Crate training a Dachshund puppy safely

Crate training works really well when the crate becomes a place the dog genuinely wants to be — and with a Dachshund puppy, the crate choice matters even more than usual because of their spine. The wrong entry height or an oversized space can both cause problems early on. The right size, the right type, and a slow positive introduction make all the difference. Can you tell me: how old is your Dachshund, are you starting from scratch or is there already a bad association with a crate, and is this primarily for home use or travel?

Good that you're thinking about this now — IVDD risk is real in Dachshunds and the habits you build at 10 weeks stick. A standard front-door wire crate usually has a lip of 10–15cm, which doesn't sound much but a tiny puppy will scramble and twist to get in and out, and that repeated motion adds up. What size is she likely to be fully grown — standard or miniature? And is she going to have her own quiet corner for the crate, or does it need to fit somewhere specific in the house?

Perfect — that makes the decision straightforward. I'd go with the Midwest Homes for Pets iCrate, single door, in the 24-inch size. It's one of the few wire crates where the door sits almost flush with the base tray, so the step in is minimal — around 3–4cm — which is about as low as wire crates get. The 24-inch size is right for a miniature Dachshund adult, which matters because too much space at this age and she'll use one end as a toilet. It comes with a divider panel so you can shrink the usable space now and open it up as she grows. The wire sides give good ventilation and let her see out, which helps with the positive association — she won't feel like she's been shut in a box. Widely available on Amazon UK and solid build quality. The tray slides out for cleaning, which you'll appreciate at 10 weeks.

At 10 weeks some puppies do chew bedding, but most Dachshunds are more den-oriented than destructive that early — they tend to want to burrow rather than shred. Start with a thin, flat vetbed liner rather than a thick fluffy pad. Vetbed is chew-resistant compared to most alternatives, drains if she has an accident so she's not lying in it, and washes well. Avoid anything with loose stuffing at this age. A small worn item of your clothing tucked under the liner helps enormously with settling — your scent is genuinely calming for a puppy in a new space.

The rough rule at 10 weeks is one hour maximum during the day, plus overnight once she's sleeping through — though most puppies can manage a longer overnight stretch earlier than people expect if they're tired out beforehand. The key is that she should never be put in when she needs the toilet, and she should come out before she starts distressing, not after. Build it up gradually: five minutes with you nearby, then ten, then thirty. If she's quiet and settled, that's the crate doing its job. If she's crying consistently, something needs adjusting — too long, too soon, or not tired enough going in.