Dachshunds are an intelligent dog breed. They bark and howl a lot, and so does every dog breed, so what is so special about howling in Dachshunds?
Dachshunds are an ancient dog breed that originated from Germany. They are amazing hunting companions in the wild. Their long elongated body helps them to capture earth-burrowing animals like badgers, rabbits, etc.
They are also known as doxies, badger dogs, weiner dogs, and sausage dogs (because of their elongated body).
Dachshunds are highly-active dog breeds, earlier when they were hunting dogs they chased the prey and once they captured it or found their location.
They do the howling to inform other dogs and their owner that they found something. It is like how their ancestorial relative’s “wolf” howls when they go hunting.
However howling in dachshunds can vary based on different environmental conditions, physical and mental issues, and much more.
Based on our personal experiences with doxies, Let’s find out why is your Dachshund howling.
Why Dachshunds Are So Vocal?
Dachshunds are intelligent and friendly dog breed who loves to sing whenever they get a chance. They express their emotions through howling and barking. Vocal communication is their love language.
It is so fascinating to see how expressive a dachshund could be. The vocalization of doxies is inherited from their ancestors while they go for hunts to coordinate the pack, warn of any danger nearby, and interact with other dogs as well.
That’s the reason they are naturally inclined to express themselves through howling. Further in this article, we will be discussing other forms of howling.
Separation Anxiety
Dachshunds are an attention-seeking dog breed that gets quickly attached to their owner with love and affection. But this attachment sometimes leads to Separation Anxiety.
It is another major cause of howling and unnecessary barking in dachshunds. When you leave your dog for some time unattended they feel like you abandoned them and they start howling with stress and anxiety.
It can be easily treated by some training and methods that we previously discussed in our blog. But if the condition worsens, seek help from a professional dog behavior expert or a Vet.
Physical Pain Or Health Issues
Sometimes doxies howl when they are going through physical pain. As we know dachshunds are prone to back and, joint problems because of their elongated spinal cord.
And when sometimes they are in pain or have an injury they will communicate with you through howling. If your doxie does this a lot, you must carefully notice his actions and what he is trying to tell you.
Is it a joint problem or an injury in a certain part of the body? Sometimes it’s tricky part to find out why your dog behaving strangely.
Other than physical pain your doxie could be facing intestinal diseases like Diarrhea, Constipation, Vomiting, loss of appetite, Fever, weight loss, etc.
In these cases, it is best to consult a veterinarian who will diagnose your dachshund to find out the main reason behind the howling.
Environmental Triggers
The world we live in has a bunch of things that might trigger their ancient instincts. No doubt dachshunds are great singers, with their elicit howling.
Your dog can be triggered by the sound of a distant siren from an ambulance, or police car, loud music, bursting crackers, or even your neighbor’s car alarm can trigger howling in your dog.
It is their primal response that works subconsciously its like when their ancestors used to make hunting calls to communicate with their pack.
So if this is the case then you dont have to worry about that because as soon as these sounds stop the dog will not stress out and stop howling.
Attention Seeker Or Bored Dachshund
Dachshunds are playful and energetic puppies, they love to run and play until they are exhausted, and if they dont get a chance to do so they will easily get bored.
And a bored doxie always howls communicating with others to play with them. To help your dog you must buy them some toys that use both physical and mental abilities.
Another thing is they love to be around their owners seeking their attention. So if you want a happy and healthy Doxie then you must spend time with them.
Conclusion
If your Dachshund howls occasionally, his singing adds charm to your house. But the problem starts when the howling becomes excessive.
And the key to addressing this behavior lies in identifying the root cause. Does your Doxie howl out of loneliness, boredom, or a perceived threat?
Separation anxiety can be overcome through crate training and desensitization techniques.
Boredom is easily combated with enriching activities that challenge their minds and bodies. For territorial howls, positive reinforcement training can redirect their focus and suppress unwanted vocalizations.
But if the conditions are extreme and getting out of control then you should always consider getting professional help from a dog behavior expert or a Veterinarian.