dachshund gets aggressive in crowds

[Wachsblume]

We have a 1 1/2 year old male dachshund who is adorable and the sweetest loving little thing, very loyal and devoted to us. The other day we had our first big party since we have him in the house. He became extremely anxious and started to go for the leg pants of some of our friends, ending up biting 2 of them in leg and belly (leaving teeth marks). Each time he got into a frenzy and it was difficult to control him. He even bit my husband in the cheek in his frenzy who tried to control him and had picked him up. Please let us know if this is "typical" breed behavior (dachshunds are feisty ?) or if this is rather isolated and how can this behavior be corrected?

[wildwood]

Well ofcourse it would! The dog has obviously not been socialised and the poor thing was scared out if its skin.

Dachshunds certainly are a 'feisty' breed and seeing you are not familiar with the breed, it is no wonder that this has happened.

Sorry to be so rude, but getting a dog involves a lot more than a bowl and a basket.

[andy-hughes]

If your dog is not used to crfowds at home, he will have felt his territory being invaded, and his reaction is to defend it.

A mass influx of sensory information - smells and sounds, as well as the physical 'invasion' would have upset him and made him prone to biting.

Try and introduce strangers one at a time, then over a few weeks, move up to two or three. When new people are there, make it plain to him that they are welcome - this will reduce his urge to defend his 'pack' which is your family, and make a fuss of him to show he is included, and the visitors are not pushing him out.

If you have any largre parites arranged over Christmas, try to make arrangements for him to go elsewhere, ir if he has to stay at home, put him upstairs, with some familiar toys and a blanket, and check on him often.

[lankeela]

Get him a cage so he has a private quiet den of his own to retreat to when you have visitors.

[mydogsandme]

as a dachy owner myself I agree with the last two answers and as always Andy speaks wise words! Dachies certainly are very protective of their homes and owners. I'm afraid mine was never socialized as we didn't have him from a youngster and he doesn't always take kindly to new people in the house. Some people they just take to and others they don't. Certainly having somewher quiet to retreat to will be helpful-any large gatherings I tend to take him to my mum's housewhere he's happier.