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.
I have a year old dachshund who has started showing aggression towards other people both those who he has known for the last year and people outside the house. Me and my partner have recently had a baby so there is now a baby in the house. He was very protective of the baby at first but we have been able to train him to trust me and my partner around the baby but he doesn’t like anyone else being around her. Before this year he was never showing signs of aggression. We have also noticed that if he gets woken up suddenly then he can become aggressive to whoever is around him. Any help with this situation would be appreciated.
Hi Gemma, I’m sorry to hear of your doxie’s recent aggressive behavior. First off, check with your vet. This behavior may have come around because he isn’t feeling well. Once his health checks out, you can ask your vet for some suggestions for aggressive behavior as well, like a recommended canine behaviorist or dog trainer that can help. Dachshunds are very protective of their pack. My dachshund started showing his ‘possessive’ aggressive behavior around 9 months old with all of his toys. We waiting to get him fixed / desexed until after he was one years old, per our vet – to help lower health and ivdd risks. His possessive behavior ‘lessened’ after his surgery / recovery… but he does still need to be isolated from others when he has a new toy.
Me and my partner rescued a 4 year old male sausage about 3 months ago. He has the loveliest personality, gets on great with other dogs (has the occasional bark on a walk if he can’t get close to say hello!) but other than that never barks in the house when we are both there. I’m worried about him when we leave to go to work. When I return home you can sometimes hear him barking, and upon entering the house it’s sometimes clear he’s been sitting by the door waiting, and the thought breaks my heart. My partner was returning home to him on his lunch hour at first to check on him, but we were worried this would further unsettle him so he stopped. He came to us housetrained and hasn’t had one accident whilst we are in the house, but seems to always soil in the same places when left, for example his bed, blankets and sometimes cushions on the couch and has sometimes peed on items of our clothing. It seems to appear more as a scent mark. We have all manner of distractions for him like his Kong, lick mat and several sturdy chew bones. It seems that the only thing we are struggling to crack is leaving him by himself. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated to help our little Hugo. Thank you.
Hello Leah, congrats on your new dachshund rescue. He sounds like a sweetheart. Dachshunds are a family pack dog. They love to be with their ‘people’ all the time…so, yes, leaving them at home can be tough, even for a short time.
Working full time outside the home does make it tough on doxies, and can sometimes lead to separation anxiety. My dachshunds would often get destructive in our home when my husband and I worked fulltime outside the home, so we built an inside/outside kennel for them to go outside to potty when they wanted and could come inside to get warm and play. We lived in the country at the time and had space to do so.
Some great options for your dachshund would be to have a dog walker or pet sitter come middle of the day to take them out to potty and stretch their legs on a nice afternoon walk. If your partner is able to do this, yes, that would be helpful and save money on hiring someone to do it. I wouldn’t let your pup ‘hold it’ for more than 4 hours at a time to keep their potty training up.
Another option would be doggie daycare while you are at work. It sounds like your dachshund gets along well with others, that’s awesome. Having your dachsund attend doggie daycare while you are at work will allow him to socialize with other small dogs his size (which is so important for doxies) and be able to go potty and exercise throughout the day.
Getting another dog to keep your doxie company is another option… but, they still would need to be let out every 4 hours to keep up their potty training. And, at times multiple dogs may get into more trouble while you are away from home (mischievous siblings).
I hope this helps you. Good luck with your dachshund. Come join us on our Facebook page, Team Dachshund, to share your cute doxie pics and ask any questions you may have. We are a dachshund parent support group. :)
Hi I have 2 doxies 1 male year old and female 6months old since we got back from holiday the male is going toilet in house again and has started attacking my female over toys bones and food but before we went away this was not an issue any ideas what could of caused this and ideas to get them loving each other again They stayed with a friend of mine for a week we was away.
Hi there, thanks for writing in. Many of us have had this issue with our doxies, you are not alone. Yes, I believe your male dachshund has some newly added ‘male hormones’ at play here. Possessive aggression (or sometimes called resource guarding) is something many dachshunds have. It can show up anywhere between the ages of 6 months to 3 years old. If your male doxie isn’t fixed (desexed), that may be allowing more of the hormonal aggression through as well. My dachshund, Eko, started to show his aggression toward others when it came to his toys around 9 months old. It was a bit of a shock to see our sweet puppy have such a sudden change of temperament.
I also have a younger female dachshund (1 year old Gretta).
Whenever I give my doxies small dog toys, I will keep my Dachshund, Eko, in his own gated area of the house or his playpen. I also remove the toy’s squeaker. This allows him to enjoy the toy, not swallow the squeaker, and not threaten or hurt others. The dog toy is usually shredded and done within a few minutes. There are canine behaviorists, dog trainers, and veterinarians who could also share some helpful training tips to help with the possessive aggression issues as well. Also, here is a helpful video on dog resource guarding.