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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Table Of Contents
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.
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.
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.
Calming Supplements
- Dog Calming Chews from Ready Pet Go help promote relaxation and helps reduce hyperactivity.
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.
Excessive Barking
Why Do Dachshunds Bark So Much?
Dachshunds tend to bark excessively when they’re bored, excited, or simply craving some extra attention. But let’s be honest here, barking is one of the most well-known Dachshund personality traits. Along with their obsession with food, a doxie’s booming bark is practically built into the breed!
Dachshunds are naturally territorial and will bark to protect their pack (family members) and home. If your little long dog struggles with separation anxiety, this can also lead to excessive barking.
How To Stop Excessive Barking:
If your Dachshund’s needs are all met, but they still insist on barking at you…avoid responding verbally or physically.
Attention:
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 their 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.
What to Do About Dachshund Aggression
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.
One-on-One Training:
Your Dachshund loves spending time with you and earning yummy treats. So set aside some special training time each day for some one on one with your dog.
Professional Help:
If adding more exercise and revisiting command training still isn’t working for your dog, it’s time to seek professional help. Ask your vet to recommend a specialized dog behavior trainer in your area or you can do it right online. Dog training programs can be a great resource for addressing Dachshund separation anxiety and other behavioral issues.
To avoid any legal ramifications, get some help to cover yourself before your dog 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.
Educate Yourself: Become more familiar with canine resource guarding and conditioning techniques. Here is a great post from Dr. Patricia McConnell called The Other End of the Leash.
Dachshund Possession Aggression
Friends, if you notice your Dachshund getting a bit possessive over their food or toys, check out my post called “The Dark Side of the Dachshund in Your Bed.”
In this article, I explain why it’s essential to address signs of possession aggression (aka resource guarding) early on. I share insights on how this behavior can escalate to other belongings, like your furniture and explain what steps to take to handle this type of behavior.
Bonus Tip
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 enables people to ask for and discuss dog health-related and behavioral advice, with the aim of connecting with other dog parents who may have faced similar situations. Our position is that the readers of this post fully understand that Dachshund Station does not endorse taking any advice given or received over that of a veterinarian or a certified dog trainer. Dachshund Station (Ava Jaine) is not responsible for the consequences of anyone choosing to implement any advice they receive.
The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding dogs. For an accurate diagnosis of your dog’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Are you struggling with Dachshund Behavior Problems? Please let us know in the comments below.
Helpful Links:
References:
- Schweitzer, Karen. 2010. Our Best Friends The Dachshund. Pittsburg, PA: Eldorado Ink.
- Pinney, Chris. 2010, 2000. Dachshunds. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Hi. I have a 5 year old doxiepin and she growls and becomes aggressive toward other dogs when we’re out even if the dog is 50 yards away. When I try to hold her back she bites me. Also, she becomes aggressive and mean toward anyone who comes into the room if it’s just the two of us lying down or sleeping in a dark room. She attacks my Doberman seemingly for no reason sometimes to guard a toy but other times there doesn’t seem to be a reason for it. I’m ready to re-home her or put her down. Please help
Hello, So sorry you are having some trouble with your doxiepin. When your dog is aggressive, they may need some training help by a professional dog trainer – this has helped many dog parents.
Also, you can talk to your vet about some options they may have to help with aggression issues. If your dog is not fixed, sometimes that can cause aggressive outbursts.
If you feel that your dog is to much to handle, please talk to your local dog shelter or dachshund rescue in your state that would be happy to take your pup and try to help them.
Hi there!! I got my dachshund when he was just a puppy. He’ll be five in December. I got him after my second miscarriage, so he means an incredible deal to me. I love him SO much. I’ve always wanted my own little bean.
Today he bit my 22 month old daughter on the lip. I was in the other room changing my 8 week old. I don’t know what happened, but unfortunately this happened once before when he was startled awake by her trying to get on the couch next to him. He snapped when he woke and grazed her forehead. I have incredible mom guilt and don’t know what to do.
Is it normal for dachshunds bite/be aggressive when startled awake? Is there something I can do to prevent this from happening? Is all hope lost?
Sincerely,
An incredibly heartbroken mama
As far as this being “normal for a dachshund”, there are a few factors to consider… Did the dachshund feel threatened or did he get hurt and defended himself? He could be feeling uncomfortable or unsafe around your daughter and wants to have his own space – which he does need.
Is your dachshund fixed? I know at 5 years old, usually they are all settled in, but having young children around, getting him fixed may ‘lower’ his aggression levels. Please discuss this with your vet.
Going forward, I would keep the dachshund and the kids separate unless you are there supervising a gentle play time. Kids don’t usually understand that they need to give dogs their space or be extra careful around dogs, so they will need help understanding that as they get older.
You can try to have your daughter do some training lessons with you and your doxie. Training with some dog treats helps keeps thing positive. I hope this helps, please take care and also give your vet a call and see if there is something they suggest as well.
Thank you for your response, Ava. He is fixed♡ Typically I just let him sleep on the couch, but I do have a kennel for him. For now, I’ve put up dog/baby gates and am keeping them separate when I cannot be in the same room.
Hello, You are very welcome. Good to know he is already fixed. Yes, that sounds great, keeping them separate will help keep them safe. Take care. :)
Hi Ava! We got our mini (Dorothy) a little late she was about 6months old and was a rehome. We usually are super good with training dogs, but took it easy for a bit on her because she seemed to have some anxiety settling in with our old dog. Now we’re having some troubles with her dashing out the front door if it’s left open too long or unlatched. We live near a busy street and she has troubles with her regal – were so scared of her getting hit by a car do you have any good tips or resources for stopping that? We were thinking puppy training if we need too, cause not she’s 1! Thank you
Hello,
Yes, little Dorothy does need some training to help her understand that running out the door isn’t safe or acceptable. Mainly, the STAY dog training command.
If your doxie needs to learn the Sit command first, here are the Steps For The Sit Command.
Here is how to teach the STAY command (starting with indoors training).
The “Stay” command should be taught in two parts. The first part can be taught in one week, then try the second part the following week.
Part One:
Start your Dachshund in the “Sit” position, facing you.
Show the palm of your hand to your dog (like a stop sign) and say “Stay.”
Count 2 seconds.
If your pup stays, praise “Good” and give a treat.
Repeat and increase your count to 3 seconds, 4, 5, etc…up to 30 seconds.
Practice this for 1 week, then move onto part 2.
Part Two:
Have your dog in the “Sit” position.
Take a couple of steps backwards, say “Stay.”
If your pup stays, walk towards your pup, give praise and a treat.
Start to back away from your dog a little further each time and have them “stay” a few more seconds.
Take your time with this one and gradually work up to a longer and more distant “Stay.” The “Stay” command may take some extra practice, and that’s OK, your doxie will love this one-on-one time with you.
Here is a Youtube Video from Zak George to go along with this Stay At The Door Training:
(the training part starts around minute 2:00)