I’ve spent the final 20 years learning the Dachshund breed and there are 10 widespread habits issues I see most frequently.
Now, a few of these aren’t “issues” per se.
They could simply be behaviors homeowners are shocked or stunned by as a result of they didn’t totally perceive the Dachshund breed earlier than they received one.
Though my expertise is primarily with mini Dachshund habits issues, customary Dachshund habits points are very comparable.
In different phrases, the widespread Dachshund habits points have extra to do with the breed than their dimension (mini and customary is only a dimension classification of the identical breed canine).
I may even preface this with the notion that not all Dachshund homeowners see all the pieces on this record a habits downside.
What’s annoying to 1 proprietor could also be acceptable, and even cute, to a different.
Usually although, the entire issues on this record may very well be thought-about issues and doubtless could be by a canine coach trying in in your life.
Under are the Dachshund habits issues I see most frequently and suggest an answer or two that can assist you modify, or decrease, the undesirable behaviors.
The 20 Dachshund Habits Points I See Most Steadily
These are the Dachshund behaviors that I see homeowners lament about, or ask for assist for, most ceaselessly.
1) Extreme barking
Dachshunds had been bred to hunt.
A part of their duties had been alerting hunters after they discovered prey or perceived a menace.
This implies Dachshunds are pure barkers.
A Dachshund may additionally bark out of boredom, lack of train, consideration in search of, or separation nervousness (see beneath).
In case your Dachshund is continually barking, it may be a nuisance to neighbors, to you, or get you kicked out of your residence.
When you ought to by no means count on to cease your Dachshund, you can decrease it and handle the extreme barking habits.
2) Separation Nervousness
Dachshunds are very social and get connected to their folks.
Some would possibly say Dachshunds are needy and, usually, they favor one particular person within the family over all others.
When separated from this explicit particular person, or their folks normally, whether or not it’s since you left the home or just walked into one other room and your canine can’t comply with you, your Dachshund could expertise what is named separation nervousness.
Separation nervousness can result in inappropriate habits like extreme barking, howling, and destructiveness.
Barking brought on by separation nervousness tends to be totally different than the nuisance barking above.
Nuisance barking can vary from occasional barking to extended barking the place a bunch of barks are strung collectively after they sense a hazard.
Assume bark, bark, baaaaark.
You may normally decide in case your Dachshund’s extreme barking and howling is brought on by separation nervousness by the kind of bark.
Your canine will usually bark for a chronic time frame however with house in between – bark, cease, bark, cease, bark, cease – or howling like arooooooo in sort of a “unhappy voice”.
This howling may additionally have a second of silence in between however usually it’s simply lengthy sufficient for a Dachshund to catch their breath and do it once more.
Curing your canine’s separation nervousness takes quite a lot of repetition and persistence however it may be finished.
See the separation nervousness article linked to above for a how-to rationalization..
3) Potty accidents in the home
Dachshunds have a popularity for being notoriously tough to potty practice.
There are such a lot of components concerned in profitable potty coaching.
Usually, potty coaching fails as a result of a mistake was made someplace within the course of.
I’m not placing the entire blame on the proprietor – Dachshunds have their very own concepts and could be difficult – however there are many alternatives to unintentionally ship your canine the flawed message.
These embody:
- Coaching with potty pads inside the home first.
I do know typically that is unavoidable however a canine are inclined to generalize habits and going potty in the home goes in the home to them it doesn’t matter what the floor is.
- Not taking your canine out usually sufficient.
- Failing to acknowledge your Dachshund’s delicate indicators they should received out
However one of many greatest issues that may result in what I wish to name “pooping in the home season” is a Dachshund’s reluctance to go potty within the rain or chilly.
4) Pulling on the leash
Dachshunds will usually pull on the tip of the leash after they go for walks.
That is very true in the event that they aren’t getting sufficient train, or haven’t been out for some time, so they’re overly excited or anxious.
Dachshunds may additionally pull on the tip of the leash as a result of they’re naturally inclined to discover and examine their surroundings.
Moreover, if a canine just isn’t educated to stroll on a leash, they might not perceive the idea of remaining near their proprietor and should pull with the intention to go the place they need.
The answer is instructing your Dachshund good leash manners, probably instructing them to stroll beside you in a heel, and ensuring you might be taking your Dachshund for a stroll ceaselessly sufficient.
5) Barking and lunging at unusual canine and folks whereas on leash
When a Dachshund barks and pulls on the leash after they go new canine or folks, that is known as reactivity or, extra particularly, leash reactivity.
Your canine is probably going fearful, anxious, or over-excited and “reacting” to the stimuli.
Not solely is that this habits unhealthy manners, and probably embarrassing for you, however it might end in a canine combat if the opposite one is unfriendly or interprets your Dachshund’s habits as a menace.
There are a number of coaching strategies that may assist along with your Dachshund’s reactivity downside, just like the “depart it” command, or desensitization via the “take a look at that” train.
Nevertheless, an important option to thwart reactive habits is thru correct socialization and confidence constructing.
6) Refusal to stroll on leash
Dachshunds, particularly Dachshund puppies, are infamous for stopping in the midst of a stroll and refusing to go any additional.
In some circumstances, this may very well be on account of asking your pet to do an excessive amount of train too quickly.
However it will also be on account of fearfulness – being petrified of what’s forward – or refusal to stroll in a harness or jacket that makes them really feel uncomfortable.
Giving a pair, delicate, encouraging tugs on the leash could also be sufficient to get your Dachshund to start out strolling once more.
But when that doesn’t work, don’t attempt to drag your Dachshund together with you.
As a substitute, attempt these tricks to get your Dachshund strolling once more.
7) Refusal to come back when known as
As a result of they had been bred for searching, Dachshunds like to comply with their nostril.
When a Dachshund will get on an attention-grabbing scent, or finds one thing very intriguing, it will probably look like their mind shuts off they usually don’t hear you calling their title.
It’s unlikely that your Dachshund didn’t hear you although.
In comparison with people, canine hear almost twice as many frequencies as people they usually can hear from virtually 4 occasions the space away.
In an effort to get your Dachshund to come back again persistently each time you name them, you want to make your self extra attention-grabbing than anything they are going to discover out on this planet and often apply recall coaching.
8) Submissive urination
Submissive urination is a habits in canine the place they pee after they they really feel threatened, scared, or overly excited.
This may occur when they’re greeted by unfamiliar folks, scolded or punished, if you come dwelling and your Dachshund is happy to see you, if you attempt to decide your canine up, and so on.
Submissive urination is a standard and instinctive approach for canine to indicate submission and appeasement to a perceived higher-ranking particular person or to defuse a scenario that’s inflicting them stress.
It is very important perceive that this isn’t a home coaching challenge, and scolding or punishing a canine for submissive urination will doubtless make the issue worse.
As a substitute, attempt to determine your canine’s triggers and decrease actions or conditions that trigger your Dachshund to submissively urinate.
The article about confidence constructing and socialization linked to within the above part about barking and lunging on leash.
9) Leaping
Dachshunds like to leap.
This consists of leaping up on folks, leaping off furnishings, and leaping towards issues just like the door or cabinets.
Leaping on the door or on folks could be annoying.
Nevertheless, any leaping, particularly off furnishings, could be dangerous for a Dachshund.
Dachshunds are the breed mostly affected by Intervertebral Disk Illness (IVDD), a genetic illness that may trigger spinal disk ruptures, again accidents, and paralysis.
Whereas it’s in all probability unimaginable to cease your Dachshund from leaping in all circumstances, minimizing it’s the prudent factor to do.
You may decrease your Dachshund leaping on folks by placing them in a crate or pen when company first arrive, via coaching, or leaping off furnishings through the use of a ramp or blocking entry.
10) Begging for meals
Virtually all Dachshunds will attempt to persuade you they’re ravenous 24/7. They’re undoubtedly meals hounds!
And the pleading eyes? So laborious to withstand.
However too many treats and desk scraps can result in your Dachshund changing into obese which, in flip, can result in different well being points, together with shortening their life.
The most effective methods to place a cease to begging is to disregard your Dachshund (don’t even say “no” or give eye contact), put them in a crate or pen away from the place you might be consuming, or practice them to not.
I’ve a rule at my home: My Dachshunds are allowed to take a seat close to me after I eat however they’ll solely take a look at me and my meals if they’re sitting on the ground.
They don’t seem to be allowed to stare at my plate from eye stage (if I’m sitting on the sofa).
They know to put there and look the opposite approach or burrow below the blankets to allow them to’t see.
In the event that they violate this rule, and don’t return to the right habits after I gently say “no”, I put them of their crate till I’m finished consuming.
11) Useful resource guarding
Useful resource guarding is when your Dachshund finds one thing to be of excessive worth they usually defend and defend it.
Examples are:
- Rising at you if you attempt to take a favourite toy away
- Growling at you, or different pets in your family, in the event that they get too near your Dachshund’s meals dish
- Growling or snapping at a buddy or boyfriend after they attempt to hug you or sit shut on the sofa
- Barking or snapping for those who attempt to take away you canine from furnishings
Keys to forestall and discourage useful resource guarding embody:
- Correct socialization, instructing coaching instructions like “drop” or “depart it”,
- Supervising your Dachshund’s interactions with different animals or folks
- Eradicating the merchandise they’re useful resource guarding
- Instructing the canine that good issues occur when different canine or individuals are round their assets or they offer it again to you
- Consulting an expert coach or behaviorist if the useful resource guarding is extreme
My Dachshund Summit will sometimes useful resource guard meals and her favourite toys.
Usually, I don’t let her plan with the canine toys she is obsessive about when different canine are round (together with my second Dachshund).
If I’m giving each of my canine treats, I watch her intently for any signal she is getting nervous like aspect eye or quiet grumbling.
12) Fearfulness and Shyness
Dachshunds can tend to be fearful or shy round new folks and canine.
They could even be cautious of latest locations or sounds.
This can lead to frequent barking, refusal to enter a room or constructing, shaking, growling, or submissive urination (talked about above).
I do know I hold mentioning socialization however that basically is a key right here.
A Dachshund who’s comfy round, and often uncovered to, new folks, canine, sights, and sounds shall be extra prone to be calm and relaxed in all conditions.
For instance, some canine will sit alert and bark at each tiny noise when staying in a resort room.
My Dachshunds are uncovered to new conditions and sounds the entire time so that they hardly ever react after we are staying in a resort.
13) Destroying issues in the home
Dachshunds wish to chew and dig. They’ve very robust jaws and quite a lot of dedication.
Sadly, this implies they could chew your socks, underwear, baseboards, charging cable, or dig holes within the carpet.
The 2 finest methods to fight this are to maintain your canine in a pen or crate when you find yourself gone so that they bodily can’t destroy issues and to show them early what is suitable to chew on and what isn’t.
Nevertheless, it’s additionally essential to concentrate to when it’s taking place with the intention to try to resolve the problem.
Destroying issues within the dwelling will also be an indication of separation nervousness in the event that they do it primarily if you depart the home.
14) Digging holes within the yard
As said above, Dachshunds wish to dig. It’s of their nature.
Dachshunds had been bred to hunt animals that burrow within the floor.
In an effort to get to them, Dachshunds had been usually required to dig and excavate the filth in burrows, dens, and tunnels.
Regardless that most Dachshunds don’t hunt anymore, some Dachshunds nonetheless actually like to dig.
They could fulfill this urge by digging up your flower beds, digging holes within the yard, or digging holes below the fence to flee.
You may assist stop your Dachshund from digging holes within the yard by offering ample psychological stimulation and bodily train so that they don’t get bored.
You may as well attempt offering an acceptable place to dig, like a canine sandbox, and instructing them to dig there.
15) Bolting out the door
Oh, my. After I open the again door, my Dachshund Summit takes off like a shot into the again yard.
I let her as a result of our yard is fenced however many Dachshunds will attempt to run out the entrance door as quickly as you open it on account of issues like impatience, pleasure, or chasing “prey” passing by.
This poses a hazard although as a result of your Dachshund might run into site visitors, run off and get misplaced, or run off and encounter harmful wildlife (hyperlink).
To forestall canine from bolting out the door, it is very important practice them to grasp fundamental obedience instructions like “keep” and “come” and to oversee them when the door is open.
Coaching your Dachshund to take a seat and look forward to a launch phrase (permission) to exit the door may also help stop a rogue escape artist too.
16) Chasing
Dachshund have a robust prey drive, which implies they wish to chase fast-moving issues.
These items may very well be vehicles, kids, cats, or wildlife.
One of the best ways to forestall the chasing kids is to show kids to stroll calmly round them and to not transfer too quick.
One of the best ways to maintain your Dachshund from chasing different issues is to maintain them on a leash if you depart the home or good their recall coaching (however it’s tough to get a Dachshund to conform 100% of the time)
17) Defiance and Stubbornness
Dachshunds developed tenacity, the willingness to persevere, and the power to suppose independently again after they had been bred to hunt.
Whereas these traits make Dachshunds very smart, it additionally makes them relentless downside solvers.
I all the time inform folks {that a} Dachshund will use their smarts and ingenuity to search out a better approach round what you might be asking them to do with the intention to get the reward.
This trait could be perceived as cussed or defiant.
However they’re actually sensible and it’s not tough to practice a Dachshund to do what you need if you’re affected person and constant.
18) Hyperactivity
Typically, when all you need to do is get some work down or lay on the sofa watching Netflix, your Dachshund could get actually hyper, bark and zoom round the home.
This may very well be as a result of your Dachshund is bored, they aren’t getting sufficient train, they’re over-stimulated, or over-tired (this is quite common with puppies).
My Dachshund Summit virtually all the time will get hyper after dinner.
She could be disruptive and relentless in her pursuit to pester me or run round the home and typically she tries to hump by arm or her canine mattress.
Numerous this hyperactivity could be addressed by instructing your Dachshund to settle when it’s quiet time.
This may be finished via “place” coaching – coaching a canine to take a seat on a mattress or mat and settle – or by instructing them a phrase meaning to calm down like “calm” or “tranquilo”.
If that doesn’t work, typically giving your canine a short while out in a crate or pen will assist them perceive that hyperactivity just isn’t welcome at the moment.
It is very important word that hyperactivity could be brought on by medical circumstances like an overactive thyroid or a mind tumor so it’s finest to get your canine checked out on the vet if it is a new behavior.
19) Whining or grumbling for consideration
Oof! This one is a biggie with my Dachshund Summit.
Her favourite factor to do? Wait till I’m in the midst of a piece challenge after which stand in entrance of a blanket grumbling in order that I’ll come over and elevate the sting so she will burrow below it.
When a Dachshund whines or grumbles, they’re normally making an attempt to let you know they need one thing.
Nevertheless, they might want one thing they’ll’t have so this one just isn’t simply solved by giving them what they need (which, actually, will simply practice them that this habits will get them what they need anyway).
The most effective plan of action towards that is to disregard them or redirect their consideration to one thing else (not the factor they wished however one thing satisfying like a toy or chew).
20) Biting
Dachshund puppies usually chew as a result of they discover the world with their mouth and enamel.
They could additionally suppose it’s enjoyable.
You may comply with these tricks to cease your pet from biting.
In case your grownup Dachshund is nipping and biting although, you could have a much bigger downside.
An grownup Dachshund could chew as a result of they weren’t taught it’s unacceptable as a pet, they’re fearful and reactive, useful resource guarding, or they’re in ache.
In case your Dachshund has been biting for a very long time, the trigger is probably going one of many first three.
I’ve mentioned how one can tackle these issues above so revisit these sections if wanted for assist.
If the biting is a brand new habits, it might sign ache or an underlying medical situation so a vet go to is so as.
It’s additionally essential to notice that what appears like biting could, actually, be play and never a difficulty.
Gentle mouthing, biting, and tugging on pores and skin is a pure approach that canine’s play.
This recreation is also known as “bitey face” and isn’t dangerous until one canine is being dominated by the opposite, one canine is making an attempt to flee the scenario and might’t, or it has resulted in an harm.
In case your canine is biting along with what could be thought-about imply habits, or they’re clearly making an attempt to hurt one other canine or particular person, please seek the advice of an expert coach or behaviorist.
Ultimate Ideas
Like every canine breed, Dachshunds are distinctive and have their quirks.
Whereas a few of these quirks are seen as cute or endearing by some, others can view them as irritating habits points.
Additionally, these widespread Dachshund behaviors can grow to be issues in the event that they put your canine, you, or different folks in peril.
In case your Dachshund displays any of those behaviors, it’s as much as you to determine what you possibly can stay with and what you possibly can’t, and determine when and how one can tackle them.
Hopefully, this record has made you conscious of the potential habits issues you would possibly encounter with a Dachshund and supplied some ideas to assist with coaching and habits modification.