Since you’ve ended up here, perhaps you’re planning to get a Dachshund as a family pet; although, one major deal breaker would be if do Dachshunds bark a lot, which is a pretty common pet peeve most dog owners have to deal with.
But to cut it short, YES Dachshunds do bark a lot, and they love to do it more than we hate to hear it! For such a small dog, you’ll be surprised to hear big and tough barks from a Dachshund, and by the time it gets uncontrollable, you might want to consider some methods to help you minimize or completely stop your dog from this habit.
Luckily, here you are, and we’ll be discussing exactly that! We’ll be tackling what makes Dachshunds bark a lot and how you can teach them not to bark — the right way.
Why do Dachshunds bark?
It may not be pleasing to hear your dog barking, but understand that it’s its way to communicate how it feels. Accept that it’s your responsibility to know what all the commotion is about. Rather than letting the noise drive you crazy, pay attention to your dog and know the reason behind its frequent barking.
If you’re serious about getting a Dachshund, you might want to take note of the possible reasons why they bark so much; below is a list of why they do.
It’s in their DNA
Dachshunds are hunting dogs at heart, which is why they naturally bark more compared to other breeds. Their hunting instincts allow them to be alert and sensitive to their surroundings, which is why even the littlest sounds can rattle them and trigger them to bark.
It can be annoying to hear them bark, especially in the middle of the night, but it must be a Dachshund’s way to warn you if it senses danger or if something unusual is going on inside your home.
Nonetheless, whatever you do, Dachshunds are prone to barking, and you have to detect whatever it is that’s keeping your dog weary or bothered to get the barking issue over with.
It’s seeking attention from you
Dachshunds love to play and follow their owners around; they also love receiving cuddles and belly rubs like all other dogs. If your Dachshund keeps barking at you and you see it wagging its tail, it just means that you need to do a big part of your duties as its owner, which is to give your dog some of your time.
This breed can demand a lot of attention from you, so do your best to have your dog entertained or feel loved through playing games or simply through petting it. You won’t only have it tamed from barking, but it would also make you develop a great relationship with your little friend.
It needs more exercise
Sausage dogs are known for their high stamina and energy. They may be small, but they do like being athletic, running happy, and free! If your Dachshund is barking a lot, it might be because it feels bored or restless and wants to pour all the energy out of its system.
Maybe it’s been so long since the last time you took them out for a walk, or perhaps its living space doesn’t allow it to explore as much. A Dachshund can’t stand having to lie around all day and would keep barking until you finally get its message.
Take your dog for a walk or have it run in a safe space without a leash on, maybe afterward it’ll feel more relaxed and content, that it won’t bother barking as much anymore.
It’s troubling emotionally
Dachshunds are sensitive dogs, and what they feel can cause them to bark excessively. It can happen when they’re experiencing separation anxiety as you’re about to leave or that it’s uncomfortable being around unfamiliar people you’ve invited to your place.
When a Dachshund doesn’t stop barking, it may mean that it’s going through a situation that’s left it frightened or frustrated. With that said, you need to reassure your dog that it’s safe; have it taken care of by a trusted friend or family member it knows or it’s close to before you head out.
Be patient with your dog when the barking becomes too much. It’s not something you can have under control overnight; it’ll undoubtedly take a lot of effort on your side for them to stop their natural habitual barking.
How to Stop a Dachshund from Barking
Dachshunds are a vocal breed, so it can be challenging to train them to bark less. Remember, barking is a part of their identity as hunting dogs, and so it’s almost impossible to take the habit away from them. However, it’s achievable to minimize the barking and have them behaved when they need to be.
Please don’t lose hope when it seems that your dog isn’t making progress when you try to train it not to bark; it usually takes a couple of weeks before you finally have its barking under control.
Here are some tips you can do to quiet down your Dachshund:
Know what’s bothering your dog
Try observing your Dachshund every time it’s about to bark. Understand that it’s essential to identify its triggers first before anything else. That way, you can focus on how you can minimize the very reason for its barking.
For instance, a Dachshund may bark a lot when they see you’re about to leave home. In this cause, your dog may be suffering from loneliness or boredom. If your Dachshund doesn’t seem happy and deals with separation anxiety, expect it to show negative behaviors, and excessive barking can be just one of them.
Create a safe and comfortable environment for your Dachshund. It’s probably the anxiety that’s barking and could mean that your dog needs attention and company.
Let your dog interact on its own will
Dachshunds can be aggressive if they haven’t experienced sufficient socialization, and that can be a reason why your dog barks a lot at other people and animals. It can be challenging to socialize your Dachshund, especially if it’s already an adult, but luckily, they still have a chance to shift their behavior.
Make it a routine to bring your Dachshund to dog parks where you can have it interact with other furry friends. Even when your dog appears uptight, keep exposing it to different people and dogs; after a while, you’ll notice how it won’t be as bothered and tensed up.
Take it slow with your dog if it isn’t ready to interact, let it be the one to decide its pace. Once it picks up the sense that it’s in a good environment, it won’t feel the need to bark for defense and even initiate interaction among other dogs.
Teaching a Dachshund not to Bark
Teach your dog some simple commands that’ll keep it entertained and obedient. Dachshunds, although they can be stubborn, are quite intelligent dogs so take advantage of it by teaching your dog how to stop barking. Let your dog learn the “quiet” command and use positive reinforcement to keep it motivated in following you.
You need a lot of repetition when it comes to teaching your dog the quiet command; use the word “quiet” when it’s barking, and once it stops, praise it and reward it with treats. Do this every day until your dog becomes familiar with the word and gets the pattern. Moreover, encourage your dog to be calm and well-behaved through petting or talking to it sweetly when it is.
To stop a Dachshund from barking it needs consistent effort from its owner. Keep on reinforcing good behavior on your dog and regularly provide it mental and physical stimulation with the intent of having it feel needless to bark.
My Dachshund Barks at Night
If your dog barks a lot during bedtime, it might be because it hears something from the outside like the sound of vehicles passing by or your neighbor’s dog barking as well.
If that’s the case, try to relocate your dog’s sleeping place to a more peaceful and comfortable area. Also, consider keeping your dog active during the day so it would feel more relaxed during the night; understand that sometimes Dachshunds bark out of boredom too, and it may be a way for them to let all the energy out.
My Dachshund Bark at Strangers
Most of the time, Dachshunds bark at strangers because of their territorial and protective instincts. For them, to bark is to unwelcome someone who they perceive as a potential threat or intruder. This trait makes them the perfect watchdog, although it can be a headache when not properly trained.
It’s advised that you enroll your dog to a puppy class since not only will it help minimize your dog’s barking, but you’ll also be given some feedback on basic techniques you can do to maintain your dog’s good behavior.
If this does not count as an option for you, one clever idea would be having some of your friends over to hand your dog treats from time to time. This way, your Dachshund will gradually develop a friendlier personality among new people around it and feel less fearful of them.
My Dachshund Bark at Other Dogs
If your dog is barking at other dogs, it can either mean that it’s scared or overly excited. Although some Dachshunds feel the need to defend themselves from other dogs, hence they turn out to bark aggressively.
It can be quite a challenge to walk your dog out in public, mostly when it barks a lot and tirelessly tug on its leash every time a dog passes by. One technique you can do is bring small pieces of treats along your walk to have your Dachshund distracted once it encounters a dog; this will redirect its attention to food and keep it busy on chewing rather than barking. You can also go the other direction where fewer dogs are likely to pass.
How to Teach a Dachshund to Behave
It can take a while for a Dachshund to become completely well-behaved, but it’s not impossible to happen. You can start by teaching your dog some simple and most practical commands like sit or stay, and continue giving it small rewards and praises every time it follows.
Dachshunds can be stubborn, so it also takes a lot of patience to train them. Repetition and consistency in disciplining your dog are very much needed.
Positive encounters is key
Be hands-on with your dog as much as possible. Remember that for it to be well-behaved, it all starts at home. Ensure that your Dachshund’s environment is calm and is a place where it can feel secure and comfortable. If you happen to have other dogs at home, it’s best if they’re friendly and well-behaved too before you have them introduced to your Dachshund.
Expose your dog to other humans and pets
Take it to walks for exercise or go to places where it’ll feel encouraged to interact with other people and pets. Many undesired behaviors develop when a dog lacks exposure and attention, so do your best to keep your Dachshund active and engaged.
Let your dog go through reward-based training
Reward-based training will help your Dachshund feel encouraged in continuing good behavior. These rewards can either be your dog’s favorite treats, verbal praises, petting, or just about anything a dog usually enjoys. Consider it a method that will not only keep your dog disciplined but also helps it to trust you more as an owner. Repeat this method as many times as necessary until your dog finally sticks to being obedient even without any reward.
What You Should Not Teach Your Dachshund
Most dog owners unconsciously teach their dogs bad behaviors that tend to worsen over time. If you honestly think that you’re one of them, it’s time you renew your ways to help your Dachshund develop better character.
Don’t teach your dog to beg for food.
It’s a mistake to toss bits of food to your dog while you eat or cook as it would cause your dog to develop a habit of begging if not fed. If you don’t stop from doing this practice, bad behavior will continue – from scratching your legs to continuous barking if it’s not given what it wants.
Decide a fixed spot where your dog can eat its food and feed it the right amount to avoid it getting hungry. You can also try rewarding your dog with its favorite treats mixed into its food; that way, it’ll feel encouraged to stay put on eating only from its bowl.
Don’t try and trigger your dog’s aggression.
Rough play, like chasing and tugging a toy from your dog’s mouth, can trigger its aggressive side. If playing games with your dog gets too intense, it might not be able to control its emotions and can cause you to get hurt. Most of the time, dogs aren’t aware of limiting themselves, so too much excitement and thrill can make your Dachshund bark or bite you.
Always be mindful of letting your dog’s excitement under control, know when it’s getting too far and stop immediately.
Never hit or yell at your dog when it does wrong.
Hitting or yelling at your Dachshund won’t help keep it disciplined. It’ll only cause it to be afraid of you. If you continuously do this every time it does wrong, it will gradually grow distant from you and make it aggressive. It would also lead it not to trust other people, causing them to bark or growl when humans come near.
If your dog has done something terrible, teach it commands that would restrict it from misbehaving in the future. Use positive reinforcement every time.
Conclusion
There are numerous reasons why a Dachshund is barking a lot, and it’s often because of the negative environment it’s exposed to and negligence from its owner. It won’t take a while for you to know what’s causing your dog to bark excessively, and the hard part is always having to resolve it.
Be patient with your Dachshund, and establish routines for it to remain active and well-behaved. A Dachshund may be a small dog, but it’s a big responsibility. It takes training, social and entertaining activities to change its behavior; punishment is never the answer!
If you think you can’t train your dog on your own, a couple of sessions with a professional is promisingly effective too. Goodluck!