10 Essential Skills Every Adventure Dachshund Should Know

Whenever I say I don’t enjoy dog training, it surprises some people because they think my Dachshunds are very well behaved. Let me clarify: I very much enjoy teaching my dogs life skills, but I am not interested in teaching obedience for obedience sake. I want to be able to hike without my Dachshund pulling me toward every squirrel. I want to eat on a dog-friendly patio without worrying my dog will trip the waitress. I enjoy taking my Dachshunds camping, to farmers markets, on road trips, and to outdoor events knowing they’ll handle whatever comes their way with confidence. In other words, I don’t train because I want perfectly obedient dogs. I train because I want dogs that are easy to live and adventure with. In my experience, a core set of practical skills makes almost every outing easier, safer, and more enjoyable for both of you. These aren’t flashy competition behaviors. They’re everyday life skills that help your Dachshund understand what’s expected of them in the real world. Here is my list of must-know adventure dog skills. 1. Engagement (Checking In) If I could only teach one skill, this would probably be it. Besides potty training, this is the skill I focused on with Ott...