i hope someone will be able to help me with this one i have 5 mini dachshunds, but about a week ago, one of them , Peggy , has started to go crazy & bark at every dog that walks by us or is in the distance. if she is off the lead at the time, she chases after them , large or small , she does come back when called , but the crazy barking continues until she cant see them anymore. can anyone give me any training tips on this please. ? my dogs havnt met many other dogs as this is quite a small area, but as  3 more housing devlopments have being built , there are a lot more people out with their dogs just in the last few months.

She needs socialising with other dogs as she is frightened or wants to see them off as she isn't used to their presence.

How much mixing with other dogs has she had in her life?  I would get her to trainign classes where she can get used to the presence of other dogs in a controled environment and where she is distracted when she barks, and is rewarded when she stops and concentrates on you.

apart from my own & families dogs , not much else mixing with other dogs, , as people are just moving to the area over the last few months :)

Hi misstyko,

I agree with Brainless - (you will need to nip this in the bud before the habit becomes ingrained) it sounds like Peggy is "seeing them off" and lots of socialising / habituation around calmer dogs in a controlled environment is almost certainly the best solution.   It is something which can be worked on so don't lose heart but you may have to put lots of time in before you see results as she's possibly less confident than you're currently aware  :)

Best wishes, Teri

is there anything i can do myself or are training classes the only answer ? problem i have is that i dont drive & no buses after 5.25pm unless i can find something on a saturday when OH isnt off to the football ! :rolleyes: :)

Hi again,

it will be much more difficult to achieve a satisfactory result if your dogs only ever meet occasional random canines on their walks :(  You could try having a word with any owners locally and ask if you could arrange meeting up in the park etc for supervised interaction - depending of course on their dogs being sociable and well mannered.  The simple fact is that in these type of situations you only get back what you (are able to) put in ;)  Have you dog owning friends, relatives, etc who could drive over to where you stay and set up controlled situations?   In the meantime, try and find an irresistable toy or treat that can guarantee you get your dog(s) attention regardless of what else is happening around about you.   Personally I'd try and find a great toy - something which you can interact with too and only keep for walks and training sessions (always put away at other times).  That way when said toy is produced by you it should mean such a brilliant game with their best ever mate (You! that hopefully will make other dogs less worrying.

All that said, the most succssful method is still IMO getting first hand help with a reputable training club - so get your thinking cap on re. how best to achieve that!
HTH, Teri :)  

do you know anyone with a really steady calm dog that wont mind her barking if she does, and arrange some quiet walks with them? you can keep as far apart as she feels comfortable and reward her for being calm then work on reducing the distance. This will help you to get her used to being around other dogs.

hi misstyko, i also have 5 mini dachshunds and although i think the advice given above is great, i also think that unfortunately a lot of our breed are extremely loud and like nothing more than hearing their own voices.  two of mine bark like mad at the moment they are just giving the window cleaners ear ache.  i have tried everything to get them to stop but to no avail.   all 5 have been brought up exactly the same and there is no reason why 3 should be quiet and the other two total hooligans.  i know this is of no use to you whatsoever but just thought i would share my experiences.

hi Jilltee , ooh i dont feel so alone now :) the funny side to this is that while Peggy is chasing & yapping at anything from staffies , rotties etc , these big dogs think its a game & run round & round enjoying the chase what coat are your dachsies , mine are smooth :)

problem solved !! my friend has offered to take me to training classes with her as she is taking her puppy as from next week !! also my daughter is moving out & taking her 2 daschsies with her so i can spend a lot more time with peggy out training. thanks for all advice :)

hello misstyko, mine are all red longhaired wilma 5, ben 2 and roobarb, stretch and tinkerbell all aged 5 months.  they are such good fun but hard work and as everybody who owns a dachshund knows 1 is never enough.