Recall Treats for Overweight Dachshunds

Reliable recall is the single most important skill a dog can have — it can genuinely save their life. For most dogs, the winning combination is a high-value treat they'd do anything for, paired with a long line so you can practise safely without the risk of them bolting. To point you in the right direction: what breed and age is your dog, how bad is the recall right now, and are you after training aids, treats, or both?

That's a really common Dachshund problem — once the nose is engaged, you basically don't exist. The weight issue is important to take seriously too, especially in Dachshunds where extra weight puts real strain on their spines. Before I recommend anything: how many training sessions are you doing per day, roughly, and how long are they? And does she have any known food allergies or intolerances?

Perfect — that's actually a manageable treat load if you pick the right thing. For an overweight Dachshund doing recall work, I'd go with Forthglade 100% Natural Chicken Liver treats. They're freeze-dried, which means they're intensely smelly and meaty — exactly the kind of high-value reward that cuts through scent distraction — but they're very low in fat and calories compared to most meat-based training treats. A small piece is genuinely enough to get a response, so you're not pumping calories in to get the behaviour. They're also single-ingredient, so no fillers inflating the calorie count. Break each treat into three or four tiny pieces for your sessions and you'll barely dent her daily allowance. Pair that with a 5-metre long line in the garden and you'll have the setup to actually teach the recall rather than just hoping she comes back.

Yes, and it's worth being disciplined about it. Weigh out her daily treat allowance in the morning and set it aside — then deduct whatever you use in training from her evening meal. It keeps her total intake consistent and actually makes the treats feel more valuable because she's slightly keener. Since she's already overweight, I'd also mention it to your vet so they can track her progress — Dachshund weight management is worth monitoring properly given the spinal risks.

Good plan. The long line is a game-changer for Dachshunds specifically — it lets her feel like she's free-ranging while you still have control, which is exactly the environment where you need the recall to work. Stick with it consistently and you should see real improvement within two to three weeks.