Hi there.

I am a new user to the site, a good friend recommended that I should join.

I have a Female Miniature Dachshund who was born in November '08.

I have a couple of questions that I was wondering about my dog Missy.

The first question I have is that when I am sat down, My Miniature Dachshund will start to try digging into my leg, It's almost as if she wants to sit underneath me, Does anyone know why she might to this? I am not bothered by it at all, I was just wondering if there is a hidden reason as to why she is doing it.

Another thing she does is when she eats (I put her food down when we have our dinner in the dining room) She would pick up a piece of dinner with her mouth and then run into to lounge and will eat it there, She is back and forward while eating her dinner. It doesn't matter if I am in the dining room while she is eating or in the lounge, it doesn't make any difference to her.

My miniature Dachshund is quite close to me and when I leave the house to stay in hospital she will not eat or drink very much and will constantly cry for me. There are 3 other family members in the house but I spend the most time with her. I was just concerned that because she will not eat, drink or go to toilet if I am not around. I leave her some clothing to comfort her while I am away (a bit like a security blanket) she will be happy sleeping on the clothes for a short period of time but is constantly looking for me when I am away from home.

I also have a cat at home, (quite an old female cat now) She is fine with the cat, loves to sit together when we go out for a short while. She doesn't mind the cat at all but then if I was to enter the room my dog would scare the cat away or cry if I go near her. She does tend to guard me and I have tried many tips along with puppy classes to change her behaviour.

When we are out and about she is quite fearful of other dogs if they do not greet her. She will try to avoid them but then after they pass she will happily run after the other dog and have a little play. IF the dog does not greet her she does get fearful, she will hide behind me, avoid them or run away from them, she does tend to bark at them. She is completely fine with other dogs in the family, she will happily play with them and have a good time doing so.

I am sure I have lots of questions but I will try to limit them for now and ask them at another time.

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

Kind regards.

Rob

Hi robiscool.  Sounds like separatio anxiety to me - do a search on this site there's lots of great info.
My eldest dog doesn't like to eat alone - at times it really gets my frustated - when I'm in a hurry and trying todo other things.  She's always been on the thinner side too but the vet's always said she's a healthy weight it is a constant worry.  I make sure I have jobs to do in the kitchen during the 20 mins I allow for feed-time.  I've learned not to leave food down for too long as that's how long she'll spend over eating if I let hert.  She now knows to get on with it and if not the foods taken away after 20mins or so.  She'll make up for it the next feed and as I've said her weight fine.

For the rest of it try developing time away from your dog, in short spams, so your dog is not so dependent on youand encourage its confidence on being alone.  Siple things like shutting a door behind you and then fairly quickly going back into that room [and your dog] without making a fuss can build up your dog's confidence in itself so it doesn't always have to be with you to survive.

if i were you i'd start to limit the attention your giving her and only give her fuss when you call her not when she demands it. i would also get the other members of your family to try and build up more of a bond with her ie feeding her and playing etc, this way she'll rely less on you for everything.
it sounds abit harsh i now but if she stops depending on you so much she will be a lot less stressed when left with other members of your family or on her own.
when it comes to meeting other dogs don't let her try and use your legs to hide from other dogs, if she tries to do this move your legs or walk a few steps. if you see other dogs near you give her lots of treats to eat so she builds up a positive association when other dogs are around. make sure you don't fuss her if she is reacting in a nervous way as this will only enforce the fact that it's ok for her to be nervous.
if you act like there isn't a problem then she will have less reason to feel scared.
it maybe worth joining a good training class, so that she is around other dogs in a safe enviroment and over time she will accept there is no threat when she's put in certain situations. the first few classes all you need to is sit and watch and she will soon come out of her shell if things are taken slowly. lots of treats for sitting nicely etc.
if you can try finding someone else where you live that would walk with you, so your dog gets used to another dog. you can keep them at a distance to start with and over time as your dog gets used to the other dog you can let them walk together etc.
hope some of this helps and i know it's hard not to fuss our dogs all the time but it really makes a difference when you've got a dog that is too attached to you if you lay down some rules and work on their confidence in a positive way.      

i would reduce attention as sounds a bit 'spoiled'. No reason food shouldn't be given in kitchen with door closed if required and why does a dog need to be on the couch? if that's what u mean, not clear re digging