Do Dachshunds Bark a Lot & How Much? 5 Vet-Approved Tips to Stop It
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View 2 More +Dachshunds are beloved dogs, and many adore them for their cute bodies shaped like hotdogs and tiny legs. These little dogs have big personalities, and some owners love them for their feisty temperament.
One of the issues that can catch a new Dachshund owner off-guard is how much their 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 who won’t. It’s not unusual for Dachshunds to bark frequently. They were originally bred to be hunting dogs that would flush out badgers from their burrows, so they are fearless for small dogs. Due to their breeding, they 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 and stressful for other animals in the home. It is also unlikely to make you popular with the neighbors.
If your dog barks to alert you to someone coming to the door, it's an acceptable reaction. There just aren’t many reasons for a pet dog to need to bark. If your Dachshund barks incessantly for attention or demands something, like food or a toy, it is inappropriate behavior. You also should not encourage your pup to bark as a form of play.
Some dogs 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, 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 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, it’s time to start trying to curb the behavior.
Don’t expect overnight results with these stubborn pups who 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 it, your dog may bark simply because they’re bored or want attention. Start giving your dog more one-on-one time every day, providing them with puzzles and games, and lengthening your daily walk.
2. Make Changes to the Environment
An overstimulating environment can lead to destructive behavior in any dog, and your Dachshund may handle the overstimulation by 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 it 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 nervous, 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. If in need of help, don't hesitate to consult a vet for some additional ways to calm your dog.
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 behaving, give them the command and then provide a click and a treat. Do this throughout the day until your dog makes the connection that they get the treat when they behave a certain way.
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 comprehend that barking is an undesirable behavior. This can be especially difficult for 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.
Conclusion
It’s 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. Training your dog to stop barking inappropriately can be frustrating and take a while, but the result will be worth it. Not only will your house be quieter and calmer, but your dog’s quality of life will also improve when they aren’t feeling the need to bark constantly.
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Featured Image Credit: Stopabox, Shutterstock
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Brooke Billingsley spent 9 years as a veterinary assistant before becoming a nurse in 2013. She lives in Arkansas with her boyfriend, and loves all animals; currently sharing a home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. She has a soft spot for special needs animals and has a three-legged senior dog and an internet famous cat with acromegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. Fish keeping has become a hobby of Brooke’s and she is continually learning how to give her aquarium pets the best life possible. Brooke enjoys gardening and keeps a vegetable garden during the summer months. She stays active with yoga and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2020. She hosts a podcast focusing on folklore and myth and loves spending her free time researching and writing. Brooke believes that every day is an opportunity for learning and growth and she spends time daily working toward new skills and knowledge.
