Why Are Dachshunds So Needy

Dachshund So Needy

Dachshunds are needy and loyal dogs that prefer to be near their owners. They are generally more inactive and lazy than other types of dogs, but when they feel their owner nearby, they will be happier. Training is vital to help owners deal with these issues when they get a dachshund puppy.

The typical lifespan for a Dachshund is 12-15 years old. But on average, the Dachshund would prefer to live closer to its owner. For example, if one of these dogs is at work all day with its owner, it might develop separation anxiety or be lonely and want some attention. Moreover, their intelligence level is not as high as other smart dog breeds, making them needier in general.

Why Are Dachshunds So Stubborn

Dachshunds are considered to be one of the most stubborn breeds. Stubbornness is not a unique feature of dachshunds, but they have a higher proportion of it than other dog breeds. This stubbornness combined with the hound instinct makes it hard for them to grasp commands. You will need to be patient when you are training them. It can also be tricky to get them into a harness when you’re walking them. If they feel uncomfortable, the Dachshund will go limp and refuse to move.

Why Do Dogs Cling To One Person

Dachshunds are a notoriously clingy breed, and this is because they love their owners. They’ll usually accompany their owners around the house and will even curl up in their laps. 

But why do dogs cling to their owner?

It feels good

It makes them feel safe, and in turn, this makes you feel good about yourself, knowing that you’re taking care of your dog.

Dogs have a strong sense of smell.

Their keen smell is so great that they can pick up on your scent even days after you’ve been gone. They associate your scent with the place they live, which makes them feel at home while at the same time making you their primary attachment.

Dogs are pack animals by nature.

Dogs form packs in the wild for many reasons, including safety, companionship, and defending against predators.

Dogs have a short attention span.

Dogs will naturally focus on something close to them, like your scent or you directly. That helps them focus more and repress their instinct to wander off searching for food or a mate.

The smell of your home is familiar to them.

They may not verbalize this, but dogs do feel more at home in their own home than they ever would in a shelter or kennel. Your home has your smell, comforting and familiar to your dog. They’ll often return to the smell of your house even after you’ve gone outside and come back inside.

Dogs miss their owners when they’re gone.

Dogs are susceptible animals, and they feel emotions like loneliness or sadness just like humans do. They’ll often feel lonely when their owners are gone or sad if they’re left alone in the house for extended periods. When this happens, dogs will naturally cling to their owner as it helps to take away these unhappy feelings and make them happy again!

Types of anxiety that may affect your Dachshund

1. Dachshund Separation Anxiety

Dachshunds can suffer from separation anxiety just like dogs of any other breed, and it may be linked to any of the following:

– Separation anxiety, as with most anxiety disorders, is often triggered by a life-changing event that involves a change in routine for your Dachshund. Most commonly, the loss of a family member or a pet being away at boarding kennels. In this case, separation anxiety is mostly seen in less than 1-year-old dogs. The dog cries when separated from its owner and becomes anxious when it anticipates being left alone.

2. Generalized Anxiety

Just like people, dogs can suffer from generalized anxiety. That is where your dog experiences excessive, unrealistic, and irrational worry about a whole range of things (instead of separation anxiety where they worry about being separated from their owner). 

– Here, the dog shows signs of anxiety when left alone at home or in unfamiliar places and does not discriminate whom they show their anxiety with, e.g., strangers or other dogs. Most Dachshunds will be fine once their owner has recognized this, and in time the Dachshund will learn to trust again that all is well.

3. Noise Anxiety

Noise anxiety can cause a lot of alarm to your Dachshund. Thunderstorms often cause this type of anxiety 

– dogs usually associate the loud sounds with the feelings of fear they experienced when they were puppies, and it will remind them of the helplessness they felt like a baby. Some Dachshunds will become so scared that they will stop eating or drinking. It is wise to avoid this situation by playing CDs or tapes of soothing music before a storm and then during the storm when it makes its presence known. Make sure you speak in a soft, calm voice when things are quiet again that everything is OK. If you have any inquiries and would like further assistance, please contact us at any time.

4. Fear of the Unknown

Some Dachshunds will become fixated on a particular object or environment. 

– They have a heightened sense of curiosity, and they may become scared or confused by new things in the home, e.g., a hand towel on the floor, an item of clothing thrown across the room, a newly acquired pair of shoes, etc. It is prevalent in puppies who are 2 to 6 months old as they are testing their boundaries and exploring their new world around them.

5. Excessive Fear of the Vet

The vet’s fear is usually caused by a visit they have had at an early age or, in rare cases, being separated from their mother and siblings when they were very young. 

– Some Dachshunds will go to any lengths to avoid going to the vet, and some will become distressed when the owner picks up a phone book or newspaper. Others will try to tunnel out underneath furniture, chew through doors, or run away when you begin talking about taking them to see the veterinarian.

How Do I Handle My Dachshund With Separation Anxiety? 

Separation anxiety is a typical dog behavior that can be frustrating for both you and your pet. Dachshunds are especially susceptible to this condition.

If your Dachshund exhibits any of the ff:

  • pacing
  • barking
  • chewing
  • urinating
  • hiding
  • digging

 These are all signs of separation anxiety and can be very distressing for you and your dog. It is most helpful to solicit professional assistance, if at all possible, with this condition.

Below are some tips that you can try:

1) Leave your Dachshund in the room with another family pet (e.g., cat, dog). It will provide a sense of security for your Dachshund. Also, it will give them someone to play with while you are away. The other pet is also less likely to go in the places the Dachshund has marked as theirs (i.e., puppy pad, bed, etc.).

2) Attach your puppy to a heavy object like the leg of a table with a leash or harness. It can give your dog a sense of security and give it some freedom to move around a little.

3) While I do not recommend this option, you could leave your Dachshund in their crate while you are gone. It can be very stressful for your Dachshund and is not recommended unless necessary. It would be perfect if you had someone care for your dog while you are at work or if you brought it to doggie daycare. If you decide to leave your dog in its crate, you mustn’t leave it for hours on end without doing the other options listed above.

4) Dogs can suffer from separation anxiety for many reasons, so you must consider why your dog may be feeling this way. Are they a puppy that has just moved into a new home? Do they feel the need to explore? Did they have a traumatic experience while you were away at work?

5) If your dog is older and you feel that they may not handle being left on their own, it may be wise to consider getting a service dog for them. You can get one from a local association or even have one trained yourself. A service dog gives a sense of security for an older pet and allows them to go out in public comfortably.

No matter what methods you choose to try, it is vital that you always make a point of playing with your Dachshund and giving them lots of attention when YOU are home, so they know that you want to spend time with them. And if any of these methods doesn’t work or becomes too stressful, seek professional advice.

Is It Wrong for My Dachshund to Be Needy?

Dachshunds are bred to be needy. They will lean on you for attention, follow you from room to room, and even chew your possessions if they don’t feel like they’re getting enough love. The Dachshund was raised to hunt badgers and other burrow dwellers and needed to be a little bit needy. 

It’s important to realize that there’s nothing wrong with your Dachshund if he’s clingy. He’s just striving to do what comes instinctively. Anyways, you can still meet your needs while helping him out. Dachshunds are very intelligent, but if they feel like they’re being ignored, you’re going to start dealing with some serious behavioral problems and bad habit

How Can I Teach My Dachshund Not to Be So Needy?

My puppy is very needy. All-day long, it is begging for attention and food. I love my Dachshund to death, but I don’t think she has enough time to grow up properly. 

How can I teach her not to be so needy?

Teach confidence

A dog that is confident in herself will not be needy. People seem to think that getting a puppy or a dog young and socializing it from the beginning is the only way to ensure they will have a confident dog. That is not true, however. Often, when dogs are raised in an isolated setting or are kept sheltered from other dogs and children, they become timid and afraid of new situations.

Teach self-control

Another way to help a dog feel confident is to teach good manners and self-control. No one likes a yippy, whining dog. When you teach your dog to walk nicely on the leash, not jump up on people or bite hands/feet, and not bark incessantly, you are also providing confidence for her. Dogs that have good manners are more likely to be adopted out of shelters, which means they will be less likely to be isolated or timid. After all, what types of people like needy dogs?

Use a crate

When you cannot give your dog your full attention and affection throughout the day, put her in a crate. She will get a break from being taken care of and rest peacefully in her crate. You should never leave a dog in a crate for more than 4 hours at one time, though!

Feed the dog at irregular times

While it is essential to feed your puppy on schedule so she will learn to hold it until the next feeding time, you also need to feed her at irregular times throughout the day so that she is forced to go without food at some points. You might feed her after work one day, late afternoon/early evening tomorrow, and VERY early in the morning on Sunday.

Give your dog a “job.”

Teach your dog to pull a sled, hunt for objects, or perform tricks. That will give her something productive to do and a way to feel good about herself.

Get more than one dog!

Dogs love companionship, and dogs raised with other dogs from the beginning tend to be less needy and more independent than those raised alone. Both dogs can keep each other company, and it will keep you company as well!

Don’t play favorites.

If you spend most of your time playing with one of the dogs more than the other, that favorite dog will get needy because she wants what she isn’t getting from you: attention and affection from you.

Exercise! 

If possible, give your Doxie a job to do every day. Again, I’m not saying that you need to train him or enroll him in obedience school. Set aside time every day in the backyard (or next door on a leash) to let the dog experience some fetch and playtime.

10 Reasons Your Dachshund Is Clingy and Needy

Dachshunds are small and cuddly dogs that often can’t get enough of their human, and this clinginess is something they have in common with many other breeds. If you’ve recently welcomed a new little wiener dog into your life, you may be wondering why they are so needy for attention. Below are some of the reasons that might give you some insight into this clingy and needy behavior.

1. They Are Raised To Be Like This

While it may seem like your Dachshund is naturally a loving, clingy little ball of fur, lots of it can be attributed to their upbringing and socialization as a puppy. 

2. They Feel Secure With You

Dachshunds are a breed that can be shy or nervous around other people and animals. Their need for you could stem from the fact that they’re not confident around other people or dogs. 

3. They Are Vulnerable

Dachshunds are a lesser-known breed, which is one reason they are so needy and clingy since they’re less likely to be recognized on the street. 

4.They Need Attention

Dachshunds are one of the smartest breeds around, which is why they require constant attention and stimulation. 

5. They’re Worms

Because of their long bodies, dachshunds are more likely than other breeds to have intestinal parasites. Low-quality food can also lead to worms and intestinal parasites, but it’s easy to get your dog wormed with a quick trip to the vet. 

6. They Are Social Animals

Dachshunds are an outgoing breed that loves spending time with their owners and other animals. 

7. You Don’t Give Them Enough Exercise

Running around the house all day isn’t enough for dachshunds. It’s best to give them an hour-long walk per day or a 30-minute run in a safe area. 

8. They Feel Loved

Dachshunds love being around their owners, and they recognize that you’re the one bringing them lots of attention and cuddles. 

9. They Want Attention Quickly

Dachshunds are high-energy dogs who want everything to be done quickly, including cuddling time! 

10. They Are Stubborn Doxies

Doxies are known for being stubborn dogs that like to do things their way. They will insist on getting your attention even though you are busy, and they will not hesitate to jump up on you.

So there you have it, ten reasons why a dachshund might be so needy and clingy. If you’ve recently welcomed a dachshund into your family or are expecting one shortly, any of these things could be contributing to their clingy behavior. 

How to get Dachshunds to Calm Down

This article will show you how to calm down a Dachshund. You’ll have to give your dog many exercises and occupy their mind with different activities. If you can’t take them for walks, then make them walk themselves. You’ll need to make sure they get at least a little bit of walking every day. Ensure you keep them away from all extra-sport activities that could be considered too stimulant for Dachshunds. For example, don’t throw a ball or go for walks with them in the woods if they’re hyperactive. That will only aggravate their condition and make it worse.

Other Solutions and Considerations

Many people think that dachshunds’ needy behavior results from the dog feeling unloved or neglected. This theory is probably not correct as it does not cover all cases. For example, Dachshunds that have been well-loved need just as much attention as those neglected.

  • A Psychological Problem 

If one can identify the cause, they will understand why this behavior happens to some and not others. I believe that dachshunds’ behavior results from their breeding history and genes, making them more prone to develop certain traits.

  • Lack Of Love Or Being Neglected In The Past

That is not true as there have been documented cases of dachshunds from families who have loved them immensely and still display needy behavior. Some dogs with unknown backgrounds exhibit this trait even more than those from known ones.

  • Inadequate Training Or Owner’s Ignorance

Again, this might not be true as there are plenty of cases where dogs with just average obedience training are still needy.

  • Cognitive Problem 

This issue, in particular, is unlikely since dachshunds, though small in size, are pretty smart and intelligent by nature. You can train them so well that they can perform several simple functions even without physical commands.

When you’re with your dog, make sure that they know you’re paying attention to them by looking at them and praising them intermittently. It should not surprise you if the dog nudges or try pulling your pants or shirt threads because they love being at the center of attention.

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