Dachshunds have numerous good traits – they’re loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and one of the best companions you could ask for. But are dachshunds good with kids?
Yes, most dachshunds do great with kids as long as they are well trained and socialized. The breed’s lively, playful, and protective nature make them a fantastic family dog, though you’ll need to make sure your child understands how to appropriately handle and play with your dachshund.
We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to help your dachshund and kids become close friends, as well as the best ways to introduce your dog to your family.
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Is A Dachshund A Good Family Dog?
A dachshund can make a good family dog due to their loyal and protective temperament. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more observant watchdog than this breed.
They will swiftly alert you to any loud noises or suspicious activity, which can come in handy when you have kids.
Dachshunds are also high-spirited and energetic, so will happily play with children provided they are appropriately handled.
The breed enjoys chasing and playing with toys, which will not only provide your dog with hours of fun, but it will also entertain your kids!
And when your family is worn out after a long playing session with your dachshund, they will eagerly curl up on a lap for a well-deserved snooze.
Are Dachshunds Good With Babies?
Dachshunds can be good with babies, but you may need to put in a bit of training beforehand to prevent any issues with jealousy.
These dogs love and thrive on affection, often becoming extremely close to one person in their family.
However, when a new member is added to their household, dachshunds can become frustrated, envious, and sometimes snappy as they are no longer the center of attention.
It’s best to get your dog used to having a baby around before your little bundle of joy arrives.
That way, it will be less of a shock for your dog, helping reduce the chance of them acting out. It will also allow you to concentrate and focus on looking after your new arrival!
Playing baby sounds regularly can help your dog grow accustomed to the new sounds and noises your little one will make.
Additionally, make sure you put time aside to socialize and train your pooch to increase their obedience.
A good command to teach your dog is “gentle” as this will let them know when to behave or play delicately.
If you know any friends or family members with children, ask them whether you could set up a playdate with your dachshund.
This will help your companion get used to being around tiny humans and the correct way to behave.
Dachshund Personality Explained
Although small in size, Dachshunds are big in personality. They are known for their loyalty and bravery, as well as their tendency to take on dogs much larger than themselves.
The breed is an excellent watchdog due to their alertness and territorialism. They will be quick to inform you with a deep bark if they suspect anything out of the ordinary.
The majority of dachshunds are barkers, which can be a problem if you have neighbors or simply want to get some shut-eye at night!
Dachshunds are lively and playful, with a love for chasing and digging. The latter two traits stem from their hunting origins.
As they were initially bred to hunt small animals like badgers and rabbits, they have a high prey drive. For this reason, they can be difficult to house with cats, bunnies, and other small pets.
The breed is intelligent, but they are also independent and notoriously stubborn, both of which can make them challenging to train, especially when it comes to housebreaking.
They can refuse to listen to commands or adhere to rules unless you establish yourself as an authoritative figure and commit to a training routine.
Without proper socialization from a young age, the breed can be distrustful of strangers and other dogs.
They can be nippy or snappy, which is why you should allow puppies to interact with new people and canines as soon as they are old enough.
When they’re not playing or on the lookout, dachshunds enjoy nothing more than curling up with their favorite person.
They are incredibly affectionate, typically bonding with one person in their family, but that doesn’t mean they won’t seek out attention from anyone else willing to give them a belly rub or scratch behind the ears!
How to Help Your Kids And Dachshund Become Best Friends
If you’re planning on adding a dachshund to an existing household with children or you simply want to plan ahead, here’s how to help your kids and dachshund become the best of pals.
Know How to Properly Handle Your Dachshund
Due to the long length of their back, dachshunds are prone to a number of spinal issues, most notably Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
It’s important to support your dog’s back when you are picking them up or holding them to prevent injury to their fragile frame.
The best way to handle your dachshund is by putting one hand under their chest and the other hand supporting their bottom. Keep your dog’s front and back as straight as possible.
If your kids are older enough, teach them the above method to correctly hold their pet.
For especially children, it might be best to forgo handling altogether – simply place your dog on their lap while they are sitting down.
Don’t Pet/Play Too Rough
With their charming face and huggable size, it’s natural for kids (and adults!) to want to snuggle a dachshund. However, you mustn’t let your kids pet, hug, squeeze, or play too rough with your dog.
As mentioned earlier, the breed has a very delicate back and frame, so frequent mishandling could severely hurt your dachshund.
Furthermore, your four-legged friend is likely to get irritated from the constant rough play, which may prompt them to growl or snap.
Ask your kids to play with your dachshund on the floor and use gentle movements when petting/stroking.
Leave Your Dachshund to Rest While They’re Sleeping
If your dachshund has wandered off for a nap, leave them alone to get some rest. Waking your dog up suddenly will startle them, which could cause them to bite or act aggressively.
Let your kids know not to disturb your dachshund while they’re sleeping.
Don’t Touch Your Dachshund’s Food or Food Bowl
All dogs can be very protective and defensive when it comes to food as it’s part of their natural instincts.
In the wild, dogs and other animals who defend their property and possessions (food, mates, territory, etc) are more likely to survive.
Never let your kids go near your dog’s food or food bowl, especially when your dachshund is eating as it’s an accident waiting to happen.
Know When to Give Your Daschund Some Space
It’s important to know what signs to look for when your dachshund is anxious, angry, stressed, or simply just wants a bit of time to themselves.
If you notice behaviors like snapping, growling, baring teeth, pinning back ears, and slinking away from touch in your dachshund, leave them alone until they have calmed down.
Make sure your kids know these signs so they understand when to keep their distance.
How To Introduce Your Dachshund to Your Kids
Follow these steps below to help your dachshund’s and kids’ introduction to one another go as smoothly as possible!
If your dog is still fearful or distant around your children after the initial meeting, don’t worry – some dogs need a little more time to settle in than others.
Step 1
If you’re adding a dachshund with older children, it’s a good idea to let them know that your new dog will likely be anxious and scared initially.
Tell them to be patient, gentle, and quiet around your dachshund during the introduction so your new pooch doesn’t get overwhelmed.
Step 2
Ask your kids to sit down on the floor to allow your dachshund to investigate their new surroundings at their own pace.
If your dog moves over to your children, sniffs, or acts positively, be sure to reward their good behavior with a treat and some praise!
It’s important to show your dog that your kids are nothing to be afraid of and won’t hurt them.
Step 3
If your dachshund appears overly scared, nervous, or overwhelmed, allow them to escape or retreat to a safe area if necessary.
Forcing your dog to interact or socialize with new people when they don’t want to will hinder the outcome of the introduction and all future progress.
Step 4
Set up a crate or quiet area for your dachshund that they can retreat to when they feel frightened or nervous. Let your kids know not to interact with your dog in this area.
Crate training comes in useful for dachshunds as it not only provides you with a secure place to put your dog when you’re busy, but it also acts as a safe den for your pooch.
Training your dachshund to use a crate can also increase their independence and assist with housebreaking.
Step 5
Always supervise your dachshund and kids when they are playing with one another. Never leave your dog and young child unattended.
What Age Can My Kids Start Walking Our Dachshund?
Allowing your kids to walk your dachshund is beneficial for all parties involved. Not only will your children and dog have tonnes of fun together, with the bonus of getting some exercise to tire them both out, but you’ll also get a little time to yourself.
However, even though dachshunds are small dogs, they can still be quite strong and willful, especially around strangers and unfamiliar dogs.
They could easily overpower a small child and knock them over. Furthermore, a young child may get scared or overwhelmed if your dachshund acts aggressively or inappropriately around other people/dogs.
To be on the safe side, you shouldn’t let your kids walk your dachshund alone until they are at least 10 years of age.
Let your child know how to properly walk your dog and make sure they only go to familiar parks or areas.
Final Thoughts
With appropriate training and socialization, dachshunds can make fantastic family dogs. Their affectionate, playful, and lively personalities will charm both you and your kids’ hearts.
Remember to introduce your pooch to your kids slowly so you don’t cause any unnecessary stress or anxiety.
Let your children know what to expect for the first few meetings and how to correctly behave around your dachshund.
With time and patience, your dachshund and kids are likely to become best buddies!
