How To Stop Dachshund Behavior Problems
Many dachshund owners would agree that doxies are the most loving family dog, but they can sometimes act out of spite and have choosy listening skills.
It can be very frustrating when experiencing dachshund behavior problems. Luckily, by using some positive training techniques, many behavior challenges can be corrected…even in a Dachshund.
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Common Dachshund Behavior Problems
The most common Dachshund behavior problems include: Separation Anxiety, Excessive Barking, Eliminating Indoors, Digging, Destructive Chewing, and Aggression.
Let’s look at each of these issues and discover some helpful ways to resolve them.
1. Dachshund Separation Anxiety
We all want our dogs to feel calm and comfortable when we have to leave the house. So, it is important to understand what to do when Separation Anxiety strikes.
Separation Anxiety training is needed to help your dog learn that you will be back and they don’t need to panic when you are away.
Training Tip: If your dog has separation anxiety, most of the destruction will occur in the first 30 minutes of your departure.
Tips For Treating Separation Anxiety:
Avoid Triggers
Certain noises, like getting your keys out or saying “Good-bye” can trigger a separation anxiety episode in your Dachshund.
Avoid direct interaction with your pup right before you leave.
Dogs reflect your behavior and will start to get upset if you indicate that you are leaving.
Walking
Taking your pup on a 20-minute walk each day before you leave and when you return will help calm their stress and anxiety.
Hired Help
Don’t let your Dachshund “hold it” for more than 4-5 hours at a time.
This can cause major panic and anxiety in your dachshund and it will cause them to have embarrassing accidents in your home.
If you work full time or are unable to let your doxie out during the day, hire some help or take your pup to a doggie daycare.
Search online for some local dog walkers in your area. I like to use Rover.com for dog walkers and boarding.
Catching Them In The Act
If you catch your Dachshund in the act of destroying something in the home through the window or remotely on a doggie camera, don’t go back inside your house!
This will reinforce the behavior. This will teach them to destroy something to get you to come back home…and you don’t want that.
Modern remote doggie camera systems (From Amazon) allow you to speak through a microphone so you can tell your dog to stop when they are up to no good.
Keeping Your Dog Occupied
Interactive dog toys and puzzles can help your dog stay mentally stimulated so you don’t have to worry about them getting bored while you are away.
Dog IQ Puzzles: I found some great Doggie IQ Puzzles, Boredom Buster Activity Mats, and Interactive Tech Dog Toys worth checking out on my Dog Gift Post.
Food: Give your doxie some dog food before you leave. Make it part of your morning routine to give your dog their breakfast right as you are leaving to keep them focused on food.
Treat Toys: Consider giving your dog a frozen peanut butter Kong toy treat before you leave. This is one of my favorite ways to keep my Dachshunds occupied for hours while I’m away.
Consult A Vet
For more severe cases of separation anxiety, consult your vet for some help.
They may recommend some medications that can help keep your dog feel calm.
Natural Antidotes
You can use natural methods to calm dog separation anxiety too.
Did you know that the use of CBD oil is an effective solution for separation anxiety?
Calming Supplements
Supplements:
We like to recommend Dog Calming Chews from Ready Pet Go!
Ready Pet Go Dog Calming Chews are the bacon and cheese flavored behavior support your dog will love.
They help promote relaxation and helps reduce hyperactivity (Made in the USA).
Calming Scents:
Alpha Paw recommends using their Calming Dog Diffuser that mimics a mother’s natural nursing pheromones. This helps your pup will feel more calm and comfortable.
Sleeping Habits
Make sure your pup is getting enough sleep. Give them a comfortable dog bed and blanket to feel safe and warm at night or during nap time.
2. Excessive Barking
Why Do Dachshunds Bark So Much?
Excessive Barking can occur when your Dachshund is bored, excited, or just wants some extra attention.
Most Dachshunds are territorial and they bark to protect their pack (family members) and their home.
If your dog has separation anxiety, this can also cause excessive barking.
How To Stop Excessive Barking:
Attention:
If your Dachshund’s needs are all met, but they still insist on barking at you…avoid responding verbally or physically.
If you give them attention, they will continue barking to get more attention…creating a bad habit: Constant Dachshund Barking.
Give your dog positive attention and praise when they are showing good behavior (being quiet, not barking).
Exercise:
Dogs that constantly bark in the evening may be doing so out of boredom.
They need to have some playtime and more walks during the day to tire them out and help promote a good night’s sleep.
Distractions:
Dachshunds have “super senses” that help them do what they were born to do…Hunt, Track, and Guard! Their goal in life is to protect you and their home.
When your doxie barks at the door or window at something outside, tell them thank you (for keeping you safe), and lead them away from the area of distraction. This allows them to use their bark alarm a couple of times, but helps stop it from carrying on too long.
When they go potty outside, doxies are easily distracted by all of the sights, sounds, and smells of your yard. Try to find a quiet area of their yard so they can concentrate on the job at hand.
Post You May Like: Are Dachshunds Still Used For Hunting?
3. Eliminating Indoors
Dachshunds can be very temperamental. So, sometimes it can be hard to tell what the true cause of an indoor potty accident is.
Dachshund accidents in the house can be related to separation anxiety, undesirable weather outside, lack of training, Illness, or extra excitement.
It’s not always out of spite or payback.
Weather:
Dachshunds don’t like rainy, cold, or windy weather. They are really close to the ground, so they don’t enjoy being chilly or getting their bellies wet.
Solution: Try using a Dog Umbrella or Dachshund Raincoat (From Amazon) on those rainy days to keep your doxie dry when they go potty. Also give them an extra treat to let them know you appreciate they cooperation (because they really are the Boss).
Poor House Training:
If your dachshund wasn’t properly house trained as a puppy, they will have more accidents in the house as an adult dog.
Solution: Check out some Potty Training Tips to help your dog get back on track.
Illness:
Don’t assume that your dog’s accidents in the house are always behavior related. If they have a UTI, a parasite, or a disease (like Cushing’s disease or kidney disease) they can’t help it!
Sometimes the only way to let you know that they are ill is to have an accident in the house. It may even occur right in front of you.
Solution: Take your dog to the vet to get them checked out. They may need some medication to help resolve the issue.
More Potty Breaks:
Again, don’t let your Dachshund of any age “hold it” for more than 4-5 hours at a time.
Solution: If you are unable to let your doxie out during the day, search online for some local dog walkers in your area. You can also give doggie daycare a try. Not only will they have several potty breaks throughout the day, they will also gain some important doggie social skills.
Excitement:
If your dachshund has an accident when they are excited, try to avoid greeting your dog with too much fuss.
Solution: Wait a couple of minutes before loving them up. Keep your voice calm to keep your dog calm.
Submissiveness:
Your dachshund is being submissive if he shakes and has an accident when someone approaches him.
Solution: To stop this behavior, avoid eye contact and physical contact when approaching the dog. Give him the space he needs to feel safe. Allow your dog to come to you.
4. Digging
Why Do Dachshunds Dig? Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers.
During the hunt, they had to do a lot of digging to help track down their prey.
Nowadays, doxies may dig out of boredom, hormones, temperature, or protecting their property.
Boredom:
Your dog may be bored and need something more constructive to do. Keep up their daily exercise, walking, or play routine to tire them out.
Hormones:
They may be hormonal or in-heat. Of course, the solution to this would be visiting your vet to get them spayed or neutered.
Temperature:
Your doxie might be too hot on a summer day and wants to dig and lay in the cool dirt. Be careful though, if that cool dirt is moist, it may contain nasty parasites or worms that can burrow into your dog’s skin, eww!!
Help your doxie find some cool shade or air conditioning so they are more comfortable.
Protecting Property:
A Dachshund may want to bury their favorite toy or bone.
My dachshunds love to dig and bury their toys in the couch cushions or cover their food bowls with a towel…it’s just something they do.
5. Chewing
As young puppies, Dachshunds use their mouths to explore their surroundings.
It is important to have lots of chew toys and bones available that your dog is allowed to chew, so he doesn’t go looking for your shoes or furniture.
Excessive Dachshund chewing can also be caused by Separation Anxiety.
6. Aggression:
Dachshund Aggression is the worst! So many doxie owners feel lost and upset when their loving dachshund literally turns into a vicious brat. If your dachshund shows his dominance towards people or dogs, they may have issues with submitting to authority.
Why Is My Dachshund Aggressive?
First, we need to look at some possible reasons for aggressive behavior in your Dachshund. Then, we will review some helpful tips to tame it.
Fear:
At times, your Dachshund may act aggressive if they feel threatened. It is their way of protecting themselves.
If children or other pets are playing too rough around the dog, allow him to retreat to a safe place.
If your dog is afraid of you (owner), make an effort to give them more space.
Act calm around your dog and offer some yummy dog treats to help them feel safe.
Pain:
If your Dachshund lashes out when you pick them up or go near them, they may have an injury.
Back injuries, like IVDD, can be very painful for Dachshunds.
Your dog may have an illness that makes them feel terrible. Take them to the vet if you notice a change in their behavior.
Socializing:
Your Dog may be lacking Socialization Training. Having your dog around other animals and people at an early age can help them adjust better to others as an adult dog.
Post You May Like: How To Socialize Your Dachshund
Hormones:
Aggressive behavior is most commonly caused by their doxie hormones. If your Dachshund is asserting their dominance because of strong hormones, get them fixed.
Age:
As Dachshunds grow older, they may develop hearing or vision issues. Make sure to approach your senior dachshund in a calm manner and allow them to know you are present using his other senses (touch, smell, etc..).
How To Resolve Aggressive Behavior Issues:
1. More Exercise:
Adding some more exercise to your Dachshund’s daily routine will help reduce stress and anxiety.
By walking, you are meeting your dog’s physical and mental needs. If your dog is cooped up all day, they may become more aggressive, bored, or depressed.
They need to get outside and move, just as much as you do.
2. Training:
Your dog loves spending time with you and earning yummy treats. So set aside some special training time each day for your dog. Here is a YouTube video by Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution on How to Stop Food Aggression/ Resource Guarding in Dogs.
3. Get Help:
If adding more exercise and revisiting command training still isn’t working for your dog, seek professional help. Ask your vet to recommend a specialized dog behavior trainer in your area or you can do it right online.
I recommend checking out the online dog training program: K9 Training Institute. They have awesome reviews and offer free training sessions that you can watch right at home with your pup.
To avoid any legal ramifications, get some help for your dog to cover yourself before your doxie is the cause of any injury.
Cover Yourself: If your dachshund is known for Biting, consult your vet and keep them away from children. Post signs on your property to warn visitors about any potential dangers when they enter your home or yard.
You are not alone, there are many dog owners and veterinarians out there who can share tips with you and help you through aggressive behavior in dachshunds.
Bonus Tip: Get Them Fixed!
Many of the unwanted behaviors listed above are caused by doxie hormones and can be reduced or even eliminated by getting your Dachshund dog spayed or neutered. But, it is recommended to wait until a certain age to prevent serious health risks and developmental issues.
Read More: 5 Reasons Why You Should Wait To Fix Your Dachshund
When Do Dachshunds Calm Down?
In my experience, Dachshunds start to calm down around 1 year of age. As with most small breed puppies, that 1 year mark can be a game changer for many.
I get it! Dachshund puppies are so darn cute, but that first year takes a lot of patience to survive puppy training.
Dog Breed Comparison:
When I was first married, my husband and I had a mini dachshund, a dachshund-beagle mix, and a German Shepherd. We went a little overboard on the doggie family.
My mini dachshund had less puppy energy, less chewing and less potty training issues when he turned one.
My German Shepherd’s energy didn’t really calm down until he was 4 years of age. Everything else was tamed by 9 months.
My beagle-dachshund mix adapted to his brothers potty time routines and learned everything super quick by 9 months.
Disclaimer:
This post allows people to ask for and discuss dog health-related and behavioral advice in hopes of connecting with other dog parents who may have dealt with similar situations.
Our position is that the readers of this post fully understand Dachshund Station does not believe any advice given or received should be taken over that of a veterinarian or a certified dog trainer.
Dachshund Station (Ava Jaine) is not responsible for what happens when someone chooses to put into practice any advice received.
Are you struggling with Dachshund Behavior Problems? Please let us know in the comments below.
References:
- Schweitzer, Karen. 2010. Our Best Friends The Dachshund. Pittsburg, PA : Eldorado Ink.
- Pinney, Chris. 2010, 2000. Dachshunds. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educatinal Series, Inc.
Hi my mini boy just got desexed a month ago and has been horrible around other people since. We have had two seperate occasions where he has gone off at the visitor and started attacking them, biting their feet and their heels. He is the sweetest boy and so loving when you get to know him. It breaks my heart.
Hi there, I’m sorry to hear this. This does occur in lots of doxies, you are not alone in this. There are things you can do about it.
1. Watch this awesome video from It’s me or the dog on YouTube, it is pretty much the solution to what you mentioned with your dachshund’s behavior.
2. I recommend checking a dog training program, dachshunds really need this – it does wonders! K9 Training Institute is what I like to recommend. They have awesome reviews and offer free training sessions that you can do right at home with your doxie.
Dachshunds need LOTS of physical and mental exercise to be happy and healthy. Try to take your dachshund on daily walks 1-2 daily. Also, pick up some Dog IQ toys to give them a fun challenge to work their brain – seriously, this is what helps them be less bored and grumpy acting.
Here are the best dog toys I recommend for dachshunds.
My son has brought a mini dachshund 5 days ago his nine weeks old and has a real personality. From the second day of having him his been attached to him which is beautiful, but now his that attached that my son can not leave the room or he is beside himself. A play pen has been brought for him to sleep in and play, with his bed and potty pad, toys, food and all that he needs. If my son leaves the room it takes 10sec for him to be screaming crying and this can go on for a long time, is there any tips to calm him down if his not around people?
Hi there, aww, new dachshund puppies are so adorable, congrats. He is still a baby, so crying when you or your son leave the room is something that normally happens. He is scared and only wants to be close to you guys. Dachshunds love their ‘people’ very much.
Place his playpen in the busiest room of the house. My puppy’s playpen is in our kitchen, because that is usually where we are most of the time. Your puppy needs to feel safe in the playpen, and if you are nearby, even if you aren’t sitting next to him, he will learn to feel more calm because he can see you.
Take short breaks from the puppy and come back with a small treat to help your pup realize you are coming back and they get a treat for being patient.
Your puppy is just learning the rules of the house and your busy schedules. He will adjust, but it will take time and lots of patience.
Keep in mind, he is a young puppy (a baby), so he isn’t doing this to bother you, he has lots of ‘baby’ needs. Try to enjoy each day of this stage, they grow super fast.
Check out this video by Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution:
How to Get Your Puppy To Stop Crying and Whining
Also, talk to your puppy’s vet for some more helpful puppy suggestions.
Mumford, our 6 year old started be aggressive after we lost our first dog. Then we got a gsh puppy and Mumford took to her because she was submissive. Mumford had back surgery at 5 so he’s a special needs dog now. Now our bigger dog is a bratty 2 year old and she is vocal. She barks at dogs on the tv and Mumford tries to attack her ( we think as protecting us). We’ve had 2 instances in 6 months where we’ve had to take him to the ER with wounds because our bigger dog has fear aggression. We are about to have a baby and we are beside ourselves with what we should do. Side note- our dogs are yard dogs. No socialization -dog parks-
Please help!!!
Hi Tom, Oh dear! Well, I would recommend consulting with your vet ASAP about the dog aggression issues and see what they suggest. They may also be able to recommend a good ‘Dog Behaviorist’ near you to help you through some dog aggression training.
If I’m understanding this right, you now have 3 dogs, 2 of which do get into aggressive encounters with each other, enough to have to go to the vet ER…
Here is my personal opinion, if the vet and behaviorist just don’t work for your dogs, consider rehoming them or one of them, before your child is born. I know that is a hard decision, but there should be no question – Your child is your #1 priority, and if the dogs aren’t in a comfortable / safe way before the baby arrives, it just isn’t safe for them to be around a new little one.
I hope this helps and wish good luck.
Hi I’m wondering if anyone can help with some tips for food aggression, I have a female mini dachshund 27 weeks.
In the last month or so she become really aggressive towards my 9 year old daughter when food is about it started when I would put the dogs food down she would run and jump to bite her. But now my daughter can’t be passed food or even sit at the table to eat her self without the dog trying to go for her. If I have food she goes for my daughter but she doesn’t do any of this to my 4 year old he can sit next to her eating and she’s fine with that, I’ve tried my daughter feeding her which works fine but I don’t know what else to do to get her to stop trying to bite her
Oh my! I would not let your Dachshund be in the same room as your kids until this gets resolved for the safety of all parties. I’m not sure why this behavior has just popped up. Often times aggression starts to rear it’s head around puberty.
Have you discussed getting your doxie fixed with your vet? Also, I would suggest describing this behavior with your vet, as they may have some suggestions.
Many dachshund parents who are facing doxie aggression issues have consulted with a ‘dog behaviorist’ with positive results. There may be some in your area or there is a Facebook page called: “Perfectly Polite Dachshunds” that you can check out.
I hope this helps and wish good luck to you.
Hi, I have a mini dachshund that is 7 months old. He has been around people and other dogs since he was born but recently he does not like when people come in the house. He lunges at people and barks and almost looks like he is trying to bite them. He hasn’t bitten anyone though. I can’t seem to calm him down in these situations and I just have to keep him away from anyone that visits the house. My older brother who he has met several times he still barks and lunges at him. I think he feels threatened but I’m simply not sure what to do in situations where he gets like this. I’ve tried to have the visitors feed him treats or completely ignore him but he doesn’t calm down at all. He isn’t neutered yet and I hear that will help.
Hi there, sorry to hear this. Yes, it is discouraging when doxies have a new and undesirable behavior. You are not alone, many dachshund parents face similar issues.
Yes, many dachshund parents have noticed a change in behavior after being neutered – I am one of those. But, keep in mind, the doxie attitude can still shine through…just not as severe or “Jekyll and Hyde” like (that was my dachshund, Eko, before getting fixed).
I have heard great things from dog parents about consulting with a dog behaviorist with these similar issues. There may be some in your area or you can talk to some online. The page on Facebook that I know of that actually specializes in doxies is called: “Perfectly Polite Dachshunds.”
Also, check out this video on Youtube by “It’s Me or the Dog” to help with the barking and snipping when someone comes to the house.