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. We have a 9 month old male mini doxie called Louie. We have recently had him fixed Hopi g it would reduce some of his annoying behaviors, such as excessive barking, hyperactivity, marking furniture and obsessive behavior with certain toys etc. Unfortunately, it seems to have no effect what’s so ever! It is getting to the point that we are losing the enjoyment of having him.
My wife and I both work most days but do try to walk him often and we have another dog with home he enjoys active play most off the day, but he still exhibits behavior that borders on manic, especially in the evening through to bedtime. Any tips, tricks or alternate support offerings much appreciated!
Hi Jeremy, Louie sounds like a normal dachshund puppy at this age. They are full of extra crazy energy when they are under 1 year old. After he turns 1, some things will start to slow down. During the day, while you are at work, consider having someone take him for a walk for potty and exercise time (or try a doggie daycare where he can run and play that energy down) That should help with the night time crazies.
Here are some games to play to help work that extra energy out: (from mccann dogs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92abvfkGMPI
Here are some DIY brain games for your pup to work out any boredom issues: (from mccann dogs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-bM_yM7IPk
I had my doxie, Eko, fixed after he turned one. It took about 1-2 months before he was a little more calm, didn’t mark things anymore, and reduced the aggressive behavior with his toys. So, I really do believe things start to calm down after they turn one, and a bit of a grace period after they are fixed to fully work out the male hormones.
Also, consider taking him to a puppy training class. This is a great way to not only teach commands, but to socialize him with others.
Hi Jeremy, here is part 2 of my answer.. haha. Get a playpen for Louie. If he tends to make destruction in the house, have him in a gated kitchen area or in playpen where he can have enough room, but stay out of trouble.
Don’t let Louie roam the house unattended. Always watch him like a hawk when he isn’t in the playpen / gated area. This is a must with a dachshund pup under 1… It is how many of us doxie owners survive the 1st year.
I have a 7 month old chi weenie named Sammy.
I’ve had him since he was about 2.5 months old. He’s been fixed since he was not quite 4 mos. Sammy is a love, he loves to cuddle. My problem is he won’t stay out of the bathroom trash and he won’t stay out of the cats food. And he licks all the furniture, and when you tell him to stop he just goes faster. I don’t know how to get him to stop doing that. My husband gets a little upset at him. What can I do?
I loved reading about everyone else’s little pups
Hello Robin, doxies getting in the trash is something I also deal with unfortunately. My trash bins in the kitchen have a locked lid and my bathroom’s garbage is placed up high so they can’t reach it. Even my senior dachshund / beagle mix, Bastian, still gets in the trash after 15 years. So, putting them where they can’t reach them or locking them up does help. They are hunter dogs, so they are attracted to the scent of trash.
I also have had some furniture lickers over the years. Licking the furniture can actually be a sign of boredom. Try to get some more walks in during the week for physical exercise to tire Sammy out. Also try some busy boredom buster dog toys / doggie IQ puzzle toys to help keep your dog mentally stimulated. Sammy may just need some more things to do.
Here are some more details on that: https://www.dachshundstation.com/dachshund-is-bored/
Licking the furniture could also be a sign of stress / anxiety. Watch for noise triggers that may cause your pup to start licking.
If the licking doesn’t stop, it could be OCD or a health issue. Licking may be his way of showing something doesn’t feel right.
You can talk to your vet to check on Sammy’s health and for some anti-anxiety medication and behavior modification therapy. Good luck and hugs for Sammy.
Hi there,
I wonder if anybody can help me. I have a daschund puppy of 6 months old. We have had him for about 10 weeks. We had a really really rough start with him. He would not sleep for more than an hour at a time and he would cry if I left the room even to have a shower. I also have a jack russell who plays with him but often gets annoyed at him too. Anyway, we have an established bedtime routine now. They go to bed at 10 and he will wake around 6:30 to go out for a pee etc. Then he goes back in his crate until 8. The thing is he whines a lot. He will sometimes whine at bed time and he whines in the morning incessantly until I go down. It’s quite loud and I live in a terraced house so I’m conscious the neighbours can hear it. He also cannot be left in his own crate if I leave the house. He stays with my JR. He also will not stop crying if he’s in his crate during the day and knows I’m in the house. I am working from home due to lockdown and sometimes he has to go in the crate. The jack russell goes in without issue. He’s just a very needy very whiny boy. I now hear phantom whining even when he’s not doing it. Friends have told me they don’t know how I tolerate it it’s that frequent. It’s affecting my ability to bond with him too. I’m really struggling and starting to regret the decision to have him which as an avid dog lover is really unsettling and makes me upset. Is this the kind of thing that will settle over time or do I have a long term issue on my hands!? Any advice welcome beside he really is a lovely little dog but he doesn’t seem to know when to quit.
Hi Michelle,
Sorry to hear of your doxie’s excessive whining issue. I believe the constant need to be with you and whining all the time could be because he was taken away from his mother too early… because that seems to be a common sign with many dogs unfortunately.
The phantom whining is a lot like phantom crying with newborn infants.. I had that with my kids as well… all is quiet, but my brain says someone’s crying.
If the whining is caused by anxiety, there are solutions for that either through your vet or you can look at some ideas here:
Socializing:
How is his socializing training going? (other than with your Jack Russell) Has he had any small puppy playdates with other dogs outside the house?
Try to have him interact with more people / animals… I know it is really tough right with lockdown, but try to have some type of interaction (outside the home) with others.
If his whining is due to a nervous / fear of everything, he needs some more gradual exposure to others to improve his puppy social skills.
Exercise:
Does he go on daily walks? Try some more exercise / playtime to run that puppy energy down and lower the anxiety whining too. There are also some really fun Dog IQ puzzles and toys that help keep dogs mentally stimulated.. which helps tire them out.
Many pups that cry at night do so out of boredom and need to run that pent up energy and anxiety down during the day.
Training:
One-on-one command training with you is a great way to bond with each other.
Dachshunds need us, as their owners, to direct them on everything training (command training, potty training, socialization training).
They don’t just obtain good behavior as they get older. You are in the puppy molding phase right now. The more training your puppy has now, the better acting adult dachshund he will be.
Crate:
If he isn’t taking to his crate, try a playpen instead. My dachshund puppy does not like any enclosed crate… but he really feels calm and safe in an open top playpen. So, it’s worth a try.
Vet:
Other than that, has he seen a vet to make sure his health is good? Maybe he doesn’t feel well.
Also, your vet can give some recommendations for helping with anxiety as well.
Being stuck in the house all day not only stinks for us…dogs also can feel upset and they need outside time daily (not just for potty time).
Raising a dachshund puppy is difficult, no candy coating it here… it takes a lot more patience and time than with other dog breeds.
Though puppy-hood is a bit of a rough start, after he is fixed at age one and has more command training and socialization under his belt, he should calm down a bit.