Finding a harness for hiking with your Dachshund is a real challenge. Trust me, I've been trying to find one that fits well and doesn't chafe on wet, dirty trails and longer hikes for years. Literally YEARS. We're talking over nine. I've tried dog harnesses from the biggest names is outdoor dog gear to handmade ones I've found at craft fairs. To date, there is only one harness that I … [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.
Our Favorite Casual Harness for Dachshunds! The VelPro Mesh Choke Free
I've tried almost every harness recommended for Dachshunds and I have two top favorites - one for normal life and and hiking. This review is for the first one. The one my dogs wear around 90% of the time. UPDATED: This post originally published in April 2019. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a … [Read more...]
17 of Your Questions About Hiking with Small Dogs Answered
People generally don't expect to see small dogs hiking so I find they have a lot of questions. I don't mind answering. I've been hiking with my Dachshunds for 15 years and I'm passionate about opening people's minds to the idea of small dogs as hiking companions. I compiled a list of common questions I've received from our blog readers and social media followers over time. I figured if … [Read more...]
What’s the Minimum Exercise Required to Help Keep a Dachshund’s Back Strong?
As you know if you're read my blog at all, I am very passionate about making sure a Dachshund gets enough exercise. There are two main reasons for this: It helps to keep them healthy and fit It helps keep their core and back muscles strong so they are less likely to suffer from a back injury (or, as in our case, it was more mild and can recover faster) Over the years, I've found that … [Read more...]
What I Feed My Active Dachshunds to Help Keep Them Healthy
I've been asked these questions lot over the years: "What dog food do you recommend for Dachshunds?" "What should I feed my Dachshund to keep them healthy like yours?" "What do you think about food X or Y for Dachshunds?" For the most part, I've also creatively dodged those questions a lot over the years. You see, every dog is different. Every owner preference is different. Every budget … [Read more...]
How to Enjoy National Parks With Your Dog
Planning to visit a National Park and bring your dog along? Do you know that there are a lot of rules about what you can and can't do with your dog in National Parks? While your dog is allowed to visit the park with you, they aren't allowed to hike or visit most of the sights in the park with you. Note: There are a few National Parks that are dog friendly but these are rare … [Read more...]
Why You Should Rotate Your Dachshund’s Food and How to Do it Properly
Besides bringing variety, and a “thrill” to your dog’s taste buds, there are many reasons why you may want to rotate your dog’s food. Why Should I Switch My Dog’s Food? Dog Food Advisor sums it up perfectly, “Since there’s no such thing as a perfect dog food, it’s reasonable to assume every product is deficient or excessive in some way. So, built-in flaws tend to be magnified when the same … [Read more...]
The Pros and Cons of Ovary Sparing Spay (OSS) for Your Dachshund
For the first time, I brought home a dog that wasn't spayed. I knew that getting her "fixed" was the right thing to do for us but, now that I was bestowed the responsibility myself, I wanted to do some research first. I started to hear mumbling that perhaps spaying a dog at a young age wasn't as beneficial as once thought. It seemed that waiting until a dog was older to spay, or opting … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Flying with Your Small Dog for the First Time
The thought of flying with your dog may send shivers down your spine; no doubt you've heard more than a few terrifying tales of fellow dog owners who've had disastrous experiences taking their pups along with them. Whether you are moving overseas, or are fortunate enough to take your pooch along with you on vacation, the process may seem intimidating. However, there are a number of tricks … [Read more...]
Dachshund Owners Answer: 50 Tips to Make Life with Your New Puppy Easier
There is no better way to learn about raising a Dachshund puppy than to ask other Dachshund owners for advice. A few months ago, I asked our Facebook fans for their best tips and advice for getting through the crazy puppy stage. Over 100 people commented with their best puppy-raising advice. I compiled this answers into this article. I tried my best to arrange the comments by topic … [Read more...]
The Best Dog Training Treats for Dachshunds
I recently got a Dachshund puppy and found I needed a lot of really good training treats for her. Since I had the chance to start “fresh” with her, I signed her up for puppy classes and want to train her to follow obedience commands and to be a well mannered dog (yes, it IS possible with a Dachshund). I learned in class that what matters most to a dog when you are training them is the … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Celebrate National Trails Day with Your Dog
Those of us that hike with dogs don't need much of an excuse to get out on the trails. However, if you need a little extra motivation, celebrating National Trails Day with your dog might be the extra push you need. What is National Trails Day? American Hiking Society's National Trails Day ® is a celebration of America's magnificent Trail System. The holiday was created to encourage … [Read more...]
Backpacks for Carrying Dachshunds
I've been searching FOR-EVAR for a backpack to safely carry a Dachshund around the city or on a hike. I've seen almost every option available and tried several. All but one cause a Dachshund to sit upright, putting stress on their fragile spine, or sit in an abnormal position. Even that dog backpack is not ideal for a couple of reasons. So what is one to do if they need to safely carry … [Read more...]
How to Start Hiking with Your Dachshund
How do you start hiking with your Dachshund? To quote Nike, "Just Do It!" Well, not so fast. It is recommended that you get your Dachshund cleared for exercise first by your vet to make sure they are healthy enough. But after that, yes, just do it. I've rarely met a Dachshund that didn't decide they like to hike. Is it Safe for a Dachshund to Hike? The short answer is yes. The … [Read more...]
Teckelklub Fuzzie Fleece Jacket Review
The Fuzzie fleece jacket from Teckelklub is our year-round, go-to Dachshund jacket. We've had many of them over the years, not because they wear out but because they get worn (and washed) so often. I also like having them in multiple colors. 5 Reasons I Love the Teckelklub Fleece Fuzzie They Cover the Back Teckelklub jackets are made to fit a Dachshund's long body. They're longer than … [Read more...]
Easy DIY Insect Repellent Dog Bandana
One way to help prevent nasty critters from bothering your pet while camping, hiking, or hanging out in your back yard, is to have your dog wear an insect repellent dog bandana. You've probably seen these available online or in pet stores. But did you know it's super simple to make your own? There are several reasons that you may want to make your own instead of buy one: You don't … [Read more...]
7 Essential Items to Bring on Every Adventure with Your Dachshund
I've been hiking, camping, and traveling with my Dachshunds over 15 years. I love dog gear but, over time, I've found that there are a few essentials I take with us on every time we go hiking, camping, traveling, or just walking around the neighborhood. My dogs may be small but I know my must-have list would be the same even if I had a bigger dog. Here is my minimum, must-have list of … [Read more...]
8 Tips for Taking Great Smartphone Photos of Your Dog
When your dog is your constant hiking or travel companion, there will be a lot of picture-worthy moments. The camera you are most likely to have on hand when you want to capture the moment - because it’s the only one you have or you forgot your “good camera” in the car - is your smartphone. Unfortunately, it can be a little tricky to get an Instagram-worthy snap or high-quality Facebook … [Read more...]
5 Things You Should Start Teaching Your Dachshund Puppy The Day They Come Home
Bringing a new puppy home is exciting. It’s also kind of like bringing home a wild animal. A puppy is still learning about the world around them and how to interact with humans and other animals. They are literally born having no clue. It’s your job to teach them manners and the appropriate way to interact with people, other dogs, different sights and sounds, and all of the other general … [Read more...]
5 Things That Will Make the First Days with Your New Puppy Easier
Bringing home a new puppy is very exciting. You’ve likely chosen a puppy but have to wait weeks before he or she is old enough to come home to you. The bad news is that the wait can be difficult and feel like forever. The good news is waiting gives you a lot of time to think and prepare to bring your new furry family member home. When I was waiting for my new Dachshund puppy to … [Read more...]
