Dachshunds tend to calm down when they’ve reached two years of age like most puppies. However, if not properly trained and treated, they can display aggression and anxiety due to the nature of their breed’s genetics.
In this article, we’ll explain why dachshunds are so prone to hyperactivity, aggression, and separation anxiety. We’ll also provide some tips and tricks to help you minimize these innate behaviors and help your dachshund nurture his/her sweet, loving, calm side.
Get ready to take notes and prepare to give your dachshund the chance to be your best buddy without the worries of bad behavior!
Why Is My Dachshund So Hyper?
Dachshunds were originally bred to be hunting dogs for wild rodents such as badgers so it’s in their nature to have short bursts of high energy. As such, they exhibit hyperactive tendencies like bouncing off the walls of your apartment or barking their cute little heads off because they have so much pent-up energy.
It’s incredibly important to make sure your dachshund is getting enough exercise so that energy can be used up productively instead of being channeled into driving your neighbors crazy or waking you up at all hours of the night. Be aware of your dachshund’s hyperactivity because it may lead to aggression very quickly if not tempered especially because of those hunting genes.
How Do I Get My Dachshund to Calm Down?
Dachshunds are creatures of habit and establishing a regular routine they can rely on will help keep them displaying hyperactive behavior. Make sure your dachshund has a predictable schedule for his/her exercise, meals, socialization, bathroom time, and sleeping.
When creating your schedule, be sure to include at least 30 minutes of exercise per day so your dachshund can burn off that extra energy.
Also, pencil in specific times you expect your dachshund to be calm and reinforce this by telling him/her “No” if they bark excessively or run around like crazy. Since dachshunds respond best to positive reinforcement, reward him/her when they are acting calm so he/she knows what you expect.
In addition to routine, set up a specific quiet and comfortable place for your dachshund to sleep to ensure that he/she is getting the necessary amount of quality rest at night.
Why Is My Dachshund Aggressive?
Hunting dogs require a necessary amount of aggression or else they are not useful for the task at hand. Even though dachshunds are a small breed, they carry these hunter genes and it may be easy to forget that aggression can be a major problem with dachshunds because of their size.
Dachshunds display one of the highest levels of aggression towards both dogs and humans (owners and strangers alike). In fact, their aggression towards other dogs can be quite dangerous because they like to pick on pups notably larger than themselves. Their stubbornness to be “top dog” despite their size can ultimately cause issues.
How Do I Deal with My Dachshund’s Aggression?
Taking the time to train and socialize dachshunds early on in puppyhood is the key to helping mitigate the manifestation of aggression later on. Neutering and spaying also help curb aggression because it removes the urgency for competition and mating.
Make sure your dachshund is getting enough exercise. Allowing your dachshund to run around outside and engaging with your dachshund in simple games such as fetch are necessary to burn off that pent-up energy so that there’s less left over to channel towards aggressive behavior.
Don’t feed into aggression by yelling at or punishing your dachshund when he/she misbehaves. Instead, reward your pup for good behavior and don’t respond when they exhibit bad behavior – remember any attention is still attention and can encourage aggression if you’re not careful.
If worse comes to worst and you’ve implemented behavior training and all of the above suggestions to no avail, talk to your vet about medication. Some studies have been successful with prescribing antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication (depending on the root of the problem) to help curb aggression in dachshunds.
Why Does My Dachshund Cry?
Similar to their predisposition to aggression and hyperactivity, dachshunds are prone to anxiety especially separation anxiety which is why they tend to cry. Howling, whining, and crying are all attempts to win your attention and favor when they feel they are being neglected or ignored.
As distressing as it can be, all your dachshund really needs is comfort and assurance that you still love him/her.
How Can I Ease My Dachshund’s Separation Anxiety?
Just as you established a routine to help mitigate hyperactivity, reinforce the notion that you’re not abandoning your dachshund. Start with little steps such as grabbing your keys and wallet as if you were leaving, but then sitting down with your dachshund for reassurance.
Eventually, actually walk out the door but only for a few minutes and gradually increase your time away from your dachshund so that his/her trust that you will return grows. Once he/she is comfortable with the notion of you leaving, make sure that every time you do leave, you follow a set “leaving” and “returning” routine so your dachshund knows what to expect.
Some dachshunds may also respond positively to you orally comforting them by telling them you love them and you’ll return. Others may be able to deal better with your absence if they have a special comfort toy while you’re away.
Giving Your Dachshund His/Her Best Life
Although Dachshunds are prone to hyperactivity, aggression, and separation anxiety due to the lot they’ve drawn in the genetic pool, there are many ways you can help your dachshund overcome these predispositions before they become an issue.
Make sure your dachshund gets lots of exercise, has an established daytime and sleeping schedule, and is shown lots of affection. Spaying and neutering and early socialization will also help curb these notions.
Give your dachshund the best life he/she can live and you’ll have a have buddy who loves you unconditionally.
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