Taking Care of Dachshund Dogs

Dachshunds are happy, active and sociable dogs. There are three coats and two sizes: smooth, long or wire coats and standard or miniature sizes. Although Dachshunds are officially in the hound group, their temperament actually combines the scent hunting abilities of hounds with the stubborn ferocity of terriers. The standards were bred to hunt badger and boar, which are formidable opponents. The miniature variety was bred to hunt rabbits and foxes. These were bred to be fierce dogs and can become aggressive if not handled properly.

Things You'll Need

  • Leash
  • Collar
  • Dog toys
  • Dog food
  • Dog dishes
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Instructions

    • 1
      Dachshunds need to be socialized from an early age.

      Socialize your dachshund. This is always an important task with any breed, but dachshunds can become quite aggressive to strangers and other animals if they are not socialized properly from an early age. Even as adults, the dogs should continue their socialization. Socialization means to accustom the dog to everything that it could or will be expected to see or live with during its life: traffic, children, noises of all kinds, people of all kinds, cats, scooters, wheelchairs, crutches, skateboards.

    • 2
      Watch your dachshund's weight.

      Feed your dachshund a quality dry dog food on a regular schedule. It’s OK to add some canned food or even table food to your dog’s main diet of dry dog food. Never overfeed your dachshund. They are prone to weight gain, and when overweight they quickly develop health problems, including back problems.

    • 3
      The dachshund's long back can be fragile.

      Pick up and carry your dachshund properly. Because of the long back, these dogs are prone to both chronic and acute back problems. When lifting your dachshund, always have one hand under the chest and one hand under the rear, and keep the back as level as possible. Never let the rear end just hang from your arms and don’t flip the dog over on its back like a human baby.

    • 4
      Don't let your dachshund jump up without help.

      Provide your dachshund with ramps and short steps around the house, so that the dog will not jump to get onto furniture or in vehicles. Jumping up is not good for its back, so even though your dachshund will jump up without assistance, train the dog to use the steps or ramp instead. Veterinarians are divided as to whether climbing steps slowly to a second or third floor is harmful or helpful. You may want to carry your dog on steps if there are many steps in your house. Discuss stairs with your own veterinarian to see what is best for your dog.

    • 5

      Limit rough play as much as possible. People should not swing the dog as it holds onto a tug toy, sweep it up and turn it upside down or any other kind of rough play. Except for very gentle, known dogs, don’t allow your dachshund to play with larger breeds, especially if they are puppies. Large puppies do not know their own strength.

    • 6

      Take your dachshund to the veterinarian when you first adopt it, and keep up all veterinary appointments thereafter. Dachshunds have a propensity for several health problems: spinal problems and injuries, tooth and gum problems, thyroid disease and more. Sometimes it’s very hard to tell that your dog is not feeling well, as it tries to hide it. Your veterinarian should always check the spine and legs at each appointment, even if there seem to be no symptoms.

    • 7
      A well trained dachshund is loyal and charming.

      Train your dachshund beginning when you first adopt it and continuing for its entire life. Though they are not very big, they are strong and tenacious and need to always know that you are the leader.

    • 8
      Dachshunds love to play and need exercise.

      Exercise your dachshund regularly. Don’t let the size fool you; they are usually active dogs with a strong need for activity and exercise.

    • 9
      A bored dachshund will devise its own games.

      Devise interesting games for your dachshund, to keep the dog physically and mentally fit. They are smart dogs and can learn games like tag, fetch, hide and seek and puzzle toys. If you do not provide mental and physical stimulation for your dachshund, it will find its own stimulation–which may be very hard on your room décor.