Why Are Dachshunds So Needy?

Dachshunds can be very clingy and attached to their people. New owners often wonder if this is normal behavior for the breed.

All dogs are somewhat needy to an extent, simply because they are pack animals, prefer to be around others, and depend on you for things like food and health care.

Many Dachshund’s love to follow their people around like little shadows.

Dachshunds were bred to hunt and eliminate rodents, so the breed feels a strong sense of responsibility to their family.

This article will explain why Dachshunds may come across as a “needy” breed.

Why is My Dachshund Being Clingy?

The Dachshund is a breed that loves attention and affection from their owners.

This playful and lively hound dog needs plenty of social contact with humans in order to thrive.

It’s important to note that Dachshunds tend to gravitate toward one person in the family.

Typically, when your Doxie bonds with one person more so than the others, they will cling to that particular family member.

More often than not, your Dachshund will become most bonded with the person who feeds, walks, and plays with them on a frequent basis.

However, all dogs generally bond to those who are around during the puppy socialization period.

From birth to about six months old, your Dachshund is developing physically and mentally.

During this time period, anything that happens around your Dachshund can influence their behavior and personality traits.

Dachshunds tend to have one person in the household they gravitate towards.

If only one person is caring for the dog during that time, chances are the bond between dog and human will be very strong.

Sometimes even the voice or mannerisms of a person can cause a Dachshund to gravitate toward them.

Just as humans can be more comfortable around certain people, the same can be said for canine-human relationships.

Dachshunds are very loyal dogs, and that makes this breed an excellent companion.

If you don’t want a “shadow dog” who follows you from room to room, you may want to consider a different breed of a furry friend.

There are, however, other behaviors that your Dachshund may be exhibiting to make you think that they are clingy or needy, although they really aren’t.

For example; if your Dachshund always follows you to the kitchen, it’s probably not because they love you THAT much.

Sorry to disappoint, but your pup wants the cheese that you “accidentally” drop from time to time.

Your dog may also follow you to certain places, like the kitchen, because they know food is there.

To your Dachshund, the kitchen means food, just as going to the front door could symbolize going on a walk.

Dachshunds are also notorious for wanting to follow their owners into the bathroom.

It could be due to straightforward affection but it’s also very likely due to out your dog feeling separation anxiety if they are not in the same room as you.

Also, think about what kind of reward your Dachshund may be getting when let into the bathroom.

Do you pick your dog up? Pet them? or do they get to lick you (like the water off of your legs after a shower)?

Just remember that your Dachshund’s penchant for following you may not be because they are “clingy”.

Your dog may be relating certain rooms or areas in your house to a positive reward for them, such as treats, playtime or going for a ride in the car.

These are simply circumstances of positive reinforcement, rather than traits of neediness.

Is It Bad for My Dachshund to Be Needy?

Most pet parents accept the fact that their dogs can display needy behavior at any time, and many of them embrace it.

In general, Dachshund’s tend to be a breed that need social contact and like to follow their owners around.

Are there any downsides to a Dachshund being needy? Sure.

A dog who is well-bonded to one particular person could experience separation anxiety when that person leaves or disappears from sight.

Your Dachshund may also start “resource guarding” the person that they cling to the most. They could even become aggressive if another human or dog approaches their person.

This sort of behavior can lead to further aggression, and it’s crucial to make note of that so it doesn’t become worse.

A clingy Dachshund can become also become a simple nuisance sometimes, especially when they are constantly at your feet.

If your Dachshund has suddenly become clingy, it could be an indication of an underlying medical condition.

If your older Dachshund starts displaying needy behavior, it could mean that they are losing their hearing or eyesight. Therefore, they resort to depending on you on a daily basis.

If the need to be close to you is a new behavior, it could indicate a change in your Dachshund’s health.

Training and calming aids such as CBD oil can assist with separation anxiety, but you will want to rule out any health issues with a veterinarian, should be there a sudden change in behavior.

How Can I Teach My Dachshund to Not Be So Needy?

A Dachshund that likes to constantly be near you likely will always be that way.

However, there are some things you can do when your dog is young, or first comes home with you, to teach them to be ok on their own.

But how do you do that?

Crate training

One of your priorities when you first bring home your Dachshund puppy should be crate training.

It’s crucial to teach your Dachshund that their crate is a positive, relaxing space.

Not only will training your Dachshund to use a kennel be beneficial for potty training, but it also teaches self-reliance.

The more secure your dog is being in a crate alone, the less like they are to suffer from separation anxiety when you aren’t around.

Crate training is not punishment. Done right, it can help a Dachshund feel safe and become a well adjusted family member.

Involve the family

When you involve other family members in training, feeding, and walking your Dachshund, your furry friend will happily bond with them as well.

When your family shares your Dachshund’s love, they probably won’t act as needy toward one person.

Teach confidence

A confident Dachshund can still be needy, but they may not be needy to an extreme.

Confident dogs are less likely to suffer from severe separation anxiety.

You can teach your pup confidence with training, socialization, and positive reinforcement.

Final Thoughts

A well-adjusted Dachshund will grow up to love their owners without being overly needy.

Ultimately a Dachshund should be able to manage on their own without excessive amounts of human attention.

If you think there could be a medical or behavioral issue, seek advice from your veterinarian as soon as possible. 

Dachshunds are tremendously fun and adventurous dogs and, with the right training, they make wonderful companions.

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.