Does your Dachshund refuse to do things you want them to do? Are you wondering why they are so stubborn? Here’s everything you need to know about why Dachshunds are so stubborn!
Why Are Dachshunds So Stubborn? Dachshunds are stubborn because they were originally bred to think and act independently while hunting prey. They followed their natural instincts and liked being in charge. That’s why Dachshunds ignore commands making them harder to train than other dog breeds.
Read on to find out why your Dachshund may be more stubborn than usual, and what you can do to stop them being so stubborn!
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This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
Why Is My Dachshund So Stubborn?
Dachshunds are known to be one of the most stubborn dog breeds!
Stubbornness can mean your Dachshund gets annoyed, jealous, or doesn’t listen to anything you say!
You might find that your Dachshund refuses to follow your commands, or even growls at you from time to time.
It’s common for owners to find their Dachshund stubbornly ignoring commands such as ‘Leave it!’ when picking thing up from the ground.
It’s also common for Dachshunds to be stubborn when out on a walk. This includes trying to pull hard on the leash or refusing to walk at all!
Here are the main reasons why Dachshunds are so stubborn:
Dachshunds are hunting dogs
Dachshunds have genetic traits that make them more prone to having a stubborn streak.
They were originally bred for hunting, and used to burrow down into the earth in pursuit of their prey.
Dachshunds have an instinctual, powerful drive for chasing prey. They were bred to go after what they want and not to stop until they got it.
This common trait has made them naturally stubborn!
Dachshunds are independent thinkers
Your Dachshund’s hunting origins mean they are very independent thinkers. They were bred to think for themselves and work out how to catch their prey.
Their independent streak can make them stubborn, as they’re inclined to want to do what they want to do!
Your Dachshund is smart enough to think for himself, which can be difficult when you want him to listen to you!
Dachshunds are courageous dogs
Your Dachshund’s ancestors would have been hunting down badgers, a dangerous mission which required courage!
Their bravery was important for the hunt, as they were bred to chase and dive into burrows after badgers.
This means your Dachshund’s stubbornness is down to his heritage! He’s naturally courageous and brave and wants to do things his own way.
Dachshunds are intelligent dogs
Dachshunds are strong-headed thinkers.
They’re smart dogs who were bred to be able to track down their prey quickly and capture it by themselves.
This means Dachshunds are very intelligent and able to think on their own.
This independent spirit gives Dachshunds their stubborn trait!
Dachshunds think they are in charge
Dachshunds were bred to hunt but also to live in groups. They would have been the alpha in this group.
So your Dachshund might think they’re the alpha of your pack too.
This’ll make him very stubborn because he naturally thinks he’s in charge!
Why Is My Dachshund Being More Stubborn Than Usual?
If you notice any sudden changes in your Dachshund’s behaviour, including increased stubbornness, there may be a reason for it.
It’s important to be aware that if your Dachshund is being significantly more stubborn than usual, he may have a health problem.
If you have any concerns about your Dachshund’s health or behaviour, contact your vet for advice.
Here are some reasons why your Dachshund might be acting more stubborn than usual:
Injury
Sometimes Dachshunds can refuse to move or do things because they’re in pain.
So if your Dachshund is being more stubborn than normal, he might be hurting in some way.
If your Dachshund is refusing to walk on his leash or come to your call, he could be injured.
Or, iIf he’s suddenly snapping or growling when you try to touch him, this could also be due to an injury or even Intervertebral Disc Disease or IVDD.
So, if you think your Dachshund’s stubbornness is a result of pain, contact your vet immediately for advice.
Health problem
Your Dachshund may have developed an underlying health issue which you aren’t aware of.
Health problems can sometimes cause a change in a Dachshund’s behaviour and increase their stubbornness.
Again, it’s a good idea to visit your vet to have your Dachshund checked out!
Scared or anxious
Your Dachshund might be feeling scared or anxious for some reason or another. There could be fireworks or loud bangs outside for example.
This could make him more reluctant to listen to you because he’s distracted by something else.
Try to figure out if there’s anything in particular which might be scaring your Dachshund and causing him to act out.
Recognise the other signs of fear or anxiety in your Dachshund too. This might include trembling, whining, or trying to hide out of the way.
Stubbornness during walks could also be a result of your Dachshund’s anxiety about his surroundings.
Feeling threatened
Your Dachshund may be feeling threatened. This could temporarily distract him and therefore stop him listening to you.
If your Dachshund feels like he’s being threatened, perhaps by another person or dog, he might start ignoring you or barking.
Change in environment
If there’s some change to your Dachshund’s environment, perhaps a house move, new partner, or a new dog or cat, this may affect your Dachshund’s behaviour.
Your Dachshund might react by being more stubborn and listening to you less.
So try to work out if there has been any change in your Dachshund’s daily routine or environment that may have upset him.
Dachshunds will often push boundaries to see what they can get away with!
How To Stop A Dachshund Being So Stubborn
With consistent training, it’s possible to help your Dachshund become less stubborn and listen to you more!
Here are the best ways to stop your Dachshund being so stubborn:
Make time for training
If you want your Dachshund to stop barking, biting or refusing to walk, then you have to work on it consistently every day. Undesirable behaviours won’t change without work!
So make time each day to continue your Dachshund’s training as this will benefit him greatly. It’s fun for you and for him and helps build that special bond too.
The only way you’re going to get him to be less stubborn is if you train that behaviour out of him – and make it fun too!
Make sure you reward
The best way to create a stronger bond is through positive reinforcement training. Any time your Dachshund does something which you wanted him to do, reward him.
The vast majority of Dachshunds are motivated by rewards. You can use treats or affection to praise your Dachshund for performing the right behaviour.
If your Dachshund does something you don’t want him to do, like barking at strangers on walks, start training him to replace this behaviour with a new one. For example, you could train him to look at you instead, and then reward him when he does.
This straightforward communication starts to show your Dachshund what they will be rewarded for. And helps them to understand what you want from them too.
The more your Dachshund understands what you want and that you’ll reward them for good behaviour, the more they’ll want to do these things to please you.
Be positive
Establishing a strong positive reinforcement routine and communication route with your Dachshund will be much more effective than punishment.
If you keep raising your voice at your Dachshund or getting frustrated, they might not understand what you’re asking of them – and they may lose trust in you.
Try to stay as calm as possible during training. Remember to continuously show your Dachshund what behaviour they will be rewarded for – and keep things positive!
Vary the training
Begin training in a quiet location before moving to places where there are more distractions around.
You need to train your Dachshund to listen to you even when there are exciting things going on around you.
Your Dachshund needs to be focussed on you, even when there are interesting new noises, new people, or strange smells around.
Try doing your training outside or in different places to make sure your Dachshund learns to listen to you, wherever you are. And then reward your Dachshund when he listens to your commands.
When he’s performing an undesirable behaviour, try replacing this with a new command, even when you’re outside.
Improve communication
If you’re struggling to get your Dachshund to listen to you, one of the first things you need to do is establish stronger communication.
Some Dachshunds appear to be more stubborn, simply because they don’t understand what you’re asking them to do.
If you say the command word ‘Wait!’ and the rest of your family is saying ‘Stay!’, your Dachshund may get confused and not know what to do in either situation.
Constantly getting things wrong can lead to your Dachshund feeling frustrated and confused, simply because he doesn’t know what you’re asking of him.
But your Dachshund needs to understand what you’re asking him to do in order to listen to your commands!
So make sure everyone in your family is on the same page and using the same command words each time to build better communication!
So, there you have it! Dachshunds are instinctively independent thinkers and this can make them stubborn but loveable pets. Their stubbornness can be a bit frustrating at times, but with consistent training and the use of positive reinforcement, you can get your Dachshund listening to you in no time at all!
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