How To Crate Train A Dachshund Puppy and Why That’s Important?

Crate training can be a bit controversial but it’s a perfectly fine thing to do if you do it right. So, how to crate train a dachshund puppy, and why that’s important? How soon should you start, how much time is it going to take, and what’s the best approach? Let’s go over each point below.

How To Crate Train A Dachshund Puppy?

The crate training process is much simpler than many people realize. While dogs aren’t as much of a den animal as some wild canines, they do use dens, particularly when giving birth, caring for their puppies, or when looking for some extra comfort.

So, the idea here isn’t to force your dog into a place it hates and to make it tolerate it. Instead, all you really need to do is make the crate enjoyable and get your dog to the idea that the door will sometimes will be closed.

So, here’s the step-by-step process for how to crate train a dachshund puppy:

Pick the right crate size. It should be as long as the dog’s nose-to-tail length plus a couple of extra inches. It should be as tall as the dog in a sitting position (not standing) plus a couple of extra inches. And, the width should be 70% of the length. That’s for an adult dog, of course – if your dachshund is still a puppy, get the appropriate size for when it’s an adult.

Pick the right crate size

Learn more about: My Dog Poops In Its Crate When Left Alone – What To Do?

Put the crate in the right place. It shouldn’t be an overly lively area but it should still be in or near the living room or your home office area. If you plan on training your dog to sleep in the crate at night, it’s smart to put it close to your bed. If need be, you can move the crate between two locations but that should be done consistently so the move can become a part of the habit.
At first, let your puppy explore the crate freely. Your dog shouldn’t feel forced. On the contrary – the crate should be comfy and interesting enough – it should have your dog’s favorite blanket, some toys, and so on. Add extra rewards by petting and praising your dog every time it enters the crate.
Start exercising your dog before going to the crate. This will tire your pup out and make it sleepy, leading to a nap time in the crate. This nap time should be done with the crate door still open at first.
Start closing the door during nap time once the pup has started to feel really comfortable inside. At this point, the dog should be going there on its own anyway. If your dog starts whining and crying at first, don’t be distraught – a few minutes of whining are ok and you can comfort your pup through the crate. This is even easier to do with an open-roof kennel. If the crying persists, take the pup out and play with it some more to get it tired. Then, try again. Also, don’t keep your pup locked in the crate for longer than an hour or two at first – you are still just establishing the habit.
And that’s about it. After a while, your pup will be comfortable enough inside to stay there all throughout the night – for up to 8 hours! The whole crate training process can be started as early as the pup’s 8^th week and can take anywhere between a couple of weeks to a couple of months. If it takes longer than that, you’re either not doing something right or you’re not persistent enough.

As for whether you even need to crate train a dachshund – not really. However, it is a useful tool to have and it’s enjoyable for the dachshund itself when done right. The only time you’ll absolutely need a crate for a dachshund is in case of a physical problem such as IVDD or another issue. For those alone, it’s worth it to have established the habit ahead of time.