Do Dachshunds Like To Cuddle? 11 Things You Should Know

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Given the small size of dachshunds, you can easily pick them up and have a much needed cuddle session with them. You really enjoy being close to them and cuddling, but how do they feel about cuddling?

Are Dachshunds Cuddly?

How interested in cuddling a dachshund is has a lot to do with their experiences with cuddling in their adolescent years. If in their first 6 months you are very affectionate and cuddle with them often, they will likely continue to enjoy being cuddled.

In this post we uncover the major benefits of cuddling, for both you and your dachshund, why your pup may not be interested in cuddling and the #1 reason why a dachshund would not want to be cuddled.

Let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

Do Dachshunds Like To Cuddle?

How much a dachshund enjoys cuddling is largely due to how often they were cuddled as a young pup.

If you’re thinking about adopting a dachshund puppy, so long as you cuddle them and give lots of physical affection, there’s a good chance they’ll enjoy being close to you their entire life.

If you’re adopting an older dachshund and you’re not sure if they were cuddled as a pup you may have to work at helping them enjoy cuddling.

You might not be able to get them to cuddle for long periods of time in the beginning. But with lots of treats, kisses and reassurance, they’ll likely come around.

Do Dachshunds Like To Be Held?

Similarly to enjoying being cuddled, whether a dachshund likes to be held will depend a lot on their puppy years.

Positive experiences as well as negative experiences stay with a dog for many years after.

And if you want to change their behavior it will take some training.

For the most part, dachshunds don’t have a problem being held.

This is because since they were young they were likely held a lot due to their small size.

*Important note: Whenever carrying your dachshund, remember to place support under their belly.

Because of their long torso, if you don’t support their spine it can cause them to have back problems early in life.*

Top 5 Reasons Why Cuddling Is Great For Both You & Your Dachshund

1) Makes You Both Feel Better (Literally)

Bonding with your pup in a good ol’ fashioned cuddle session has been proven to increase levels of serotonin while also decreasing levels of cortisol.

Put simply, serotonin is a happiness hormone.

The more serotonin in a person’s body, the more happy and improved well-being they’ll experience and vice versa if they have less serotonin.

Cortisol is the stress hormone.

If a person has spikes of cortisol in their system they’ll feel heightened levels of stress and if their cortisol levels are lowered they’ll feel less stress.

Having your dachshund sit on your lap while you’re reading or watching T.V. will help both of you release serotonin and make you both feel better.

2) Promotes Bonding

Cuddling helps promote as well as solidify your bond.

Quality 1-on-1 time is super important in order to maintain your bond with your pup.

If you’re working all the time and don’t make time for your dachshund, they’ll feel neglected and upset.

While all dogs love a good treat now and then, their real love language is quality time!

And with more quality time spent with your pup, your bond will only grow stronger.

Making time to cuddle on the couch or in bed will help your relationship which both you and your dachshund will appreciate.

3) Helps To Unwind

After a long day at work for you, and a long day of waiting for you to come home for your pup, cuddling can help both of you relax after your long days.

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a good nightly cuddle session with your pup can help you slow things down.

Petting and cuddling with your dog has actually been scientifically shown to slow your heart rate, reduce your blood pressure and improve your heart rate variability (your ability to respond to stress).

What better way to unwind after a long day than a good cuddle with your pup.

4) Helps Fight Depression

With mental health being an increasingly important subject being discussed, it’s important to know different ways to combat negative emotions you might be feeling.

And cuddling with your dachshund is one action that can definitely help you fight depression, as well as help your dog fight depression!

A dog’s unconditional love can make you feel special in a world with so many uncertainties.

If you’re feeling blue, take some time to get comfortable with your pup.

A few pets here, a few kisses there and maybe even a play session after cuddling and the only thing you can think about is how much you love your pup.

5) There’s No Downside

Aside from your pup maybe letting out some gas while you’re cuddling, there’s really no downside to doing it!

Many things in life are great in some ways but also have some downside to them.

When it comes to cuddling with your dachshund, there really aren’t any downsides.

You better your bond, reduce stress and release happiness hormones, and help you both fight depression and better your mental states.

If cuddling with your dog was bottled and sold at the pharmacy I’d be willing to bet they’d always be sold out!

6 Possible Reasons Why Your Dachshund Doesn’t Enjoy Cuddling

1) Bad History With Humans

If your dachshund doesn’t want to cuddle and you didn’t adopt your dachshund right from puppyhood, their experience with humans may not have been the best.

If a dog was unfortunate enough to have a previous owner that abused them, it will take them longer to trust a new owner.

It’s absolutely nothing against you.

And everything to do with the emotional trauma that your pup has gone through.

Also, it could be much less severe, and that their previous owner(s) simply weren’t interested in cuddling with their dog.

And because of this your dachshund isn’t used to this form of bonding/affection.

Each experience will require time and patience on your hand to help them overcome their fear/discomfort and begin to enjoy a good cuddle.

2) They’re Sick/Injured

When you’ve been sick or injured in the past, chances are you’ve wanted your space and not to be close to anyone until you’re feeling better.

This could be the reason why your pup isn’t interested in cuddling.

If they’re recently hurt themselves or have been feeling off lately, this can make them act in ways that aren’t ‘normal’ for them.

It’s best to give them their space and cater to them only as needed. It’s nothing against you, they simply need time and maybe some medicine to help them heal and get back to normal.

3) They’re Older Now

As a dog ages, they have new aches and pains, get uncomfortable easier, and may not find certain things enjoyable that they once did.

For example, an older dog is more bothered by being overly warm than a young pup.

Because of this they may choose to not cuddle and be close to you for long periods of time as they find the extra warmth uncomfortable.

They may also need to lie down in a certain position to avoid any joint, back or hip pain.

Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) which consists of having back problems.

So if your dachshund is less interested in cuddling now that they’re older, it could be that what was once comfortable simply isn’t anymore.

4) Feelings Of Being Trapped

Your dachshund may not enjoy cuddling because it makes them feel trapped.

Since they’re small dogs, simply an arm overtop of them could make them feel confined.

And almost anything on planet earth that feels trapped wants to be free.

This could also be a result of too much pent up energy.

If your pup has been home alone all day without any exercise, they may feel uneasy sitting still and cuddling.

Try playing with them for a little while, burning off some of their excess energy and seeing if that helps them relax and cuddle.

5) All Dogs Are Different

Some dogs may simply not enjoy being cuddled!

It may have nothing to do with you entirely and everything to do with them simply not enjoying that type of closeness.

Some dogs are much more independent where they enjoy being on their own and having their own space.

Others would be attached at your hip all day if you let them!

It would be great if you could ask your furry friend why they don’t enjoy it but unfortunately that’s not possible. Yet…

6) You’re Not Their Chosen Alpha/Leader

Dachshunds were bred to be hunting dogs.

This means it’s instinctive for them to be more attached to one person than the rest.

It doesn’t mean they aren’t able to love other people in their family.

It just means they will likely hold one person a little closer in their heart than others.

And if in their early, formative years you weren’t feeding them, spending quality time with them or taking them for walks, that could be why they aren’t interested in cuddling with you.

You can always start doing these things to get yourself some points with them, but you may never be number 1 to them (sorry).

Final Thoughts

Dachshunds can definitely be cuddly pups. But there are certain things that might be putting them off from cuddling.

Be sure to take the reasons why they may not be interested in cuddling that we listed above into consideration. You don’t want to force a cuddle, then it’s not enjoyable for either of you!

Other posts you might find interesting:

12 Best Dog Beds for Dachshunds

Can Dachshunds Live & Sleep Outside? 6 Risks + 6 Tips

Can Dachshunds Be Left Alone? (Quick Answers + Tips!)

8 Ways Dachshunds Make Great Apartment Dogs + Tips

Top 5 Reasons Dachshunds Can Make Great Service Dogs