I was headed to the grocery one afternoon when I pass by a man and his dog having their dachshund training session. I noticed that the dog doesn't seem to respond well to the training given to him. Evidently, the man's furry companion would rather dig holes under the bushes than learn the command "stay". It is also evident that the owner is starting to lose his patience because of his pet's unlikely response.

Undoubtedly, this man is not the only one who have experienced this quandary when it comes to dachshund training. Dachshund owners, especially inexperienced ones may have come across this sometime in their lives. It is important that Dachshund owners know how to handle when this situation occurs.

Here are some tips to help owners get by with Dachshund training:

• Dachshund training can be a challenge because many of them are strong-headed or stubborn. Thus it is very important to be patient as well as consistent when training these short-legged and elongated dogs. If you feel that you are not in the mood for training, don't attempt to train your dog else you will be frustrated. The same applies to your dog. When you feel that he is unresponsive, end the session. Check if there is something that triggers his indifference. Perhaps he is sick or distracted by the sight and sounds nearby.
• Dachshunds are playful dogs. They are known to chase small animals, birds and balls and may even dig holes in your beautiful front lawn. To prevent him from being distracted, choosing the training location carefully. Try to choose a quite place free of distractions especially during the first few days or weeks of training. When he has mastered the command with only both of you present, start training him in different location, this time with few things in the surroundings such as children, passersby or small animals.
• Dachshunds as well as any dog breeds have short attention span, thus training session must be kept short. Fifteen minute or so of learning is enough to keep your pet's head in the game. Focus on a single command per session and make it enjoyable for you and your dog. In this way, your dog will associate training with fun and will look forward to it often. End the session on a positive mode and praise or reward him with his favorite treat if he has successfully done the command.
• Physical punishment should not be imposed. Rubbing your pet's nose in his accident or spanking him is not a good way to tell your dog of his mistake. It will just cause your dog to be afraid of you.