Why Do Dachshunds Lay On Their Backs? 3 Possible Health Concerns to Know!

My curious mind always wanted to know why a small breed Dachshund is somehow fond of laying on its back. I kept looking for an answer but my luck hardly favored me. Afterward, I thought to do some research to find a valid answer for me as well as for you.

So, why does your Dachshund lay on her back? Dachshunds are often seen laying upside down when they are happy or when they feel some serious health problems. Though lying is not harmful, it can be a sign of back injury. You need to be careful because they may get some allergic problems which may lead to a quick visit to your vet.

You will be glad to know that I have come up with 10 interesting facts about the habit of lying on the back of your doxie. Some of them are really interesting and some are really alarming for your little sausage dog. As per my research, there are few solutions to your problem and those are quite easy to try at home.

I believe if you read my entire article then you will get a way to overcome your problem and it will save your time too. Please read this article for the betterment of your canine who might be suffering from pain which it can not say verbally but show through the action of lying on its back.

Related Reading: Why Do Dachshunds Run In Circles Frequently?

Why Do Dachshunds Lay On Their Backs?

Is It Bad For Dachshunds To Lay On Their Backs?

Laying on its back is not an usual posture for your dachshund but sometimes they like to enjoy being in such a position.

Since laying on its back shows the super-cute attitude this is the most sensitive posture as your dog’s stomach area remains exposed. They might get attacked by other dogs in this position so laying on the back is not always good for your dachshund.

10 Possible Reasons: Why Does Your Dachshund Lay On Her Back?

Dachshund is a very fun-loving breed yet your sausage dog may have so many reasons to lay on its back. Some of them are linked with playful activities and some are quite alarming. According to my findings, I managed to figure out eleven possible reasons why your Dachshund lay on their backs.

#1 Your Dachshund May Needs Some Relax

Dachshund likes to relax when they lay on their back just like any other dog. Your little doxie needs to relax its muscles during nap mostly in the afternoon. They find this position more comfortable and this helps to prevent any kind of stress on their muscles and joints.

Sometimes they do the same on their bed. This helps your dog to sleep without putting pressure on its achy joints due to arthritis. Never force your little pup to change its laying position as this is the way your dog loves to relax.

#2 Your Dachshund Wants You To Scratch On Its Tummy

Your Dachshund is very much fond of your attention and for that it sometimes allows you to scratch its belly. You will know that’s what it is after if your dog’s tail and legs are relaxed.

When you will put your hand on its tummy you will see a big smile on its face which will lighten up your mood. But if you find your dog’s tail is between its legs and it is tense, then you need to stop belly rubbing. If your puppy lying on its back growls during a belly rub, you should walk away.

Dachshund Wearing Sweater

#3 Dachshund Wants To Expose The Underbelly On Sun

Just like you, your little doxie loves to enjoy sunny days during cold days. As per my findings, dachshunds go through lots of body temperature changes during different seasons. When your pups feel cold, it loves to expose their underbelly to the warmth of the sun during day time.

So, you do not need to think much if you find your little buddy laying on the ground because this is how your dog keeps itself comfortable.

#4 Your Dachshund Wants To Keep Her Paws In Air

When your doxie gets overheated she tries to cool down her body in so many ways and paw pad exposure helps her to do so mostly.

Dachshunds lay down on their and allow her paw pad to get exposed to air so that She can regulate her body temperature easily. Sweat comes out of her body through paw pads. Later, your doxie feels relaxed and it gets back all her energy to play with you. 

Popular Read: Why Does My Cane Corso Bite Me?

#5 Is Your Dachshund Playing with Other Dogs?

Dachshund is a playful breed and they try to communicate with other dogs through their body language. When your doxie finds new friends around her she tries to roll over and invites them to play with her in a very peaceful manner.

Some people think that dogs rolling over is a way for them to avoid neck bites and show others that they are not a threat. Your dachshund will jump around and lay on her back to make the playing environment more interesting.

Dachshund Playing With Frisbee

#6 Are You Playing with Your Dachshund?

Apart from playing with other dogs, your dachshund loves to play with you every time they feel your presence. Playing with your dog can help it socialize which is essential to keep its aggression hidden.

Moreover, if you play with your little doxie then it will help your pup to develop better skills like the ability to run fast or senses of different smells, and so on. The more you will show affection towards your sausage dog the more it will play with you and live a healthy life.

List Some Game Names Which You May Play:

  1. Digging game
  2. Hide and Seek
  3. Catch me if you can
  4. Fetch
  5. Tug of War
  6. Dachshund Racing

#7 Is Your Dachshund’s Sleeping Position?

Sleeping is the other form of comfort that your dachshund prefers a lot. Yet sleeping on its back gives your pup a little extra comfort. It helps your pup to regulate its body temperature while they’re asleep.

Now as I am talking about your dog’s sleeping position, I should tell you that your pup loves to sleep in different ways which are really very interesting. But when it sleeps on its back then it looks like a superman.

When your sausage dog sleeps stretched out on its stomach then it is called superman position. By this, your dog shows that it is relaxed. Sometimes this may indicate that your dog is still alert while sleeping. It will likely jump to attention as soon as they hear you move.

#8 Is Your Dachshund Scared?

Just like other dogs, your Dachshund sometimes feels scared of his surroundings and tries to keep itself aware of the danger. If you find your dog crouching fearfully then you need to give some privacy to your doxie.

More often you will find it turning its head away, yawning, or licking its lips, then these are signs of self-calming behaviors. Your little Doxie, may be due to being under-socialized, in which case, you should invest some good time to train your pup and solve the problem.

Dachshund Loving

#9 Is This Your Dachshund’s Affection?

A sweeter explanation for your doxie to sleep on its backs is that by this it shows love and affection. When your dog sleeps on its back, it is totally exposed to those around it.

Your dog knows how to shower love on you in every situation and laying on its back is a kind of tactic for your sausage dog to tell you that it will be by your side always. Moreover, your doxie is very protective of you and it will fall asleep in this position to show that affection.

#10 Does Your Dachshund Lay On Their Back As A Cool-Down Tactic?

Dachshunds are very clever and they are well aware of any hazardous situation. In the hot, humid months of summer, your dog tries to figure out a way with how it can cool off when it gets quickly overheated. The fur coat on its belly is thinner.

The reason for sleeping on its back and exposing its furred belly is to cool down body temperature through blood vessel dilation. This causes your dog’s blood to circulate through its skin, which is cooler, and away from its inner body.

If you see your doxie sleeping on their back more in the hotter months then you need to provide gel-cooled beds that can help your dog to cool off. 

3 Possible Health Concerns: Those May Make Your Dachshund To Lay On The Back

Laying on its back might not always symbolize your dog having a fun moment. Rather this can be a sign that your little pup is going through some severe health problems. As per my research, there are 3 health concerns which is why your dachshund may lay on its back.

#1 The Dachshund Got Some Back injuries

Dachshunds are bred to have a walk on characteristically short legs. Their spinal discs often tend to deteriorate at a younger age as a result of this genetic defect than in other dogs with average leg length.

This natural weakness means dachshunds are prone to back injuries or conditions like Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Your little doxie can hurt its back by being held in the wrong way or doing something as simple as running up or down steps.

Dachshunds are more at risk of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) between ages 3 and 7 when they’re young and playful.

Symptoms Of Dachshunds Having Back Injuries:

  • You might notice your dachshund crying or flinching when you touch him
  • Your dog walks funny and stops jumping on the sofa or going upstairs
  • Your poor pup may have a back that is arched and tense
  • Sadly, it refuses to move and keeps its head lowered
  • Your dog may stop eating or drinking and struggle to stand properly with its shaky legs.
  • Your little doxie may loss bladder control and you need to take him to a vet immediately.
Dachshund Sitting Down

#2 Your Dachshund Has Rashes On Her Tummy

Your sausage is quite active and loves to play in both outdoor and indoor areas. When it comes in contact with grass or wood it may get attacked by fleas, ticks, and mites. These little creatures will irritate your dog and expose him to bacteria, yeast, and fungal infections.

Demodex mites, walking dandruff, flea allergy dermatitis, and sarcoptic mange will all cause skin rashes on your dog’s belly and groin.

Symptoms Of Dachshunds Having Rash On her Tummy:

  • The most common symptoms are pimple-like lesions, dry, scaly, crusty skin; hair loss; and itchiness due to Pyoderma.
  • Your dog’s skin may also appear red and inflamed, weepy, or scabbed.
  • Yeast infections can result in a yeasty smell on your doxie.
  • Fungal infections like ringworm often have a distinct, circular pattern to the lesions that is visible on your dog’s skin

#3 Your Dachshund Has Claw Injuries

Your lovely dachshund always remains in a playful mood but sometimes it can be injurious to its health. Dogs break their nails by rubbing them on the carpet, upholstery fibers, grassroots, etc.

Your doxie may jump off a chair or down from a porch and land on a toe in such a way that the nail bends back and breaks. This results in your sausage dog laying on its back instead of standing on its small legs. 

Symptoms Of Dachshunds Having Injuries On Its Claws:

  • Your dog may have a hanging nail, which it may chew off.
  • You may find some bloodstains on carpeting or floors.
  • Your little pup may have exposed flesh that may get infected if not treated properly.
  • There can be some visibly damaged toenails and swelling on your dog’s claw.

Read To Know: Why Do Dachshunds Dig So Much?

Dachshund Looking Forward

Why do You Need to Let Your Dachshund Lay On the Backs While Sleeping?

Your sleepy dachshund usually takes a nap when it is exhausted or needs to relax. Although it is possible that your dog is bored and normally only sleeps because it wants to relax.

It’s important to let your dog sleep wherever it wants, even though it’s in both unusual locations and positions. Eventually, your dog’s health will be disrupted if they are awakened too soon.

Daschunds Woken Suddenly Can Be Confused or Aggressive?

A dog who is shaken awake may become very perplexed. In an otherwise friendly breed, this may result in intermittent bursts of hostility. Many animals will fear or think they are in danger if they are shocked awake.

It is a reaction that has been programmed into them by natural selection, and it keeps them healthy. To reduce these kinds of injuries, avoid waking your dog up unexpectedly.

However, if it occurs often enough, it may be a symptom of hostility or anxiety.

Why do You need To Take Care Of Your Dachshund’s Back?

Have you ever realized that your happy and playful little sausage dog may have back issues due to its unusual body shape? Dachshunds have a long body with very short legs which are not always easy to carry. You really need to take proper care of its back.

How You Can Take Care For Your Dachshund’s Back?

  • You need to keep your dachshund at a healthy weight so that it can walk easily.
  • You need to always support his back when you pick it up
  • You should discourage your doxie from running upstairs or jumping onto things
  • Try to give him the right amount of exercise every day
  • You should definitely learn how to spot signs of back pain and know what to do in an emergency.

Related Questions:

How to Train Your Dachshund to Lay Down

Interestingly, Dachshunds are quite easy to train with different commands. You can train your dachshund to lay down with a few simple techniques. For your first attempt, you can hold the small treat in front of his nose, and move the treat down to the ground and start to go under their chest.

If your pup lays down, give “Good” verbal praise and the treat. To make this a habit keep repeating this process every day. If your doxie lays down a couple of times in a row then you can move on. If this process does not work then you should try again later.

Why does my dachshund lay on me?

Since your doxie considers you as a part of its family, it wants to lay on top of you to show them that and to provide you with comfort. Your puppy feels secure in your presence. Laying close to their owner is also doxie’s way of protecting what they love, even if there is no real threat or danger.

Why does my dachshund lay on my face?

Dachshunds are smaller in size and they can fit anywhere they like. One of the possible reasons why your dog lays or puts its face on your face is that it is trying to get attention from you, it is being affectionate.

Moreover, it may want something from you. Sometimes you might have encouraged the behavior by rewarding it and this turns out to be a habit for your little wiener dog.

Dachshund Puppy

Over To You

I hope you got a lot of useful information from this article that will help you to take proper care of your Dachshund. Yet, I would love to know which part was helpful for you the most. If you knew some of these facts before then let us know what those facts are. 

I went through a lot of research yet if I have missed any fact that you are well aware of please do mention that in the comment section.

Remember, the comment section is always yours and you can share your feedback there too. Share this article with your friends who own a Dachshund too. The more you share the more you get a chance to help others to take care of their little ones. 

Feel free to ask any question and I will try to get back to you with a proper answer as soon as possible.

Further Readings:

Challenges of Owning a Dachshund

Common Health Issues in Dachshunds

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