If you’ve lived with a Dachshund for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed them stopping mid-activity and lifting one front paw off the ground.
To people new to the breed, it can look a little odd or even concerning. But for Dachshunds, it’s a very common behavior.
There are several possible reasons your Doxie might do this—some are completely harmless, while others may need a closer look. Understanding the context can help you figure out which it is.
Anticipation or Excitement
One of the most common reasons a Dachshund lifts a paw is simple anticipation.
If you pick up their leash, grab the treat jar, or rustle a food bag, they may freeze, stare at you, and raise a paw. It’s a way their body shows they’re focused and ready.
This kind of paw lift usually happens in exciting moments, and is nothing to worry about. In fact, it’s one way your dog communicates with you – a physical sign that helps you to know what they are thinking.
Focus and Hunting Instincts
This paw-up posture is very similar to the “pointing” stance of Pointer breeds, and it’s likely related to the Dachshund’s hunting heritage.
When they spot or smell something that catches their attention, they may lift a paw and fix their gaze in one direction.
There’s no clear scientific evidence Pointer ancestry in their bloodline, but the behavior makes sense given their background as determined trackers. It simply signifies that they are intent on watching something.
Personally, as a fun game, I sometimes make a big deal about looking for *it” too. With a bit of animation to my movements, I will look in the direction my dog is and say something like, “wow, you must have seen something very interesting. Thanks for pointing it out.”
Uncertainty or Anxiety
Paw lifting can also be a sign that your dog is feeling unsure. When a Dachshund isn’t quite comfortable with a situation—meeting a new dog, hearing an unusual sound, or facing something unfamiliar—they may pause and raise a paw.
In this context, instead of assuming it’s “just cute,” it’s worth noticing when it happens and looking at what else is going on around them. Often, it’s their way of saying they’re hesitant or need a little reassurance.
If you can find what’s making them a bit anxious, you can try to avoid it in the future or work on desensitizing your Dachshund to the “scary” thing.
Physical Discomfort
Sometimes the explanation is more straightforward: the paw itself might hurt.
Possible causes include:
- Something stuck between the toes, like burrs, foxtails, or bits of gravel
- Irritation from road salt, sap, or wet grass
- Temperature issues from hot pavement in summer or icy ground in winter
- Injury such as a cut, sprain, or broken bone
When my Dachshund Summit isn’t lifting a paw due to “hunting mode”, this is the second most common reason. We hike a lot so it’s not uncommon for her to get a burr stuck between her paw pads or get a little poke by a pine needle.
She lifts a paw for this reason often enough that we’ve made checking her paw to see what might be wrong a game. We call it a “tune up”. Of course, my first priority is always to make sure she is not injured, but more often that not she received a small, transient poke and is now being a little dramatic about it.
I say, “What’s wrong? Need a tune up?”. I then lift each paw and rub it a little to knock any debris off. Even if I don’t find anything, she is ready to keep going after this tune up.
If your Dachshund is holding the paw up and shaking it, or if the lifting is paired with licking, whining, or limping, that’s usually a sign of discomfort or pain. In these cases, check the paw right away. If you don’t see anything obvious, or if the behavior continues, it’s best to get them examined by a veterinarian in case it’s something like an embedded foxtail.
Do Dachshunds Favor One Paw?
Many owners notice their dog tends to lift the same paw every time. That’s not a coincidence.
Studies have shown that dogs, like people, often have a “dominant” side. In fact, dogs are more likely to favor the left paw than the right, which is the opposite of humans.
So if your Dachshund almost always raises the same paw in anticipation or when focusing on something, it may simply reflect their natural preference.
Final Thoughts
Dachshunds are expressive little dogs, and their habit of lifting a front paw is one of the ways they communicate. However, a lifted paw doesn’t have a single meaning – the key is to notice what else is happening in that moment.
By observing your dog’s body language (ie. what are their ears or tail doing), the environment, and the circumstances you’ll get better at understanding what your Dachshund is trying to tell you
This context can help you determine whether your dog is lifting their paw out of excitement, hunting instinct, anxiety, or sometimes it’s physical discomfort.
If it’s paired with happy anticipation or focus, it’s harmless. If it’s connected to uncertainty, your Dachshund may need reassurance. And if it looks painful or is accompanied by other signs of distress, that’s when it’s time for a vet visit.
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