Why Are Dachshunds So Needy? 8 Typical Reasons
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Dachshunds are lively, sociable dogs that love spending time with their human companions. Most of the time, their loyalty and attention are welcomed and appreciated. However, some Dachshunds take things too far and tend to become needy. There are a few different reasons that your Dachshund might be acting this way.
Determining the reason will enable you to address the situation appropriately. To figure out why your dog is acting so needy, you must first learn about the various causes. Then, you can determine which one is most likely the reason for your dog’s neediness.
The 8 Reasons Why Dachshunds Are So Needy
1. They Don’t Like to Be Alone
Most Dachshunds do not like spending time alone. If they are left to fend for themselves all day while their human companions are at school and/or work, they are likely to become clingy and needy once people start arriving home. If this is the case for your dog, consider taking them to a daycare center or hiring someone to babysit them in your home so they don’t feel so lonely throughout the day. This way, they will be less likely to get clingy and needy when you are home and spending time with them.
2. They Are Natural Followers
This dog was bred to hunt. Hunting requires the dog and human to have a close relationship, so Dachshunds became natural followers as they evolved. Today, even Dachshunds that do not hunt tend to be natural followers of their human companions. There isn’t much that you can do about your dog having a natural inclination to follow you around. Some obedience training can help get your dog to relax, so you can move around without them always being right on your heels.
3. They Tend to Get Separation Anxiety
Dachshunds are known for having separation anxiety. They can be extremely destructive when left home alone and then will follow you around like you’re glued together once you walk in the front door. Addressing the separation anxiety through training and other methods should help keep your household in order and your dog from being too needy while you’re spending time at home.
4. They Are Feeling a Little Stressed
Sometimes, stress can lead to a Dachshund being overly needy or clingy. This is especially true if the stress is a result of a change in schedule, a move to a new home, or another life-changing circumstance that encourages a sense of instability. If your dog is experiencing a change of some kind, give them time to adjust to their new situation. If they still act stressed and needy, do things like setting up a safe space in the house that has familiar pillows and bedding to make them feel more secure.
5. They Have Learned to Be Clingy
Dachshunds are smart dogs and they can learn things that we don’t intend to teach them, like how to be clingy. You may have accidentally taught your dog to be clingy as puppies, and habits like these can be hard for these dogs to break. If you encourage your dog to stay by your side and reward the behavior, they’ll quickly learn to stay near you as often as possible, which can lead to clinginess. Don’t encourage such behavior or reward it in any way to avoid teaching this bad habit.
6. They Are Hanging Around for Extra Treats
Dachshunds will do just about anything for a treat to eat. If you tend to walk around with treats in your pocket or your dog is used to you freely giving treats out, there is a chance that you will be followed around and clung to wherever you go. Only provide your pet with treats during training or when you want to reward their behavior. Never feed your dog from the table or share food with them when you’re out and about.
7. They Have Developed a Health Problem
If your Dachshund suddenly starts acting needy when they never have done so before, the behavior may be due to a developing health problem. If your dog is feeling ill, they may try to stick by your side as a form of comfort. If you can’t figure out any other reason for your Dachshund becoming needy, it’s a good idea to get them to a veterinarian and see if there are any health problems to address.
8. They Are Getting Older
As dachshunds age, they can become increasingly attached to their human companions. It is when they understand that they are near the end of life that they become extremely clingy. If you know that your dog is older and has reached their life expectancy age (which is about 12 to 16 years), there is no need to correct their needy behavior. It’s a good time to spend as much quality time together as possible.
Conclusion
Dachshunds have a reputation for being needy and clingy. There are so many things that can encourage or drive this behavior. The trick is to determine the reason that your Dachshund is acting so needy so you can address the situation and correct the behavior. Hopefully, this guide will help put you on the right track!
Featured Image Credit: A Traves del Prisma, Shutterstock
