· Zoey the Dachshund · Training and Behavior · 3 min read
Potty Training Pads for Dachshunds: What Actually Works
Potty training pads for dachshunds work — if you know the tricks. Here's how Zoey was trained as a puppy and why the pads stuck around into adulthood.
The moment Zoey woke up — from any nap, any night’s sleep — she was picked up and placed directly on the pad. No detours. No waiting to see what would happen. That single habit is what made potty training pads for dachshunds actually work in our house.
The Puppy Phase: Timing Is Everything
Puppies have tiny bladders and almost no warning time between waking and going. The trick is to remove the decision entirely. Pick them up the second they stir and set them on the pad before their feet hit the floor. Pair it with a consistent word — “go potty” — and repeat it every single time.
One technique that made a real difference: rubbing the used pad against the new one before swapping it out. That transferred Zoey’s scent to the fresh pad, giving her an immediate signal that this was the right spot. Without the scent cue, a clean pad can seem like just another surface to a puppy.
The archive from the original 3doxies days backs this up — Chloe took to pads easily, while Odie and Molly treated them like chew toys. The fix there was taping all four sides down with blue painter’s tape. It holds the pad flat and removes the temptation to dig at the edges.
The Adult Phase: XL Pads and Travel Days
Zoey still has pads in the house as an adult. She prefers the grass outside — every dachshund does — but the pads stay as a reliable backup. One thing nobody mentions about adult dachshunds and pads: you need the extra-large size. The standard pad is fine for puppies, but a full-grown dachshund’s long back means half the dog hangs off the edge. XL pads give her enough room to position properly.
The real payoff came during travel. Zoey will reliably use a pad at a hotel. That is not a small thing. Knowing she’ll go on the pad in an unfamiliar room — no accidents, no stress — makes the whole trip easier. The habit built in puppyhood transferred directly.
The Short Version
- Pick up the puppy the moment it wakes; place it on the pad before it takes a step
- Rub the old pad on the new one to carry the scent over
- Tape all four sides down with painter’s tape to prevent chewing and sliding
- Switch to XL pads once your dachshund is fully grown
- Maintain a pad at home even after outdoor training is solid — it pays off when you travel
Pad training takes patience, but with dachshunds it is one of the most practical habits you can build early.
