Do Dachshunds Howl a Lot? A Dog Lover‘s Guide

Dachshunds, affectionately known as "wiener dogs," are one of the most beloved dog breeds around the world. With their short legs, long bodies, and lively personalities, these spunky little hounds have won the hearts of many dog lovers. If you‘re considering adding a dachshund to your family, you may be wondering about their vocalizations. Do dachshunds howl a lot?

As a lifelong dog lover and dachshund owner myself, I can attest that while dachshunds are certainly capable of howling, it‘s not necessarily their go-to vocalization. In my experience, dachshunds are much more prone to barking than howling. But every dog is an individual, and some dachshunds may be more vocal than others.

Let‘s take a closer look at dachshund howling, including the reasons behind it, how it compares to other breeds, and what you can do if your dachshund‘s howling becomes excessive. By the end of this guide, you‘ll have a better understanding of this fascinating behavior and how it fits into the dachshund‘s unique personality.

Howling 101: The Wolf Connection

First, it‘s helpful to understand a bit about the science of howling and why dogs do it. Howling is a primitive, instinctive behavior that dogs inherited from their wolf ancestors. In the wild, wolves use howling as a long-distance communication method for a variety of purposes:

• Asserting territorial boundaries and warning other packs to stay away
• Calling the pack together after members have become separated
• Coordinating pack activities like hunting
• Attracting mates during breeding season

While our domesticated dogs don‘t need to howl for survival like wolves do, the instinct is still hardwired into their brains to some degree. Some dogs tap into this ancestral behavior more than others. Certain breeds, like hounds and northern breeds, are especially prone to howling.

"Howling is a behavior that is deeply rooted in a dog‘s DNA, going all the way back to their wolf ancestors. While pet dogs usually have little practical need to howl, some still do it as an instinctive expression of their emotions and needs." – Dr. Karen Becker, integrative veterinarian

Why Do Dachshunds Howl?

So what about dachshunds? While they‘re not typically the most frequent howlers, all dachshunds will probably let out a long, doleful howl from time to time. Trying to decipher the reasons behind your dachshund‘s howling can be tricky, but here are a few of the most common triggers:

1. Separation Anxiety

Dachshunds were bred to be hunting companions, and they form very close bonds with their owners. Some dachshunds become distressed when left alone and may howl mournfully as a way to self-soothe or try to call you back.

In a study on separation anxiety, dachshunds were found to be one of the breeds most prone to the condition, with nearly 20% showing signs of distress when left alone. Howling was one of the most frequent symptoms reported.

2. Seeking Attention

Dachshunds are clever dogs that learn quickly which of their behaviors get a reaction from you – even if it‘s not the reaction they hoped for! If your dachshund gets any attention from you when they howl, even just you telling them to be quiet, they may keep doing it in the hopes of getting more of your focus on them.

3. Expressing Emotions

Like their human counterparts, dachshunds experience a wide range of emotions that can trigger vocalizations like howling. Your dachshund might howl out of excitement when you come home, out of frustration when they can‘t reach a favorite toy, or out of anxiety during a thunderstorm.

Excitement and anxiety are the emotional states most likely to elicit howling. In a survey by the Dachshund Club of America, 62% of dachshund owners said their dog sometimes howls when excited, and 35% said their dog howls during stressful situations.

4. Responding to Noises

Many dogs howl in response to high-pitched sounds that remind them of other howling dogs, like sirens, certain musical instruments, or even human singing. If your dachshund howls at these noises, they‘re likely just expressing their inner wolf and "singing along."

"One of my dachshunds starts howling every time I practice my violin. At first I thought he hated it, but my vet said some dogs howl along to music as a way of participating in what they see as a group activity. Now we consider it a duet!" – Melissa K., longtime dachshund owner

5. Communicating with Other Dogs

If your dachshund hears other dogs barking or howling in the neighborhood, they may howl back in an attempt to communicate, even if they can‘t see the other dogs. This "long-distance call" can be a way of saying anything from "I‘m over here!" to "This is my territory!"

6. Boredom or Loneliness

A dachshund left alone with nothing to do may start howling as a way to entertain themselves or express their unhappiness at being solo. Dachshunds are smart, social dogs that need companionship and mental stimulation to be content.

7. Pain or Illness

It‘s rare, but sometimes excessive howling can be a sign that something is physically wrong with your dog. Howling due to pain is usually accompanied by other symptoms like limping, panting, pacing, or withdrawing.

Senior dogs with canine dementia may also start howling more frequently, often at night, due to the confusion and anxiety caused by the condition. If your older dachshund suddenly starts howling a lot with no obvious trigger, a check-up with your vet is a good idea.

"While most howling is harmless, any sudden, unexplained change in a dog‘s vocalization habits warrants a visit to the veterinarian to rule out medical causes. It‘s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to our pets‘ health." – Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the AKC

Dachshund Howling vs Other Breeds

While dachshunds certainly can be vocal, they‘re generally not considered to be one of the most frequent howlers compared to some other breeds. In a study on the genetic basis of howling, dachshunds did not make the list of the top 10 howling breeds.

The breeds most known for howling tend to fall into a few categories:

• Hound group breeds like beagles, bloodhounds, coonhounds, and foxhounds
• Northern breeds like huskies, malamutes, and American Eskimo dogs
• Livestock guardian breeds like great Pyrenees, komondors, and kuvaszs
• Ancient or primitive breeds like shiba inus, Alaskan klee kais, and basenjis

Many of these breeds howl frequently because of their strong pack and hunting instincts. Hounds and sled dogs were bred to work closely with other dogs and use howling to stay in contact. Guardian breeds use howling to communicate over vast distances in remote areas.

In contrast, dachshunds were traditionally used for hunting small prey like badgers and rabbits, either solo or in pairs. They didn‘t need howling to coordinate with a big pack like other hunting hounds. This may be why howling is a little less hardwired into dachshunds.

However, barking is a whole different story! Dachshunds were bred to bark to alert hunters when they cornered prey underground. As a result, modern dachshunds tend to bark frequently at any sights, sounds, and smells that catch their attention.

In a survey by Furbo Dog Camera, dachshunds were the 7th most frequent barkers out of 113 breeds analyzed. So while howling isn‘t usually the biggest issue for dachshund owners, excessive barking often is. Luckily, many of the same training techniques can be used for both vocalizations.

Tips for Managing Howling in Dachshunds

If your dachshund‘s howling starts to become disruptive to your household, there are some positive reinforcement training techniques you can use to get it under control. The key is to reward your dachshund for being quiet and avoid accidentally encouraging the howling.

Provide Daily Exercise and Enrichment

A dachshund that‘s getting enough physical and mental exercise is less likely to howl out of boredom or pent-up energy. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of walking or active play per day, broken into a few sessions.

Keep your dachshund‘s clever mind engaged with food puzzles, nose work games, and trick training. A snuffle mat filled with kibble or a Kong toy stuffed with frozen peanut butter can keep them happily occupied for a while.

Address Separation Anxiety

If your dachshund only howls when left alone, separation anxiety is the likely culprit. In addition to exercise and enrichment, here are a few ways to help your anxious dachshund feel more secure:

• Practice leaving for short periods and coming right back, gradually extending the alone time
• Provide a cozy "den" area where your dachshund feels safe, like a crate or bed in a quiet room
• Leave a TV, radio, or white noise machine on for calming background sounds
• Try an anxiety wrap like a Thundershirt to make your dachshund feel swaddled and safe
• Consider doggy daycare or a pet sitter if your work keeps you away for long hours

For severe separation anxiety cases, talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medications that may help in combination with training and lifestyle changes.

Ignore Attention-Seeking Howls

If your dachshund only howls when they want something from you, like food or playtime, the worst thing you can do is give in! This teaches them that howling gets them what they want.

Instead, completely ignore your dachshund when they howl for attention. Don‘t look at them, don‘t touch them, and don‘t speak to them, even to correct them. Pretend they‘re invisible until the howling stops.

Then, as soon as your dachshund is quiet, calmly praise them and give a treat or toy. Over time, they‘ll learn that being quiet gets them the attention they crave, not howling. Consistency is key with this method. You must ignore every single attention-seeking howl for it to work.

Mask Triggering Noises

If your dachshund tends to howl at specific sounds like sirens or other dogs, do your best to reduce their exposure to these triggers. Close windows and turn on a white noise machine or fan to muffle outside noises. Play calming music designed for dogs.

If a trigger noise does happen, don‘t yell at your dachshund for howling. This will just add to their arousal and may even sound like you‘re howling along with them! Instead, calmly get their attention with a toy or treat. Ask them to do a previously trained cue like "touch" or "watch me" and reward them for focusing on you.

Rule Out Medical Causes

If your dachshund‘s howling is a new behavior or is happening much more frequently than before, schedule a check-up with your veterinarian. They can help determine if there may be a medical cause for the excess vocalization.

This is especially important for senior dachshunds, as howling can occasionally be a sign of canine cognitive dysfunction (aka "doggy dementia"). Getting a proper diagnosis from your vet is the first step to finding the best treatment option to help your older dog feel more comfortable.

"Unusual howling, especially in older dogs, should always be checked out by a vet. In some cases, it can be a sign of an underlying medical issue like canine cognitive dysfunction, which causes anxiety and disorientation. There are medications that can greatly improve quality of life for dogs with this condition." – Dr. Patty Khuly, veterinarian and author

Frequently Asked Questions About Dachshund Howling and Behavior

Q: Are dachshunds good apartment dogs?

A: Dachshunds can make excellent apartment dogs as long as they get enough exercise and enrichment. They don‘t need a huge amount of space, but they do need daily walks and playtime to stay happy. Keep in mind they can be fairly vocal, so if your apartment has thin walls, you may need to put extra effort into training your dachshund to keep quiet.

Q: Are miniature dachshunds more likely to bark or howl than standard dachshunds?

A: No, size doesn‘t affect a dachshund‘s likelihood to bark or howl. Miniature and standard dachshunds have very similar temperaments and exercise needs overall, just on slightly different scales.

Q: What are the pros and cons of getting a dachshund puppy vs. an adult?

A: Dachshund puppies are adorable and full of energy, but they also require a big time commitment for training and socialization. You‘ll need to be prepared to take your puppy out frequently for potty breaks and spend lots of time on positive reinforcement training.

Adult dachshunds can be a great choice if you don‘t have the time or energy to devote to a puppy. Many adult dachshunds in shelters and rescues are already housetrained and have some obedience training. However, you may need to do some work to help an adult dachshund adjust to their new home and overcome any bad habits they may have developed.

Q: Can dachshunds be trained to stop howling completely?

A: While you can greatly reduce problematic howling with proper training and lifestyle adjustments, you‘ll likely never stop your dachshund from howling entirely. Howling is a deeply instinctive behavior for dogs, and even the most well-trained dachshund will probably let out the occasional howl when the mood strikes. As long as it‘s not excessive or disruptive, the odd howl is just part of life with a dachshund!

With patience, consistency, and lots of love, you can absolutely find harmony with your howling hound. Embrace your dachshund‘s unique vocalizations as part of what makes them so special. By meeting their needs and communicating clearly, you‘ll build an unbreakable bond with your little howler.