Since 25% of Dachshunds will experience IVDD (Intervertebral Disk Disease/Degeneration) related back issues in their lifetime, many Dachshund owners wonder if there is an IVDD test. Back surgery can cost around $10,000, and it can severely impact the quality of a dog’s life (and the humans that care for them), so it’s very valuable for Dachshund owners to know if their dog is one that will be … [Read more...]
Jessica lives and breathes everything Dachshund, hiking and camping with dogs, and blogging. Given her cumulative 25 years of owning Dachshunds, studying the breed, and organizing an 800-member Dachshund club, she's considered a breed expert by many. Jessica's dogs have been her best hiking and camping buddies for the last 16 years. She started this blog in 2010 to share what she knows. She's since won several industry awards and become one of the premier blogging experts in the pet industry.
Help! My Dachshund Won’t Potty Outside in the Rain and Cold
When I brought my Dachshund puppy home to the Pacific Northwest, it was September. That's the beginning of the rainy season for us and I thought, how in the heck am I going to potty traing a Dachshund when it's cold and rainy outside?? I've heard so many stories about Dachshunds who were perfectly housetrained refusing to go out, or potty outside, in the fall that it's clear to me this is … [Read more...]
Dog Fights: What To Do When a Big Dog Attacks Your Little Dog
Dog fights are scary. I’ve seen them happen and have experienced the shock and “paralysis” from not knowing what to do. I’ve only experienced close encounters involving my miniature Dachshunds but I’ve heard tragic big-dog attack stories from other Dachshund owners. Unfortunately, at least one of them resulted in their dog dying. The risk of damage to your little dog if another small … [Read more...]
7 Tips for Training a Dachshund
Many people believe the sterotype that Dachshunds are too stubborn to be trained. But that couldn't be further from the truth - Dachsunds are not hard to train! I'm not pointing fingers because I used to beleive the sterotype too. This belief kept me from even trying to train my first Dachshund. But I learned more with my second one - a rescue with high anxiety - which taught me that … [Read more...]
Are Dachshunds Hard to Train?
I didn't train my first miniature Dachshund at all. Not formally anyway. There are several reasons why I didn't but the biggest one was probably that, like a lot of people, I believed the myth that Dachshunds were hard or impossible to train. You've probably heard people say that Dachshunds are too stubborn to be trained. Or they will always do what they want instead of what you ask … [Read more...]
Pet Releaf CBD Hemp Oil Edibles and Review
By now, you have probably heard of CBD for pets and how it might benefit your dog. Pet Releaf Hemp Health was the first pet CBD (cannabidiol) brand I discovered back in 2016 and I was really impressed by the quality of the product and the owner’s knowledge. UPDATED: This article was originally published June 2016. Disclosure 1: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, … [Read more...]
Top Tips for Visiting a Pumpkin Patch With Your Dog
If you love to take fall-themed photos of your dog, you may be looking for a dog friendly pumpkin patch or corn maze to visit. Photos of dogs with pumpkins and fall decorations are popular on social media, expecially Instagram, but they're also great memories to cherish for any dog owner. There are some things you must know before looking up your local pumpkin patch, leading up your dog, and … [Read more...]
Why You Should Teach a Dachshund to Leave It and How to Do It
Basic obedience shows your dog how to be a polite and well-behaved member of the family. But when you teach a Dachshund to “leave it”, you’re also taking an important step towards keeping your dog safe. I’m not a dog trainer but I do wish to have a well-behaved Dachshund so I’m learning. For a long time, like a lot of other Dachshund owners, I thought they didn’t need to … [Read more...]
19 Best Dog Friendly Golden Larch Hikes in Washington State
Viewing the golden larch trees in fall is a favorite Washington State pastime. The race, or competition, to catch them at exactly the right time, and see as many as you can, has even been dubbed “Larch Madness” by locals. Unfortunately, not all of the hikes that have larch trees are dog friendly. Don’t let that deter you though! There are still plenty of larch hikes in … [Read more...]
11 Dachshund Breeders in Washington (WA) State – Local Dachshund Lover Recommendations
If you are looking for a Dachshund breeder in WA state, you have come to the right place. I'm a local Dachshund lover who runs a 2,000 member Dachshund club - the Adventurewiener Club - and many of our members have purchased Dachshund puppies from breeders in Washington State. A few breeders are actually club members. This means I have met some of the Dachshund breeders in the state … [Read more...]
Lost Dog in the Woods? What to Do
For many of us - myself included - dogs are family. I take them everywhere with me, including hiking and camping. The thought of one of my dogs getting lost in the woods scares me. Also, I always wonder what I would do if I found a lost dog in the woods (I even carry an extra leash in my backpack just in case). Learning what to do in the event of an emergency may make the difference … [Read more...]
20 Warning Signs of a Dachshund Back Injury (With Printable Checklist)
If you have a Dachshund, it’s likely you have heard how common Dachshund back injuries are. Approximately one in four, or 25%, of Dachshunds will experience a back injury in their lifetime. Because you won’t be sure your Dachshund has the disease until an injury occurs, the best thing you can do is commit the warning signs of a back injury to memory and get your dog treatment right away if … [Read more...]
How Your Dog Can Become a BARK Ranger
Social media has encouraged more and more people to hike and camp with their dogs. That’s what I try to do on this blog too – inspire first-timers to get out and inspire those that already do to explore further. I’m conflicted though because I know that every foot and paw out in nature is having an impact and it’s not a good one. Even if everyone was as environmentally … [Read more...]
Valley Fever in Dogs – What You Need to Know
There are many risks that we may encounter when adventuring outdoors, depending on our location. From dangerous algae in the waterways to running into a bear in the woods, outdoor adventurers must be prepared. UPDATED: This article was originally published in July of 2012. For many located in the western states, or who travel there, the risk of valley fever in dogs is one … [Read more...]
5 Ways I Prevent Ticks on My Dogs
I used to live in western Washington with my dogs where ticks are rare (although the encounters are increasing) but now we live eastern Washington where ticks are prevalent. I’ve really had to increase my knowledge about ticks and learn how to prevent ticks on dogs. Read: Why and Where You Need to Protect Your Dog From Ticks in Washington State I’ve tried several products, and … [Read more...]
Tips for Camping with An Anxious Dog
With the warmer weather making an appearance, many nature lovers are excited to head out and explore the great outdoors. But a weekend getaway isn’t complete without our best friend by our side. While most dogs will thrive in a tent or RV, camping with an anxious dog can be a stressful experience. Here are our tips for managing dog anxiety while camping. What Causes … [Read more...]
Opinion: Dog Training Doesn’t Have to Look Like Obedience
"Dog training doesn't have to look like obedience". This was the response of a dog trainer friend when I commented on her Instagram Reel the other day. Her Reel was about the importance of training small dogs and I commented, "I admit I never trained my first Dachshund, but he was also a pretty chill guy so there wasn't an urgent need. I've worked to train my younger Dachshund and am … [Read more...]
Things You Must Know Before Driving Across the Canadian Border With Your Dog
I haven driven across the Canadian border from the United States several times with my dogs. People know I like to travel to Canada with my dogs so they often ask me questions like: "Can I take my dog to Canada?" "How hard is it to cross the US-Canadian border with my dog?" "What rules do I need to follow when crossing the border with my dog?". I'm always happy to share what I know … [Read more...]
What Should I Do When My Old Dog Starts Peeing in the House?
When my old dog Chester turned 14, he started to slow his age by slowing down and peeing in the house. My guess is that you found this article because youa are experiencing the same thing. Note: This updated article was originally published on September 30, 2015 I get it. We love our dogs that have been with us for the ups and downs of life for such a long time but it can be very … [Read more...]
Should You Protect Your Dog From Ticks in Washington State?
Although ticks are not as prevalent as they are on the east coast, protecting your dog from ticks in Washington state is still important. Tick bites used to only be a concern if you lived on the east side of Washington State, where ticks have always been encountered regularly, but that has changed in the last decade. Now, you have to be cautious no matter where in the state you … [Read more...]
