learn to give both paws alternately after the “give a paw” command.

The nickname issue is very important for a little dachshund. A puppy's nickname should never be pronounced in an abusive tone; it can create in him a negative association with a nickname that will spoil his whole future life. To get used to a puppy to a nickname, pronounce it, offering a dachshund treat, which looks like this:

1. first you need to take a treat, move away for some distance from the puppy and gently call him;
2. when the puppy approaches, it should be treated;
3. should take a new batch of delicacies, go into the next room and call the puppy again.

Puppy is called even and measured tone. If he doesn’t respond, they are called upon more insistently, demanding immediate execution of the command. A puppy should not be scolded for poor performance of commands, it is enough to utter a strict command “fu” (or “not”).

It is very important to provide the baby dachshund with chewing toys so that the dachshund can nibble them, not your clothes, clothes and furniture. If the dog is begging during your meal, you should gently but firmly besiege him with a “place” command.

And also the “place” command is useful in a situation when a puppy climbs to sleep with the owners - in such a situation you should move it to the place reserved for sleep and give the command.

From the age of two months it is necessary to accustom the dachshund to the collar and leash. At first the dog will not put up with the collar, will be nervous, trying to remove it. Gradually, the animal will get used. It should be noted that the collar and leash must meet such requirements as:

• the collar should be made of soft but durable fabric; in no case should he bring discomfort to the animal;
• the leash should be fairly light and strong, made of quality material; The carbine should also not be too heavy, but should provide a secure fit.

Details of the training rates you will learn from the video.