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...]
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.
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...]
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 A chubby Dachshund is not "more to love" or a "cute". That extra weight is fat and it's … [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. We stayed at the Denny Creek campground near … [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: They think their Dachshund doesn't need much exerciseThey under-estimate how much exercise their Dachshund is physically capable ofThey think potty-break walks (on a leash or in the yard) are enoughThey have physical … [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...]
