Some people wonder if you can travel with a small dog. Or why you might want to. Besides the many benefits of traveling with your dog, traveling with a small dog, specifically, has several advantages. When you compare a big dog vs a small dog, here are the reasons I think traveling with a small dog is better. 5 Reasons Why Traveling with Small Dog is Better I love dogs of all sizes … [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.
5 Reasons You Need a Covered Portable Dog Playpen in Your Life
I can't even remember a time before I had a playpen for my dogs. I mean, there was a time but apparently it was so unnoteworthy or stressful that I blocked it out. So why do I think that a dog playpen is a must for every dog owner? I'll get to that later. But first, why not just use a dog crate? Note: I have small dogs but pet pens can also be used for larger dogs. I have links to … [Read more...]
Dog Travel Essentials (Printable Checklist) for A Pet Friendly Vacation
I travel a lot with my dogs. So much that I've been able to refine my list of dog travel essentials over time and for different scenarios. To make taking a vacation with my dogs easier, and to make sure I don't forget anything, I created this pet travel checklist for when I stay in a roofed accommodation like Airbnb or hotel (we also camp, road trip, backpack, and overland and I'll be working … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Make Your Dog Comfortable in a Hotel Room
I travel with my dogs everywhere. It's one of my favorite things to do! But I don't want my happiness to be at the expense of theirs. I do my best to respect their preferences and make them as comfortable as possible. I find that one of the most stressful travel experiences for my dogs are when we stay in a hotel room (or similar like Airbnb). Over the years, I've developed a routine … [Read more...]
The Size Debate: What is Considered a Small Dog?
There’s an age-old debate about what size is considered a small dog. Confusion tends to swirl around this topic because it can be open for interpretation. There does happen to be a professional opinion on how much a small dog weighs, and we’ll cover that in this article. Not only do we discuss the typical upper limit of weight of a small dog, but we also offer helpful information on how … [Read more...]
Why Are Small Dogs So Aggressive?
It's a common belief that small dogs are aggressive, misbehaved, angry, and are always trying to prove themselves to big dogs by barking, lunging, and sometimes even biting. Collectively, this behavior is often referred to little dog syndrome, small dog syndrome, or a "Napoleon Complex". But is it true? Are small dogs more aggressive? And if so, why? First, What Is Little Dog … [Read more...]
9 Beginner Mistakes I Made When Hiking With My Dog
If you are thinking of taking your dog hiking for the first time, you might be a bit nervous. You want to make sure both you and your dog have a good time and no one gets injured. Well, I started hiking with my dog 15 years and I made a lot of mistakes. I consider myself a bit of an expert on hiking with dogs now but I learned what I know through bad experiences, and trial and error, … [Read more...]
How to Keep Your Dog’s Paw Pads From Tearing or Getting Cut
Whether your dog likes to hike, participates in sports like agility or flyball, or they just walk a lot, you are probably concerned with making sure their paw pads don't tear, get cut, or otherwise get injured. One of the biggest keys to preventing your dog's paw pads from getting damaged is to toughen them up and make sure they are flexible while being durable. In this article, I share … [Read more...]
9 Tips for Visiting the Painted Hills With Your Dog
Painted Hills is part of the the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and dogs are allowed. There are 3 land units that make up the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and the Painted Hills Unit is one of them (Clarno and Sheep Rock are the others). It's the most notable of the 3 and probably the most visited... for good reason! Landscape is very unique and beautiful. Before you … [Read more...]
10 Dog Friendly Beaches in Lake Tahoe
If you're vacationing with your dog in the area, you're probably looking for Lake Tahoe dog friendly beaches. Well, you're in luck! I combed the internet for weeks and came up with this list. Remember to respect other beach visitors and help keep the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe beautiful by always following posted rules, respecting marine habitats, and packing out your trash (including … [Read more...]
An Unexpected Adventure: Dog Friendly Carson Valley Nevada
Carson Valley, Nevada is an often overlooked area of the state, at least by many tourists. Most people pass through Reno, just to the north of the Carson Valley, on their way to Lake Tahoe or Las Vegas but it's worthy of a stop on it's own. Or rather, a stay, because there is a lot to do. Disclosure: Our trip to the Carson Valley was provided by Visit Carson Valley … [Read more...]
How to Help Your Dachshund Lose Weight (and What to Feed Them)
Maybe you didn’t realize how chubby your Dachshund was getting until yesterday because you didn’t know what your Dachshund should weigh or were in denial. Or maybe you knew but weren’t ready to do something about it until now. Maybe it’s because you are in a panic because you just found out being obese can shorten your Dachshund’s life by up to two years. Whatever the reason, you … [Read more...]
Visit Beautiful Fort Worden State Park With Your Dog
Fort Worden State Park is one of my favorite places to take my dogs when visiting Port Townsend, Washington. With a rich history, over 430 acres of land crisscrossed by miles of trails, and over 2 miles of saltwater shoreline, it's a great place to play and relax with your dog. Note: You will need a Discover Pass to park anywhere within Fort Warden State Park. The History of Fort Worden … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis Vaccine Reaction in Dachshunds: Is it Really That Risky?
Leptospirosis (or lepto, for short) may be a risk for some dogs, and that must be weighed against the risks of the vaccine itself. Dachshunds are one of the breeds that can have severe negative reactions to the vaccine, and it’s important to know that before making a decision on getting your dog the vaccination. Let’s talk about what leptospirosis is, and look further into the lepto … [Read more...]
How to Find Off Leash Dog Trails in Washington State
You probably landed on this article because you are looking for trails in Washington where you can hike off leash with your dog. While it may feel like you and your dog have few options, there are probably more off leash dog trails than you think. I always knew that there were off leash trails in the state but, like most, I didn’t understand exactly where it’s allowed and where it’s … [Read more...]
How to Cut Dachshund Nails – What Worked for Me
Dachshunds are notorious fighters when it comes to cutting their nails. It’s very important to keep them trimmed to a proper length though. Leaving a dog’s nails too long can cause pain, joint issues, and is one of the biggest mistakes when it comes to cutting your dog’s nails. I’m going to share my personal stories of how I “won” - how I got my stubborn Dachshunds to let me trim their … [Read more...]
Is it Safe to Take My Dachshund to the Dog Park?
One one hand, I like taking my Dachshunds to the dog park. It's a convenient place to let them run off leash and visit with other dogs. On the other hand, I worry it's not safe to take my small dogs to the dog park. If you are wondering if you should take your Dachshund to the dog park, and how safe they are, this article is for you. Their are pros and cons of taking your small dog to … [Read more...]
Voyagers K9 Apparel Review for Dachshunds
We recently had the chance to try out a couple dog jackets from Voyagers K9 Apparel. People started asking me for my reviews so here they are. Disclaimer: I bought two of these jackets but they sent me the other two at no cost to review. A Note on the Necessity of Dog Jackets While a dog's fur or hair does add a certain amount of insulation against the cold, it's not always enough … [Read more...]
Warm Coats for Dachshunds That Fit Their Long Body
Back in 2012, I started writing about the best sweaters and coats for Dachshunds because I know how hard it can be to find one that fits their odd-shaped body well. I’ve personally faced challenges when finding coats that fit my Dachshund’s long body, deep chest, and that accommodates their short legs. It’s especially hard if you are looking for a good quality jacket for miniature … [Read more...]
Your Dachshund May Not Be Peeing in the House for the Reason You Think
I've seen a significant uptick of people posting in Dachshund Facebook groups about their dogs peeing on the rug, on the couch, on the bed, or some other place in the house. These people are frustrated because they thought their Dachshunds were potty trained. The owners are especially frustrated because, in a lot of cases, they just took their Dachshund outside, their dog went potty, but … [Read more...]
