Believe it or not, most Dachshunds love hiking. That is my experience anyway. I founded a Dachshund club in 2010 to help people get active with theirs and many times a Dachshund has come to our hikes that has never done it before. The owners are shocked how their Doxie takes to hiking right away and how happy it makes them. I've seen many Dachshunds "come alive" on the … [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.
4 Genetic Traits That Make Dachshunds Great Hiking Companions
Hiking with small dogs is becoming more popular and Dachshunds are one of the best small breeds that make great hiking partners. Originally bred to be hunting dogs, their athletic ability and tenacity was bred into them. Dachshunds also have several physical characteristics and traits that allowed them to excel at their job of hunting small animals, like rabbits and badgers, and digging … [Read more...]
Can Dogs Get Altitude Sickness?
Whether you are moving to Colorado or hiking a to mountain peak over 10,000 feet, you may be wondering if your dog can get altitude sickness. I became curious about this a few years ago when I was planning a road trip to Colorado with my small dogs. Article originally publishes August 2015 We planned to stay in Denver, Leadville, and several other high elevation towns. We also planned to … [Read more...]
How Long Does an Overweight Dachshund Live?
We love our Dachshunds with all of our hearts and want them to be with us as long as they can. You may be wondering how long that is though. There are a lot of factors that influence a Dachshund's lifespan. One of them is how overweight they are. Article originally published December 6, 2012 Photo Credit: Depositphotos/dfartgroup A chubby Dachshund is not "more to love" or a "cute". … [Read more...]
Camping Out With 9 Wiener Dogs
The first time I took my Dachshund camping was in 2003, not long after I got my first one. In 2010, I started a Dachshund club - the Adventurewiener Club - with the aim of helping other owners do fun things in the outdoors with theirs. In 2014, I organized my first multiple-Dachshund camping trip with the group just outside of Seattle. The 8 That Would Semi Hold Still We stayed at the … [Read more...]
Want to Paddleboard With Your Small Dog? Get Started with These 5 Tips
Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) been around for thousands of years in one form or another. However, the sport has seen a lot of progress, and has really taken off, in the last 10 years. I poo-pooed it for quite a while because it seemed too trendy. I also thought it couldn't possibly give me a good workout or be that fun. Boy was I wrong! I tried paddleboarding with my small dogs for the … [Read more...]
How to Keep Your Dog Calm When Traveling
Taking your dog on vacation with you can be a really fun and memorable experience. However, if your dog is not used to traveling, it may not go as smoothly as you anticipate. Dogs new to traveling may find it stressful at times. Whether travelling by car, train, bus, or airplane, dogs can quickly become anxious. The unfamiliar surroundings, smells, and experiences can … [Read more...]
How to Take a Funny Photo of Your Dog Using Treats
Have you been inspired by the Dogs Catching Treats photo series and want to capture your own? Well, I did. I was stuck around home for a while and decided to make this one of my special projects to keep me busy. I thought this might be a fun thing for other people to do so I decided to share some of my advice and tips for how to to do it. First Step: Choose the Right Treat Make it … [Read more...]
9 Signs Your Dachshund Isn’t Getting Enough Exercise
It's not uncommon for Dachshunds to get less exercise than they should. Common reasons I've seen that many owners aren't able to exercise their Dachshund enough are: cute dog portrait in a photography studio setting isolated on a colorful background They think their Dachshund doesn't need much exerciseThey under-estimate how much exercise their Dachshund is physically capable ofThey think … [Read more...]
How Long Should I Walk My Dachshund Each Day
Determining how long to walk your Dachshund can be a challenging dilemma. There are a variety of factors to take into consideration first, such as age, weight and overall lifestyle. In this article, we’ll help you decide how far and long your Dachshund can walk in a day. Keep in mind though that this advice is focused on healthy adult Dachshunds, but we do briefly discuss exercise for … [Read more...]
Is Running Bad for Dachshunds?
If you’ve found yourself reading this post, you’re probably wondering if you can take your Dachshund running with you. Since Dachshunds are prone to back issues, it makes sense that you’d be looking for answers as to whether your dog can participate in your active hobby. In this article we will clarify whether or not running is bad for Dachshunds, and provide other helpful … [Read more...]
How Many Times a Week Should I Walk My Dachshund?
You may be wondering how much exercise your Dachshund needs. Specifically, how often you need to walk your dog per week and for how long. The short answer is that it varies by each particular Dachshund. Factors like age, health, mobility issues, and fitness level must be considered. Another thing to reflect on is their behavior. A Dachshund that is always chewing up things they … [Read more...]
How to Get Your Dachshund to Walk in a Harness or Jacket
There are many reasons a Dachshund may refuse to go for a walk. Two of the most common scenarios I see are related to a harness or dog jacket. If your Dachshund is used to walking on a collar, and you are trying to switch to a harness because you learned it’s safer your dog may not like the feeling of restriction or may feel weird walking because the harness touches their body in a … [Read more...]
12 Reasons Your Dachshund May Refuse to Walk on a Leash
I hear it all the time: “What do I do when my Dachshund refuses to walk?” It’s not uncommon for me to hear stories of people who tried to take their Dachshund out for a stroll and their dog dug in - pulling in the opposite direction on the leash - refusing to take even that first step. I also hear a lot of stories from people who were happily walking along with their Dachshund and their dog … [Read more...]
15 Tips for a Successful Group Hike with Dogs
I've watched as, over the last few years, hiking with groups of friends and their dogs has become more popular. Whether you call them group hikes or pack walks, going with other friends and their dogs can be fun. However, there are some things that can be not so fun if the group doesn't think ahead. And these potential issues can be easily amplified the larger the group is. Large … [Read more...]
Top 3 Things to Do with Your Dog in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is a very unique place to travel with your dog. It's a gorgeous, rustic land of extremes. I've taken many vacations to Death Valley National park with my Dachshunds so I thought I would share my favorite things to do. Whether you're already planning to vacation in Death Valley with your dog, or you are searching for something fun to do, this article will help you … [Read more...]
Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Cutting Their Dog’s Nails
This article is a case of do what I say, not what I do because I've made a lot of mistakes when it comes to trimming my Dachshund's nails. For the most part, their nails are ok but Gretel has nails that are a bit too long. It's a long story but, in short, she has back issues and, despite working with her for years, she fights me to the point I worry I will injure her so I have to take her … [Read more...]
Why Your Dachshund Should Wear a Harness for Walking
The most essential accessory for your Dachshund is something to attach their leash to while you're out walking, whether it be a collar or harness. A standard collar is normally the “default” option for most pet parents. However, in my opinion, Dachshunds should only be walked using a harness. Harness vs Collar: Why a Harness is Safer Has your Dachshund ever started coughing or … [Read more...]
Protect Your Dog from the Elements by Layering
If you are taking your dog outdoors, a key to keeping them safe in all kinds of weather is layering their clothing. I don’t know about where you live, but in Washington State, we pretty much have to be ready for any weather condition at any time. As they say around here (I've actually heard people from all over the world say it about where they live), “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 … [Read more...]
Can You Take a Dachshund Hiking?
Many people don't think that Dachshunds can hike. That's especially true for those that haven't owned a Dachshund. However, I've also heard many stories from other owners over the years about their Dachshund sitting at home. They say they didn't think theirs could hike but want to try it now that they saw us out on the trail. I get excited when I hear that. Obesity is one of the … [Read more...]
