Separation anxiety in dachshunds - how to spot and help

The dachshund is a “velcro dog” breed - they stick to one person and take separation hard. Some develop full-blown separation anxiety.

Symptoms

• Howling, barking, whining after the owner leaves
• Destroying furniture, doors, shoes
• Drooling, glazed eyes
• Escape attempts, trying to leave through windows
• Loss of bladder control despite good training

What does NOT help

• Punishment on return - the dog cannot link punishment to an act from hours earlier
• A second dog “for company” - often does not solve the problem and sometimes makes it worse
• Forced “treatment by ignoring” using long unsupervised absences - without graduated steps this only deepens the panic

Note: simply letting the dog sleep on the bed does not cause separation anxiety. Standard behavioral protocols (ACVB, Karen Overall and others) instead recommend working on independence - teaching the dog to settle calmly on their own bed regardless of where the human is.

What works

Gradual desensitization (a process measured in weeks or months, not days):

1. Start with absences so short the dog stays calm - sometimes only 10-30 seconds. Return without a greeting.
2. Lengthen the absence in small steps, always staying below the panic threshold. Every absence that ends in howling sets progress back.
3. The realistic pace depends on severity - mild cases improve in a few weeks; full-blown separation anxiety takes months of structured work.

Boring departure ritual: Do not say goodbye. Do not return with enthusiasm. Leaving and returning should be uneventful.

Activity before leaving: 20 minutes of intense walk, sniff games, treats in a Kong. A tired dog sleeps.

If the problem is severe - consult a behaviorist and possibly a vet. There are anti-anxiety meds specific to dogs.

Prevention with a puppy

From day one at home - short absences every day. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes. The dog learns that “being alone” is temporary and not threatening.