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Everything You Need To Know About Dachshunds And Babies!

More and more people are starting to add a dachshund to their family and this once obscure breed has managed to climb in popularity to now be the tenth most commonly kept breed in the USA.

Due to the current popularity of dachshunds as well as their popularity only increasing with no signs of slowing down, we are seeing more and more people reaching out with various questions.

One of the more serious questions that we have noticed people asking it about dachshunds and babies be it planning for the future, you already having a baby and looking to add a dachshund to your home or you having a dachshund while being pregnant.

As with all things with dogs, there is no set answer for this but we will be going through the various points that we commonly see asked below to try and help as many of our readers as possible.

Are Dachshunds Ok With Babies?

This is a question that we commonly get asked and it isn’t an easy one to answer due to there not being a definitive answer.

We have seen dachshunds that are amazing with babies and would do anything for them while other dachshunds want nothing to do with the baby in their home and others who can develop jealousy towards a baby.

It really is a case by case basis and will come down to the individual dachshund’s personality as well as how they have been trained and brought up.

The best way to try and answer this question is to think about how your dachshund reacts to other small animals or children.

If they are afraid of them or always seem to bark and snap at them, then chances are they won’t be the best around babies either.

On the other hand, if they love being around other animals or children and are always trying to play with them, then there is a good chance that they will be just fine with babies too.

Of course, even if your dachshund does like being around other animals or children, it doesn’t mean that they will be fine with babies.

Babies are a lot different to other animals and children and can cry, move around erratically and do all sorts of things that other animals or children don’t do.

This is why it is so important to take things slow when introducing your dachshund to a baby and to make sure that you are always supervising them when they are together.

Even if you think your dachshund will be fine around your baby, we would never recommend that your dachshund is ever left alone with a baby!

Are Dachshunds Good With Newborns?

Newborns are slightly different to actual babies as they are tiny, defenseless, and often crying.

The sound of the newborn crying may increase the stress and anxiety levels in your dachshund and make its behavior less predictable.

This is one of the reasons that we never recommend that a dachshund be left alone with a baby, never mind a newborn.

The main thing to focus on is socializing your pet dachshund with your baby and giving it a treat when it acts positively to your baby crying.

If your dachshund barks or acts aggressively to your baby crying, never shout at your pet dachshund as your louder volume can help to reinforce your dachshund’s belief that it is acting appropriately by barking and that you have joined in.

If your dachshund does bark when your newborn cries, simply move it to another room for a set number of minutes and then release it.

Dachshunds are a very intelligent dog breed and they will quickly be able to form the loop of the baby crying + dachshund barking = being locked in another room or its cage.

This is why positive behavior should always be encouraged and rewarded with a treat to help work on the other side of the equation of baby crying + calm and collected dachshund = treat.

How Do You Introduce A Dachshund To A Baby?

The best way to introduce a dachshund to a baby is by taking things slow and not rushing anything.

You should start off by letting your dachshund sniff around the baby’s room and getting it used to the new smells.

You can then progress to letting your dachshund see the baby from a distance and then slowly introduce them to being closer together.

It is important to make sure that you are always supervising the interactions between your dachshund and baby and to never leave them alone together.

You should also make sure that your dachshund is well-trained before introducing it to your baby as this will help to make sure that things go smoothly.

Some final tips for introducing your dachshund to a baby would be to always praise and reward good behavior, never punish bad behavior, and to take things slowly.

When done correctly, introducing your dachshund to a baby can be a very positive experience for both your dachshund and baby and it can help to create a strong bond between them.

Punishing your dachshund or shouting at it will only make the situation worse and could lead to your dachshund becoming scared or aggressive around your baby.

Always remember to take things slow, be patient, and to supervise all interactions between your dachshund and baby.

Can Dachshunds Be Trained To Be Good Around Babies?

This is another common question that we get asked and unfortunately, the answer isn’t as straight forward as we would like it to be.

The truth is that all dogs can be trained to a certain extent, but some dog breeds are more difficult to train than others.

Dachshunds, unfortunately, fall into the category of being one of the harder dog breeds to train unless there is food involved so always have some high value training treats ready to go.

This is due to their stubborn and independent nature which can make them resistant to training unless they are getting a clear reward for their time.

That being said, it is not impossible to train a dachshund to be good around babies and with patience, consistency, and the right training methods, you should be able to see some progress.

My Dachshund Is Jealous Of My Baby!

If you have noticed that your dachshund is acting differently around your baby or is seeming a bit jealous, there are a few things that you can do to help.

First of all, make sure that you are giving your dachshund plenty of attention and not neglecting it just because you have a new baby.

It is important to continue with your dachshund’s regular routine as much as possible and to make sure that it is getting plenty of exercises.

You should also try to include your dachshund in some of your baby’s activities such as reading books or playing games so that it doesn’t feel left out.

If you have tried all of these things and your dachshund is still acting jealous, it might be a good idea to speak to a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who can help you to work on the issue.

Do Dachshunds Love Kids?

A well socialised dachshund from a home that has raised it in a loving environment is far more likely to be positive towards babies and kids in the home.

If the dachshund and baby are raised together then they can quickly end up becoming best friends.

There are plenty of videos on social media showing just how inseparable dachshunds can be from a new baby in the home once they have been bonded.

Conclusion

Dachshunds can make great pets for families with babies but it is important to take things slow and to be prepared for a bit of extra training.

If you have any concerns about your dachshund’s behavior around your baby, make sure to speak to a professional who can help you to work on the issue.