Are you having a hard time socializing your dachshund? Some dachshund troubles are only normal setbacks that require a little more patience and hard work on your part, while others may require the involvement of a professional.

Less Than Perfect

No dog is ever perfect. Every individual is different. You will have days when your dachshund seems to be a social butterfly and then other days when your puppy or dog backtracks and is wary of certain people. The key is never to give up on your dog. As long as you are working to socialize your puppy or adult to people and other dogs, you will make progress. Don't be too hard on yourself, and don't be too hard on your dachshund.

Remember, she is a dog, not a little human. She will respond with dog behaviors to things that frighten her. Your job is to know how to respond to these behaviors and help her to overcome her fears. It can be a long, slow process with the very shy dog, but every advance you make in your dog's socialization is huge and well worth the effort.

Responding to Red Flags

If your dachshund ever shows any aggression toward a person, you need to do two things. First, consult with your veterinarian, explaining exactly what you saw happen, how the dog responded, and what you did. Second, have the veterinarian give your dog a complete exam. It's possible that a physical illness or condition could be affecting your dog's temperament. If he is free of any disease, your next step should be to seek the advice of a behavior expert. Do not dismiss your dog's aggression toward humans. Do something to help him.

Where to Find an Expert

If you have a problem that involves aggression toward people, you want to work with an expert in behavior problems. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find someone who is qualified to evaluate your dachshund's problems. A good start is to ask for referrals from the breeder who sold you your puppy, the shelter or rescue where you adopted your dog, or the obedience trainer who leads your training classes.

Here's one word of caution. Virtually anyone can call himself an “animal behaviorist” and not hold any sort of degree or special training. You want to find someone who is qualified to both identify your dog's problem and develop a program for you to modify your dog's behavior. Two very good options are a veterinary animal behaviorist and a certified animal behaviorist.

A veterinary animal behaviorist is a veterinarian who is certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and who works both with behavior modification and prescription medications. This individual is the psychiatrist of the canine world. Unfortunately, very few veterinarians pursue this specialty, so they can be difficult to find.

If a veterinary animal behaviorist is the psychiatrist of the canine world, the certified animal behaviorist is the psychologist of the canine world. The certified animal behaviorist holds a doctorate (Ph.D.) in animal behavior. He or she can work with animal behavior problems but cannot prescribe medications. The certified animal behaviorist is certified by the Animal Behavior Society. Either type of behaviorist may be able to work wonders for a dachshund who is difficult to socialize. If your dachsie is having troubles, don't hesitate to look one up and make a call for help.