There’s no denying that Dachshunds are adorable. But did you know that these pint-sized pooches are among the most stubborn dog breeds in the world? If you find yourself almost pulling your hair out because your Dachshund won’t do what you tell them, worry not; you’re not alone.
Dachshunds are inherently more stubborn than other dogs. This means you can have a difficult time training them because they don’t always respond to commands. But really, why is your Dachshund so stubborn? Read on to find out.
Top 6 Reasons Why Dachshunds Are So Stubborn
1. It Doesn’t Have Enough Training
Dogs don’t automatically learn to sit or roll over when you adopt them. Far from that, they have to undergo hours of training to respond to these commands appropriately.
Dachshunds, or any dog, with inadequate training, will be stubborn. It’s not the dog’s fault; they just don’t know how to respond to commands. What you think is a solid command like “sit” may not make much sense to your pet.
Admittedly, Dachshunds may not be the easiest dogs to train, but a solid training foundation will go a long way toward making your dog more obedient. Don’t be discouraged if the stubbornness persists; your Dachshund will toe the line eventually.
2. There’s No Incentive to Obey Your Commands
Your Dachshund will have no choice but to be stubborn if you’re stingy with rewards. Without an incentive to obey a command, your dog will have no reason to do so.
Rewarding your dog during training is a great way to cultivate obedience. Treats, verbal praise, or petting are all good, but a combination of these will work best.
3. They Misunderstand Your Cues
One reason why your Dachshund is so stubborn might be because of a communication barrier. It might be having a difficult time comprehending your commands.
This communication barrier mostly stems from a lack of sufficient training. It’s either that or your dog could be partially or completely deaf. If it’s the former, your dog simply needs more training.
All is not lost if you have a deaf Dachshund. You could effectively communicate through gestures and hand signs. Therefore, your dog’s inability to hear should not preclude you from training it or issuing commands.
4. Your Dog Is Stressed or Overstimulated
Our furry friends also have emotions, and when these emotions get the better of them, they’re likely to become hard-headed. Different things can make your dog feel stressed and overwhelmed. These include loud noises, suspicious visitors, unfamiliar environments, and large groups of people.
In such instances, your Dachshund will be too distracted to respond to your commands, which you’ll likely perceive as stubbornness.
Overstimulation could also be another reason why your Dachshund is stubborn. These dogs have been a product of selective breeding over decades. They were bred to fixate on their prey and cut out all other distractions.
This is inherent to their nature, and they can’t help it. When something stimulates their hunting instincts, they’ll focus 100% on that object. They’ll have no time to pay attention or respond to your commands.
5. It Doesn’t Recognize You as an Authority Figure
Like other dogs, Dachshunds have a clear social hierarchy and only obey the “alpha.” And while this is clear for most dogs, Dachshunds are genetically predisposed to living independently. So, they may not immediately recognize you as the authority figure. However, with frequent training sessions, it’ll dawn on your Dachshund that you are the boss. Only then will it start to obey your commands.
6. Dachshunds Are Fearless
Hunting involves going face-to-face with some pretty ferocious animals. Dachshunds were, and still are, primarily hunting dogs. They’ll easily face porcupines, badgers, and other animals without batting an eyelid. This courage works to your disadvantage because they’re not afraid to disobey commands. They simply want to do things their own way, and there’s little you can do about it.
How to Reduce Your Dachshund’s Stubbornness
How to Reduce Your Dachshund’s StubbornnessYes, you can make your Dachshund less stubborn, but it won’t happen overnight. The only surefire way to do so is by ensuring consistent training. Here are a couple of tips to put you on the right track.
Vary Your Training
Repeating the same training procedure is good for starters, but with time, it’s important to switch things up. You can vary the commands and even change the environment. Your dog should learn to obey your commands even with all kinds of distractions around.
Be Positive
Again, reducing your Dachshund’s stubbornness won’t happen overnight or in a week. Training your dog is a slow and grueling process, but the result will be worth it. Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole process, and don’t let frustration get the best of you. If not, you’ll end up giving up halfway.
Don’t Forget the Rewards
Rewards are the incentive your Dachshund needs to do what you tell them to. This form of positive reinforcement will go a long way toward making your Dachshund a lot more obedient. Treats are great, but be careful not to overfeed your dog.
Final Thoughts
Having a stubborn dog is not fun and shouldn’t be tolerated. Dachshunds are stubborn by nature and aren’t the easiest dogs to train. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t make great pets. Be consistent in training and show authority, and soon, you’ll have an obedient dog.
Featured Image Credit: Andrea Wong, Shutterstock
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