6 Reasons Why Dachshunds Are So Stubborn: Temperament & Personality Traits

There’s no denying that Dachshunds are adorable, but did you know that pint-sized pups are among the most stubborn breeds in the world? If you find yourself almost pulling your hair out because your Dachshund won’t do what you tell them, worry not; you’re not alone.

Dachshunds are inherently more stubborn than other dogs. You may have a difficult time training them because they don’t always respond to commands. But really, why is your Dachshund so stubborn? Read on to find out.

Top 6 Reasons Why Dachshunds Are So Stubborn

1. It Doesn't Have Enough Training

Dogs don’t automatically learn to sit or roll over when you adopt them. Dachshunds, or any dog with inadequate training, will be stubborn. It’s not the dog’s fault; they just don’t automatically know how to respond to commands. What you think is a solid command like “sit” will not make any sense to your pet if you do not dedicate time to teach them and allow them to connect the cue with the behavior.

Admittedly, Dachshunds may not be the easiest dogs to train, but a solid training foundation will make your dog more obedient. Don’t be discouraged if the stubbornness persists; your Dachshund will toe the line eventually.

2. There’s No Incentive to Obey Your Commands

Your Dachshund will have no choice but to be stubborn if you’re stingy with rewards. Without an incentive to obey a command, they have no reason to do so.

Rewarding your dog during training is a great way to cultivate obedience. Treats, verbal praise, or petting are all good, but a combination of these will work best.

3. They Misunderstand Your Cues

One reason your Dachshund is so stubborn is that they're having difficulty comprehending your commands, and perhaps this is due to inconsistency. Do you and other members of the household use the exact same cues? Is your intonation or body signal always exactly the same? If not, this is causing confusion to your Dachshund.

This communication barrier primarily stems from insufficient training, but your dog could also be partially or completely deaf. If it’s the former, your dog simply needs more training.

All is not lost if you have a deaf Dachshund. You can effectively communicate through gestures and hand signs. Therefore, your dog’s inability to hear should not prevent you from training them or issuing commands.

4. Your Dog Is Stressed or Overstimulated

Our furry friends also have emotions, and when their emotions get the better of them, they’re likely to become hard-headed. Your dog can feel stressed and overwhelmed for several reasons. These include loud noises, suspicious visitors, unfamiliar environments, and large groups of people.

In such instances, your Dachshund will be too distracted to respond to your commands, which you’ll likely perceive as stubbornness.

Overstimulation could also be another reason your Dachshund is stubborn. They have been the product of selective breeding for decades and were bred to fixate on their prey and eliminate all other distractions.

This is inherent to their nature, and they can’t help it. When something triggers their hunting instincts, they'll focus 100% on that object. They’ll have no time to pay attention or respond to your commands.

5. Your Approach is Incorrect

While it is important to be an assertive leader, Dachshunds, like all dogs, respond best to consistent training and positive reinforcement. While they are independent thinkers due to their hunting background, they learn to follow commands when training is engaging and rewarding. Building trust and establishing clear expectations will encourage cooperation without the need for dominance-based approaches.

6. Dachshunds Are Fearless

Hunting involves going face-to-face with other, potentially dangerous living creatures. Dachshunds were, and still are, primarily hunting dogs. They’ll fight porcupines, badgers, and other animals without batting an eyelid. This courage works to your disadvantage because they’re not afraid to disobey commands. They simply want to do things their way, and there’s little you can do about it.

How to Reduce Your Dachshund’s Stubbornness

Yes, you can make your Dachshund less stubborn, but it won’t happen overnight. The only surefire way to do so is through consistent training. Here are a couple of tips to get you started.

Vary Your Training

Repeating the same training procedure is good for starters, but switching things up is essential. You can vary the order of commands and even change the environment. Your dog should learn to obey your commands despite various distractions.

Be Positive

Again, reducing your Dachshund’s stubbornness won’t happen overnight or in a week. Training your dog is a slow and grueling process, but the result will be worth it. Keep a positive attitude throughout the process, and don’t let frustration get the best of you. If not, you’ll end up giving up halfway.

Don’t Forget the Rewards

Rewards are the incentive your Dachshund needs to do what you tell them to. This form of positive reinforcement will go a long way toward making your Dachshund a lot more obedient. Treats are great, but be careful not to overfeed your dog. Ask a vet about the best treat options for your dog and how many you can safely give them.

Final Thoughts

Having a stubborn dog is not fun and shouldn’t be tolerated. Dachshunds are stubborn by nature and aren’t the easiest dogs to train, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make great pets. Be consistent in training and make sure your approach is positive, make your training fun and interesting and soon, you’ll have an obedient dog.

See also:

• Do Dachshunds Howl a Lot?

• Reasons Why Your Dachshund Is Shaking

Featured Image Credit: Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock