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You got a dachshund because you wanted a furry friend for your family, but you didn’t realise you were adopting such a needy and clingy family member! Is it something you’re doing to make them so needy? Or are there other reasons that might be the cause for this behavior?
Why Are Dachshunds So Needy:
Oftentimes dachshunds are so needy because they’ve unknowingly been trained to behave this way. Many dachshund owners will shower their dachshund with love and attention from an early age. This results in dachshunds developing a habit of this needy and clingy behavior.
In this post you’ll discover the main reasons why your dachshund is so needy (#5 was news to me!) as well as things you can do to help reduce your dachshunds’ neediness/clinginess.
Let’s jump right in!
Table of Contents
Top 9 Reasons Your Dachshund Is So Needy And Clingy
1) They Crave Your Attention
When your dachshund was just a little pup, odds are you gave them an overflowing amount of love and affection.
Whether it was constant cuddles, picking them up and holding them, or playing with them whenever you had some free time available.
This sort of attention has become their baseline.
And now you’ve unintentionally created this clingy little monster who shadows your every move and paws at you for pets as soon as you stop.
Or, your work schedule has changed which ultimately changes your dachshunds schedule.
They got used to having you around for a certain amount of time and now that that’s changed, they’re more needy when they get time with you.
There’s nothing wrong with your pup, they’ve simply gotten used to a certain amount of your attention that they want to continue getting.
Related Reading: 10 Best Toys To Entertain Your Dog | Boredom Buster Toys
2) They’re Getting Older
Your dachshunds’ sudden neediness could be related to their age.
If your pup is getting closer to their senior years, they may start to slow down and become more needy.
Basic, everyday things that they used to be able to do with ease are now starting to become a little difficult.
This could make them want you to cater to them a little more as they’re struggling more.
Also, as they start to slow down, they may enjoy hovering around you and cuddling more because their energy levels are getting lower.
They used to enjoy running, jumping and playing more but now might just want to follow you around and be close to you. This might be their new idea of fun.
Related Reading: 12 Best Dog Beds for Dachshunds: The Ultimate 1-Stop Resource
3) They’re Uncomfortable/Afraid
If your dachshund sees you as the pack leader, when they’re uncomfortable or afraid they’ll cower behind you.
Whether it’s loud noises (like thunder or construction), fear of being hurt by people or objects, or an unwanted situation like going to the vet or the groomers, your dog may start acting needy/clingy in these situations.
Much of the time you might feel your dachshund is being a little drama queen or king as you know there’s nothing to worry about.
But to them, they’re unsure of what’s going on which makes them uncomfortable or afraid. And because of this they may act needy or cling to you like velcro.
4) They Have Separation Anxiety
If your dachshund had a troubling past, they may have separation anxiety which is making them behave rather needy.
If they were abused, isolated or abandoned, these events have emotionally scarred your poor pup. This makes them act very needy around you because they love you and don’t want to be hurt again.
If you notice they behave badly in your absence often, this is another indicator that they have separation anxiety.
Being needy and clingy while you’re around but then also destructive, loud, going to the bathroom inside frequently, or even harming themselves in an attempt to escape to find you.
If any of these situations happens often, there’s a good chance your pup has separation anxiety.
If your dachshund has separation anxiety it’s a good idea to have a professional help you train them out of it.
It’s one of the more difficult things to help a dog overcome so attempting to help them on your own is likely not the best idea.
Related Reading: 7 Ways To Eliminate Your Dogs Anxiety, Shyness Or Fear
5) It’s a Dachshund Thing
Your dachshund could be clingy simply because they’re a dachshund!
Dachshunds were bred to be hunting dogs. This means it’s natural for them to get incredibly attached to a single person.
That person is their leader and partner in all life’s adventures.
Also, their small bodies and legs make them generally a more needy dog.
They’re prone to IVDD which is a back condition that more than 40% of all dachshunds get at some point in their life.
Jumping on and off the couch, running up and down stairs, certain things that other breeds of dogs can do with no issue, could create back problems for your dachshund.
It’s mostly because their long bodies make it so when they put weight on 2 of their legs, it’s too much for them to handle.
If they repeat certain actions too many times they could get hip or elbow dysplasia or IVDD.
So if they’re in pain and need your assistance to get on and off things or up and down the stairs, it’s quite common for dachshunds.
6) They’re Bored
Very much like a child, if your dachshund is bored, they could act out by being needy or clingy.
Dogs have a very limited ability to amuse themselves, they need a partner to play with.
And if it’s been a while since their last walk and their energy is starting to build up, they may act needy around you to try and get you to play with them.
You could try increasing the amount of time you play with your dachshund on a daily basis and see how they behave after the change.
This might tire them out more which leaves them with less energy to be clingy or needy towards you.
Related Reading: 13 Best Mind Stimulating Dog Toys: Features & Benefits
7) If a Female – They’re In Heat
If your female dachshunds’ neediness/clinginess is a new behavior, it could be because they’re in heat.
When a dog is in heat they can have some personality changes. One being that they become more clingy and want more love and affection.
They can also become rather grumpy at times so be on the lookout for that as well.
But while they’re in heat, they may be more needy because they’re in discomfort from being frustrated.
If this is the case for your dachshund, don’t worry. Their neediness/clinginess will subside and they’ll go back to their normal selves.
A dog in heat goes through 4 cycles.
The first 2 stages are when they’re the most agitated which last roughly 9 days per cycle. So if your dachshund being in heat is the reason for their new behavior, it should only last roughly 18 days.
8) Isolation
Neediness can come from isolation in two ways.
One, they were isolated as a pup and now that they have you and love you so much, they’re needy with your attention because they care so much about you.
Or two, they don’t handle being home alone for roughly 8 hours each day while you’re at work very well.
Dachshunds, and all dogs for that matter, are very social animals. So when they spend any prolonged periods of time isolated, it takes a toll on them.
Some dogs who have had too much attention at a young age or went through traumatic events can even develop separation anxiety from being isolated too much.
Related Reading: Can Dachshunds Be Left Alone? (Quick Answers + Tips!)
9) They’re In Pain/Unwell
Another possibility is that your dachshund is in pain or not feeling well.
In this situation, they may act more needy than clingy.
What I mean by that is that they may need your help to do more things if they’re in pain or ill.
But they likely won’t act clingy. Many dog’s don’t want to show that they’re in pain or not well.
So if your dachshund is acting more needy than usual, but isn’t acting clingy, they may not be feeling well.
In this instance it would be best to take them to the vet to see what’s going on.
Final Thoughts
Your dachshund could be needy for a variety of reasons.
Some are unknowingly trained by you, others are things they’re going through.
Some are nothing to worry about and others require your attention.
Dachshunds can definitely be trained to become less needy if it’s important to you.
All you need is the right guidance on how to train them to become more independent (along with a lot of love and patience).
Other posts you might find interesting:
Top 12 Best Harnesses For Dachshunds
17 Surprising Reasons Why Dachshunds Lick So Much + Tips
Top 9 Reasons Why Dachshunds Smell + 8 Ways To Stop It
Do Dachshunds Like To Cuddle? 11 Things You Should Know