How do you get a dachshund's ears to lay down?

Answer 1

Before teaching a dog to sit, it should already know and respond to its name. Start the exercise in a quiet room and use a calm voice. Call your dog by its name and show your dog a treat that it loves and have plenty of other treats in your pocket. While the dog is standing show and hold the treat close to the dog's nose and then move it just above its head while moving the treat slowly backwards. The dog should naturally get into the sit position by bending its legs. As its legs are bending say 'sit'. The very second the dog sits, give it the reward and enthusiastically say "Good dog!" and give the dog a petting. If the dog does the wrong thing don't give any reward and don't fret, just try again. Keep this up over time until the dog has mastered the exercise. Then continue the training varying the levels of distraction. Slowly decrease the food rewards and substitute them with enthusiastic "Good dog!" praisings and/or pettings.

Try this technique before the dog's mealtime so it is hungry and eager to work for the reward.

In order to avoid confusion, always use the EXACT same command AFTER the dog's name (for example: Rover, "sit" not Rover, "sit down")

Never fumble around looking for the reward after the dog sits. Have it ready!

Be patient and never get angry. Dogs pick up on these feelings and won't want to practice with you if it's not fun.

It's best NOT to push the dog's rear end to the floor with your hands if you are having trouble. The dog might well associate this with the actual training and wait for you to push its rear end down in the future. If you are having trouble with this technique then an obedience class with other dogs is a great idea.