The 20 Most Frequent Dachshund Conduct Issues (and What to Do About Them) – YouDidWhatWithYourWiener.com

I’ve spent the final 20 years learning the Dachshund breed and there are 10 widespread conduct issues I see most frequently.

Now, a few of these aren’t “issues” per se. 

They might simply be behaviors house owners are shocked or shocked by as a result of they didn’t totally perceive the Dachshund breed earlier than they bought one.

Though my expertise is primarily with mini Dachshund conduct issues, normal Dachshund conduct points are very comparable.

In different phrases, the widespread Dachshund conduct points have extra to do with the breed than their dimension (mini and normal is only a dimension classification of the identical breed canine).

I may also preface this with the notion that not all Dachshund house owners see all the things on this checklist a conduct downside.

What’s annoying to at least one proprietor could also be acceptable, and even cute, to a different. 

Typically although, the entire issues on this checklist may very well be thought-about issues and possibly can be by a canine coach trying in in your life.

Under are the Dachshund conduct issues I see most frequently and suggest an answer or two that can assist you modify, or decrease, the undesirable behaviors.

The 20 Dachshund Conduct Points I See Most Continuously

These are the Dachshund behaviors that I see house owners lament about, or ask for assist for, most often.

1) Extreme barking

Dachshunds have been bred to hunt. 

A part of their duties have been alerting hunters once they discovered prey or perceived a menace.

This implies Dachshunds are pure barkers. 

A Dachshund may bark out of boredom, lack of train, consideration looking for, or separation anxiousness (see beneath).

In case your Dachshund is continually barking, it may be a nuisance to neighbors, to you, or get you kicked out of your condominium.

Whilst you ought to by no means anticipate to cease your Dachshund, you can decrease it and handle the extreme barking conduct.

2) Separation Nervousness

Dachshunds are very social and get connected to their individuals. 

Some would possibly say Dachshunds are needy and, sometimes, they favor one particular person within the family over all others.

When separated from this explicit particular person, or their individuals basically, whether or not it’s since you left the home or just walked into one other room and your canine can’t comply with you, your Dachshund might expertise what is named separation anxiousness.

Separation anxiousness can result in inappropriate conduct like extreme barking, howling, and destructiveness.

Barking attributable to separation anxiousness tends to be totally different than the nuisance barking above.

Nuisance barking can vary from occasional barking to extended barking the place a bunch of barks are strung collectively once they sense a hazard.

Assume bark, bark, baaaaark.

You possibly can normally decide in case your Dachshund’s extreme barking and howling is attributable to separation anxiousness by the kind of bark.

Your canine will sometimes bark for a chronic time frame however with house in between – bark, cease, bark, cease, bark, cease – or howling like arooooooo in sort of a “unhappy voice”. 

This howling may have a second of silence in between however typically it’s simply lengthy sufficient for a Dachshund to catch their breath and do it once more.

Curing your canine’s separation anxiousness takes numerous repetition and persistence however it may be performed.

See the separation anxiousness article linked to above for a how-to rationalization..

3) Potty accidents in the home

Dachshunds have a status for being notoriously troublesome to potty practice.

There are such a lot of elements concerned in profitable potty coaching.

Sometimes, potty coaching fails as a result of a mistake was made someplace within the course of.

I’m not placing the entire blame on the proprietor – Dachshunds have their very own concepts and may be difficult – however there are many alternatives to by chance ship your canine the unsuitable message.

These embody:

• Coaching with potty pads inside the home first.

I do know generally that is unavoidable however a canines are likely to generalize conduct and going potty in the home goes in the home to them it doesn’t matter what the floor is.

• Not taking your canine out typically sufficient.

• Failing to acknowledge your Dachshund’s refined indicators they should bought out

However one of many largest issues that may result in what I wish to name “pooping in the home season” is a Dachshund’s reluctance to go potty within the rain or chilly.

4) Pulling on the leash

Dachshunds will typically pull on the tip of the leash once they go for walks.

That is very true in the event that they aren’t getting sufficient train, or haven’t been out for some time, so they’re overly excited or anxious.

Dachshunds may pull on the tip of the leash as a result of they’re naturally inclined to discover and examine their atmosphere.

Moreover, if a canine isn’t skilled to stroll on a leash, they might not perceive the idea of remaining near their proprietor and should pull so as to go the place they need.

The answer is educating your Dachshund good leash manners, doubtlessly educating them to stroll beside you in a heel, and ensuring you’re taking your Dachshund for a stroll often sufficient.

5) Barking and lunging at unusual canines and folks whereas on leash

When a Dachshund barks and pulls on the leash once they go new canines or individuals, that is known as reactivity or, extra particularly, leash reactivity.

Your canine is probably going fearful, anxious, or over-excited and “reacting” to the stimuli.

Not solely is that this conduct unhealthy manners, and doubtlessly embarrassing for you, but it surely might lead to a canine struggle if the opposite one is unfriendly or interprets your Dachshund’s conduct as a menace.

There are a number of coaching methods that may assist together with your Dachshund’s reactivity downside, just like the “go away it” command, or desensitization by means of the “have a look at that” train.

Nevertheless, crucial method to thwart reactive conduct is thru correct socialization and confidence constructing.

6) Refusal to stroll on leash

Dachshunds, particularly Dachshund puppies, are infamous for stopping in the midst of a stroll and refusing to go any additional.

In some circumstances, this may very well be resulting from asking your pet to do an excessive amount of train too quickly.

Nevertheless it may also be resulting from fearfulness – being afraid of what’s forward – or refusal to stroll in a harness or jacket that makes them really feel uncomfortable.

Giving a pair, mushy, encouraging tugs on the leash could also be sufficient to get your Dachshund to begin strolling once more.

But when that doesn’t work, don’t attempt to drag your Dachshund together with you.

As an alternative, attempt these tricks to get your Dachshund strolling once more.

7) Refusal to return when known as

As a result of they have been bred for looking, Dachshunds like to comply with their nostril.

When a Dachshund will get on an attention-grabbing scent, or finds one thing very intriguing, it could actually appear to be their mind shuts off they usually don’t hear you calling their title.

It’s unlikely that your Dachshund didn’t hear you although. 

In comparison with people, canines hear practically twice as many frequencies as people they usually can hear from nearly 4 occasions the gap away. 

As a way to get your Dachshund to return again constantly each time you name them, you might want to make your self extra attention-grabbing than the rest they’ll discover out on this planet and usually follow recall coaching.

8) Submissive urination

Submissive urination is a conduct in canines the place they pee once they they really feel threatened, scared, or overly excited. 

This will occur when they’re greeted by unfamiliar individuals, scolded or punished, once you come dwelling and your Dachshund is worked up to see you, once you attempt to decide your canine up, and so forth.

Submissive urination is a standard and instinctive means for canines to point out submission and appeasement to a perceived higher-ranking particular person or to defuse a state of affairs that’s inflicting them stress. 

You will need to perceive that this isn’t a home coaching difficulty, and scolding or punishing a canine for submissive urination will probably make the issue worse. 

As an alternative, attempt to determine your canine’s triggers and decrease actions or conditions that trigger your Dachshund to submissively urinate.

The article about confidence constructing and socialization linked to within the above part about barking and lunging on leash.

9) Leaping

Dachshunds like to leap.

This contains leaping up on individuals, leaping off furnishings, and leaping towards issues just like the door or cabinets.

Leaping on the door or on individuals may be annoying.

Nevertheless, any leaping, particularly off furnishings, may be dangerous for a Dachshund.

Dachshunds are the breed mostly affected by Intervertebral Disk Illness (IVDD), a genetic illness that may trigger spinal disk ruptures, again accidents, and paralysis.

Whereas it’s most likely inconceivable to cease your Dachshund from leaping in all circumstances, minimizing it’s the prudent factor to do.

You possibly can decrease your Dachshund leaping on individuals by placing them in a crate or pen when company first arrive, by means of coaching, or leaping off furnishings through the use of a ramp or blocking entry.

10) Begging for meals

Virtually all Dachshunds will attempt to persuade you they’re ravenous 24/7. They’re undoubtedly meals hounds!

And the pleading eyes? So arduous to withstand.

However too many treats and desk scraps can result in your Dachshund changing into obese which, in flip, can result in different well being points, together with shortening their life.

The very best methods to place a cease to begging is to disregard your Dachshund (don’t even say “no” or give eye contact), put them in a crate or pen away from the place you’re consuming, or practice them to not.

I’ve a rule at my home: My Dachshunds are allowed to sit down close to me after I eat however they will solely have a look at me and my meals if they’re sitting on the ground.

They aren’t allowed to stare at my plate from eye degree (if I’m sitting on the sofa). 

They know to put there and look the opposite means or burrow beneath the blankets to allow them to’t see.

In the event that they violate this rule, and don’t return to the right conduct after I gently say “no”, I put them of their crate till I’m performed consuming.

11) Useful resource guarding

Useful resource guarding is when your Dachshund finds one thing to be of excessive worth they usually defend and defend it.

Examples are:

• Rising at you once you attempt to take a favourite toy away

• Growling at you, or different pets in your family, in the event that they get too near your Dachshund’s meals dish

• Growling or snapping at a pal or boyfriend once they attempt to hug you or sit shut on the sofa

• Barking or snapping if you happen to attempt to take away you canine from furnishings

Keys to forestall and discourage useful resource guarding embody:

• Correct socialization, educating coaching instructions like “drop” or “go away it”,

• Supervising your Dachshund’s  interactions with different animals or individuals

• Eradicating the merchandise they’re useful resource guarding

• Educating the canine that good issues occur when different canines or persons are round their sources or they offer it again to you

• Consulting knowledgeable coach or behaviorist if the useful resource guarding is extreme 

My Dachshund Summit will sometimes useful resource guard meals and her favourite toys.

Usually, I don’t let her plan with the canine toys she is obsessive about when different canines are round (together with my second Dachshund).

If I’m giving each of my canines treats, I watch her intently for any signal she is getting nervous like aspect eye or quiet grumbling.

12) Fearfulness and Shyness 

Dachshunds can tend to be fearful or shy round new individuals and canines.

They might even be cautious of recent locations or sounds.

This can lead to frequent barking, refusal to enter a room or constructing, shaking, growling, or submissive urination (talked about above).

I do know I preserve mentioning socialization however that actually is a key right here.

A Dachshund who’s snug round, and usually uncovered to, new individuals, canines, sights, and sounds might be extra more likely to be calm and relaxed in all conditions.

For instance, some canines will sit alert and bark at each tiny noise when staying in a resort room.

My Dachshunds are uncovered to new conditions and sounds the entire time in order that they not often react after we are staying in a resort.

13) Destroying issues in the home

Dachshunds wish to chew and dig. They’ve very sturdy jaws and numerous dedication.

Sadly, this implies they may chew your socks, underwear, baseboards, charging cable, or dig holes within the carpet.

The 2 greatest methods to fight this are to maintain your canine in a pen or crate when you’re gone in order that they bodily can’t destroy issues and to show them early what is suitable to chew on and what isn’t.

Nevertheless, it’s additionally necessary to concentrate to when it’s taking place so as to try to resolve the difficulty.

Destroying issues within the dwelling may also be an indication of separation anxiousness in the event that they do it primarily once you go away the home.

14) Digging holes within the yard

As said above, Dachshunds wish to dig. It’s of their nature.

Dachshunds have been bred to hunt animals that burrow within the floor. 

As a way to get to them, Dachshunds have been typically required to dig and excavate the dust in burrows, dens, and tunnels.

Regardless that most Dachshunds don’t hunt anymore, some Dachshunds nonetheless actually like to dig.

They could fulfill this urge by digging up your flower beds, digging holes within the yard, or digging holes beneath the fence to flee.

You possibly can assist forestall your Dachshund from digging holes within the yard by offering ample psychological stimulation and bodily train in order that they don’t get bored.

You may also attempt offering an applicable place to dig, like a canine sandbox, and educating them to dig there.

15) Bolting out the door

Oh, my. After I open the again door, my Dachshund Summit takes off like a shot into the again yard.

I let her as a result of our yard is fenced however many Dachshunds will attempt to run out the entrance door as quickly as you open it resulting from issues like impatience, pleasure, or chasing “prey” passing by.

This poses a hazard although as a result of your Dachshund might run into visitors, run off and get misplaced, or run off and encounter harmful wildlife (hyperlink).

To forestall canines from bolting out the door, you will need to practice them to know fundamental obedience instructions like “keep” and “come” and to oversee them when the door is open.

Coaching your Dachshund to sit down and look forward to a launch phrase (permission) to exit the door can assist forestall a rogue escape artist too.

16) Chasing

Dachshund have a powerful prey drive, which suggests they wish to chase fast-moving issues.

These items may very well be automobiles, youngsters, cats, or wildlife.

One of the best ways to forestall the chasing youngsters is to show youngsters to stroll calmly round them and to not transfer too quick.

One of the best ways to maintain your Dachshund from chasing different issues is to maintain them on a leash once you go away the home or excellent their recall coaching (but it surely’s troublesome to get a Dachshund to conform 100% of the time)

17) Defiance and Stubbornness

Dachshunds developed tenacity, the willingness to persevere, and the flexibility to suppose independently again once they have been bred to hunt.

Whereas these traits make Dachshunds extremely smart, it additionally makes them relentless downside solvers.

I all the time inform individuals {that a} Dachshund will use their smarts and ingenuity to seek out a neater means round what you’re asking them to do so as to get the reward.

This trait may be perceived as cussed or defiant.

However they’re actually sensible and it’s not troublesome to coach a Dachshund to do what you need if you’re affected person and constant.

18) Hyperactivity

Typically, when all you wish to do is get some work down or lay on the sofa watching Netflix, your Dachshund might get actually hyper, bark and zoom round the home.

This may very well be as a result of your Dachshund is bored, they aren’t getting sufficient train, they’re over-stimulated, or over-tired (this is quite common with puppies).

My Dachshund Summit nearly all the time will get hyper after dinner.

She may be disruptive and relentless in her pursuit to pester me or run round the home and generally she tries to hump by arm or her canine mattress.

Quite a lot of this hyperactivity may be addressed by educating your Dachshund to settle when it’s quiet time.

This may be performed by means of “place” coaching – coaching a canine to sit down on a mattress or mat and settle – or by educating them a phrase meaning to quiet down like “calm” or “tranquilo”.

If that doesn’t work, generally giving your canine a short while out in a crate or pen will assist them perceive that hyperactivity isn’t welcome at the moment.

You will need to notice that hyperactivity may be attributable to medical circumstances like an overactive thyroid or a mind tumor so it’s greatest to get your canine checked out on the vet if it is a new behavior.

19) Whining or grumbling for consideration

Oof! This one is a biggie with my Dachshund Summit.

Her favourite factor to do? Wait till I’m in the midst of a piece undertaking after which stand in entrance of a blanket grumbling in order that I’ll come over and elevate the sting so she will be able to burrow beneath it.

When a Dachshund whines or grumbles, they’re normally making an attempt to inform you they need one thing.

Nevertheless, they might want one thing they will’t have so this one isn’t simply solved by giving them what they need (which, actually, will simply practice them that this conduct will get them what they need anyway). 

The very best plan of action towards that is to disregard them or redirect their consideration to one thing else (not the factor they needed however one thing satisfying like a toy or chew).

20) Biting

Dachshund puppies typically chew as a result of they discover the world with their mouth and tooth.

They might additionally suppose it’s enjoyable.

You possibly can comply with these tricks to cease your pet from biting.

In case your grownup Dachshund is nipping and biting although, you might have a much bigger downside.

An grownup Dachshund might chew as a result of they weren’t taught it’s unacceptable as a pet, they’re fearful and reactive, useful resource guarding, or they’re in ache.

In case your Dachshund has been biting for a very long time, the trigger is probably going one of many first three.

I’ve mentioned how you can handle these issues above so revisit these sections if wanted for assist.

If the biting is a brand new conduct, it might sign ache or an underlying medical situation so a vet go to is so as.

It’s additionally necessary to notice that what appears to be like like biting might, the truth is, be play and never a difficulty.

Gentle mouthing, biting, and tugging on pores and skin is a pure means that canine’s play. 

This recreation is also known as “bitey face” and isn’t dangerous until one canine is being dominated by the opposite, one canine is making an attempt to flee the state of affairs and might’t, or it has resulted in an harm.

In case your canines is biting along side what can be thought-about imply conduct, or they’re clearly making an attempt to hurt one other canine or particular person, please seek the advice of knowledgeable coach or behaviorist.

Last Ideas

Like all canine breed, Dachshunds are distinctive and have their quirks.

Whereas a few of these quirks are seen as cute or endearing by some, others can view them as irritating conduct points.

Additionally, these widespread Dachshund behaviors can turn into issues in the event that they put your canine, you, or different individuals at risk.

In case your Dachshund displays any of those behaviors, it’s as much as you to determine what you’ll be able to reside with and what you’ll be able to’t, and determine when and how you can handle them.

Hopefully, this checklist has made you conscious of the potential conduct issues you would possibly encounter with a Dachshund and offered some ideas to assist with coaching and conduct modification.