Dachshunds are a beloved dog breed, with many people simply adoring them for their cute bodies that are shaped like hotdogs and their tiny legs. These little dogs have big personalities, though, and many people love the breed for their feisty temperament.
One of the things that may catch a new Dachshund owner off-guard, though, is just how much their new dog barks. Is it normal for this breed to bark a lot? Generally, Dachshunds tend to bark a lot.
Do Dachshunds Bark a Lot?
Yes! Dachshunds love to share the proverbial song of their people with everyone who will listen—and even those that won’t. It’s not unusual for this breed to bark a lot, though.
Dachshunds were originally bred to be hunting dogs that would flush out badgers from their burrows, so they are pretty fearless for small dogs. Due to their breeding, they tend to have a bigger bark than other dogs of a similar size, so don’t be surprised when your Dachshund’s bark makes them sound bigger than they actually are!
How Much Barking Is Too Much?
Hearing a barking dog can be annoying for you and also stressful for other animals in the home. Also, it is unlikely to make you popular with the neighbors.
If your dog barks to alert you to someone coming to the door, this is acceptable. There just aren’t a lot of reasons for a pet dog to need to bark. If your Dachshund barks incessantly for attention or to demand something, like food or a toy, then this is inappropriate behavior. You also should not encourage your pup to bark as a form of play.
Some dogs will bark when someone walks past the house and, depending on the situation, it can be an acceptable behavior. If you live on a busy street where someone walks by every 3 seconds, then it isn’t healthy for your dog to spend the day barking. Some dogs bark so much that they damage their vocal cords, causing them to swell. This can lead to a hoarse bark, as well as significant irritation and even infections in and around the larynx.
The 5 Tips on How to Stop Excessive Barking Behaviors
If you’ve determined that your Dachshund is barking too much, or that they are barking at inappropriate times, then it’s time to start trying to curb the behavior.
Don’t expect overnight results with these stubborn pups that love to hear themselves bark, but you can make considerable progress with your dog through behavioral correction techniques.
1. Make Sure Your Dog Is Tired
Dachshunds are active dogs that need daily exercise and mental stimulation. If you aren’t providing this, then your dog may bark simply because they’re bored or want attention.
Start giving your dog more one-on-one time every day, provide them with puzzles and games and lengthen your daily walk. You might even switch things up to do a little bit of jogging to really burn that excess energy.
2. Make Changes to the Environment
An overstimulating environment can lead to bad behavior with any dog, and your Dachshund may take that overstimulation out in the form of barking. Try to make your dog’s environment calmer and more soothing whenever possible. Also, get the other household members on board with not encouraging barking, and don’t roughhouse with your dog since this can also lead to overstimulation and overexcitement.
3. Decrease Anxiety
An anxious dog is more likely to bark than a dog that feels calm and safe. If your dog seems anxious, try to pinpoint the cause of the stress and anxiety. Is it a particular person in the household, or does their anxiety spike every day when the mail carrier drops the mail off?
If you think your dog is experiencing any anxiety from any stimulus, including sounds, try to make the environment less anxiety-inducing for them. Crate training is an effective way to provide your dog with a safe, calm space that is all on their own.
4. Start Training a Command
Your dog needs to learn to make the connection between their barking and you telling them to stop. Pick your command, whether it’s “quiet” or something else, and start working on it.
When your dog isn’t barking and they’re acting nicely, give them the command and then provide a click and a treat. Do this throughout the day until your dog makes the connection that when they are behaving a certain way, they get the treat.
5. Practice Daily
Training your dog not to bark is a test of patience. It will take time for your dog to understand the command, and for them to comprehend that barking is an undesirable behavior. This can be especially difficult in an older dog that has learned to bark as a habit. Sticking with the training and getting everyone in the household on board with it, will provide you with the greatest chances of success.
In Conclusion
It’s completely normal and natural behavior for your Dachshund to want to bark, but excessive or inappropriate barking is bad behavior that shouldn’t be encouraged.
Work to teach your dog when it is and isn’t acceptable to bark. It can be frustrating and take a while to train your dog to stop barking inappropriately, but the end result will be worth it. Not only will your house be quieter and calmer, but your dog’s quality of life will improve when they aren’t feeling the need to constantly bark.
Related Reads:
Featured Image Credit: Stopabox, Shutterstock
