If you are lucky enough to be the owner of a Dachshund, you have probably noticed that Dachshunds tend to be very expressive and loud. While fiercely loyal and bred as hunting dogs, the Dachshund is also very excitable and passionate. It is, therefore, typically very easy to tell precisely how a Dachshund is feeling. If a Dachshund is in the vicinity, you will know!
A very common question from both dog owners and bystanders alike is—why do Dachshunds cry? Is it normal for Dachshunds to cry as they do? The answer is yes, it is normal! Dachshunds are just very vocal in their communication; they want to share with everyone exactly how they’re feeling! From crying when you leave work or incessant barking when you may see another dog, the Dachshund is just an excellent (albeit loud) communicator.
A Pup’s Life
A Dachshund cries the most by far when they are young pups. This is the stage for a Dachshund where they are learning the world—their new family and their new surroundings. This is also the stage where they learn how to communicate—and just how to get what they want or what they need!
This is a crucial time for any dog and dog owner, but especially for the owner of a Dachshund. The Dachshund will instinctively cry, bark, and wail as a means of getting attention. Here are some common reasons why your pup may be crying:
- Hungry
- Thirsty
- Happy
- Discomfort
- Restless
- Physical Pain
- Anxiety
- Loneliness
- Excitement
- Anger
As you can see, the default for the Dachshund is to cry or bark at essentially… everything.
Separation Anxiety
And, as most Dachshund owners can attest to, Dachshunds, if not trained, will be loudest in the night—when they are feeling anxious and alone… and when you’re trying to sleep. And, of course, we know that all of these are valid feelings for our furry friends, but we can take steps to reassure them that they do not need to bark or cry at every single sense of distraction.
This separation anxiety is due in part to their very social nature. When around other dogs or people, Dachshunds are highly friendly and love to interact with others. And, while this makes for an excellent companion, the same need to interact with others is also why they get lonely and anxious at night. Hence all of the wailing and crying at night.
And your solution has probably been the same as many other Dachshund owners—to relent and let them climb into the bed with you, despite a whole bunch of reasons not to.
It’s in the Blood
Make no mistake, despite their adorable (and sometimes awkward!) appearance, Dachshunds were bred to be hunting dogs first and foremost. Both their physical and behavioral characteristics are a product of this breeding.
Their elongated bodies are designed as such to be able to fit into dens and burrows of prey—be it badgers, rabbits, and even wild boars! Their cry and their bark are also a call back to this nature as well. A Dachshund is wired to bark—and to bark loudly. This was particularly handy when the Dachshund found the prey and the owner was not necessarily close by.
Also, another reason that your Dachshund may be excessively barking or crying, and you have ruled out any physical injury. It could be they are just bored! Again, given their nature as a hunter, they want and need a lot of exercise. Do not let the awkward frame fool you; Dachshunds can be surprisingly agile and athletic.
So if your pup is full and content, otherwise, it may just be time to take him for another walk.
Dogs Among Us
Nowadays, however, the chances are that your Dachshund is not doing too much hunting at all—but the issue is that your Dachshund doesn’t know that! His instinct is to bark and cry to ensure he is heard and understood clearly. Hence, we need to take some steps to let our doxies know that other communication methods are just as good too!
So what are some steps we can take to stop our Dachshunds from crying and barking so much? Well, there are a couple of ways. First, however, it is important to be aware that it may involve not giving in to the cries and the wails. This can be very difficult for many dog owners because the last thing they want to hear is their little friend crying and wailing when it is in their power to console them and make them stop.
Creature Comfort
A lot of the time, the dachshund cries and barking are either just for comfort or acknowledgment. So here are a couple of ways you can train and teach your doxie to bark and cry less:
- Wean your Weenie: it is time to stop encouraging your Dachshund every time they cry, bark, and wail. They are used to getting the attention they always get from being dramatic and making a fuss. It may be difficult initially, but it may be necessary for some tough love for your pup. Of course, this does not happen overnight, and it will be a slow-going process from the start. However, eventually, your doxie will not default to wailing to get attention all of the time.
- Walk your Weenie: Make sure that your Dachshund is getting a lot of exercise. Many Dachshund owners may not know that Dachshunds are actually more likely to become obese than other dog breeds. So do both yourself and your dog a favor and make sure you are taking him for a lot of walks. Your doxie’s short legs will thank you for it!
- Watch your Weenie: If you have exhausted all other possible reasons that your dog may be wailing or crying, then it might be time to get him checked up. It could very well be that there is something else going on that a veterinarian may need to look at. Keep a close eye out for any other odd or concerning behavior.
These are just a couple of ways to keep the crying and barking to a minimum, and only when necessary. And, keep in mind, while breed, age, gender, and other factors play into training, a large part is the individual dog’s temperament and personality. So, if your doxie is healthy and still loud, then it might just be a case of being dramatic!
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