Dachshund Aggression – What Causes Aggression in Dachshunds and How to Stop It

Dominance, fear, injury, genetics and disease are all things that may cause Dachshund aggression.  No matter what the cause, aggressive behavior needs to be addressed as soon as possible.  Ignoring the problem can be dangerous for you, your dog and any other person or dog they meet.

Sources of Aggressive Behavior in Dachshunds

Dachshund aggression can be seen at a very young age, even before they have left their mother.  Socialization with other dogs and people is vital during the first four months of life.  It is during this socialization period that your Dachshund will learn from its litter mates about things like dominance and biting.  Having exposure to, and kind handling from humans will show that people are OK and can be trusted.  

Dachshund puppies that are taken away from their mothers too early (before 8 weeks of age), are treated roughly (shouted at or hit), or have not been well socialized are all at greater risk of behavioral problems, including aggression.

Incidents of Dachshund aggression can be triggered by several factors.  Dachshunds were bred to be hunters, so genetics can play a part, although it is by no means always the case.  Intact dogs are also more likely to show aggressive tendencies, one of several great reasons why your Dachshund should be neutered.  The most important factor linked to Dachshund aggression is environmental.  If your Dachshund has not been well socialized, has had negative experiences with people and other dogs, or has had poor living conditions they are much more likely show aggressive tendencies as they age.

 Owners of multi-dog households may see Dachshund aggression related to pack position.  Your Dachshunds will likely test other dogs to see if they can move up the pack hierarchy.  This aggression can take several forms including biting, body language, and challenging.  It is vital that from the day you get your Dachsund you make it clear that you are pack leader, maintaining this position throughout your dogs life.  Failure to do so can result in your Dachshund taking over as leader, which can be disastrous and result in aggression towards you and other family members.

Stopping Dachshund Aggression

Dachshund aggression that starts when they are adults is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately.  Think about your household, are you the pack leader?  Are you rewarding bad behavior, making the problem worse?

When you work with your Dachshund make sure you are a strong leader, teach them basic commands such as sit, down, and stay.  Feed your Dachshund on a regular schedule after you have eaten, taking away their bowl after they have eaten.  When you go out for a walk make certain you leave and enter the house first, and that your Dachshund is trained to walk on a loose leash, not pulling ahead of you.  

There are some situations when you should not try to address aggression yourself.  Possibly the most important is fear aggression, where your Dachshund may bite when they feel afraid.  Particularly at risk are children who your Dachshund can see as a real threat.  In these cases you should seek the help of a dog trainer or behaviorist who can work with you to address your dogs specific problem.