Yesterday I was at the Thousand Oaks Post Office to pick up my mail and a poster with a Dachshund, along with several other dogs, caught my eye. I picked up my mail and came back to read that next week (starting May 18th) is National Dog Bite Awareness Week.
It’s was strange that a picture of a Dachshund was prominently posted in the upper left hand corner of the poster. I had to ask myself “do Dachshunds bite?”
Now, being owner of three Dachshunds, I have to admit that I’m biased. But like all dogs, Dachshunds do bite.
I don’t think that Chloe would ever bite anything. She is the most passive loving dog we have. Molly is timid, will bark, run away and never bite unless really provoked.
Odie, on the other hand, is very protective. I fear that he would bite someone if they got too close and he wasn’t on a leash. Fortunately, our Dachshunds never have bitten anyone.
It doesn’t mean that they won’t. We’re just careful and introduce them to strangers so that they will know they are not a danger to us. Like all dogs, you really need to keep Doxies leashed and under control.
If you (and by you, I mean everyone) haven’t read the Dog Whisperer books, they’re books I believe every dog owner should read. They really explain how dogs think and after reading them you’d really know whether your dog is likely to actually bite someone or not. If your dog has even the possibility that it would bite someone its a sign that your dog needs some serious changes.
Dogs that are frightened a little or not socialized or bark a lot or even seemingly viscously insecure are different than dogs that will bite, but the differences are subtle. The books will teach you to know the difference.
Most important, dogs that will bite are dogs that aren’t having their basic needs met. And for owners that love their dogs, that’s almost scarier that the fact that they might bite someone.
@Matt you raised some really good points. I think the reason Odie may be overly protective is because of me. He senses it in me cause I fear that he might injure and I’m overly protective of him.
Like I said, the other two I don’t believe it is in their nature to bite. But I don’t have a nagging insecurity about them.
I haven’t read the Dog Whisperer books, but my wife has and tells me that I should read them. Perhaps I should take both your and my wife’s advice.
Yeah, definitely read them. They will change the way you think about your dogs in an everyday way, and a good way. They tend to cause a little guilt, but just power through it. (And I work from home and have a puppy I haven’t yet messed up, I still felt guilty!) None of us can be as perfect as he claims to be, but it’s more the general knowledge that helps.
I have found that the knowledge from his books is essential. But after you’ve read them and want to go about fixing normal problems, other dog trainers give more concrete advice that’s going to be more useful. Cesar tends to come up with very grandiose solutions to problems that are way more difficult than they need to be. And he admits he’s not a trainer, and he’s right, he isn’t.
I like the show It’s Me Or The Dog on Animal Planet. She’s a great trainer. Some of the things she does are like magic, and really work. Like the hand signal she uses for “sit.” She has the same basic beliefs as Cesar, but is more practical.
Yes they certainly do bite!
I’m a groomer, so I’ve deal with a couple of doxies that I didn’t know personally. And of course we have to do some unpleasant things such as clip nails or trim feathering on the legs. Many dogs will bite when you fuss with their legs. But for dachshunds its especially easy because their short legs are very close to their face (and my face because i’m trying to see what i’m doing). Not only will doxies bite, but its hard to prevent the biters from chomping you unless you use a muzzle. Whereas on other dogs I’m able to restrain them, get nails done asap, and avoid muzzles, with the short legs of a dachshund its hard to hold the leg in such a way that will restrain the dog and prevent a bite. Often to get things done quickly and safely you need a second person to hold the dog (many dogs need this, but for doxies its especially important because we want to avoid back injury).
As much as I’m afan of Caesar Millan, this has nothing to do with dog psychology. This has to do with a dog trying to ease discomfort in the most efficient way they know of. and it has to do with the advantage of having short legs their face being so close to their legs (and the groomer’s face!).
Of course I don’t speak for other occasions when a doxie (or any other dog) will bite. But just saying, the grooming table is a time when many dogs will, dachshunds included.
@Tatyana, very good point of view from someone who works with dogs all day long.
Bath day is always stressful for our dogs, whether or not they go to the groomers or if we do it.
I know that I cannot trim Odie’s nails so I have the Vet trim them. Odie has very sensitive paws.
No matter how often I groom Molly, her baby-fine hair always tangles and doesn’t like them combed out. So I need to be careful.
i’m getting a doxie! i hope mine won’t bite.
I had a red short hair male and a long red female for many years. My female’s name was Molly…. and so I really enjoy your stories as I remember my dogs! Thanks for that. Red, the male, bite and attacked a large mix breed dog who ran up to Molly growling. He did not hesitate! I scooped Molly up into my arms and commanded Red to sit…no way, so I slowly backed away and he followed, growling all the way. Luckily, he was not hurt and neither was the other dog but they did bite each other. I am not sure what the dog whisperer would say, but I figured he defended his female and praised him for following me and backing off when commanded. Molly also bite a man who was at a party at a friend’s house. He walked passed her and she nipped him on the calf then sat back down as if nothing happened! Of course I scolded her and we left. A year later I heard that this same man was convicted for raping a woman. This was such strange behavior for Molly who had the sweetest disposition on earth. I now have 2 dogs I still can’t believe I have. Wally is a long hair black and tan who I got at 6 months old from doxie rescue. He was skinny, timid with little social skills. He is 4 now and quite a handsome boy with a sweet personality with a wild side. Then I got Rocky, my survivor who stole my heart. He is a short hair red minature who spent the first 6-8 years in a cage. He was close to death when I got him… it broke my heart he looks so much like my Red dog did. It has cost a fortune in vet bills, a lot of time and knowledge of the characteristics of doxies but he is now healthy, happy and no longer scared of everything. Several times, the boys have fought and bite each other. I learned a lot about having 2 male dogs but in this case it is a little different. Rocky may have been used in dog fights due to many odd looking scars he has. He is timid, most of the times, but when it comes to food and treats he is a fighter. It has become much better. They are really great friends though Rocky does not play like a dog should and that is hard for Wally to understand. So any advice anyone may have for me is great.
im geting one train it at a young age
My miniture, or tweenie to be exact, has no fear of man or beast. He is well socialized, as well as well traveled. His name is Roadster, he goes everywhere in my Miata. We belong to a car club. He is very protective of me and his house. When we are traveling, I have to tell him to behave, he usually does. He would never go after any one. But if they bother him, he will bite. He loves the people in my car club, he grew up with them. They can do anything to him. He bit his first victim at my house on a leash, the “tow truck driver”, was towing my husbands truck to the dealer. Roadster was on a leash. The guy came at me to get the keys, Roadster bit him on the ankle, I was horrified. Didn’t break the skin, left a small red mark. The guy turned him in to the dog warden, he now has a record. I adore this breed, but they are not an overly friendly dog. They love their family, are loyal beyond belief. Roadster is the love of my life. I also think the males are less friendly to strangers. I also so them on a list of biting dogs. We have to remember what they were bred for, running game to ground.
Dachshunds do bite. Not very much, only 1 out of every 4 dog bite incidents are dachshunds related; and rated the most aggressive breed.