2027 Dachshund Enrichment Games for Your Little Hunter
Editor's Note: This article was written by a Certified Fear Free trainer. At Wild Pack, every approach we share is instinct-led, nervous-system-first, and rooted in fear-free training.
If your dachshund digs at the couch, barks at every leaf, and disappears nose-first under the blankets, they're not being difficult. They're being a dachshund.
These little dogs were bred to track badgers by scent and follow them underground. That's a lot of drive packed into a small, long body. The right dachshund games give that drive a healthy outlet, without asking your dog's back to do things it wasn't built for.
Below are six games that tap into what dachshunds love most: sniffing, burrowing, digging, and a good hunt.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Why Dachshunds Need the Right Kind of Games
Scent Games for Dachshunds
Dig, Tug, and Explore Games
Dog Toys That Support Dachshund Games
Keeping Games Back-Friendly
Ready to Go Deeper Into Scent Work?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Key Takeaways
Dachshunds are scent hounds bred to hunt underground, so the best dachshund games involve sniffing, burrowing, and digging.
Scent games are the easiest place to start: they need little equipment and tire dachshunds out mentally.
Use the same cue, like "find it," every time so your dog knows the game is on.
Dachshunds are prone to back problems, so favor steady, controlled play over sudden spins and slips, and keep your dog at a healthy weight.
Scent games are backed by research: regular nose work has been linked to more optimistic dogs.
Why Dachshunds Need the Right Kind of Games
Think of the dachshund as a scent hound with a terrier's job description. Officially, they're hounds. But their original work, following prey into tunnels and holding their ground, gave them the tenacity, independence, and dig-first attitude you'd expect from a terrier.
That combination explains a lot of everyday behavior:
The nose leads everything. Walks become sniff-fests, and dropped crumbs never go unnoticed.
Burrowing feels safe. Blankets, laundry piles, and the space under your duvet are all fair game.
Digging is hardwired. Gardens, couch cushions, and dog beds can all become "tunnels."
They're persistent. The breed standard describes them as persevering, so once a dachshund decides something is worth pursuing, they tend to stick with it.
Veterinarians at VCA note that dachshunds like to hunt and dig, and that some bark a lot. When those instincts don't have an outlet, they can show up in places you'd rather they didn't. Enrichment that matches the breed provides mental stimulation and gives your dog a chance to be fully themselves, and a fulfilled dog is usually a calmer one.
The catch is their build. Dachshunds have long spines and short legs, so the best games keep all four paws close to the ground.
Scent Games for Dachshunds
If you only try one type of dachshund game, make it scent work. In a 2019 study from Barnard College, dogs that did two weeks of nose work became more optimistic, while dogs that practiced heelwork did not. Researchers credit both the sniffing itself and the chance for dogs to make their own choices during a search. Start with Find It, then try the Blanket Burrow Hunt once your dog knows the game.
1. Find It
This is the foundation for every scent game that follows.
Hold your dog back, or ask them to wait, while they watch you place a treat a few feet away.
Bring them to the same starting spot each time, like a doorway or the edge of a rug.
Say "find it" and let them go.
When they find the treat, that's their reward. Let them enjoy it right where it was.
Use the same cue every time. Over a few sessions, "find it" becomes your dog's signal that a search is about to start. Once they're getting it fast, place the treat somewhere they can't see, like just around a chair leg. You'll find scent games like this in action on the Wild Pack YouTube Channel.
2. Blanket Burrow Hunt
This one combines scent with every dachshund's favorite activity: burrowing.
Lay a blanket or towel flat on the floor and scatter a few treats underneath.
Start with the edges loose so treats are easy to reach.
Say "find it" and let your dog nose their way in.
As they get the hang of it, add a second blanket or a few loose folds for them to work through.
Keep it to soft, loose layers your dog can easily push through or back out of. The goal is a satisfying dig and sniff, not a frustrating trap. A snuffle mat works on the same idea and is easy to bring out any time.
Dig, Tug, and Explore Games
Scent games work the brain. These four add a little more movement and exploration.
3. The Dig Box
If your dachshund digs where they shouldn't, give them somewhere they can.
Fill a shallow storage bin or kiddie pool with balled-up paper, old towels, or ball-pit balls. Bury a few treats or a favorite toy inside, then invite your dog to dig them out. Stay nearby while they play, and skip anything small enough to swallow or easy to chew apart. Outdoors, a small patch of loose soil or sand works too.
It won't erase the instinct to dig, but it gives that instinct a home, and that often takes pressure off your garden and couch.
4. Gentle Tug
Tug lets dachshunds channel that tenacious, hold-your-ground streak.
Use a soft, long toy and keep it low, near floor level, so your dog never has to rear up or twist. Let them pull while you hold steady rather than yanking side to side. Let them win often. Pause every so often and ask for a calm "drop it" before starting again.
5. The Sniffari Walk
A sniffari is a walk where your dog sets the pace and picks the route, nose first.
Head somewhere new or interesting, use a longer leash, and let your dachshund lead for part of the walk. Stop when they stop, and give them time to take in each smell. Nose work instructor Sarah Owings suggests letting your dog lead for 20 to 30 percent of a walk.
It's gentle on the body, full of choice, and uses the sense dachshunds rely on most.
6. The Tunnel Obstacle Course
Dachshunds were built to go underground, so tunnels are a natural fit.
Set up a simple obstacle course at floor level: a play tunnel or open-ended box to crawl through, a couple of cushions to walk around, and a treat waiting at the finish. Say "find it" at the end, then rearrange the pieces next time to keep it interesting.
Leave out the parts of a standard agility course that involve jumping, climbing, or twisting, like jump bars, A-frames, and weave poles. A ground-level setup gives your dachshund the fun of an agility course without the high-impact moves.
Dog Toys That Support Dachshund Games
You don't need much gear, but a few interactive dog toys can keep the fun going between sessions.
Sniffing toys. A dog snuffle ball hides kibble in fabric folds for your dog to nose out, much like the Blanket Burrow Hunt.
Puzzle toys. A dog puzzle toy or dog activity poker box asks your dog to slide, lift, or nudge pieces to find food. Start on the easiest level so the challenge stays fun.
Rolling toys. A treat dispenser, interactive dog ball, or enrichment tube releases food as your dog pushes it along the floor.
Lick mats. Frozen Licki Mats spread with a little wet dog food make a slow, settling activity. Many dogs find licking soothing, so it's a nice way to wind down after a busier game.
Keep a toy basket and rotate your dog toys every week or so. Toys that have been put away feel new again when they come back. Choose sturdy toys sized for your dog, and supervise play with anything they could chew apart.
Keeping Games Back-Friendly
Dachshunds are 10 to 12 times more likely than other breeds to develop intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a spinal condition, and roughly one in five will show signs of it in their lifetime. That's worth keeping in mind during play, but it doesn't mean wrapping your dog in bubble wrap.
In a survey of more than 2,000 dachshunds by the Royal Veterinary College, more active dogs actually had lower odds of IVDD, and dogs kept off furniture were not at lower risk. The researchers caution that the study can't prove cause and effect, but it suggests regular, moderate activity is part of a healthy dachshund life.
A few sensible guidelines:
Keep them moving. Daily walks and play help maintain the muscle that supports the spine.
Avoid slips and sharp twists. Rugs and mats give better grip than polished floors or wet grass, and steady play is easier on the back than sudden spins.
Count the treats. Dachshunds tend to gain weight easily, and VCA veterinarians note that small snacks add up fast for a small dog. Use pieces of their regular food or tiny treats for games, and adjust meals on busy enrichment days.
If your dachshund has a history of back issues, check with your vet before adding new physical games. Scent games are usually the gentlest place to start.
Ready to Go Deeper Into Scent Work?
If your dachshund lit up during Find It, the Wild Scent Ritual Guide has more simple scent games to try at home, all built on the same "find it" cue.
Read more about what is nosework, mental enrichment games and simple dog training cues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What games do dachshunds like to play?
Most dachshunds love games that tap into their hunting roots: sniffing out hidden treats, burrowing under blankets, digging, and gentle tug. Scent games are often the biggest hit because they use the dachshund's strongest sense.
Are dachshunds hounds or terriers?
Dachshunds are classified as hounds. They were bred to hunt badgers by scent and follow them underground, which gave them many terrier-like traits, like digging, persistence, and a big personality.
How much enrichment does a dachshund need each day?
There's no set number, and every dog is different. VCA veterinarians recommend daily walks with time to sniff, plus games for mental exercise. Short scent sessions fit easily around that, alongside calm downtime.
Can older dachshunds play these games?
Yes. Scent games like Find It and the Blanket Burrow Hunt are low-impact and easy to adapt for seniors. Keep searches simple and skip the more physical games if your dog has mobility or back concerns.
How do I stop my dachshund from digging?
You usually can't stop the instinct, but you can redirect it. A dig box gives your dog an approved place to dig, and regular scent games help meet the same need for a good hunt.
What are the best dog toys for dachshunds?
Toys that put their nose to work tend to be the biggest hit, like a dog snuffle mat, a treat dispenser, or beginner-level puzzle toys. Look for sturdy dog toys sized for small dogs, and rotate them to keep things fresh. They're an easy source of mental stimulation on days you're short on time.
Where can I see these games in action?
Follow along on the Wild Pack YouTube Channel, where we share enrichment ideas and real dogs putting their noses to work.
Sources
Dachshund breed profile, VCA Animal Hospitals
DachsLife 2015: An investigation of lifestyle associations with the risk of intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds, Packer et al., Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (2016)
Let Me Sniff! Nosework Induces Positive Judgment Bias in Pet Dogs, Duranton and Horowitz, Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2019)
Nose Work Is Scentsational for Dogs, Fear Free Happy Homes
