Why do Dachshunds Howl & How to Manage It?
If you’ve ever owned a dachshund, you probably know they love to howl, bark, and yelp — and often all at once! This playful breed of short-legged, long-bodied hounds, also known as wiener dogs, has a common trait of being more vocal than many dogs. Our own dachshund tends to howl in the park or at sirens, and sometimes even to music — a form of communication they’ve inherited from their wolves descendants.
This article aims to share a practical guide by exploring the reasons behind the howling and barking habits of these lovable, loyal, and often loud little pets.
From attention-seeking to reacting to high-pitched sounds, doxies use their voice to announce their presence, respond to triggers, or simply express their happy selves. While it may be cute at times, it can turn into a nuisance if not managed well. That’s why understanding the factors and tips for managing their vocal energy is so important for creating a peaceful life in modern households around the world.
Why do Dachshunds Howl & How to Manage It? – Short Answer
Dachshunds howl due to separation anxiety, boredom, attention-seeking, environmental triggers, or ancestral instincts linked to their hunting background. To manage it, use positive reinforcement, DSCC techniques, interactive toys, and ensure a calm environment to reduce excessive vocalisation.
Ancestral Roots: Why Dachshunds Are Naturally Vocal
To truly understand why Dachshunds love to howl, we have to look back at their history, which dates back centuries. These dogs were originally bred in Germany for a specific purpose—to hunt prey like badgers. Their name, dachshund, literally translates to “badger dog” in German, and their unique traits—elongated bodies, sharp senses, and a fearless nature—made them ideal for tracking and hunting burrowing animals. This ancestral background plays a significant role in understanding why they are so vocal today.
They inherited these tendencies from their ancestors, the wolves, who in the wild used howling as a form of communication with the pack. Dachshunds, similarly, utilise different vocalisations—including barks and howls—to convey messages and express their needs. When out hunting, they would alert their human companions by signalling the discovery of burrows or potential danger. Even though they are now domesticated, this instinctual behaviour remains strong, making them more prone to being noisy than other breeds.
Top Reasons Why Dachshunds Howl
Environmental Triggers and Excitement
Dachshunds are known for their bold personalities and sharp senses, and howling can often be traced back to simple environmental cues. Whether it’s a car horn, doorbell, or dog barking nearby, these pups often react vocally. Their ears are always on high alert, making them more sensitive to sounds we might ignore.
Sometimes, the howling is just an outlet for their excitement or alertness rather than distress. This is especially true when your miniature dachshund suddenly lets out a howl while playing or hearing noises outside.
Separation Anxiety in Bonded Companions
Another major reason for excessive howling is separation anxiety. Dachshunds are highly bonded with their humans and can become deeply anxious when separated. We noticed our pup began pacing and howling non-stop whenever we left the house, especially without warning.
Solutions like breaking routines, arranging doggie daycare, consulting your veterinarian for anti-anxiety medications, or even hiring a pet sit service can help. A phased approach to increasing spending long periods away from your pup can gradually reduce these outbursts. Young puppies are particularly prone to this because they’re used to being around other dogs constantly.
If you’re unsure how much of this is normal—Are Dachshunds Naughty? is a great place to start for understanding their behavior baseline.
Boredom and Lack of Stimulation
Dachshunds are extremely active dogs, and if left unstimulated, they’ll get bored and turn to howling. A bored dachshund may try to entertain itself by vocalizing, especially if it’s older and less interested in active play. This is also common among dogs that struggle with boundaries or social harmony—Do Dachshunds Get Along with Other Pets? often becomes a concern in such cases.
Adding interactive playtime, rotating new toys to chew and explore, and even switching routine can help.
A fun tip: set up small agility courses in your backyard. It helps keep them active, sharp, and most importantly, entertained—which significantly cuts down on unwanted vocalizations.
Attention Seeking Behavior
Often, your dog’s howling is their way of yelling, “pay attention to me!” From whining, barking, to full-on howls, these behaviors are typically aimed at grabbing your attention for food, toys, or treats. For many new owners, it’s a surprise and leads them to ask, Why Do Dachshunds Bark?—a helpful guide if your pup is unusually vocal.
Teaching your dachshund the difference between effective and ineffective communication is key. Start by rewarding good behavior and ignoring the outbursts. Over time, your dog will learn that howling isn’t the ticket to everything they want.
Health Issues and Physical Discomfort
Sometimes, howling can be a cry for help. Dogs communicate with sound when they’re in pain, and dachshunds, like other canines, are susceptible to obesity, joint diseases, and heart problems. Families with children should be particularly cautious here—Are Dachshunds Good with Children? can help assess if this breed is a good fit for your household dynamic.
If your pup jumps off the couch or bed and yelps, they might have joint issues. Always observe for physical signs like limping, excessive drooling, heavy panting, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If something feels off, it’s wise to schedule a checkup and rule out underlying health issues. I once found my dachshund dog sick, curled beside me, and a quick visit to the vet confirmed early signs of back discomfort.
Canine Instinct and Natural Behavior
Finally, howling in Dachshunds is often rooted in canine instinct. Passed down from their ancestors, the wolf, howling is a natural instinct used to communicate across long distances with the pack, letting others know their whereabouts and maintaining social relationship. So when your dog joins a chorus of howls with other dogs in the neighborhood or the park, it’s just ancient instinct kicking in.
It can be fascinating to witness, especially when your dog responds to a siren or a distant bark. They may also howl in danger alerts, triggered by a knock, a turning door handle, or when they feel threatened inside the house—fueled by their strong guardian instincts and need to communicate any unusual situation.
Behavioral Solutions
Understanding DSCC: A Long-Term Fix
DSCC (Desensitization and Counterconditioning) is one of the most effective behavioral techniques used to address excessive howling in dachshunds, especially when the issue is tied to a specific trigger like sirens, loud noises, or fireworks.
This technique doesn’t just focus on changing the behavior but also shifts the emotional response your dog has to that trigger. If your dachshund feels afraid, anxious, or stressed, simply teaching them to “be quiet” isn’t enough. You need to change how they feel—and that’s where DSCC shines.
How Desensitization Works
With desensitization, the goal is to gradually expose your dachshund to a low-intensity version of the trigger until they stop reacting to it. For instance, if your doxie gets anxious due to emergency vehicle sirens, start with a quiet, shorter-lasting version of that sound.
Over time, you increase the intensity as your dog builds tolerance. It’s important to be patient—this process might take weeks or even months, but the progress, when done correctly, is well worth the effort. We’ve seen dogs go from reacting instantly to barely lifting their head after dedicated DSCC training.
What Is Counterconditioning?
Counterconditioning pairs that same trigger with something positive—like a favorite treat that your dachshund only receives in that situation. The goal is to shift the emotional association from negative to positive. With enough repetition, your pup begins to expect something good when the trigger appears, such as praise, chews, or playtime.
This not only reduces howling but creates a neutral or even happy response to what was once a stressful experience.
Basic Commands and Boundaries
Sometimes, if there’s no serious underlying trigger, simple obedience training can go a long way. Teaching your dachshund the “quiet” command (or in our case, we prefer the word “enough”) can redirect their vocalisation into more acceptable behavior.
Use positive reinforcement like treats, praise, and calm encouragement whenever your pup stays quiet. Be consistent and patient. Over time, your dachshund will associate quiet time with rewards and understand what’s expected.
Creating a Calm and Safe Space
Another effective approach is to design a calming environment for your pup. Some dachshunds are particularly sensitive to changes or external sounds, which may lead to anxiety-related howling. Reduce exposure to stressors such as thunderstorms or parties, and instead provide comfortable rest areas with soft blankets, bedding, or a crate your dog considers their safe space.
Our own crate training journey with our dachshund has proven that when a dog has a dedicated space they trust, they howl less and feel more secure throughout the day.
Soothe with Sounds: Music and White Noise
Sometimes, calming music or white noise can work wonders, especially during trigger-heavy events like fireworks season. Playing gentle tunes or running a white noise machine helps mask disturbing sounds and gives your dachshund something consistent to focus on. It’s a small adjustment that can bring huge relief, particularly when combined with other behavioral solutions.
Final Thoughts
Howling is a normal dog behavior deeply written in your dachshund’s genes. If it’s just an occasional occurrence, there’s no need to stop it—it can be quite lovely having a pup that likes to sing. But if your dog starts howling in ordinary situations, you should identify the cause. Check for injuries, pain, and consult a vet if needed.
If the howling becomes continuous due to attention-seeking, separation anxiety, or environmental triggers, spend quality time with your doxie, offer toys, or try DSCC methods. It’s also worth exploring perspectives like Why Are Dachshunds Considered the Worst Breed? to understand the breed bias and behavioral misconceptions out there.
Avoid yelling, physical punishment, or control collars—these don’t address the root of the problem. For stubborn cases, a professional animal behaviorist or dog trainer can help.
FAQ’s
What does it mean when my dachshund howls?
Dachshunds often howl for many different reasons, such as trying to get your attention, communicate with other dogs, alert you to danger, or as a response to a high-pitched sound. But if your typically quiet dog suddenly starts howling, it’s important to consult your vet to make sure they aren’t hurt or sick.
Why does my dachshund howl with me?
Howling is a form of vocal communication commonly used by dachshunds to attract attention, make contact with others, or announce their presence. Sometimes, they also howl in response to high-pitched sounds like emergency vehicle sirens or musical instruments, driven by natural instincts passed down from their wild ancestors.
Why are Dachshunds vocal?
High-pitched, repetitive barks usually show excitement or attention-seeking, while deep, aggressive barks suggest your dog senses a perceived threat. Growling can mean discomfort, fear, or aggression, and changes in intensity or pitch often reveal your dog’s emotional state. Understanding these cues can help you better interpret what your dachshund is trying to communicate.
What does it mean when a dog howls?
When a dog howls, it’s often a form of vocal communication used to attract attention, signal distress, respond to high-pitched sounds (like sirens or music), or connect with other dogs—a behavior inherited from their wolf ancestors.
