Whether you have had your Dachshund puppy for a few weeks or you are just bringing home a 4-month-old Dachshund puppy, you will notice a few things about them. The first is that their attention span will be longer than a younger puppy. The second being they are sleeping a little less and able to learn more commands.
Being a breeder of Dachshunds for over 26 years, I always tell my puppy buyers to not take their new Dachshund puppy to a training class, parks, grooming shops, pet stores, etc. until that puppy is at least 16 weeks (4 months) and has completed their puppy vaccination series. This is to ensure they have built up some immunity and titers from their puppy series.
Your 4-month-old Doxie puppy is able to go longer between trips outside and should be able to give you some cues to let you know what they need. The puppy will still sleep quite a bit but they will also retain more during training sessions and have a longer attention span. Your Dachshund puppy may also challenge your authority a little more and try your patience but consistent training will get you through that phase.
What to Expect From a 4-Month-Old Dachshund?
Your little 4-month-old Dachshund is all puppy at this stage and full of playfulness. Your puppy will not need as much sleep, but they will still need several naps throughout the day. They will have a lot more energy and will become a more loyal companions as they settle into your home and routine.
Their attention span will be longer and training sessions can become a bit longer. They still are not ready for 30-to-60-minute training classes, but they will start to understand what you are expecting from them and want to please you. Training sessions should still be kept short, but they will become more productive.
Expect your Dachshund puppy to “pick their person”, while a Dachshund will love every person in your immediate family, there will be that one person who just steals their heart. If you are the only one in the home, you will obviously be “the one”. But, if you have a spouse or partner and kids living with you, your new Dachshund puppy could easily choose one of them as their special person.
What Does a 4-Month-Old Dachshund Look Like?
You may notice your 4-month-old Dachshund puppy is starting to look a bit gangly and awkward. They will lean out, they will be all ears, feet, and wagging tails. If you notice your puppy is looking a bit too thin but is still eating well, you will want to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup.
Depending on if your puppy is a miniature or standard, or somewhere in between, you can expect your 4-month-old Dachshund to be between 4 pounds and 8 pounds. Some puppies will weigh more and some less depending upon genetics, diet, and exercise. At this age, you are looking for your puppy to start leaning out a bit. A puppy that is too thin or too chunky may indicate a problem.
How Much to Feed a 4-Month-Old Dachshund?
Some people are sticklers for following feeding instructions on their pet’s food bag, but for someone who has over 26 years of experience in the breed, I choose to feed all my puppies free choice. This means they have access to quality kibble all the time. Their food bowl is always full so they can eat when they feel hungry.
This promotes healthier eating as they mature into adulthood. Puppies with access to their food 24/7 are less likely to gulp their food and cause digestive upset. My puppies are given free choice up to at least a year old, depending on each Doxie’s needs. A Doxie that is not a big eater, I tend to give them access to food more often. They also get more food than recommended to ensure they are getting enough to eat.
You will want to talk with your breeder about the proper nutrition for your Dachshund puppy. You will want to feed a high-quality puppy food that gives your puppy all the nutrients they need to be healthy. All of my Dachshund puppies are fed Fromm Family Gold puppy food and I do have a clause in my contract stating the puppy must be maintained on that food for a full year.
How Much Does a 4-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy Sleep?
While you will notice your 4-month-old Dachshund puppy has more energy, they still need a lot of sleep and will take plenty of naps throughout the day. Expect them to sleep 14 hours each day, spread out between playtimes and training sessions.
You will have established a schedule for your Dachshund puppy and your 4-month-old will need to stick to that schedule. Puppies, just like children, need structure to be well-adjusted. Have a set time to wake up in the morning, potty times, nap times, and of course bedtime.
How Much Exercise Does Your 4-Month-Old Dachshund Need?
A 4-month-old Dachshund Puppy does need more exercise than a younger puppy, but they still do not need long, structured exercise regimens. Playing games and letting them run around the backyard is still the best exercise for a younger puppy.
Keep your puppy active but not to the point that they overdo it and pull a muscle or be injured. Make sure you have 3-4 play sessions incorporated into your puppy’s schedule. You want them to get their heart pumping and stretch their muscles. If it is too hot outside, play a game of fetch down a long hallway or plan your play sessions early in the morning and late in the evenings.
How to Train a 4-Month-Old Dachshund
Consistency is always the key when training a puppy, no matter the breed. But Dachshunds are a stubborn breed and need a lot of encouragement and positive experiences to ensure they are willing to do what is asked of them.
Keep your training sessions short, about 10-15 minutes, and use a special treat that they only get during training. I have one puppy right now who is a pickier boy when it comes to treats but he loves cheese. So, he only gets cheese during his training that way it is special and he is more willing to work for that treat.
Upbeat and positive reinforcement is also important as well as ending each training session on a positive note. Never end the session on a correction and always take your cues from your puppy, if they are getting tired, stop the session even if the time is not up.
How to Deal with Bad Behaviors From 4-Month-Old Dachshund
Training and consistency are the best way to combat bad behaviors. If you notice your puppy chewing on something they are not allowed to have, take the item away and replace it with one of their toys. When you see your puppy exhibiting bad behavior, stop the activity and give them commands such as sit or down.
For example, a puppy that gets too excited during playtime and starts nipping and barking at you should immediately be told no and put into a down. This signals to the puppy that their behavior was not acceptable and putting them down gives them time to calm down and focus on a different command.
Final Thoughts
A Dachshund puppy is great fun and you will find that they will keep you on your toes, make you question the wisdom of adding a puppy to your family, and make you laugh every single day. Your 4-month-old Dachshund puppy is still a puppy and the expectations you have for them should still be pretty low. They are still learning what is expected of them and there will be missteps along the way.
Unconditional love, consistency in training, and proper nutrition, exercise, and care will ensure that your Dachshund puppy grows into a well-adjust adult Dachshund that is a loyal member of your family. The Dachshund puppy phase does eventually end and while the journey may have been a bit rough, it is definitely well worth it.
If you’ve missed our other posts about the development of Dachshund puppies, you can check them out here:
- 8-Week-Old Dachshund: Growing and Exploring Their Surroundings
- 3-Month-Old Dachshund: Growth and Training Tips
- 5-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy: Growth, Training, and Keeping It Real
- 6-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy: Expectations, Training, and Socialization
- Senior Dachshunds
Dachshund Resources and Tips
If you want to learn more about the Dachshund breed, check out these articles:
- The Dachshund Breed Profile: A Curious, Energetic, Mischievous, Stubborn, Yet Loveable Dog
- Miniature Vs. Standard Dachshund Comparison
- Dachshund Colors – Patterns and Markings Explained [With Pictures]
- Short Haired Dachshund: All You Need to Know About The Original Wiener Dog
- Long-Haired Dachshunds: Health, Temperament, and Grooming
- Wire-haired Dachshunds: History, Health, Temperament, and Fun Facts
- Male or Female Dachshund: Which sex is best for you?
- Blue Dachshund: Breed Info, Temperament, Health, and Costs
- Piebald Dachshund – Temperament, Health, Costs and Pictures
- Dapple Dachshunds – Temperament, Health, Costs and Pictures
- English Cream Dachshunds: Temperament, Types, Health and Care
- What Factors Determine The Lifespan of a Dachshund?
- Top 20 Essential Accessories for A New Dachshund Puppy
- How to Train Your Dachshund Puppy: From Basic Tips to Advanced Methods
- How Much Does a Dachshund Cost? (Full Breakdown of Initial Price and Yearly Costs)
