Fetch, hide-and-seek, scent games, tug-of-war, and puzzle toys are the five best games for dachshunds because they burn energy and satisfy the breed’s hunting instincts without requiring the jumping or twisting motions that strain a long back. Every dachshund carries a lifelong risk of IVDD (intervertebral disc disease), so the safest games are the ones played low to the ground, on flat surfaces, with controlled movement rather than leaps or sudden spinal twists.
The good news: dachshunds don’t need to jump to have fun. Their real superpowers are their nose, their drive to chase, and their stubborn determination to finish whatever game you start. The five games below lean into all three.Dachshunds have a reputation for being lively and playful dogs. Despite being small in size, they exude energy and bring joy into our lives, making them ideal playmates. As a proud Dachshund owner, you are probably familiar with the endless enthusiasm your pup displays during playtime. To help you keep your Dachshund happy and active, we have put together a list of the top five games that are sure to provide hours of entertainment and keep your Dachshund active and busy.
Why play matters for a dachshund’s body and mind
Stress Reduction
Just like people, Dachshunds can feel stressed from time to time. The good news? Playtime is one of the best ways to help your little sausage dog relax. Fun games give your Dachshund a healthy outlet for excess energy while keeping their mind engaged. Whether it’s a game of fetch or a puzzle toy challenge, regular play can help reduce anxiety and leave your pup feeling happier and more balanced.
Improved Socialization
Dachshunds are known for being loyal and protective of their families, but that can sometimes make them cautious around strangers. Playing games that involve other dogs or people can help build your Dachshund’s confidence and social skills.. Trips to the dog park, playdates, or interactive group activities can teach your pup that meeting new friends can be fun and rewarding.
Enhanced Obedience
Many dachshund-friendly games naturally reinforce important commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it.” While your pup is having fun, they’re also learning valuable skills that improve their behavior. Consistent play-based training helps your Dachshund understand what you expect and makes obedience practice feel like a game instead of a chore.
Weight Management
Dachshunds are especially prone to gaining extra weight, which can put added strain on their long backs and joints. Regular play sessions help burn calories, support a healthy metabolism, and keep your pup in good shape. A few active games each day can go a long way toward maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of obesity-related health problems.
Prevents Boredom and Destructive Behavior
Dachshunds are smart, curious dogs that need mental stimulation. When they’re bored, they often find their own ways to stay entertained—and that can mean chewing furniture, digging in the yard, or getting into mischief around the house. Interactive games keep your Dachshund busy, challenge their mind, and provide a positive outlet for their natural instincts and energy.
Stronger Bond with Your Dachshund
Few things strengthen your relationship with your Dachshund more than spending quality time together. Regular play creates positive experiences, builds trust, and deepens your connection. Your pup learns to associate you with fun, excitement, and affection, helping create an even stronger bond that lasts a lifetime.
Adding these benefits to your understanding of why playtime matters can make it easier to prioritize daily games with your Dachshund. Not only will your pup enjoy the extra attention and enrichment, but you’ll also be helping them stay healthy, happy, and well-rounded for years to come.
The 5 best games for dachshunds
1. Fetch (rolled, not thrown high)
Fetch taps directly into a dachshund’s prey drive – the same chase-and-grab instinct that once sent them into badger burrows. For dachshunds, the safest version is rolled or low-tossed fetch rather than fetch played with high overhead throws, since repeated jumping to catch a ball in midair puts strain on the back that flat, ground-level fetch avoids.
Play it on grass or carpet rather than hard, slippery flooring, where a dachshund’s short legs and long torso can lose traction mid-sprint. A soft toy or lightweight ball is safer than anything hard enough to jolt the neck on a bad-angle catch.
Vet-conscious version: roll the ball along the ground instead of throwing it up. This keeps all four paws on the floor and still lets your dachshund do the part they love most – the chase.
2. Hide-and-seek
Hide-and-seek is a strong match for the dachshund’s scenting heritage, since the breed was originally developed to track badgers by smell through tunnels and dense undergrowth. Have your dachshund sit and stay, walk to another room (or just around a corner at first), then call their name and let them track you down by scent and sound.
This game has a real edge over fetch: it’s pure low-impact enrichment. There’s no running, jumping, or sudden stops involved, just sniffing, problem-solving, and the payoff of finding you. It’s a good option on rainy days or for dachshunds recovering from minor injuries, once a vet has confirmed light activity is fine.
Variation: hide treats or a favorite toy around a room instead of hiding yourself. Start obvious, then make hiding spots trickier as your dachshund gets the hang of it.
3. Scent and snuffle games
Dachshund means “badger dog” in German, and that hunting heritage runs on scent. A snuffle mat, a few treats scattered in grass, or treats wrapped inside a rolled towel all give your dachshund a job that’s entirely nose-driven and zero-impact on the spine.
These games are particularly useful for two situations: rainy or housebound days when a walk isn’t possible, and senior dachshunds or dogs managing a back issue who still need mental stimulation without physical exertion. A tired brain produces the same calm, satisfied dog as a tired body – sometimes more reliably.
Try this: scatter a small handful of kibble across a patch of grass or a snuffle mat and say “find it.” It takes seconds to set up and can occupy a food-motivated dachshund for ten minutes or more.
4. Tug-of-war (played horizontally)
Tug-of-war builds grip strength and gives your dachshund an acceptable outlet for the “kill-bite and dissect” part of their hunting instinct – the same drive that makes them want to shake and shred a stuffed toy. The key safety rule is movement direction: keep tugs horizontal and gentle rather than yanking the toy upward or side to side with force, since vertical or jerking motions are exactly the kind of strain that can aggravate a dachshund’s discs.
Use a soft rope or fabric tug toy rather than anything rigid, and teach a reliable “drop it” cue before you start, so the game has a clear, calm ending rather than winding up into overexcited tugging.
Rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t want someone yanking your own neck that hard, it’s too hard for your dachshund’s back either.
5. Puzzle toys and treat dispensers
Puzzle toys put your dachshund’s problem-solving brain to work without any physical strain at all, which makes them one of the safest options on this list for dachshunds of any age or health status. Treat-dispensing toys, slider puzzles, and frozen stuffed Kongs all require zero jumping and minimal movement, just persistence and nose work.
Because dachshunds are intelligent and food-motivated, most pick up puzzle mechanics quickly – within a few sessions for an easy puzzle, longer for multi-step ones. Rotate two or three puzzles so your dachshund doesn’t memorize the solution and lose interest.
Good starter pick: a treat-dispensing ball or slider puzzle labeled for beginner or “level 1” difficulty, then increase difficulty once your dachshund solves it consistently.
General safety rules for any dachshund game
A few rules apply across all five games, regardless of which one you’re playing:
- Skip the jumping. Avoid games that involve jumping on or off furniture, catching balls in midair, or leaping for toys held high – a dachshund’s long spine isn’t built for repeated impact landings.
- Use a harness, not a collar, for any game involving running or pulling, to take pressure off the neck.
- Play on flat, grippy surfaces. Grass, carpet, and rubber mats give better traction than hardwood or tile, where back legs can slip out from under a running dachshund.
- Watch for early IVDD warning signs. Reluctance to jump, a hunched back, yelping when picked up, or dragging a hind leg during or after play are reasons to stop the game and call your vet, not push through.
- End the game before your dachshund is fully exhausted, not after. Dachshunds will often keep playing past the point of being tired, since their enthusiasm tends to outlast their stamina.
Frequently asked questions
Are dachshunds high-energy dogs?
Yes. Dachshunds were bred as working hunting dogs, and most retain a strong drive to chase, dig, and sniff well into adulthood. They typically need at least one to two play or exercise sessions a day to stay mentally and physically satisfied.
Can dachshunds play fetch safely?
Yes, with one adjustment: roll the ball along the ground rather than throwing it for a midair catch. Ground-level fetch lets a dachshund chase and retrieve without the repeated jumping that can strain their back.
Why shouldn’t dachshunds jump?
Dachshunds have unusually long spines relative to their leg length, which puts extra pressure on the discs between their vertebrae. Repeated jumping – on and off furniture, into cars, down stairs – raises the risk of IVDD, a disc condition that can cause pain or, in severe cases, hind-leg paralysis.
Is tug-of-war safe for dachshunds?
Tug-of-war is safe for dachshunds when played with controlled, horizontal movements and a soft toy. Avoid hard yanking or lifting the dog off the ground during play, since vertical force on the neck and spine carries the same risk profile as jumping.
What’s the best low-impact game for a senior dachshund?
Scent games and puzzle toys are the best options for senior dachshunds, since they provide mental stimulation without requiring running, jumping, or sustained physical exertion. Hide-and-seek with treats is a good middle ground if your senior dog still enjoys light movement.
How much playtime does a dachshund need each day?
Most adult dachshunds do well with 30 to 60 minutes of combined play and exercise a day, split into two or three shorter sessions rather than one long one. Puppies and seniors generally need shorter, more frequent sessions.
Can dachshund games help with separation anxiety?
Mentally engaging games like puzzle toys and frozen treat dispensers can help reduce anxiety-driven behaviors such as excessive chewing or barking, since they give an under-stimulated dachshund something productive to focus on. They work best alongside – not instead of – addressing the root causes of separation anxiety.
What toys should I avoid with a dachshund?
Avoid toys hard enough to jolt the jaw or neck on impact, anything that encourages leaping to catch, and oversized toys that are awkward for a dachshund’s small mouth and short legs to manage safely.
Do dachshunds need other dogs to play with?
Not necessarily, but supervised play with a compatible dog can boost socialization and burn energy efficiently. Many dachshunds do well with other small dogs but can be more cautious or reactive around much larger breeds, so introductions are worth managing carefully.
Reviewed by the Dachshunds Planet team – dachshund owners writing from years of hands-on experience with the breed’s quirks, instincts, and health needs. Have a game your dachshund loves that we didn’t cover? Tell us in the comments.
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