The Dark Side of the Dachshund in Your Bed
This is a tough one. I’ve been blessed to have the joy of dachshund companionship for more than two decades now. But let me tell you, things took quite a turn when my 4-year-old Dachshund, Eko, gave me a good, hard bite! It’s been a learning experience, to say the least.
Shortly after this particular incident, fellow Dachshund parents in an online social group began sharing stories of unexpected attacks and aggression, all centered around their BED.
Having heard similar tales from other doxie parents over the years, I believe it’s crucial to raise awareness about the potential risks of letting your dachshund share your bed with you. Let’s call it ‘Dachshund Bed Aggression,’ and it’s more common than you think.
In this post, we’re going to discuss the dark side of the Dachshund in your bed and most importantly, what you should do about it.
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Watch for the Signs
Now, I’m not going to show you my poor thumb that took the biggest bite of its life, but I will tell you this – if your Dachshund shows possession aggression or resource guarding towards food or toys, your bed could be next.
If you haven’t experienced any dominant growling surrounding your bed or when scooching your doxie over in the middle of the night, take this opportunity to gently relocate your Dachshund before it happens.
After I was bit, I did some digging online and found that my Dachshund, Eko, not only guards his toys, he also guards me when I’m preparing food and the dishwasher when dishes are being loaded.
This type of dominant behavior makes an attack at bedtime a much bigger possibility.
What Causes Dachshund Bed Aggression?
There are two main reasons your Dachshund may act aggressively while lying in your bed, the sleep-startle reflex and resource guarding (aka possession aggression). Let’s look at each one.
Sleep-Startle Reflex
The sleep-startle reflex is a common trait among dogs where they react out of survival when they feel threatened, even if they aren’t fully aware of what is going on.
Even though our Dachshunds are fully domesticated and aren’t living outside like wolves, this reflex is a protective natural instinct embedded in your doxie.
When your Dachshund is being a bit of a bed-hog and you attempt to move them while they are in a deep sleep, they may become startled and growl or react when awakened by a touch, movement, or noise.
Note: Dogs slip into REM sleep much quicker than we humans do!
So, if your doxie is in a deep sleep within minutes of burrowing under the covers, anything could sound their internal alarm causing a defensive reaction.
What you should do: When it comes to dealing with this reflex, the suggestion from other dog experts is to let sleeping dogs lie and try to avoid any sudden movements.
But let’s be real here, sharing a bed with a Dachshund often involves constant tactical maneuvering to get comfy.
So, a more practical solution for the bed-hogging long dog is to provide them with their own comfortable dog bed.
Resource Guarding
This one’s a bit more scary because it can escalate to a much more aggressive behavior. If your Dachshund shows any type of possessiveness toward your bed, they view the bed as their own. Here’s what canine resource guarding looks like.
Signs of Resource Guarding:
- Growling
- Death Stare
- Blackened Eyes
- Ears pointed backwards
- Lip-licking
- Body stiffness
What you should do: Dogs who show aggressive behavior don’t get access to the bed. Relocating your Dachshund to their own dog bed is the safest option.
Keep Yourself Safe
Canine aggression from any dog breed is not something to fool around with. If the level of your Dachshund’s growl or aggression makes you feel unsafe, get help from a qualified dog behavior professional.
If Your Dachshund Growls at You in Bed – Do This!
Let’s say you are in the midst of this Dachshund Bed Aggression scenario. You are in your bed or getting into bed and your Dachshund starts to growl at you, here’s how to get them off your bed.
- Ring the doorbell or knock on the door.
- Coax them off with food or a toy.
- Keep a leash (house lead) on your dog to guide them off.
What You Shouldn’t Do
Never force your Dachshund to give up the item or bed that they are actively protecting. Punishing your doxie physically or verbally will get you nowhere fast and it could actually make the problem much worse.
Here’s What Can Help
Dog Training Help:
If your search for a local canine behaviorist has come up empty, no worries! The K9 Training Institute provides online dog training that you can easily do right at home with your doxie.
The K9 Training Institute link is an affiliate link, and I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no cost to you.
Dachshund Parents: How do you handle Dachshund Bed Aggression? Share your success stories and tips with us below!
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.
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