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...]
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...]
What’s the Minimum Exercise Required to Help Keep a Dachshund’s Back Strong?
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 fitIt 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...]
What I Feed My Active Dachshunds to Help Keep Them Healthy
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...]
Why You Should Rotate Your Dachshund’s Food and How to Do it Properly
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 food … [Read more...]
The Pros and Cons of Ovary Sparing Spay (OSS) for Your Dachshund
Are trying to decide whether to spay your dog or not? Did you know there is a middle ground called an Ovary Sparing Spay (OSS)? UPDATED: May 10, 2022 I didn't until 2019 when, for the first time, I brought home a dog that wasn't already desexed. I knew that getting her "fixed" was the right thing to do for our situation but, now that I was bestowed the responsibility myself, I wanted to … [Read more...]
5 Things That Will Make the First Days with Your New Puppy Easier
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 come home, I … [Read more...]
Can CBD Oil Help Calm My Anxious Dachshund?
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...]
How Much Exercise Does a Miniature Dachshund Need?
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...]
How to Choose a Small Dog Crate for Your Dachshund
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...]
Love and Loss: Letting Go of My Dog With Dementia
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...]
Help! My Dachshund Suddenly Can’t Walk
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...]
Why Does My Dog Bark or Pee On the Floor When I Leave?
I've received many emails from Dachshund owners who are frustrated that their dog barks all day, or pees in the house, when they're gone. Most ask me if I think their pup does it because they are mad - or out of spite - and how to stop it. Since this topic doesn't only apply to Dachshunds, Chester used to have this issue, and it can be a problem when a dog is left alone in a car while traveling … [Read more...]
Does My Small Dog Need to Wear a Jacket in Winter?
Unless your dog is an Arctic breed that is selectively bred to withstand subzero temperatures, they could probably use at least one warm jacket to get them through the winter safely and comfortably. Dog jackets aren’t just for looks - they can keep your dog’s body temperature stable when they go outside for potty breaks each day, on quick walks, and on long winter hikes. Your Dog’s Cold … [Read more...]
5 Important Reasons to Gate Your Small Dog Out of the Kitchen
The kitchen is probably the most dangerous room in your house. It’s full of sharp objects, things your dog shouldn’t eat, hot liquids, etc. Your dog just wants to be part of the action but that can be risky for both you and your dog. It’s safest to keep your pet out of the kitchen while you are working in there. Why You Should Keep Your Dog Out of the Kitchen 1. So you don’t drop things on them … [Read more...]
Can Cold Laser Therapy Benefit My Dachshund?
When my Dachshund Gretel injured her back, and was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD), I wanted to get her on the road to healing as fast as I could. During our first visit with the rehab vet, I asked her about absolutely every treatment I knew existed to potentially help Dachshunds with back problems. I went armed with a list of about 10 things and made the vet explain … [Read more...]
What Should My Dachshund Weigh?
I get a lot of questions about the Dachshund breed, and, because our blog is one centered around being active with your Dachshund, one of the common question I hear is “Do you think my Dachshund is fat?” I’m no veterinarian, but I’ve owned Dachshunds for 15 years, I've blogged about them for almost 8, I've organized the Dachshund club for over 6, and I was a Doxie walker and sitter (yes, I … [Read more...]
IVDD Recovery Treatment – Things You Can Do at Home
When Gretel injured her back, and was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), I was determined that this would just be a blip in our journey together. I see people every day that overcame physical limitations and continue to be active in the outdoors. Although mild by comparison to some issues, I've deal with chronic injuries myself so I know it's possible. My goal with Gretel was to … [Read more...]
Exercises to Strengthen a Dachshund’s Back and Improve Balance
UPDATED: May 10, 2020 Whether you are looking for ways to help prevent, or minimize, your Dachshund's back injury, or are looking for exercises to help your dog recover from Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) , you have come to the right place. A big part of my Dachshund Gretel's active recovery from her back injury, caused by IVDD, were the strength-building, body awareness, and balance … [Read more...]
Supplements for Dachshunds with IVDD, Seniors, and Active Dogs
You want to keep your Dahchsund healthy so you may be wondering what the best supplements are. I want to keep my Dachshunds healthy too so I researched supplements for senior dogs, supplements for Dachshunds with IVDD, and supplements for dogs that are very active. I came up with a list of supplements that I wanted to give my Dachshunds to address the things above. The list of supplements … [Read more...]