Since 25% of Dachshunds will experience IVDD (Intervertebral Disk Disease/Degeneration) related back issues in their lifetime, many Dachshund owners wonder if there is an IVDD test. Back surgery can cost around $10,000, and it can severely impact the quality of a dog’s life (and the humans that care for them), so it’s very valuable for Dachshund owners to know if their dog is one that will be … [Read more...]
20 Warning Signs of a Dachshund Back Injury (With Printable Checklist)
If you have a Dachshund, it’s likely you have heard how common Dachshund back injuries are. Approximately one in four, or 25%, of Dachshunds will experience a back injury in their lifetime. Because you won’t be sure your Dachshund has the disease until an injury occurs, the best thing you can do is commit the warning signs of a back injury to memory and get your dog treatment right away if … [Read more...]
How to Stop Your Dachshund From Backing Out of Their Harness
If you own a Dahcshund, the chances are good that you have experienced this at least once: You take your Dachshund for a walk and suddenly they stop in their tracks and refuse to go onYou gently, and then perhaps more firmly, pull on the leash to encourage them to keep goingYour Dacshund resists this pressure and pulls backwards on the harnessYour Dachshund pulls and wriggles until they back … [Read more...]
How Often Should You Bathe a Dachshund?
Staying on top of your Dachshund’s grooming needs is an important part of being a responsible dog owner. Not only is a proper grooming routine helpful in keeping your house clean, but it also has a direct impact on your dog’s health and well-being. It controls shedding, prevents painful matting, removes dirt and grime, and allows you to spot any signs of illness. How often should … [Read more...]
5 Must Haves for a Dachshund Recovering From An IVDD Back Injury
My Dachshund Gretel suffered a back injury and was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) in 2016. Many friends and members of our Dachshund club have shared their experiences with IVDD and recovery with us over the years. Here are 5 things I found essential to get through a back injury and the recovery period. Disclosure: Some of the links in this article … [Read more...]
Myelomalacia in Dachshunds: Is My Dog at Risk?
If your Dachshund has recently had surgery for back problems or a spinal injury, you may have heard your veterinarian mention a condition called myelomalacia. However, if you haven’t heard about it, you’re not alone. Myelomalacia in Dachshunds is not often spoken about because it’s incredibly rare, but it is still possible! To help raise awareness about this potential complication … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Entertain Your Small Dog Indoors this Winter
With the snow falling and the temperatures dropping, many dog owners find themselves spending more and more time indoors with their dogs. However, boredom and a lack of exercise can lead to many undesirable bad habits including excessive barking, pestering, hyperactivity, or destructive behavior. Rest assured, there are options available to entertain your dog indoors throughout the winter … [Read more...]
Could My Dachshund Have a Luxating Patella?
A luxating patella is a common condition in dogs but is especially prevalent in small breeds like Dachshunds. It usually becomes noticeable around 4-6 months of age, and it’s often a congenital defect. Dachshunds have a predisposition for luxating patella, and it can normally be diagnosed and treated early on. What is a Luxating Patella? The word “patella” refers to the kneecap. … [Read more...]
LumaSoothe: IVDD Light Therapy at Home
If your dog has been diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), or suffered an injury, you have likely heard about "light therapy" or "cold laser" treatments from your veterinarian or others dog owners. While effective at reducing inflammation and increasing the body's capacity to heal, most cold laser treatments are only available from your veterinarian and a series of treatments can … [Read more...]
9 Reasons Your Dachshund is Peeing in the House
There are several reasons why your Dachshund may be peeing in the house. Some are under their control and some aren't. Some are under your control and some aren't. Possible Reasons Your Dachshund is Peeing in the House These are the most common reasons why a Dachshund pees in the house. Based on my 15 years of listening to, and learning from, literally thousands of Dachshund owners … [Read more...]
DoggoRamps Dog Couch Ramp for Dachshunds
Does your Dachshund love to lay next to you on the couch? If the doorbell rings, or you get up, without a gentle way for your Dachshund to get off the couch, they have to jump down to get to the door or follow you to the other room. Since Dachshunds are brave and athletic, their jump is often like a flying leap. This repeated impact can cause injury or health issues down the … [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...]
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 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...]
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 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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
