Most reputable breeders do not release a Dachshund puppy to their new family until they are about 12 weeks old, or 3 months old, this is so the breeder has had time to start the puppy’s proper socialization and vaccinations. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes while your Doxie puppy is growing and preparing to leave for its new home.
Any good, responsible breeder will have to stay in contact with puppy buyers who have placed a deposit to reserve their puppy so the new owners can watch through photos and videos as their puppy grows and begins exploring the world around them. I always send weekly updates to my new puppy buyers.
So, when your Dachshund puppy comes home you will want to know what to expect, how much they should be eating, what training they should be learning, and how to stop any bad behaviors that may be starting. It takes time and consistency to properly nurture and train your new 3-month-old Dachshund puppy.
What to Expect from a 3-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy?
Many people think that a 3-month-old Dachshund puppy should be so much more advanced than they really are, but these little puppies are still babies and in need of a lot of structure, sleep, and reassurance. While your 3-month-old Doxie puppy will be livelier than an 8-week-old Dachshund puppy, they still have specific needs to ensure they stay happy and healthy.
If you are just bringing your Dachshund puppy home, set a schedule and stick to it. The structure will help your new puppy feel more secure and know what to expect. If your puppy has been home for a few weeks, you will notice they are settling into your home and accepting their routine and schedule.
Remember, at 3 months old, your Dachshund puppy will be precocious and get into everything so be sure to keep them contained in a crate or puppy playpen when you can not watch them or when they need some downtime including naps.
What Does a 3-Month-Old Dachshund Look Like?
So, a 3-month-old Dachshund puppy should look like a slightly more grown-up version of an 8-week-old Doxie baby. They should have the look of an adult Dachshund but cuter and chubbier. When you look at your puppy, you should be able to say with 100% certainty that your new puppy is indeed a Dachshund. They should be gawky, and chubby, with long ears, long noses, and stubby legs.
Determining if your Dachshund puppy is right on target growth-wise is really kind of simple. It is a matter of looking at the puppy and determining if they are too fat, too lean, or just the right amount of chunky. 3-month-old Dachshund puppies should still be little roly-poly things but not overly obese and definitely not stick thin.
Keep a weight chart for your puppy and if you notice a steady increase in their weight each week, then your puppy is growing well. If you notice a decrease or a huge jump in their weight, you may want to adjust their food consumption. Puppies that continue to lose weight or stay the same may need to be examined by a veterinarian to ensure they are healthy.
How Much to Feed a 3-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy?
Many breeders are pushing grain-free or raw diets for their puppies and while there are some instances where a dog does need to be fed grain-free or raw, puppies should not be fed this type of diet. Puppies need a specific balance of nutrients, fats, and proteins for proper growth. For those not properly schooled in canine nutrition, it is best to stick with a quality puppy kibble to ensure they have the best start in life.
I also prefer to give my Dachshund puppies 24/7 free choice when it comes to food. Their puppy food is available to them every time they are in their puppy playpen so they can graze throughout the day and not gulp their food at specific times.
If you do decide to feed your Dachshund puppy on a set schedule, make sure you space their feedings throughout the day. Usually, if someone is determined to feed their puppy on a schedule, I advise them to feed them 4 small meals throughout the day so they are getting plenty to eat and do not feel the need to scarf their food.
Make a point to talk with your breeder about the appropriate nutrition for your Doxie puppy. You will want to feed a high-quality puppy food that gives your puppy all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. 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 3-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy Sleep?
Dachshund puppies will play hard and then drop almost in their tracks for a nap. You can expect your 3-month-old Dachshund puppy to sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day, give or take a few hours depending on your puppy’s activity level.
The main thing that I cannot stress enough when you have a young Doxie puppy is to put them on a schedule. They need a routine to help them with their housetraining and to help them feel secure. As soon as your puppy comes home, have a schedule set up for them and stick to it. If you need to alter the schedule, do so in 15-minute increments to keep them from being too far off schedule.
How Much Exercise Does Your 3-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy Need?
Dachshunds in general only need moderate exercise to keep them in ideal weight and condition. Adults in their prime do require more structured exercise than a 3-month-old puppy. A Doxie puppy can definitely get enough exercise by running and playing in your backyard or playing fetch a few times a day.
Puppies do need a lot of sleep so after they have a hard play session, make sure they get to have a nap and rest their muscles. If you allow your Dachshund puppy to overdo it or exercise too hard, you can cause muscle strains and other ailments.
Dachshund puppies can be a bit clumsy so do not be overly concerned if they trip over their own feet often. If you do notice some limping after a tumble, make them rest for a while. If limping or soreness still persists, make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam.
How to Train a 3-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy
Puppies have such short attention spans that you really should not expect much from them when it comes to long training sessions. Dachshund puppies are generally food-motivated, so find a yummy treat that your puppy loves and save those only for training sessions.
Keep everything positive and never be harsh with your puppy. Dachshunds are very stubborn and if they are not having fun, they will shut down and not want to work for you. Lots of positive reinforcement and treats along with repetitive commands are the best way to train your 3-month-old Doxie puppy.
Keep all training sessions short and work on basic commands first. Once your puppy has mastered simple or basic commands, you can build on those and move on to more complex commands and even start teaching them tricks. Dachshunds are super smart, but also super stubborn so be patient and take your time with them.
How to Deal with Bad Behaviors of 3-Month-Old Dachshund
All puppies, no matter the breed, need to have boundaries. Just like with children, if your puppy does not have set rules or boundaries they will flounder in a chaotic environment and never reach their potential. With set boundaries, your Dachshund puppy will know what to expect and will strive to reach their full potential.
It is actually pretty easy to teach bad behaviors to your new puppy without even realizing you are doing so. Tug-o-war may seem like a cute game but it actually challenges your authority and teaches your puppy to not respect you as the leader of the pack. Allowing your puppy to nibble on your fingers, hands, or clothing also teaches your puppy that it is okay to bite and put their mouth on you.
Consistency and positive reinforcement are the best way to deal with bad behaviors. Allow your puppy to have fun, but only within acceptable parameters that teach them their proper place within the pack, or family, and avoid any games that may challenge your authority.
Final Thoughts
A 3-month-old Dachshund puppy is one of the cutest puppies and those sweet and sad eyes will grab your heart. But your puppy is learning how to be a well-behaved, important part of your family, therefore, you will want to always set boundaries, keep them on a schedule, and nip any bad behaviors in the bud quickly.
Remember to speak with your pup’s breeder if you have any questions or concerns about their overall health, feeding, and training. A responsible breeder will always be your first resource throughout your Doxie’s lifetime. As a breeder with over 26 years of experience, I am always happy to answer questions and help my clients with any problems they may encounter as their pup grows and ages.
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
- 4-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy: Training, Socialization, and Growth
- 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)
