How To Deal With Separation Anxiety In Dachshunds

One of the challenges we faced when our dachshund was a puppy was separation anxiety, as we found that any time he would be left alone (even for only a few minutes) he would cry, howl and screech the house down like he was being abandoned and in his puppy pen he would stress poop (and at times eat it too!!). So for the sake of our neighbours, and our own personal guilt at hearing him upset, this was something we had to get on top of sooner rather than later.

Separation anxiety in dogs can be defined as your dog displaying distress, agitation or depression when being left on their own, which typically manifests itself as either disruptive, upsetting or destructive behaviour.

Signs of separation anxiety in dachshunds

Dachshunds can display separation anxiety in a number of ways, similar to other dogs. The main way that our dachshund displayed anxious behaviour when being left alone was excessive barking and howling, which often sounded like a higher pitched screech.

Some dachshunds may also display destructive behaviour such as chewing and biting furniture, their own bedding, toys, or other household items.

They may also have “accidents” in the house, even if they are already toilet trained.

Causes of separation anxiety in dachshunds

Some of the main causes of separation anxiety in dachshunds includes over attachment to their owners and also lack of socialisation. This is especially typical in puppies and young dogs that may not have been exposed to many other situations yet, and be unfamiliar with being left on their own.

Changes in routine or environment can also sometimes trigger separation anxiety. This was something we found to be true when our dachshund was being looked after by my parents, in a house that he is less familiar with, and he reacted in a very similar way to being left on his own, even though he had on the whole got over the issue of being left alone by that point.

Less commonly, they may have experienced a traumatic event and associate this with being left alone.

Tips for preventing separation anxiety in dachshunds

One of the best ways to overcome or prevent separation anxiety in dachshunds is to gradually desensitise your dog to being left alone. This strategy worked well for us, and typically involves leaving your dog for a very short period of time, and then returning, and repeating this by gradually increasing the time between leaving and returning until you can successfully leave your dog for an extended period of time. We combined this strategy with rewarding the dog with a treat when we were leaving the house, so that he came to associate that with being a good thing - to the extent that he will now sit and wait for his treat when he senses that we are getting ready to leave without him.

Another way of making your dog happy with being left alone is to provide an area at home that is comfortable and enjoyable to be in, so that it is less of a distress to be left. We started crate training our dog from the very first day he came home, and while we have never shut him in the crate when we have left him alone, we leave it open and accessible with a warm bed and several soft blankets throughout the day so that this is a safe space for him to go to when he needs to chill out during the day, whether that be after walks, meals or at other times, such as when he’s left on his own. He has come to learn that this is his space and he will go there regularly during a normal day, and therefore knows he can go here when he’s left alone too. You can also provide treats or games that provide mental stimulation, such as a treat dispenser stuffed with a natural treat such as peanut butter that requires the dog to work for the treat (make sure to check that this is natural peanut butter with no additives).

Another great way to reduce separation anxiety is to make sure the dog has had a good walk prior to being left, both to exercise them to tire them out, but also allowing them to sniff for mental stimulation. A good walk should provide both enough exercise and mental stimulation to ensure that your dog is relaxed and calm when they return home.

Failing these strategies, you may want to consult a professional for advice, such as a vet or a dog behaviouralist or trainer, as they may have other recommendations of things you can try. In our opinion, medication should only really ever be used as as last resort for behavioural problems, but this may be an option to you.

Typically, the best approaches, as with many training issues with dachshunds is to be patient and be consistent. Often getting your dachshund used to a particular behaviour or situation can take time so be consistent, and apply lots of positive reinforcement and treats so that the dog starts to form positive associations with being left alone.

In summary, while it’s a frustrating issue to deal with, separation anxiety in dachshunds is totally possible to overcome with patience and trying some of the strategies listed above. It’s best to address the issue as soon as you can, as often early intervention is key to preventing learned behaviours, and always consult with a professional if you’re unsure or need further help.