Dachshunds are known for their prominent personalities packed into a small body. These little dogs are full of spunk and sass, and many dachshund owners have experienced their vocal talents firsthand. But do dachshunds howl? Let’s look at this unique breed’s tendency to belt out a tune.
Why Do Some Dogs Howl?
Howling is a form of communication for dogs. Wolves howl to assemble their pack, mark territory, and signal distress. For domestic dogs, howling is often triggered by isolation, boredom, anxiety, or high-pitched sounds like sirens. Howling is thought to release endorphins that calm and comfort the dog. Some breeds are more prone to howling due to their ancestry and vocal cords.
The Dachshund’s Origins
We must look back at its history to understand the Dachshund’s propensity for howling. Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany centuries ago to hunt badgers. Their long, low-to-the-ground bodies allowed them to burrow into badger dens and corner the critters. Dachshunds would then emit loud, baying barks to alert hunters above ground of their location. This barking was selectively bred into dachshunds over generations.
Do Dachshunds Inherit the Howling Tendency?
As descendants of hounds, dachshunds have a genetic predisposition for vocalizing more than other breeds. Hounds were bred to bay and howl during hunts, so this tendency lingers in modern-day dachshunds. Dachshunds also have a unique barrel-shaped chest and elongated vocal cords that allow them to hit a wide range of pitches and volumes when howling.
Triggers for Dachshund Howling
While any dog may howl out of anxiety, dachshunds are more prone to belt out choruses for the following reasons:
Boredom: Alone and unstimulated, dachshunds will howl to self-soothe or get your attention. Providing puzzles, chew toys, and exercise can prevent boredom howling.
Separation Anxiety: Dachshunds prone to separation distress will howl mournfully when left alone. Desensitizing them through gradual alone time and providing a comforting blanket with your scent can help.
Reaction to Noise: High-pitched sounds like sirens, whistles, musical instruments, and squeaky toys can trigger a howling response. Dachshunds may “sing along” with the sound.
Attention-Seeking: Dachshunds know their howls to get results. Your puppy may learn that a quick howl earns treats, cuddles, or playtime. Ignore attention-seeking howls to avoid reinforcing the behaviour.
Pack Behavior: If one Dachshund starts howling, the rest may join in a group howl. They key off each other’s vocal cues.
Should You Be Concerned About Excessive Howling?
Most dachshund owners can expect to hear at least some periodic howling. However, excessive howling can indicate an underlying problem. Schedule a vet visit if your Dachshund suddenly develops frequent, extended howling episodes to rule out medical issues. Also, consult an animal behaviourist if the howling seems anxiety-related. With patience and training, you can curb excessive howling.
Dachshunds are predisposed to howling more than other breeds due to their hound ancestry. While intermittent howling is usual, be alert for any changes that could signify a health or behavioural issue needing attention. With their spirited personalities, expect your dachi to serenade you on occasion and become a vocal part of the family.
How Can I Reduce My Dachshund’s Howling?
Dachshunds are notoriously vocal dogs, and their howling can sometimes be a nuisance. Luckily, there are ways to decrease your doxie’s howling without suppressing their natural tendencies. Here are some tips:
Provide Plenty of Exercise: A tired dachshund is less likely to howl from boredom or excess energy. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of activity split into 2-3 daily sessions. Walks, fetch, flirt pole play, and mind games will tire them out.
Curb Attention-Seeking: If your Dachshund learns howling gets them what they want, they’ll do it more. Ignore attention-seeking howls and reward calm behaviour. Teach them to “speak” and “quiet” on cue.
Manage Triggers: Notice what prompts the howling and control the environment when possible. Limit exposure to high-pitched sounds, departures, isolation, or other triggers. Use background noise to mask triggers.
Teach Alternative Cues: Instead of howling when bored, train your Dachshund to bring you a toy, nudge a bell by the door, or perform another attention-getting behaviour that won’t drive you crazy.
Use Calming Aids:Products like DAP diffusers, calming treats, ThunderShirts, or pheromone collars can reduce dachshunds’ anxiety that underlies excessive howling.
Check for Underlying Issues: Schedule a veterinary exam to rule out any medical conditions causing pain, discomfort, or altered mentation that could prompt howling.
With patience, detective work, training, and environmental management, you can help your vocal Dachshund express themselves in acceptable ways. Their howling is rooted in their breed history, so expect some howling – aim to control excessive episodes.
What Are Some Dachshund Howling Triggers To Be Aware Of?
Dachshunds are notorious howlers, and as an owner, it helps to know what triggers serenading sessions in this vocal breed. Watch for these common howling prompts:
**Being Left Alone: Perhaps the most frequent trigger, dachshunds, will howl mournfully when their people leave. Separation anxiety is expected in the breed. Going in a shirt with your scent, classical music, or a stuffed Kong may help ease isolation.
Car Alarms or Sirens: Those high-pitched noises will set off most dachshunds. They often “sing-along” with sirens as emergency vehicles pass. The sound seems irresistible to their sensitive ears. Be ready to reassure your howling hound.
A Familiar Sound: Dachshunds quickly learn to howl for things like a treat bag rustling, the garage door opening, ringing doorbells, or the jingle of car keys when you grab them. They associate these noises with anticipation.
Hearing Other Dogs: If your Dachshund hears the neighbour’s dog howling or barking, they may join in the cacophony simply because it’s a social bonding activity. Group howls release endorphins.
When Excited: Along with tail wagging and running in circles, some dachshunds will howl when thrilled about things like dinner, walking, or visitors at the door.
When Lonely or Bored: An understimulated dachshund left alone for long periods may howl to self-soothe or get attention. More exercise, playtime, and chew toys help curb boredom.
Knowing common howling triggers allows you to prepare, distract, or reassure your vocal companion. Learn your individual Dachshund’s unique howling habits. With patience, you can curb excessive howling.
How Can I Get My Dachshund Puppy To Stop Howling At Night?
It’s normal for dachshund puppies to howl at night as they adjust to your home. But losing sleep to a howling puppy can be exhausting. Here are some tips for reducing nighttime howling:
Keep Close At Bedtime: Put your puppy’s crate in your bedroom for the first few nights, or let them sleep with you. Your presence and scent will comfort them.
Offer a Snuggle Puppy: These stuffed animals have battery-powered heartbeats that mimic a littermate. The snuggle puppy’s warmth and “heartbeat” can soothe a lonely pup at bedtime.
Take Late Potty Breaks: Right before bed, give your pup one last trip outside to potty. This prevents restlessness and howling from needing to go.
Provide White Noise:Play soft music, turn on a fan or white noise machine, or put a ticking clock near your puppy’s crate to help drown out night noises that could trigger howling.
Ensure Adequate Daytime Activity: A tired puppy will settle down for sleep easier. Give your dachshund pup plenty of playtime, training, exercise, and chew toys during the day.
Reinforce Calmness: When your puppy is quiet in their crate at night, give them treats and praise. Let them out once they’re calm and silent. With time, they’ll learn that Calmness at night brings rewards.
Remember, dachshund puppies need time to adjust to sleeping alone. Your pup’s nighttime howling should diminish with patience, consistency, and these tips. But consult your vet if it persists and severely disrupts sleep.
Why Might My Senior Dachshund Start Howling More?
It can be puzzling and concerning when a senior dachshund who rarely howled when younger suddenly starts howling often. There are a few potential reasons for this change:
Cognitive Decline: Dementia or disorientation causes anxiety and vocalization in some older dogs. Your vet can prescribe medications to help if this is suspected.
Loss of Sight/Hearing: Not being able to see or hear well can disorient senior dachshunds left alone, triggering anxious howling. Keep lighting bright and minimize background noise.
Pain: Undiagnosed arthritis, dental disease, or other sources of pain may prompt howling. Have your vet examine your senior Dachshund for any conditions needing treatment.
Separation Anxiety : As they age, dachshunds can develop clingy behaviours and distress when left alone. Using calming aids like pheromone diffusers or prescribing anti-anxiety medication could help.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: This standard ageing change affects memory, learning, awareness and sleep cycles, which can manifest as nighttime howling. Discuss medication options with your veterinarian.
Boredom: With limited mobility, older dachshunds need mental stimulation. Rotate new toys, play nose work games, try food puzzles, and provide chews to prevent boredom howling.
Howling that begins suddenly in senior dachshunds warrants veterinary investigation to determine if an underlying medical cause needs treatment to improve their quality of life.
Top 4 Tips To Help Reduce (Or Stop) Your Dachshund’s Howling
Ignore Attention-Seeking Howls:
Dachshunds learn that howling gets them what they want. Giving your dog treats, pets or playtime when they howl will reinforce the behaviour. Ignore attention-seeking howls and reward calm, quiet behaviour instead.
Exercise:
A tired dachshund is less inclined to howl from boredom or excess energy. Ensure your Dachshund gets at least 30-60 minutes of exercise daily through walks, playtime, and interactive toys. Mentally stimulating games are great, too.
Manage Triggers:
Pay attention to what prompts your dog’s howling, like sirens, doorbells, being left alone, or hearing other dogs. Control their environment to limit exposure to triggers when possible. Distract them before they get started howling.
Positive Reinforcement Training:
Use treats and praise to teach your Dachshund the “speak” and “quiet” commands. When they howl on cue, reward them. When they stop howling on the “quiet” command, reward them too. This gives them an acceptable outlet for howling while gaining control.
FAQ’s For Do Dachshunds Howl
What does it mean when my dachshunds howl?
Dachshunds howl for various reasons, such as communicating, getting attention, or signalling anxiety.
How do you get howl on a dachshund?
Howling is a natural behaviour for Dachshunds. You can desensitize them to triggers that cause them to howl, train them to be quiet on command, and avoid rewarding their howling with attention or treats.
How do I get my Dachshund to stop howling?
You can train your Dachshund to be quiet on command by teaching them a “quiet” command and rewarding them with a treat when they stop howling.
Are Dachshunds very vocal?
Yes, Dachshunds are known to be vocal and howl for various reasons, such as to communicate, get attention, or signal anxiety.
conclusion, For Do Dachshunds Howl
Dachshunds are dogs that were bred to hunt badgers. They used to bark loudly when they found badgers in holes underground. This helped hunters find them. So, dachshunds today like to make a lot of noise because of their history. Dachshunds howl for different reasons. They howl when they’re bored or alone. Loud noises like ambulances make them howl, too. They also know how to get attention from people.
Some dachshunds howl together in a pack just for fun. Most dachshunds howl sometimes. But too much howling can bother people. There are ways to help dachshunds howl less. Give them toys to play with and take them for walks. Try to keep them from getting too bored or scared. Dachshunds are very vocal dogs. Their howling is part of what makes them unique! But we don’t want them to howl all the time. With training and care, dachshunds can learn when it’s okay to howl and when to stay quiet.
