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...]
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.
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...]
How to Train Your Small Dog to Hike Off-Leash
Off-leash dogs are a controversial topic. Some pet owners despise the idea of dogs running around off-leash, while others prefer the freedom that being off-leash provides their dog. I see more big dogs hiking off leash but it can be done with small dogs too as long as you train them and take precautions. In this article I’ve compiled helpful information on how to train your … [Read more...]
How I Prevent My Dachshunds From Jumping Off the Couch
When my Dachshund Gretel was diagnosed with IVDD, we had to make some major changes around the house. Specifically, we needed to prevent her from jumping off the couch. In my mind, there were only two ways to do that: Completely prevent her from getting on the couch in the first place.Make it so the only way on and off the couch was a ramp. Since our Dachshunds love laying on the … [Read more...]
Can Dogs Go in an Infrared Sauna?
I'm getting an infrared sauna next month and I wondered if my dogs can go in an infrared sauna with me. Yep! I'm that crazy dog lady that wants to share as much of my life, and activities, with my dogs as I can. I wondered if they would enjoy the dry heat of an infrared sauna because they love to soak up the hot sun in the back yard. I wondered if the high temperature was safe for … [Read more...]
What Are the Chances My IVDD Dachshund Will Need a Second Surgery Later In Life?
I received this question from a blog reader the other day: "How many cases have you encountered of repeat Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) and what amount resulted in a second surgery?" The woman said she found little information online regarding Dachshunds who experience a spinal injury related to IVDD a second time. Since I have a decent perspective on this, I thought I would write up … [Read more...]
The Best Hiking Backpacks for Small Dogs
If you want a backpack for your small dog - which is generally accepted to be dogs 25 lbs or under - but are having a hard time finding one that fits, you’ve come to the right place. Looking for Backpacks to Carry Your Small Dog in? Check Out This Article. I’ve been hiking with my small dogs for over 15 years. I also worked at a large outdoor retailer for 6 years. I’m not only … [Read more...]
Help! My Dachshund Won’t Come When Called!
Dachshunds are natural-born hunters. They are more inclined to chase something they believe to be prey rather than listen when you attempt to call them back. It is possible to improve a Dachshund’s reliability with recall. Teaching them to come when called will help ensure safety, and allow you to walk with them off-leash in certain situations. A Dachshund’s hunting instincts are … [Read more...]
How to Make Sure Your Dog Doesn’t Die of Heat Stroke
As dog owners, we like to think we are always being careful and bad things won’t happen to our dogs. I remember the first time Gretel got heatstroke. It was scary. It was a hot day in Seattle so we decided to hang out on the water in hopes of staying cooler. We went paddleboarding for a few hours on the lake by our house. It was warm but it didn’t feel particularly hot. There was a nice … [Read more...]
8 Expert Tips for Camping With a Small Dog
Camping with your small dog is a fun way to bond with them while enjoying everything the great outdoors have to offer. I’ve been camping with my miniature Dachshunds for over 18 years and it’s one of my favorite things to do with them. They love the sighs and smells of the outdoors and seeing them come alive brings me joy. In order to have a successful camping trip, you should be … [Read more...]
How to Protect Your Small Dog From Wildlife While Hiking
For me, getting out into nature to enjoy a hike with my dogs is one of the most relaxing, fulfilling activities we can do together. But adventuring out in the wild with my small dogs means that we may be faced with potential threats. Each time we venture out into the woods, we are intruding on the habitat of the wildlife that lives there. I’ve done a lot of research over the … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Your Dachshund Will love Hiking
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...]
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...]
