If you are considering getting a new puppy, a dachshund can seem like a good choice. But are dachshunds good with kids, or are they more suited to an adult-only home? Let’s find out!
Are Wiener Dogs Good Pets?
Dachshunds are fun-loving, loyal and intelligent and make great pets. They are easy to train, particularly when using reward-based training techniques. They have moderate exercise needs and you will need to spend time walking them at least twice a day to maintain good health.
Wiener dogs like to be part of the action, and you will find that your little sausage dog is always nearby when something is going on! They will become bored and frustrated if not kept mentally stimulated, making them a bad choice if you need a dog that will be home alone for long periods of the day.
Depending on the type of dachshund you get, you may need to also spend time grooming your dog weekly or even daily. Short-haired dachshunds need minimal coat care, while wire-haired and long-haired varieties both need regular grooming. If not groomed regularly, the coat can become matted and tangled, leading to soreness and irritation of the skin.
Are Dachshunds Good With Kids?
If you have children, choosing the right type of dog is essential to create a harmonious household. Some dogs tend to be loyal to just one person and may become protective or over-possessive in a large family household. Other dogs will bond with anybody and do not tend to show any preference for a favorite person.
When choosing a dog to keep in a family home, finding one that is good with children is essential. The dog needs to be level-headed, even-tempered, and not easily provoked. It is also a good idea to select a breed that does not have possessive tendencies, this can cause issues within your family.
Many people keep a dachshund with kids without any issues, and these dogs tend to thrive as part of a busy family household. Most dachshunds are good with kids, but it will depend on whether they have been socialized with children from a young age. Meeting and getting to know children should be part of any puppy’s socialization training.
If socialization is not carried out, adult dogs can become nervous or wary when they first encounter a child or baby. So if you are considering getting an older dachshund, it is a good idea to allow it to meet your children first to give you an opportunity to see how they interact.
When keeping any type of dog with children, it is vital that any contact is supervised until the children are old and responsible enough to be safely left alone with the dog. During any contact between your dog and children, take care to observe your dogs body language.
If you feel your dog is at all uncomfortable with the situation, then separate the dog from the child. Reward based training can help your dog feel more comfortable around children, but this will take time and patience.
It is also a good idea to teach your children to recognize when the dog feels uncomfortable with the situation. This will help the child to learn when to step away from the dog and leave it alone. If this body language is ignored and the dog continues to be provoked, there is a chance that it may attempt to snap at or bite the child.
Are Dachshunds Friendly?
A well-socialized dachshund is one of the friendliest dogs you will ever come across! These little dogs are fun-loving, sociable and love to spend time with humans. Once a dachshund joins your family, you’ll certainly never be lonely!
Dachshunds provide the perfect mix of fun loving active time and relaxed cuddle time. They like to wrap themselves in blankets and snuggle up to their favorite humans. They also like to spend time with other dachshunds, and you will often find that they sleep together in a pile of cute sausage dogs.
Are Dachshunds Protective?
Some dachshunds can become over protective which may cause behavioral issues. They may be protective over the entire family or one certain family member in particular. An over protective dachshund may lash out if their favorite person is approached by another human or dog.
To prevent this from happening, good socialization training should take place from a young age. This will accustom the dog to interacting with many different people and other dogs. A well socialized dog will not become protective as they feel comfortable around strangers.
Are Dachshunds OK With Other Pets?
Dachshunds are generally OK with other pets, but as with aspect of dog behavior, good socialization training is vital. Taking your dachshund puppy to puppy training classes gives you the opportunity to teach your new pup how to interact with other dogs appropriately.
In the past, dachshunds were used as hunting dogs to flush out prey such as badgers and rabbits from their dens. Many dachshunds still retain this chasing instinct and may chase other pets, particularly ones smaller than them. For this reason, some dachshund owners struggle to keep their dogs in the same home as cats.
Summary – Are Dachshunds Good With Kids?
So, as we have learned, most dachshunds are good with kids, but it will depend on whether they have been socialized with children from a young age. Meeting and getting to know children should be part of any puppy’s socialization training, as otherwise, adult dogs can become nervous or wary when they first encounter a child or baby. Many dachshunds will form close emotional bonds with all members of their human family, both children and adults.
We would love to hear your thoughts on whether dachshunds are good with kids! Is your dachshund absolutely devoted to your children and you find that they are virtually inseparable? Or maybe you have an adult dachshund that is very wary of children and babies and you have some questions about how to resolve this? Leave a comment below and we will get back to you!
