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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

As you know if you're read my blog at all, I am very passionate about making sure a Dachshund gets enough exercise. There are two main reasons for this: It helps to keep them healthy and fit It helps keep their core and back muscles strong so they are less likely to suffer from a back injury (or, as in our case, it was more mild and can recover faster) Over the years, I've found that … [Read more...]

I've been asked these questions lot over the years: "What dog food do you recommend for Dachshunds?" "What should I feed my Dachshund to keep them healthy like yours?" "What do you think about food X or Y for Dachshunds?" For the most part, I've also creatively dodged those questions a lot over the years. You see, every dog is different. Every owner preference is different. Every budget is … [Read more...]

Besides bringing variety, and a “thrill” to your dog’s taste buds, there are many reasons why you may want to rotate your dog’s food. Why Should I Switch My Dog’s Food? Dog Food Advisor sums it up perfectly, “Since there’s no such thing as a perfect dog food, it’s reasonable to assume every product is deficient or excessive in some way. So, built-in flaws tend to be magnified when the same … [Read more...]

For the first time, I brought home a dog that wasn't spayed. I knew that getting her "fixed" was the right thing to do for us but, now that I was bestowed the responsibility myself, I wanted to do some research first. I started to hear mumbling that perhaps spaying a dog at a young age wasn't as beneficial as once thought. It seemed that waiting until a dog was older to spay, or opting for an … [Read more...]

Bringing home a new puppy is very exciting. You’ve likely chosen a puppy but have to wait weeks before he or she is old enough to come home to you. The bad news is that the wait can be difficult and feel like forever. The good news is waiting gives you a lot of time to think and prepare to bring your new furry family member home. When I was waiting for my new Dachshund puppy to … [Read more...]

I know what it’s like to have an anxious dog. Gretel was so nervous she was on Prozac when I adopted her. Over the years, she’s calmed down and learned to not be so reactive. However, sometimes when she gets stressed, her inner demon still rears its ugly head. I help control her anxiety naturally now using CBD products made for dogs. What is CBD? CBD (Cannabidiol) is a product of the cannabis … [Read more...]

When I adopted Gretel, she was almost 1 years old and the rescue told me that she was crate trained.  After bringing her home we realized she was most definitely not! She threw an anxious fit when I shut her in a crate.  One time, she broke a nail scratching the sides and bled all over.  Another time, she actually busted the plastic crate in half. I had to, basically, start … [Read more...]

It frustrates me that so many people treat their wiener dogs like lapdogs. I see so many Dachshunds that are overweight and I'm sure it's the belief that Dachshund are fragile and don't need much exercise that significantly contributes to that. Just because Dachshunds are nicknamed "sausage dogs", doesn't mean they should look like one (the nickname is actually because it's speculated that the … [Read more...]

You’ve just brought home a new Dachshund. Perhaps a puppy, a senior dog, or an adult. On your must-buy list is a crate. You've heard everyone talk about the importance of crate training, but where do you even start when it comes to choosing the right crate for your Dachshund? Ask yourself these questions, and follow these tips, to help ensure you pick the right crate for your … [Read more...]

I slowly meandered through the woods with Chester and sat on a log. I had things I needed to say to him. Things I wanted him to know. There was no better setting than in the woods a few miles from my house to tell him. We'd shared almost 16 years of adventure in places like that. As I held him tight and started to whisper to him, he looked away from me like he was searching for something. He … [Read more...]

It's difficult dealing with a Dachshund who has separation anxiety. Unfortunately, many people experience their Dachshund acting out when they leave the house but don't know it's anxiety that's causing their dog to "be bad". If your Dachshund is doing these things when you leave the house, they might have separation anxiety: Excessively barking or howling Destroying furniture by chewing  … [Read more...]

Over the years, I've probably received 100 messages and emails from people whose Dachshunds are experiencing back problems, neck problems, and trouble walking. Although I've written several articles on the topic, I haven't yet written one that specifically addresses the urgent time right after you discover that your Dachshund's back legs are paralyzed, their front legs won't work, or they are … [Read more...]