Dachshunds are highly affectionate and known to form a strong bond with their owner. They used to show their affection to their owner in different ways by licking, following room to room, eye contact, and in many other ways. Their way of showing affection sometimes seems confusing; we need to understand their love and react to their action to form a deep emotional connection. In this blog, I will share insight on how do dachshunds show affection.
The way dachshund show their affection to their owner
Following you
Are you experiencing these things when you go anywhere, and your dachshund follows you? This is a way of showing love to their owner. Like any dog, dachshunds have a pack instinct. In the animal world, they stick together for safety and companionship. They tend to follow their favorite person and are curious about their activity.
For them, your scent, movement, and voice are comfort; they like being close, just like human child follow their parents. Dachshunds are very curious about their owners’ every activity, room to room, including the bathroom.
Cuddling and Snuggling
This is a most heartfelt way your dachshund shows their affection to their owner. Dachshunds are naturally social and have a pack instinct. Puppies and adult dogs sleep huddled together for warmth and comfort. Touching and closeness build trust and bonding, which makes them cuddle and snuggle when they show love toward their owner.
Licking
Licking is also the most common way to show affection to their owner. Generally, they lick their owner’s body to show their love towards their owner; licking is kissing for them. When your dachshund licks you, they are likely to say, “I love you, you are my person.”
Tail Wagging & Wiggles
Tail wagging and wiggling is one of the common ways to show their love to their owner, we all notice that they only wiggle their toys when they meet a person that met before, not to stranger. Wagging their tails has various meanings, not just having a single meaning, but generally, they wag their tail to show love and affection to their owner.
Bringing You Toys
Dachshunds are loyal and affectionate dogs, and bringing a toy is their way of showing affection. They can invite you to play. This is common if your dachshund wags their tail, looking at you with excitement, or drops their toys at your feet.
Dachshunds have a hunting background; they were bred to chase badgers and other burrowing animals. When they bring you a toy, they might be acting on those instincts, showing you what they caught. Sometimes they just bring a toy to you just to be noticed when they feel ignored and bored.
Sleeping on or Near You
They sleep on you or near you when they feel comfortable and secure in your presence. Just like humans cuddle with what they like, dachshunds also snuggle up to you to show their affection and want to be close to you. Sleeping near you is one of the most beautiful activities they can do to show their affection to their owner.
Dachshunds are pack animals instinctively; they sleep close to their pack for warmth and protection. So they naturally want to sleep near their favorite companion.
Eye Contact
Eye contact builds trust between you and your dog. In the dog world, direct eye contact can be a threat but when a dachshund lovingly looks into your eyes, it’s a huge sign of deep emotional connection, it means they are completely safe with you.
Many studies have shown that eye contact with your dog can increase oxytocin, which is a brain chemical related to feeling an emotional connection between you and your dog.
Dachshunds may not use words, but when they stare at you, they are saying you i love you.
Our dog can read our feelings by just looking in our eyes, whether we are happy or excited. They are incredibly connected to their human and often make eye contact to emotionally sync with you.
“Talking” to You
They can’t talk with you by words, but they can talk with signs and signals; this is also a common way for dachshunds to show affection. If your dachshund makes a soft whining noise while looking at you or snuggling. It is a loving sound to their owner when your dachshund barks in a playful tone (tail wagging and eyebright), they are likely to start a fun interaction. Many dachshunds talk back, making little growls, howls, and barks when their owner speaks. This is a communication in dog language.
Conclusion
Dachshunds show their affection to their owner by following you from room to room, cuddling and snuggling, licking, wagging their tails, or bringing you a toy. As a dachshund owner, we need to understand their emotional needs. If your dachshund also shows these signs and behaviour, understanding their feelings helps to deepen your connection with your companion. Many dachshund owners ignore this, but it’s important to understand their emotional needs to keep them away from behavioural issues like separation anxiety, excessive barking, and howling.
