| Dominance, fear, injury, genetics and disease are all | | | | Owners of multi-dog households may see |
| things that may cause Dachshund aggression. No | | | | Dachshund aggression related to pack position. Your |
| matter what the cause, aggressive behavior needs | | | | Dachshunds will likely test other dogs to see if they |
| to be addressed as soon as possible. Ignoring the | | | | can move up the pack hierarchy. This aggression |
| problem can be dangerous for you, your dog and any | | | | can take several forms including biting, body language, |
| other person or dog they meet. | | | | and challenging. It is vital that from the day you get |
| Sources of Aggressive Behavior in Dachshunds | | | | your Dachsund you make it clear that you are pack |
| Dachshund aggression can be seen at a very young | | | | leader, maintaining this position throughout your dogs |
| age, even before they have left their mother. | | | | life. Failure to do so can result in your Dachshund |
| Socialization with other dogs and people is vital during | | | | taking over as leader, which can be disastrous and |
| the first four months of life. It is during this | | | | result in aggression towards you and other family |
| socialization period that your Dachshund will learn | | | | members. |
| from its litter mates about things like dominance and | | | | Stopping Dachshund Aggression |
| biting. Having exposure to, and kind handling from | | | | Dachshund aggression that starts when they are |
| humans will show that people are OK and can be | | | | adults is a serious problem that needs to be |
| trusted. | | | | addressed immediately. Think about your household, |
| Dachshund puppies that are taken away from their | | | | are you the pack leader? Are you rewarding bad |
| mothers too early (before 8 weeks of age), are | | | | behavior, making the problem worse? |
| treated roughly (shouted at or hit), or have not been | | | | When you work with your Dachshund make sure |
| well socialized are all at greater risk of behavioral | | | | you are a strong leader, teach them basic commands |
| problems, including aggression. | | | | such as sit, down, and stay. Feed your Dachshund |
| Incidents of Dachshund aggression can be triggered | | | | on a regular schedule after you have eaten, taking |
| by several factors. Dachshunds were bred to be | | | | away their bowl after they have eaten. When you |
| hunters, so genetics can play a part, although it is by | | | | go out for a walk make certain you leave and enter |
| no means always the case. Intact dogs are also | | | | the house first, and that your Dachshund is trained to |
| more likely to show aggressive tendencies, one of | | | | walk on a loose leash, not pulling ahead of you. |
| several great reasons why your Dachshund should be | | | | There are some situations when you should not try |
| neutered. The most important factor linked to | | | | to address aggression yourself. Possibly the most |
| Dachshund aggression is environmental. If your | | | | important is fear aggression, where your Dachshund |
| Dachshund has not been well socialized, has had | | | | may bite when they feel afraid. Particularly at risk |
| negative experiences with people and other dogs, or | | | | are children who your Dachshund can see as a real |
| has had poor living conditions they are much more | | | | threat. |
| likely show aggressive tendencies as they age. | | | | |