Everyone loves Dachshunds! These energetic wiener dogs are known for their elongated bodies, short legs, and big dog temperament.
However, these dogs are also one of the biggest barkers in the canine world. They love to bark! This gives them the appearance of an alert dog that is constantly on the lookout for danger.
There are a lot of reasons behind Dachshunds barking. Their bark can represent playfulness and excitement but also nervousness, territorial behavior, or simply boredom.
All dogs bark. Some bark more, some bark less, but this behavior is perfectly normal. Barking is how dogs communicate, as they cannot talk like humans do. However, this doesn’t make Dachshunds barking any less annoying.
To learn how to stop this behavior, you must first understand it. We’ll go over all the possible reasons behind a Dachshund barking and then give you some advice on how to stop it.
Do Dachshunds Bark A Lot?
Dachshunds are notorious barkers. These dogs can spend hours barking, seemingly for no reason at all. No matter if you have a standard Dachshund, miniature Dachshund, or a longhaired Dachshund, these little dogs will bark.
One of the things all Dachshund owners are used to is telling their Doxie to be quiet all the time. These small hunting dogs are very vocal, and they’ll even bark at things you might feel are unnecessary.
This excessive barking can become tiresome over time. Not to mention that your neighbors won’t appreciate it! Doxies can even bark at the most uncomfortable of times, such as when you’re in a Zoom meeting or when you’re putting your baby to sleep.
Some people are surprised when they discover that their new puppy cannot seem to stay quiet for longer than a few minutes. This can annoy and disturb even the most patient dog owner.
Why Does My Dachshund Bark At Everything?
There are plenty of reasons behind Dachshunds barking. However, it all comes down to the way these pups are bred.
Let’s dig a bit deeper.
First off, Dachshunds have lungs that can handle the job – literally. They have large lungs and huge chests for their size. In other words, these pups bark simply because they can!
Also, their bark is unexpectedly loud. This is because they were bred to be hunting dogs. A loud bark can easily let their owner know where they are and where the prey is located.
Dachshunds have extremely high energy levels. This is yet another consequence of them being bred for hunting. These doggies can run around all day without getting tired, so why would barking then be a problem?
When you use Dachshunds for their primary function, to hunt, you might notice that they’ll bark less. This is because they will burn off excess energy through exercise and adequate mental stimulation.
However, when you have a Dachshund as a pet that’s kept indoors, he won’t have a place to get rid of all that energy. He’ll get bored very quickly, and he’ll try to get rid of that boredom by barking all the time.
Photo from: @albert_dachshington
Not to mention that these pups love attention, and they’ll do all they can to get it – including barking!
Just like with any other hunting dog, domesticating a Dachshund didn’t really help get rid of his prey drive.
Many people wonder, “Why does my Doxie bark at the window so much?” This is because they will still react to any outside movement, especially if it’s caused by some other small animal.
The Dachshund’s high prey drive makes him chase all the surrounding sounds and movements. He’ll bark after he hears squirrels, badgers, moles, birds, cats, other dogs, or even humans walking by!
This is stronger than him, as it’s part of his instincts.
Also, as they were used as small watchdogs, they will perceive everything as a threat. If they sense someone approaching, even if it’s just a passer-by, they’ll start barking to alert you of a possible intruder.
Dachshund Barking Sounds
Dachshunds are loud dogs that make all sorts of sounds. Their bark is loud, which not many people are aware of before they hear it in person. These pups can bark louder than many much larger dog breeds!
Research shows that a Dachshund’s bark can reach 90 decibels! This is loud enough to damage your hearing if the noise persists.
They’ll vocally share any emotion they might have. They tend to be yappy, and they’ll do all they can to prove just how big a talker they are! Sometimes you might feel as if you’re having a discussion with your pooch – that’s how talkative they are.
Depending on the emotion they’re trying to convey, these dogs will also whine, cry, growl, and produce any kind of sound a dog can make!
Once you’ve had your best friend for a while, you will likely begin to understand all the different kinds of Dachshunds barking. Once you can decipher their language, it’ll become easier to learn how to deal with it properly.
Dachshund Puppies Barking
Dachshund puppies will even bark all the time. These dogs are vocal from the youngest age, and it’s in their nature to try to communicate vocally.
If your Doxie puppy is barking, this doesn’t necessarily mean that he is already spoiled or that something is wrong with him. It’s in his instincts to bark, and he’ll do it all the time, to the horror of your next-door neighbor.
Dachshunds barking can be heard from the first time your new pet enters your house. This will likely be the way a puppy will try to get to grips with its new environment.
Picking the right gender of the dog can help you a little bit with this. When it comes to male vs. female Dachshund, most owners have reported that male puppies are much more vocal than females. However, it’s important to note that all Doxies will inevitably bark.
When Do Dachshunds Start Barking?
Canine vocalization usually starts when puppies are around 2–3 weeks of age. This is when Doxies begin using their vocal cords. At this time, however, you’ll likely only hear whining or grunting.
Dachshunds tend to learn how to bark pretty early when they are between 7 and 8 weeks old. However, you might not hear your dog bark until they are twice as old! It all comes down to how communicative your pup is.
While most Dachshunds are early barkers, don’t get worried if your pup isn’t barking yet. Just like human children, not all puppies develop at the same rate. Some have shyer personalities and won’t figure out just how much they love barking until later on.
Still, one thing is pretty certain: Once your Dachshund puppy learns how to bark, you’ll need a lot of good luck getting him to become quiet.
Why Do Dachshunds Bark All The Time?
One of the things that every Dachshund owner wonders is: “Why is he barking NOW?” Your Doxie will seem to bark for no reason at all! However, most of the time, there is something that’s triggering him and making him bark.
Here are the reasons behind a Dachshund barking:
Excitement
Does your Doxie bark the moment you come home, or do they start barking when you get their leash or come close to their food bowl? This is an excited bark.
An excited bark is usually high-pitched or midrange, and it might resemble yowling or yipping. This is how dogs tell each other they are happy or excited.
This type of bark is followed by a wagging tail. Your pup might also be in a ‘happy alert’ position, with his head held high and ears perked up.
An excited Dachshund might also quickly tap his feet or spin in circles. This is his way of telling you that he cannot wait to do something or that he is extremely happy to see you.
They Want Attention
Dachshunds love attention, and they’ll do anything they can to get it. This includes barking and whining.
If your sausage dog has long strings of barks with breaks between them, he’s likely asking you for attention. In these situations, their body language is relaxed and not energetic. Their ears can be either down or at attention, and their tail might be wagging, but not necessarily.
A Dachshund might also use this type of bark to let you know that he wants food. Keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily mean that he is hungry! He has simply learned that barking will get him what he wants.
Don’t give your dog treats when he barks, no matter how much he begs you. This will only encourage this behavior, and it can even lead to obesity.
Boredom
Dachshunds barking might also indicate that your pup is bored. As we’ve mentioned above, Doxies are energetic hunting dogs that can easily get bored.
Boredom can also lead to plenty of destructive behavior. Not to mention that these singular, lower barks can be quite loud, and everyone across the street will hear them as well. This type of bark is usually followed by neutral positioning or drawn-back ears and a straight tail.
Some Doxies might even bring you an obvious hint, such as a leash or ball. Since these small dogs are very intelligent, they’ll find a way to let you know how they’re feeling.
Dachshunds need to get plenty of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day.
Make sure you give them enough playtime by providing them with dog toys and plenty of time at the dog park. Puzzles and chew toys are also a fun way of ensuring your dog doesn’t develop any bad behavior.
This might also mean your Doxie has to go potty. If you haven’t taken him outside for a while, this is what might be troubling him.
Territorial
Dachshunds are territorial dogs. They will think everything and everyone is a threat, and they’ll loudly let everyone know that they’re not messing around.
A territorial Dachshund barking might be followed with the alert body position. His ears and head will be straight, as well as his tail. He will do all he can to appear bigger and to let you know he won’t hesitate to bite.
No matter if your Doxie hears the mailman or a local cat, he’ll likely be upset over them getting too close to your property. He’ll bark both to let the ‘intruder’ know to run away and to alert you that someone is nearby.
A Dachshund might also be territorial – or rather, protective – about his food or favorite toy. If you don’t deal with this behavior early on, you might end up with more problems than just barking.
Fear
Another common reason behind Dachshunds barking is fear or anxiety. This defensive barking is usually deep and followed by a growl.
A Dachshund might be afraid if something is triggering him, such as someone approaching the home, the presence of another dog, or simply if he feels like he’s trapped in a particularly bad situation with no way out.
A dog might also be anxious if he was abused or if there is a change in his environment. Maybe you’ve moved house, or you’ve brought home a new pet. Dachshunds don’t deal well with change, and this might upset them.
If a dog is afraid, his body language will include a posture with a lowered head, raised hackles, and tail will be between his legs. A dog with this type of bark and these gestures can bite, so be careful when approaching him.
Separation Anxiety
Dachshunds love their people. They love them so much that they’ll get depressed when their owner leaves. Even if you’re just going to the office, this might feel like an eternity to your pup.
This type of bark will usually be followed by a howl or a whine. This is because howling is how canines help their lost pack members find a way to them, so they are calling for you to come back home.
Separation anxiety can also be followed by stress, and these two barks can intertwine.
Don’t get yourself a Dachshund puppy if you’re not going to be able to spend a lot of time with it. These dogs are very attached to their owners, and they will feel bad every time you leave them.
Reactive Barking
Just like you might gasp if something surprises you, your Dachshund might bark. This is usually just a singular bark, but longer barking isn’t unusual either. Your dog is simply reacting to something that has spooked or surprised him.
This can happen if, for example, you’ve walked up to your Doxie, who wasn’t expecting you.
Older dogs with bad hearing might also be startled easily. Some dogs will be surprised if something moves quickly, especially if it moves in the grass or somewhere they can’t see it.
There isn’t an exact posture that goes with this type of barking. This is because a dog is barking involuntarily, and he’s simply reacting to being suddenly scared.
Pain
Dogs can also bark when they are in pain. This is their way of telling you that something is wrong and that they need your help to make the pain stop.
Dachshunds can bark from pain during rough play or if another dog or some other animal attacks them. This can be very common in puppies, as they are more sensitive than adult dogs.
This type of bark is higher pitched and has a staccato quality – in other words, it trails off over time.
If a dog barks in this manner during play, this is perfectly normal. He might even be barking to prevent behavior that causes him pain.
However, if you notice your Dachshund barking in this way when you touch or pet him, chances are there is something wrong with him.
That certain location is either painful to be touched, or he is anticipating it to be painful. This is a clear indication that it’s time to get your pup to the vet.
Pain can be caused by plenty of serious health problems, and it would be best if you have a vet check your dog out.
Dachshund Barking At Night
Some Dachshunds will bark more during the night. In fact, every Dachshund owner has experienced this at least a couple of times. But why does this happen?
Chances are that your Doxie has heard something that alerted him. Dogs have a much better sense of hearing than humans, and they will hear things we cannot. This might make us think that there is no reason behind a Dachshund barking.
Dachshunds will bark if other dogs are barking as well. Dogs are social creatures, and they will reply to one another, especially if they feel as if they should warn the others of some sort of danger. One upset dog can lead to the whole neighborhood barking!
Some Dachshunds will bark during the night simply because they can. There is no one to supervise them during the night, especially if you let your Doxie sleep outside. There are plenty of things that might trigger barking, and there’s no one to stop them at night time.
Dogs can also get bored during the night, especially if you haven’t given them enough toys to play with. Dachshunds need a lot of stimulation, so always give them more than one option to play with during the night.
Finally, your Dachshund might be barking because he is lonely. These pups love attention so much that sleeping in another room can make them feel alone, so they’ll bark because they know you’ll come and spend some time with them, even if for a short while.
Dachshund Barking At Strangers
A territorial, overly protective dog will bark at strangers. This might happen while on a walk, when the doorbell rings, when the mailman comes with your Amazon package, or simply when someone walks too close to your house.
Many Dachshunds have a barking problem when there are strangers involved. This is especially the case if your dog wasn’t socialized in time. He’ll think of everyone as a threat, and he’ll bark at strangers to let them know they need to go away.
Get your Doxie used to spending time with new people. This way, he’ll stop being stressed every time he encounters a stranger.
Can You Train A Dachshund Not To Bark?
In most cases, you can train a Dachshund not to bark excessively. These are stubborn but intelligent dogs, and if you’ve managed to complete their house training, there is no reason why you wouldn’t manage to teach them to stay quiet.
This, however, doesn’t mean you’ll get a Doxie to stop barking altogether. Dachshunds barking is normal behavior for this dog breed, and it can never be entirely eliminated.
Still, with proper dog training – and maybe a little help from a professional behaviorist – you can teach your dog to listen to your commands and stop barking when you tell him to.
How To Stop Dachshunds Barking
Dachshunds are dogs that are easily distracted by sounds, sights, and smells. To stop Dachshunds barking, you need to learn how to redirect your pup’s attention onto you and away from the rest of the world.
Forget about shouting or using shock collars. These things could only make the problem worse, as they will stress your dog out and make him become aggressive. Anti-bark collars can be especially cruel, especially when used on such a small dog.
To stop Dachshunds barking, you need to be smart and think of methods that will have a long-lasting effect.
Here are a few ways you can do just that:
Positive Reinforcement
Dachshunds are very responsive to positive reinforcement, especially when it comes in the form of food. Dog treats are a good reason for your Dachshund to pay attention to you and you alone.
Don’t give your Doxie treats if he keeps on barking. If you give him food because this will make him stay quiet, he’ll be under the impression that he’s doing something right, and you don’t want that.
Instead, praise your dog and give him treats when he stops barking and becomes focused on you.
Lots of Exercise
A 30-minute walk during the day isn’t enough for this dog breed. Dachshunds need to get lots of exercise to be tired enough to stop barking.
Don’t just stick to daily walks – play fetch with your dog or make him catch a Frizbee. Take him jogging or swimming and have him play with puzzle toys that will make him think.
If your dog gets bored when he’s left alone, take him for a walk right before you leave the house. This will help lower his energy levels, and he’ll be more likely to stay calm or sleep while you’re away.
Hire A Dog Walker
There comes a point in everyone’s life when you just don’t have enough time to walk your dog as much as you should. It isn’t shameful to ask for help if this happens to you.
There are plenty of dog-walking services in your area. Try looking online or talking to other dog owners to find a reputable dog walker who can help your dog get enough exercise throughout the day.
Not to mention that this can make your pooch less anxious, and it can help with Dachshunds barking.
Keep Them Entertained
Dachshunds need plenty of mental stimulation to not get bored. If they don’t have enough toys, they are more likely to bark.
Find dog toys that will make your dog think. Some puzzle toys combine food, and your dog needs to solve them to get a treat. This is a great way to keep your Doxie occupied.
Socialize Them
Proper, early socialization is key to a well-behaved dog. It can even keep them from barking!
If a Dachshund feels positive around new people, he won’t bark at them. This can help them learn that they don’t have to warn you of everyone that comes nearby.
Have your friends give your Doxie treats when they come in – as long as your pup is staying quiet, of course.
Expose your pet to a variety of smells and sounds, both inside and outside of your home. This can help him get used to changes in his environment, and it will keep him from freaking out.
Ignore Them
If you suspect your Dachshund is barking because he wants your attention, don’t give it to him. Ignore him as much as you can until he stops.
Don’t look at him, talk to him, or touch him in any way. Giving him your attention only lets him know that his tactic is working.
This strategy can take a very long time, but it can teach your dog that barking won’t get him what he wants. If you ignore your pup for an hour, then give up and yell at him, you can expect him to bark for an hour and a half next time.
However, if you ignore them successfully, they’ll figure out that they’re only wasting their energy on a useless activity, and they’ll stop doing it.
Give Him A Time Out
Sometimes, the only thing that will help with Dachshunds barking is to give him a time out or a break to cool down.
Whenever your Doxie starts barking and refusing to listen to commands, make him go to another room. When there, don’t talk to him, don’t check on him, don’t yell at him, no matter how much he barks.
This will teach him that if he barks, he will be ignored by you and everyone around him. Also, this room shouldn’t have any of his toys, so nothing will distract him and make him bark.
Wait for a couple of minutes until he calms down, then let him out. Don’t cuddle with him if he makes a single sound. Don’t shout or show that you’re angry either.
Remove The Triggers
One of the main reasons you hear Dachshunds barking is that they are gaining something out of it. Whether that be food or attention, they are barking because they know they’ll get what they want.
Another reason is that something is causing your dog to bark. Whether that be the mailman or something that’s frightening him, there is a stimulus behind a dog’s bark. Try figuring out what that stimulus is, then get rid of it.
For example, if your Doxie is barking at passers-by, close the curtains to that window, or have your dog stay in a room that doesn’t look at the street.
If he is scared of his new toy, get rid of it. Find a way to remove anything in his surroundings that triggers the barking.
Desensitize
Once again, a Dachshund barks because he is being triggered by something. If the reason behind this is fear or anxiety, you might want to teach them to feel indifferent towards the stimulus.
Find what it is that’s making them bark. This might be something loud, such as your hairdryer, or something new, like a toy you’ve just bought.
Start by keeping it far away from your dog. It should be far enough away that your dog can’t see it or react to it. Give your dog treats, then move the stimulus a bit closer. If your Doxie doesn’t bark, give him some more treats.
Stop giving your pup treats the moment he starts barking. Once he is quiet, reward him once again, then move the stimulus even closer. You want your dog to associate the trigger with something positive.
Finally, your dog should be able to touch the stimulus without reacting to it. This will cause him to stop barking, at least when close to that particular trigger.
Redirect His Attention
Another good tactic to stop a Dachshund from barking is to force him to do something that will make him stop barking. For example, if he barks when the mailman comes, tell him to lie on his bed or to bring you his favorite toy.
This way, you’ll redirect your dog’s attention and make him forget that the trigger is nearby.
Reward your dog every time he obeys you instead of barking. This will let him know that there are more useful things he can do than bark.
Teach Him To Stay Quiet
One of the first things you should do is teach your dog to stay quiet when you tell him to. While a Dachshund might not always listen to you, it will still help if you know that your dog knows what you want of them, even if they’re not willing to obey you.
When your Dachshund starts barking, try distracting him with something while telling him a command, such as ‘Quiet!’ or ‘Stay!’. Give him a treat when he obeys.
Next time, wait for a few seconds before giving him a treat. Then, wait a few minutes. This will let him know that it isn’t enough to just stop for him to get a reward – he’ll also need to stay quiet.
What To Do If A Dog Is Barking In Their Crate?
Despite what some people think, a crate should be a safe place for a dog and not a place he goes as punishment. If a Doxie has a negative association with his crate, he will bark when you leave him inside it.
While it might seem logical to ignore your dog or even cover his kennel with a blanket to keep it dark and prevent your Doxie from being triggered, this isn’t the best option in this situation.
For your pup to stop barking when in the crate, you need to make his kennel an awesome place to be in. Place his favorite blanket inside and fill the crate with his favorite toys. Give him water and food, so he knows he isn’t missing anything.
Some dogs will bark because their kennel isn’t the right size. If a crate is too small, your pooch won’t be comfortable in it. However, if it’s too big, he will have enough space to run or jump, and he won’t calm down.
A perfectly sized crate should be large enough for a dog to stand up and turn around but small enough so he cannot actively play or be energetic.
Also, don’t expect your Dachshund to love his crate the first time he goes in it. Sure, this can happen, but it’s rare. He might need some time to get used to it.
If your Doxie starts whining when in the crate, let him out and take him for a short potty break. Get him outside, and wait a few minutes to see if he’ll pee.
Don’t play with him, don’t pet him, don’t talk to him. Just wait for a little while, then get him back inside.
This will teach your pup that he can still leave his crate when he needs to go to the bathroom, but also that he won’t be rewarded for this behavior.
How To Stop Barking Dogs When Left Alone
Dachshunds barking when left alone is one of the most annoying problems a dog owner can face. This means that your pup is barking at a moment where you can’t do anything about it, and it’s still disturbing everyone around your house.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can deal with this.
First off, make sure your dog is tired before you leave the house. Take him for a walk or play fetch for a while. This will also ensure that he has peed and is feeling comfortable.
Leave him with plenty of toys and dog puzzles so that he won’t get bored. Dachshunds get bored easily when there’s no one around them to give them attention, and they cannot bark while using chew toys.
You can also try leaving the TV or radio on. Don’t turn the volume too loud. It should sound as if there’s still someone in the house, nothing more.
You should also make sure your pup gets enough attention before you leave. This will decrease the chances of him developing separation anxiety, as he’ll get enough attention throughout the rest of the day.
Can You Get A Dog Barking Complaint?
If your dog barks constantly, chances are this will annoy your neighbors. If you cannot find a peaceful solution, there are several legal options they can take, and you might face some repercussions.
Try talking to your neighbors in person, or at least leave them a note explaining the situation. Have an honest conversation with them, and let them know you’re doing your best to stop this from happening.
If you don’t manage to get on your neighbor’s good side, they might contact the local council and file a complaint. The exact occasions one can do this vary depending on your country and state, but you can be accused of disturbing the peace.
This is another reason why you should try to train your dog to stop barking. For the time being, try communicating with your neighbors, and do this as soon as possible.
Know When To See The Vet
Most of the time, Dachshunds barking will simply be a sign of your dog getting upset over something. He might want your attention, or a family of squirrels on a nearby tree is annoying him.
However, if your dog is a compulsive barker, or you think that he is barking because he’s in pain, it might be wise to contact your local vet and make sure your pooch is okay.
Some dogs have neurological issues that cause them to behave in a certain manner. This type of behavior is usually repetitive, and it won’t stop no matter how well you’ve trained your dog.
Obsessive and compulsive behavior can be treated with medication. Also, a vet might see if there is something physically wrong with your dog or if a specific health issue is causing him pain.
Finally, no matter how much you love your dog and want him to be happy, you need to deal with their excessive barking. While there is no way to stop Dachshunds barking entirely, there are methods to control and limit this behavior.
A barking dog can be an annoyance to you and the people around you. Not to mention that you might find yourself in legal trouble!
Train your dog to stop barking in time. Talk to a licensed dog trainer if you cannot determine what the right strategy is for you. With proper training, Dachshunds can make amazing pets – although they’ll never be quiet ones.
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