Dachshund showing aggression

whatthehelldowecare · 2022-12-28T10:34:58+00:00

We have 2 miniature dachshunds, both (intact) males, one just turned 3 and the other 1 and a half. Historically both been completely calm, affectionate and loving dogs. We went on holiday in October and they stayed with my in-laws. Know them well, stayed lots previously and never any issues. Whilst we were away, our older one snapped at my FIL and caught his hand. FIL said it was completely his fault, he picked him up awkwardly when he wasn't expecting it. I was slightly concerned but he was fine since and never shown any signs of aggression before so had put it to the back of my mind. On Christmas Day however he again went for my dad. This time caught his nose and burst the skin. My DH witnessed the whole thing happening, my dad had knelt down on the floor when he was asleep and tried to kiss his nose - seems like he's got a fight and snapped. Naturally there was a bit of drama around this, I was really upset and worried and still am. According to my DH my dad was completely at fault in what he done, but equally we cannot just move on as if it never happened. Since then, our dog has been quite out of sorts at times - sometimes his usually loving clingy self, other times growling at us and taking himself away to his bed alone (which is entirely unheard of). He'll still come to be picked up/cuddled sometimes and isn't showing any visible signs of injury/illness. We have a vet appointment booked tomorrow but just looking for some advice/hope in the meantime - any suggestions as to what could be up? Desperately hoping this is just something temporary which can be sorted out relatively quickly but I'm so so worried

Hoppinggreen · 28/12/2022 10:39

Well firstly it sounds like both incidents were the fault of the bitee.
However, this breed can suffer from spinal issues and picking them up is not generally a good idea, in fact I don’t really approve of picking dogs up in general.
Daschunds can be a bit of a bitey breed though - as kids a friend had one and we were all terrified of it as it would attack if it wasn’t put away in another room. A good friend of mine has one now and she describes it as a “fucking psycopath”
My advice would be to get a vet check, stop picking it up and don’t let anyone provoke it

Wolfiefan · 28/12/2022 10:40

Good advice there. I wouldn’t be picking it up and certainly leave a sleeping dog alone.

Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 10:45

Fully agree in terms of it being others faults. In terms of picking him up, I've always done it (in a safe way for dachshunds) and it's never been an issue. Every single night before bed I carry him from the sofa to the door to go out to the toilet and he usually tries to snuggle back into my arms and go to sleep in the hope I don't make him go out in the cold, but now he's sometimes growling. Other times he'll come and jump up wanting lifted up fine (as he also would before). Obviously I've stopped lifting him for now anyway.

I suppose my main worry is that it's come on all of a sudden. I'm pretty certain people have annoyed him before and he's not snapped, but he seems to have completely lost all patience the last couple of days. As mentioned, I've already got a vet check booked for tomorrow morning but I can't see any obvious signs of pain or illness. Keeping him away from people in the meantime, hopefully the vet can shed some light!

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Aquasulis · 28/12/2022 10:47

I’m sorry but I think you need to take them for a proper check up on their spines. If they are only snapping at one person they need to be kept away from that person.

Hoppinggreen · 28/12/2022 10:50

Aquasulis · 28/12/2022 10:47

I’m sorry but I think you need to take them for a proper check up on their spines. If they are only snapping at one person they need to be kept away from that person.

I think it was 2 different people but interestingly probably the same demographic

Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 10:50

Aquasulis · 28/12/2022 10:47

I’m sorry but I think you need to take them for a proper check up on their spines. If they are only snapping at one person they need to be kept away from that person.

That's the plan for tomorrow re check up on spine and everything else.

I say in my OP they've snapped at two people (once in October and once on Christmas Day), but both times arguably deserved. On top of that however, he's also been growling at me and DH on occasion (but cuddling up at other times). If it was only one person I would be slightly less concerned

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Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 10:51

@Hoppinggreen absolutely the same demographic

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Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 28/12/2022 10:52

There is a saying ‘let sleeping dogs lie’.

Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 10:53

Basically I'm worried that my dad being such an idiot and making him snap has changed his personality and he might always show signs of aggression going forward

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CaptainBarbosa · 28/12/2022 10:58

I mean the saying "let sleeping dogs lie" is there for a reason.

The two incidents where the dog has been startled or hurt, I'd be ok with. Not great but excusable.

But randomly growling at you and DH? Is there a pattern to it? Is it when you try and pick him up, or fuss with him when he doesn't want to be?

If left alone and allowed to approach you on his own time, is he ok? How is he with the other dog?

fenellavonspurtz · 28/12/2022 11:01

They're unpleasant dogs anyway (I live next to three and they're unsociable barking nutters that I would dearly love to bag up and toss in a river), but why did you dad kiss a sleeping dog?? Is he not used to dogs and dog behaviour? The dog is probably picking up on your nervousness and sadness and thinks you're angry with him, hence him slinking off. I don't think you can't change a dog's personality through one isolated incident, though. Ongoing pain etc can make them act differently so the checkup is a good plan.

OllytheCollie · 28/12/2022 11:01

It hasn't changed his personality. Possibly how he was lifted caused him pain,maybe due to a spinal issue OR because he was picked up inexpertly. As a result he associates older men picking him up with things going Ouch abd he snaps and bites preemptively to prevent the pain. Definitely get a vet check. If no spinal issues and you are confident handling him carry on doing it but don't let anyone else. Never let anyone get up in the face of a sleeping dog. My own dog got frightened when small by a woman wearing a purple coat shouting at her. Didn't bite but did growl and to this day jumps towards me for reassurance if she sees women in purple coats. Which is a fecking pain but does not make her an aggressive dog.

ToBeOrNotToBee · 28/12/2022 11:01

The breed have the worst bite stats of any dog.

Despite their size, dachshunds are an aggressive breed by nature, look at the jobs they were bred to do for hundreds of years.

Unfortunately, they also suffer with back and joint problems, also due to their breeding, which can make them irritable and more likely to lash out (don't we all when in pain).

Take your dog to the vets for a thorough check over, and tell anyone with the dogs to not disturb them. They are dogs not cuddly toys

Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 11:07

CaptainBarbosa · 28/12/2022 10:58

I mean the saying "let sleeping dogs lie" is there for a reason.

The two incidents where the dog has been startled or hurt, I'd be ok with. Not great but excusable.

But randomly growling at you and DH? Is there a pattern to it? Is it when you try and pick him up, or fuss with him when he doesn't want to be?

If left alone and allowed to approach you on his own time, is he ok? How is he with the other dog?

This is kind of where I am at in terms of the two snapping occasions whilst not ideal, I can atleast understand.

In terms of me and DH, it's been the last two nights when getting ready for bed. For his whole life basically our nighttime routine has been that he falls asleep on the sofa at about 9, then wakes up when we start moving about to go to bed. I'd usually lift him up and take him to the back door. I take everyone's points about not lifting dogs, but we've always done and he's quite lazy and always happy to be transported around. Never any issue whatsoever. When we have done the exact same thing the last two nights he's growled as we've gone to pick him up (so obviously haven't done it and I'm not going to try again). I don't think it's anything around an injury or anything though as he's coming to me throughout the day looking to be lifted up and cuddled as usual without any issue. Absolutely fine and normal with our other dog, play fighting as usual and cuddling up together for naps as usual too.

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CaptainBarbosa · 28/12/2022 11:29

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 11:07

This is kind of where I am at in terms of the two snapping occasions whilst not ideal, I can atleast understand.

In terms of me and DH, it's been the last two nights when getting ready for bed. For his whole life basically our nighttime routine has been that he falls asleep on the sofa at about 9, then wakes up when we start moving about to go to bed. I'd usually lift him up and take him to the back door. I take everyone's points about not lifting dogs, but we've always done and he's quite lazy and always happy to be transported around. Never any issue whatsoever. When we have done the exact same thing the last two nights he's growled as we've gone to pick him up (so obviously haven't done it and I'm not going to try again). I don't think it's anything around an injury or anything though as he's coming to me throughout the day looking to be lifted up and cuddled as usual without any issue. Absolutely fine and normal with our other dog, play fighting as usual and cuddling up together for naps as usual too.

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Sounds like he isn't keen on the bedtime routine then, regardless how long you've been doing it.

I know it's hard, but honestly stop lifting him up unless requested by him. He is a dog not a baby. I mean it's a bit like toddlers, have you tried lifting one of them up when they don't want to be lifted, they writhe and scream at best attack you at worst.

The whole "aggression" seems to be around being lifted up or carried when he does not want to be. So yeah, as sad as it is for you, simply stop carrying him around unless he has asked/approached you.

Also advise guests not to attempt to lift or carry him, and if he is sleeping to leave him be. Respect the dogs boundaries.

Marypuppuns · 28/12/2022 11:33

They are dogs not toys no need to pick them up

Keep your fil well away for the dogs too, he’s an idiot and risking your dogs becoming nervous around people

BungleandGeorge · 28/12/2022 11:41

I’d be concerned about the growling and isolating from you, it doesn’t sound like that is related to picking up? Wouldn’t castration make him less aggressive? If it’s the older one perhaps it’s partly hormones?

Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 11:43

BungleandGeorge · 28/12/2022 11:41

I’d be concerned about the growling and isolating from you, it doesn’t sound like that is related to picking up? Wouldn’t castration make him less aggressive? If it’s the older one perhaps it’s partly hormones?

This is something we've thought about and my DH seems to think it's the obvious solution. Generally the advice for dachshunds is not to castrate until they're older as it can lead to spinal problems, however we are through the risky age now. I'd be delighted if that was the answer but having had a look online I'm not sure it is. Something to speak to the vet about in the morning for sure!

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ShouldIknowthisalready · 28/12/2022 13:13

...but I can't see any obvious signs of pain or illness.

I would say your dog is showing very obvious signs of illness or pain. Dogs will growl, want to be on their own, not want people near them, not want to be picked up. I think your dog is showing all of these. Long backed dogs can experience a lot of pain when being picked up. One incident of it hurting when touched or being held is enough to make many dogs unhappy with the event happening again.

See what your vet says. Ask for a detailed check not just hands on but blood test and I would also take a urine sample with me.

If it is not pain but behavioural then everyone needs to be hands off with your dog and when you dog no longer feels they have to be hypervigilant about people approaching or moving into their personal space they will relax and there will be less incidents.

ShouldIknowthisalready · 28/12/2022 13:14

DONT castrate. Any signs of nervousness or anxiety will be made much worse by castration. Castration is NOT the answer

AdInfinitum12 · 28/12/2022 13:17

fenellavonspurtz · 28/12/2022 11:01

They're unpleasant dogs anyway (I live next to three and they're unsociable barking nutters that I would dearly love to bag up and toss in a river), but why did you dad kiss a sleeping dog?? Is he not used to dogs and dog behaviour? The dog is probably picking up on your nervousness and sadness and thinks you're angry with him, hence him slinking off. I don't think you can't change a dog's personality through one isolated incident, though. Ongoing pain etc can make them act differently so the checkup is a good plan.

You'd love to bag up some dogs and toss them into a river? You sound like a twat.

Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 14:03

ShouldIknowthisalready · 28/12/2022 13:13

...but I can't see any obvious signs of pain or illness.

I would say your dog is showing very obvious signs of illness or pain. Dogs will growl, want to be on their own, not want people near them, not want to be picked up. I think your dog is showing all of these. Long backed dogs can experience a lot of pain when being picked up. One incident of it hurting when touched or being held is enough to make many dogs unhappy with the event happening again.

See what your vet says. Ask for a detailed check not just hands on but blood test and I would also take a urine sample with me.

If it is not pain but behavioural then everyone needs to be hands off with your dog and when you dog no longer feels they have to be hypervigilant about people approaching or moving into their personal space they will relax and there will be less incidents.

This is helpful, thanks! And it's cheered me up slightly thinking up all the ways I might be able to get urine sample if nothing else 😂 by design he's very low and a squatter and I've no idea how that would work lol!

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Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 14:04

ShouldIknowthisalready · 28/12/2022 13:14

DONT castrate. Any signs of nervousness or anxiety will be made much worse by castration. Castration is NOT the answer

This was my concern having read up online and why I'm not convinced it would be the answer. Our vets always been really good (not the type to push for castration at all) so I'm hoping to have a full discussion with them around all possible options and the pros and cons

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Original poster

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 14:12

Thank you everyone, all very helpful. Think we're in for a long road ahead to rebuild our trust in him regardless but hoping the vet has some possible courses of action. I've made initial enquiries with a really well regarded behaviourist too!

I'm in work today and keep just bursting into tears, he has always been such a gentle boy and I'm so scared we're losing that. DH just sent me this picture and it's set me off again 🥺😂

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CaptainBarbosa · 28/12/2022 14:45

whatthehelldowecare · 28/12/2022 14:12

Thank you everyone, all very helpful. Think we're in for a long road ahead to rebuild our trust in him regardless but hoping the vet has some possible courses of action. I've made initial enquiries with a really well regarded behaviourist too!

I'm in work today and keep just bursting into tears, he has always been such a gentle boy and I'm so scared we're losing that. DH just sent me this picture and it's set me off again 🥺😂

Oh OP don't worry, he will be fine.

Your doing everything you can, taking him to the vet to be checked for pain and whatnot.

I honestly just think he's being grumpy about being picked up since he got hurt. Which isn't really an issue if nobody tries to pick him up when he doesn't want to be.

And just think if someone did something to you and it hurt, you wouldn't be jumping for joy next time they tried to do it you and probably would say "no" "back off that hurt last time"

They are a cute pair.