Dachshunds are adorable, loyal, and full of personality—but they are also notorious barkers. Originally bred as hunting dogs, they have a natural instinct to alert their owners to anything unusual, making them prone to excessive barking at people, other animals, noises, or even things that don’t move!
While some barking is normal, constant barking can become annoying and lead to frustration for both you and your pup. The good news is that with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can train your Dachshund puppy to bark less and only when necessary.
- Understand Why Your Dachshund Barks
Before you can correct excessive barking, it’s important to identify the reason behind it. Dachshunds bark for a variety of reasons, including:
✔️ Alert Barking – Reacting to sounds, people, or animals passing by.
✔️ Attention-Seeking Barking – Trying to get you to play, pet, or feed them.
✔️ Boredom Barking – Lack of mental or physical stimulation.
✔️ Fear or Anxiety Barking – Nervousness around new experiences or separation anxiety.
✔️ Territorial Barking – Defending their space from perceived threats.
Understanding why your Dachshund is barking will help you address the root cause rather than just trying to stop the noise.
- Teach the “Quiet” Command
One of the most effective ways to curb excessive barking is to teach the “Quiet” command.
How to Train “Quiet” in 5 Easy Steps:
1️⃣ Let your puppy bark a few times, then calmly say, “Quiet.”
2️⃣ Hold a treat in front of their nose to distract them.
3️⃣ When they stop barking, say “Yes!” and give the treat.
4️⃣ Repeat this process consistently—never yell or punish barking, as it can make them bark more.
5️⃣ Once they understand, start using “Quiet” without treats and reward with praise instead.
📌 Tip: If your puppy ignores you, try a gentle interruption like clapping your hands or using a squeaky toy to redirect their attention.
- Remove Barking Triggers
If your Dachshund barks at specific things, removing or minimizing triggers can help reduce the habit.
🚪 Barks at People or Animals Outside? – Use curtains or window film to block their view.
🔊 Barks at Noises? – Play white noise or calming music to mask outside sounds.
🏡 Barks at Visitors? – Teach them to go to a “quiet spot” when someone knocks.
🐕 Barks at Other Dogs? – Gradually introduce them to other dogs in controlled, positive settings.
Dachshunds are natural watchdogs, so completely stopping alert barking isn’t realistic—but reducing their exposure to triggers can help minimize excessive barking.
- Keep Your Dachshund Mentally & Physically Stimulated
A bored Dachshund is a loud Dachshund! These little dogs are incredibly smart and need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom barking.
Ways to Keep Your Dachshund Busy:
✔️ Daily Walks & Playtime – At least 30-45 minutes of exercise per day.
✔️ Puzzle Toys & Snuffle Mats – Keeps their mind engaged and prevents boredom.
✔️ Training Sessions – Teaching new commands or tricks provides mental stimulation.
✔️ Scent Work Games – Hide treats around the house and let them “hunt” for them.
✔️ Chew Toys & Treat-Dispensing Toys – Keeps them occupied when alone.
📌 Tip: A tired Dachshund is far less likely to bark out of boredom!
- Don’t Reward Barking for Attention
If your Dachshund barks to demand attention, food, or play, ignoring the behavior is key.
How to Handle Attention-Seeking Barking:
❌ Do NOT yell, scold, or give in—it reinforces the behavior.
✅ DO ignore the barking completely (turn away, avoid eye contact).
✅ DO wait until they are quiet, then reward them with attention, treats, or play.
✅ DO teach them that calm behavior gets rewarded instead of barking.
If your puppy is relentless, try giving them a chew toy or puzzle feeder to keep them occupied while you work or relax.
- Socialize Your Puppy to Reduce Fear-Based Barking
Many Dachshunds bark out of fear or insecurity, especially if they haven’t been properly socialized.
How to Socialize Your Dachshund:
✔️ Introduce them to new people, places, and sounds in a positive way.
✔️ Reward calm behavior when meeting new dogs or people.
✔️ Expose them to different environments (parks, cafes, car rides) to build confidence.
✔️ Use treats and praise to create positive associations with new experiences.
Socializing your Dachshund early and often will help them feel more secure, reducing fear-based barking.
- Use a “Bark & Quiet” Training Method
Some Dachshunds need to learn when it’s okay to bark before they can learn to be quiet.
How to Teach “Speak” and “Quiet” Together:
1️⃣ Teach “Speak” – Say “Speak!” when they bark, then reward them.
2️⃣ Teach “Quiet” – Once they stop barking, say “Quiet” and reward.
3️⃣ Practice Both Commands – This helps them learn when to bark and when to stop.
This method helps Dachshunds feel like they have a job while also learning self-control.
- Be Patient & Consistent
Training a Dachshund not to bark excessively takes time and consistency. Some puppies may take weeks or even months to break the habit, but with positive reinforcement and clear expectations, they will learn.
✔️ Stay consistent – Reward quiet behavior and ignore barking.
✔️ Be patient – Training takes time, especially with vocal breeds like Dachshunds.
✔️ Never punish barking harshly – This can lead to fear-based behaviors.
✔️ Celebrate progress! – Even small improvements should be rewarded.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy a Quieter, Happier Dachshund
Dachshunds will always be naturally vocal, but with the right training, you can reduce excessive barking and teach them when it’s appropriate to speak. By understanding why your puppy barks, using positive reinforcement, and providing proper stimulation, you can help your Dachshund become a well-mannered companion without constant barking.
Quick Recap:
✅ Teach “Quiet” using treats and praise.
✅ Minimize barking triggers (cover windows, use white noise).
✅ Keep them mentally & physically active.
✅ Ignore attention-seeking barking.
✅ Socialize your Dachshund to reduce fear barking.
✅ Be patient, consistent, and positive!
With the right approach, your Dachshund will learn to be a polite and quiet companion—without losing their fun, lively personality!
