Dachshunds are notorious for their clever skillset when it comes to getting exactly what they want. It can be a challenge to stop your Dachshund from begging for food.
Those big eyes will stare into your soul, breaking down any sense of resistance you had toward not giving in to your Dachshund’s pathetic soliciting goodies
Most dogs will take any opportunity to beg for food from anyone willing to give in.
Although your Dachshund may be thinking that your resistance is futile, it is possible for you to ignore the begging and change their behavior.
Begging can be irritating (especially when you are trying to enjoy and nice meal or have company over) and a highly detrimental behavior, and in this article we’ll discuss why that is and how you can correct it.
Why is Your Dachshund Begging?
It’s hard to admit, but Dachshunds learn their begging behavior from us – the pet parents. Your Dachshund begs because they’ve learned that it works.
Humans naturally want to provide comfort to other living beings with food, and it’s no different when it comes to our pets.
As soon as you sit down with a piece of pizza and your Dachshund puts on their begging act, you cave and offer a bit of pepperoni.
As much as we don’t want to admit it, Dachshunds learn how to beg from us.
Your canine pal has now learned how to emotionally blackmail you. They sure are smart…
Dogs are so good at exploiting us because we can’t resist their love and want to make them happy.
Unfortunately, by giving into their big, soulful eyes (and sometimes grumbles or demand barks), we could be doing more harm than good.
Why Begging is Bad
Begging is a common habit that can be difficult to break. Begging can cause problems that dog parents may not think about initially.
It can lead to:
Weight gain and obesity
When you offer your Dachshund scraps at a frequent rate, it can lead to obesity.
Dachshunds are prone to being overweight, and it doesn’t take much for your pup to pack on the pounds.
Excess weight can lead to a back injury, a whole slew of health issues, and a shorter life (2 years according to some studies).
It’s much easier to avoid obesity than it is to fix the problem.
It’s bad manners
If your Dachshund is begging in front of you, they will also beg from your friends, family, and guests.
While us owners may think the behavior is adorable, other people might not appreciate it.
If your Dachshund begs from everyone, it can be downright embarrassing.
If your Dachshund begs from guests, it can be
Also, tied to the obesity point above, if your dog is begging from people other than you and they are giving in, you won’t have control of what and how much your dog eats.
It can make your dog sick
Giving your Dachshund too much human food can make them extremely ill.
For example, many dogs beg for a feast during Thanksgiving, and it’s easy to give in. Too many dogs end up at the vet after Thanksgiving because they get pancreatitis from ingesting too much fatty turkey.
If your dog begs from guests or children that don’t know better, they could inadvertently end up feeding your dog something that is poisonous to them.
It can lead to other annoying behaviors
If your Dachshund has learned to beg and you start refusing to feed them scraps, they may act out and begin barking or howling in an attempt to gain your attention.
Your Dachshund simply wants you to give into them and they think if they escalate their behavior you will.
And if you do ultimately give in? They learn that what they did works so they may act out even more if you try to resist next time.
How to Stop Your Dachshund From Begging
So we’ve convinced you that you don’t want to encourage your dog to beg. Now what?
Once the begging behavior is learned, it can be difficult to cease. However, it’s not an impossible habit to break.
Unlearning this habit will take time, patience, and discipline on your part. The most important part is that you remain dedicated and consistent.
The good news is you can break this habit by following the tips below.
5 ways you can discourage and completely stop your Dachshund from begging
Bey using a few, or all, of these tips, it IS possible to break your Dachshund’s begging habit.
1. Only reward behaviors that you like
When your Dachshund is begging and you offer them food, your pup is receiving exactly what they want.
So if you stop feeding your pup when they are begging, they will slowly learn that the behavior will no longer be rewarded.
Only offer treats when your dog is doing something that you like.
2. Feed your Dachshund after you eat
Your Dachshund is likely begging during all of your meals. So instead of offering food scraps from your plate, do your best to ignore the behavior while you eat.
Then right after you eat, feed your Dachshund their meal. This will teach your furry friend that soon after you’ve enjoyed your meal, they will enjoy theirs.
3. Teach your dog a special command
Train your dog a special command that you’ll use while eating.
Teaching “down” or a solid “stay” command are two simple behaviors you can use.
It can help to use a dog bed or special mat that you can designate as their “place” when you eat.
4. Separate your dog during meal time
Try physically separating your dog from the area where you eat or prepare food (it’s a safety issue where you prepare food anyway).
A kennel or gate in the doorway of another room is helpful for doing this.
Don’t allow your dog in the same room when you eat.
Your Dachshund will likely bark or cry at first, but it’s important that you ignore their pleas.
You can offer a favorite chew, toy, or treat puzzle to your Dachshund while they are separated.
A bonus to this exercise is that they learn to feel safe and calm without you, minimizing the risk for separation anxiety later.
5. Don’t allow your guests to feed your Dachshund
You’ve done so much work to cease your Dachshund’s begging behavior, then a friend comes over and gives your pup scraps as soon as they start begging. Ugh! How frustrating!
When you have guests over, politely inform them that you’re working on training your Dachshund, and it’s imperative that they don’t give into any sort of begging, as it can derail any progress you’ve made.
So, what do you do when you’ve tried all of the tips above and your Dachshund is still begging for food? Don’t give in!
Keep ignoring your dog’s sad crying, barking or howling. Put them in another room with the door closed, TV on and a fun puzzle toy or activity.
When you’re done eating, take a few minutes to work on basic obedience training with your Dachshund. This way they are receiving treats for a specific behavior that you’ve asked them to perform.
Let your Dachshund know you are in control of treats.
This tactic also teaches your dog that you are in control of treat time, rather than allowing your Dachshund to boss you around. (Easier said than done, we know).
The Bottom Line
Your Dachshund is clever, and they will attempt to convince you that they are absolutely starving and neglected.
The good news is – they are not. They simply want attention and yummy snacks.
As a review, the next time you eat a meal and your Dachshund begins begging, take the following actions:
- Ignore the behavior
- Separate your Dachshund in a different room or their crate
- Don’t give in if your dog starts barking or making noise while separated
- Offer your Dachshund a puzzle toy, stuffed Kong or their favorite chew while you eat
- Remind your guests not to feed your Dachshund
- Be patient and consistent
- Feed your Dachshund their meal after you eat yours
Since begging is a behavior learned over time, and it is a difficult habit to break, consistency is the biggest key to your success.
It’s easier to give in than stick to progress, but it’s crucial that you continue on your training plan.
Obesity, annoying your house guests, and sickness are excellent reasons to put a stop to your Dachshund’s begging, and today is a great day to start!
About the Author: Through her 17 years of owning and caring for Dachshunds, and almost 10 years researching and writing about them, JW has become a respected expert in the Dachshund community. Read more about her here.
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