Are Dachshund Puppies Good with Kids?

Dachshund puppies are adorable. Kids are adorable. But would it be a good idea to put them in the same room together? Are Dachshund Puppies Good with Kids? Are dachshund puppies good with kids? If they are introduced to them early, dachshunds are good with children in their family. The biggest issue is the dachshunds' fragile backs. The only way a dachshund can be a child's companion is if the kid is taught to be dachshund-friendly and handle them carefully to prevent back injury. Dachshunds are a breed that might not be the best for every family, but for some, they have the potential of being a blessing. Despite this, owners should be aware of what they're getting into with dachshunds, especially with care when they're children are around. Dachshund Temperament Dachshunds are scent hound dog breeds who were bred to hunt badgers and other tunneling animals, rabbits, and foxes. A pack of dachshunds was even used to trail wild boar! Today, they are very affectionate. Like all dogs, dachshunds are very loyal to their owners, and they have a very energetic, loveable personality. All dachshunds like to dig, thanks to their hunter breeding roots. Some claim that they are highly destructive. Because of their lineage, dachshunds are very courageous despite their small size. They can make good watchdogs, but they are very territorial, and they love to bark. A lot. Some may be aggressive toward strangers and other dogs, so be sure to supervise those situations. The dachshunds high energy level would mix well with kids' energy levels. Dachshunds love to chase things: birds, small animals, balls, anything that moves. They would be good paired with children who love to run around. Because of their energy level, dachshunds need to be exercised every day. It can be as simple as a 30-minute walk outside or letting them play in the park. Dachshunds are a breed that wants things to go their way whenever they want it. Training them isn't impossible, but it takes a lot of patience. The best way to train them is by finding what motivates them, such as toys or food, and using that as a reward during training sessions. Looking to potty train them? Wanting to stop them from barking at everything that passes by on the street? Good luck with that! Patience is key. Behaviors Around Children Dachshunds are very gentle with kids. However, they can get very jealous when it comes to getting attention. It's very important to stop any jealous behaviors as soon as you notice them so they don't become habits. The best way for a dachshund to become acquainted with your children is if it's done young. It's the same with every dog breed. Friendliness towards people and other pets needs to be done through socialization as a pup, else they may avoid or become aggressive toward strangers. Socialization is VERY crucial to how a dachshund will view others in the future. Failure to give them the socialization they need will cause aggression towards strangers or anyone who isn't their owner. Behaviors for Your Children Like I said earlier, dachshunds are the sausage dog breed. Because of their long backs, they can develop back problems or can be easily injured. Owners and children need to handle them carefully and be very mindful of their back. If you're planning on getting a dachshund, then you and especially your children need to know how to handle them properly. You should teach them to only pet or hold a dachshund when they're sitting down. If they were to try and pick up one of those wiggly little creatures, they could drop them and accidentally hurt them. If you are going to allow your child to hold a dachshund, then you need to teach them the right way to pick them up and put them down so it doesn't strain or hurt their back. Teach your child the right way to pick up a dachshund, showing how to be mindful of its back. The most important thing to remember is proper support of the dachshund's back while you hold it and not let its lower body dangle, as it can be uncomfortable for them. Once they're done, teach them to gently put them back on the ground. It's really important to teach them not to drop (even if a couple inches from the ground) or gently heave them back to the ground. With other dog breeds, they'd come out fine from those things, but dachshunds need to be completely on the ground before letting go. Dachshunds have very short legs, so they don't have the flexibility capable of absorbing shock from landing on the ground. Even if they look like they can handle it, they really can't, and even if you accidentally do and they seem fine, the continuation of this action can cause health problems down the line. Another thing to teach a child is how to recognize any sounds of distress that a dachshund might make. Children love to push, pull, grab, and tug. While they think their playing is fine, sometimes it might make a dog uncomfortable or in pain. If they yelp, whimper, shake or get aggressive, then it's time for them to stop and back off what they're doing. Final Verdict You'd probably be better off getting a different breed as a family pet. If your children are older, then you might be able to handle adding a dachshund. However, if you have toddlers or young children, pitting them with a dachshund puts the pup at high risk of getting hurt. If you are set on getting this little breed added to your family, especially while your children are young and unaware of how their rough plays can hurt others, then supervision during their playtime is very important; never leave your dog unsupervised with a child. I will say this again: if you want your dachshund to be friendly to everyone they meet, socialization is absolutely key. If done properly, they will love your kids, your friends' kids, other dogs, and even cats. Related Questions: Are dachshund puppies good with babies? Dachshunds can be good with any child if they are treated well. With babies, dachshunds should be able to get along with them well since babies don't run the risk of accidentally injuring them. Like any dog, it's very important to supervise a puppy and a baby that are in the same room. You said dachshunds are prone to back injury. Are there other ways that I can help prevent this so they can be safer when with my kids? You can't eliminate the risk, but you can strengthen a dachshund's back to reduce the risk of injury. Hiking and agility are simple exercises that can help with this. There's also a test called "Earthdog" where you can test your dog's hunting and instinct, and that can also benefit your dog's back.