How to Stop Your Dachshund from Barking All the Time

Since you’ve found your way to this article, you’re probably wondering how to stop a Dachshund barking. 

You thought you were getting a small companion dog, but you didn’t realize that a big bark would come in a small package. 

Dachshunds have a large bark unlike some of their small breed counterparts, and they seem to bark frequently.

While their barking cannot be completely stopped, you can get their barking under control. 

Dachshunds are naturally prone to barking. However, there are things you can do that can help minimize it.

In this article we provide insight as to why Dachshunds bark so much, and how you can manage it.

Why Do Dachshunds Bark All the Time?

Dachshunds are hound dogs who were originally bred for hunting small game.

Don’t let the size of a Dachshund fool you – this breed is the best at hunting small game such as badgers and moles. 

Even though Doxies have been domesticated for many years, their prey drive is still in full force. Their instincts tell them to go after anything that moves – the slightest unknown movement or noise can get them riled up – and this can lead to their affinity for barking.

Dachshunds like to alert their family of impending threats. If they are barking, they are likely sensing a threat of some sort, even if you can’t see it or don’t perceive it as a threat.

In a Dachshund’s eyes, and threat can be anything from a critter, the mailman, other dogs nearby, or blowing leaves skittering across the ground. 

Dachshunds may bark to protect their territory and owners.

Barking is also simply a natural side effect of this breed getting ready to chase after whatever it is they want to go after.

These pint-sized hound dogs are also quite territorial. If they perceive a threat is nearby, your Dachshund will absolutely let you know. 

The fact is that the Dachshund was bred for particular hunting tasks, and despite domestication, barking is a part of those instincts that still exist.

Besides your Dachshund barking to alert you of a threat, there are some other common reasons why they could be barking:

1. Boredom

Many dogs bark out of boredom.

This is especially true for the Dachshund, who needs plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

The breed is small, but they require plenty of interaction to keep them healthy. If you can’t exercise your Doxie outdoors due to weather, there are plenty of games and activities you can provide for your pup indoors.

2. Attention

“Pay attention to me!” is what your Dachshund may be trying to tell you with their barking.

Sometimes you just need to give your dog more attention to stop their barking.

If you think maybe you haven’t been giving your Doxie as much attention as they need, try sitting on the floor with them for 10-15 minutes and playing a fun game.

Undivided attention from a human can do wonders for any dog breed.

3. Defending your home or space

If you’re relaxing at home and the UPS man approaches with a package, your Dachshund will probably start barking. They are letting you know there’s a possible intruder approaching!

Of course your pup doesn’t realize that it’s just the UPS guy – as far as they know, that strange person could be attempting to hurt your family!

Your Dachshund is defending your territory, as this breed will instinctively do.

4. Anxiety

Does your Dachshund begin barking when you’re getting ready to leave the house? This could be a sign of separation anxiety.

If a Dachshund is anxious about something, they will often bark to let you know.

If your Dachshund is directing their barking at you when you aren’t even to the door yet, they are telling you they don’t want you to go.

5. They enjoy listening to themselves

Dachshunds are spunky pups who are full of sassy personality. If you’ve eliminated other reasons why your dog may be barking, perhaps they just enjoy listening to the sound of their beautiful voice!

Those deep, Dachshund lungs create a bark that sounds bigger than the breed itself. 

How to Teach Your Dachshund Not to Bark

It can be challenging to teach your Dachshund not to bark since the breed is so vocal.

As a Dachshund parent, it’s important to understand that you can’t teach your pup to be silent. It’s simply not realistic.

This is a breed that will bark no matter what, but you can definitely get it under control using the following tips:

The amount a dog barks is most often determined by the breed and what they were bred to do. Expecting a hunting dog to be silent is not realistic.

1. Do not encourage the behavior

A common mistake by pet parents is rewarding barking without realizing it.

Has your dog ever been barking and you attempt to give them a treat at the same time? You are rewarding the behavior. The key is to reward silence.

If your Dachshund is barking, attempt to refocus them, then give them a treat once they are silent. This process will take a lot of repetition, but it’s the most effective way to decrease barking.

The goal is to teach your Dachshund that being quiet earns a treat – not the barking.

2. Never yell at your Dachshund

Yelling at your Dachshund will only increase their barking. Your pup thinks, “You’re barking?! Cool! Now we’re all barking!”

Yelling at your Doxie while they are barking only encourages the behavior.

Instead of yelling, try making a sound they will not expect. I’ve found clapping my hands a couple of times and saying “that’s enough” to be fairly effective.

As frustrated as you may get, resist yelling at your barking Dachshund.

3. Exercise your Dachshund every day

If you have a tired Dachshund, they are less likely to become aroused at an insignificant sound or sight.

Offer plenty of physical and mental exercise each day. An exercised dog is a happy and quiet one!

While each Dachshund has different exercise needs, in my experience, most need at least 30 minutes a day to tire them out. My 1-year-old Dachshund needed at least 45 minutes to settle her down.

4. Socialize them

If you consistently take your Dachshund out on adventures and socialize them with other humans and dogs, the likelihood of them barking at strangers is typically minimized.

Socialization will allow your Dachshund to become better acquainted with the outside world, and random animals, humans, and noises won’t seem too scary. They may learn to not bark at them at all. 

How to Train a Dachshund Puppy Not to Bark

There are several effective ways to get your puppy to stop barking.

It’s most effective if you start discouraging your Dachshund’s bark as a puppy.

Training a Dachshund puppy not to bark will require plenty of time, patience and dedication but it’s worth it.

It can set the groundwork for your expectations throughout their life and make it easier for you to interrupt their barking once they start.

Using the tips we listed above is a good place to start training your puppy not to bark.

I also suggest:

Start crate training immediately

Your Dachshund’s crate should be a happy, quiet place for them to relax and unwind.

Putting them in their crate when they are barking too much is not punishment if you do it right.

Instead, it’s a signal for them to settle their energy.

Giving your puppy a time-out in their crate can signal to them that it’s time to settle down.

Use plenty of positive reinforcement 

When your Dachshund puppy starts to bark, as recommended above, clap your hands a couple of times and say “that’s enough”.

When they stop barking and look at you, praise them with a toy or treat. 

Start socialization early

As stated above, socialization is important to help a Dachshund of any age not bark so much. It’s especially important for a puppy though.

Socializing your Dachsund puppy can be as simple as inviting friends – both humans and dogs – over regularly or walking around your neighborhood during a busy (aka. noisy) time of day.

As your Dachshund puppy learns that the “scary things” won’t hurt them or you, they will gain confidence. Confident, socialized dogs won’t bark as much as fearful dogs. 

Never use a “Dachshund bark collar”

I know that sometimes your Dachshund must immediately curb it’s barking habit or you will get evicted from your apartment. Or you will have no choice but to surrender them to a shelter.

Bark collars can be a last resort but there are many other positive, save alternatives you can try first.

Instead of using a “bark collar”, please use any other means possible to stop their barking if you can. These tools can cause pain, distrust, and fear. 

Some alternative ways of immediately dealing with the issue is:

• Taking your Dachshund puppy for 10-30 minute walk (depending on their age and what is safe for them) before work to tire them out
• Taking them to dog daycare while you are away from home
• Bringing your dog to work with you if your employer will allow it.
• Take your dog to a trainer, or an animal behaviorist, to start addressing the root of the problem

Ideally, with training, you will be able to leave your Dachshund home alone again without fear they are barking their heads off all day.

The sooner you can begin training your Dachshund puppy, the better. Just remember that any training takes time and patience.

Don’t give up if you get frustrated. Ceasing training will only derail any progress you’ve made.

Barking issues can be addressed with training but, remember, that training for behavioral issues can take time and patience.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve become frustrated with how often your Dachshund barks, we’re confident that the suggestions we listed above will make a huge difference. 

However, if you have spent countless days and months trying to curb the habit and your dog is still barking non-stop, it may be time to seek veterinary advice. There could be a further health concern (such as hearing or sight issues) that you may not be aware of. 

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.