Preparing for Your Dachshund Puppy
Are you excited to bring home your new dachshund puppy?! Here at the Sausage Dog Box Headquarters, we've been lucky enough to welcome six sausage dogs into our homes and from this magical (and sometimes stressful!) experience, we've learnt A LOT.
We've given advice to thousands of new owners over the years, from how to cope with sleepless nights whilst they settle to suggestions for toilet training. We thought we'd pull together a blog of our own experience and tips to help new lucky dachshund puppy owners, including a breakdown of our full range of dachshund puppy essentials.
Dachshunds are an incredible breed, not to be underestimated. The amount of love they give is warming for anyone's soul, however on the flip side some behaviours can be challenging. It's important to never misjudge a dachshund's sheer determination, intelligence and stubbornness. Preparing for your new furry friend is crucial to ensure a smooth transition and a happy, healthy life for your pup. Keep reading for essential tips and guidelines on how to prepare for your dachshund puppy.
Getting Your Home Ready
Before you bring your dachshund puppy home, it's essential to puppy-proof your living space. Dachshunds are curious and energetic, so make sure to remove any potential hazards such as electrical cords, toxic plants, and small objects that your puppy could swallow. Investing in a comfortable bed, cosy blankets, food and water bowls, toys, and creating a safe space will help your puppy feel at home, whether that be a cosy bed in the corner of your lounge, puppy pen or crate.
Crates are a controversial subject as demonstrated in 350 odd very divided comments we received on one of our recent Facebook posts, however you have to decide what works for you and your dachshund. Many trainers and behaviourists advocate for dogs having their own little home inside a home, and personally my hounds enjoy being snuggled up in their crate with each other, away from the toddler and very scary hoover. In addition, it can be beneficial for your dachshund to be used to a crate in the instance they may need crate rest as advised by a vet following surgery or an injury. It is important to ensure any crate or pen is not used as punishment, but as a safe and calm space instead, as using a crate in the wrong way will only elevate a dachshund's anxiety longer term and cause much more harm than good.
Please don't be afraid to discuss options with a qualified dog behaviourist, there are many professionals who have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be shared to help you feel comfortable with any decisions you make, and ultimately they are qualified and experienced when it comes to supporting you to help your new little family member settle in quicker. The below pictured crate is one of our favourite ones as it is strong, features two opening doors, is big enough for two miniature dachshunds and a water bowl, comes with a soft mattress and has a handy draw to keep all of your dachshunds bits and bobs in one place.
Nutrition and Diet
Proper nutrition is key to your dachshund puppy's health and well-being. Choose a high-quality puppy food that is suitable for small breeds. A brilliant website to check out is ‘All About Dog Food’. We've used their handy tool a number of times to seek out the best food options, and whilst some of our dogs thrive being raw fed, others simply have just not adjusted well. You will find the nutritional value of various dog foods, from raw, wet and dry food on their website.
Dachshunds have a tendency to gain weight, which can sometimes lead to unfavourable and expensive health conditions, so make sure to feed them the right amount and avoid overfeeding. Similarly, it is hard to know if they are getting enough based on their activity level. We'd always recommend consulting with your veterinarian to create a feeding schedule that meets your puppy's nutritional needs, and we'd recommend you monitor closely as you go along. When it comes to supplements, most high quality dog foods provide enough nutrition for your dachshunds' needs and choosing to offer nutritional supplements on top of their usual diet is entirely up to you, but if you're ever worried or would like to know more, then contact a reputable nutritionist or your vet for further advice.
If you were thinking of adding in some supplements to promote overall well-being, urinary and skin health, joint support, a digestion aid or a calming remedy, we'd recommend Dorwest's comprehensive range of 100% natural supplements. Take a look at the full range nutritional supplements that are perfect for dachshunds here.
Training and Socialisation
Early training and socialisation are crucial for dachshund puppies. We can't stress this enough! We sadly had one puppy who suffered from a terrible bug in the early days, which meant we needed to restart their vaccinations, delaying when we could start practicing some socialisation. Their behaviour as an adult dachshund towards other dogs and strangers is very noticeably different compared with our other little teckels.
Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, and come, and use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise. Socialise your puppy with other dogs and people to prevent behaviour problems in the future. It's important to be mindful of helping to build your dachshunds' confidence by allowing them to have positive associations with other dogs and people, a great start would be engaging with other owners of well-balance dogs for controlled and pleasant encounters, and of course providing high value treats. A Bark Avenue Hands-Free Dog Walking Bag can be a great addition when it comes to training your dog, due to it's wipeable and convenient treat pouch and discreet poop-bag dispenser. You can also clip your dog directly into the reinforced bag or waistbelt, meaning your hands are free to focus on training and grabbing treats!
We all know some Dachshund’s can be a anxious breed so socialisation is key. Consider enrolling your puppy in puppy training classes to help them develop. Again, due to the complexity of the breed, we'd also recommend using a qualified and reputable behaviourist to help you along the way should you require some help. If you are looking to introduce your dachshund puppy to the big wide world before they are able to walk on the ground in public places due to vaccination timelines and constraints, our puppy carrier sling is a great option.
It can help your puppy become familiar with many outside sights, smells, and sounds, prior to their next milestone, an exciting (and probably slow!) walk in your local park. Puppies should not be walked on hard ground for too long whilst their joints are still developing, so our dachshund puppy carrier slings are a great addition for when they need a little rest, even after the painful stage of waiting for the day they can explore on the ground!
Make toilet training easier with our grass puppy pee pad. Toilet training your Dachshund puppy requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Start by establishing a routine for bathroom breaks, taking your puppy outside or placing them on the pee pad first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime. Use the same words such as “wee wee’s" or "potty”. When your Dachshund puppy successfully does their business outside or on the pad praise them and offer a treat to reinforce the behavior. Keep a close eye on your puppy indoors and watch for signs that they need to go outside, such as sniffing or circling. If accidents happen, clean up the mess thoroughly to remove any lingering scent that may attract your puppy to the same spot.
Exercise and Playtime
Dachshunds are an active breed that requires regular exercise and playtime to stay healthy and happy. Take your puppy for daily walks (after all vaccinations), play fetch or 'find it' in the garden, or engage them in interactive games to stimulate their mind and prevent boredom.
Providing your dachshund with sufficient exercise will help prevent obesity and strengthen your bond with your furry friend. We know first hand the effects of a dachshund who requires a high amount of mental stimulation, and the skirting boards in our kitchen can also vouch for the effects as well! We learnt very quickly that whilst it was physically impossible to entertain our puppy every second of the day, there is a lot you can do to work their little brains, and sometimes mental stimulation can tire them out more than physical activity. In every spare 10 minutes, we played games such as hiding treats in the garden or wrapping some inside a blanket for them to find, which provided them with enough mental stimulation until their next walk (this definitely saved the skirting boards from more tiny teeth marks!).
Did you know, dogs see the world with their nose? They have up to 50 times as many scent receptors as humans, and their sense of smell is a whopping 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans (vet approved facts via Dogster). The act of sniffing releases feel-good hormones such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. This means, scent work can help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs, so consider hiding treats for them to find, they will quite literally love the challenge and the end result.
Don't be afraid to ask trainers or other dog owners for fun and creative new ways to provide mental stimulation for your pup. Similarly, licking and chewing can help your dachshund to feel calm and relaxed, so we'd always recommend providing high quality chew toys or promoting licking by spreading something super yummy and suitable for dogs over a licki mat. Our pack is often treated to some doggy peanut butter or goats milk, or the occasional 100% natural Yak chew, which is suitable for puppies from 12 weeks old.
Grooming and Hygiene
Regular grooming and hygiene are essential for your dachshund puppy's well-being. Brush your puppy's coat regularly to prevent tangles and mats, trim their nails, clean their ears, and brush their teeth to maintain good oral hygiene. Establish a grooming routine early on to help your puppy get used to being handled and groomed. Your future self will thank your current self if you manage to create a regular and calm nail cutting routine from an early age.
Health Care
Regular veterinary care is essential to keep your dachshund puppy healthy and happy. Make sure to schedule vaccinations, deworming, and flea and tick prevention treatments as recommended by your veterinarian. Natural remedies are available and taking the time to research the pro's and con's of each treatment is important to help you make informed decisions about your puppies' health. Keep an eye out for any signs of illness or discomfort and seek medical attention if necessary. Remember to microchip your puppy in case they ever get lost.
Insurance
Whilst insurance for dachshunds can be expensive, having paid a crippling amount in vets fees for the treatment of an illness last year, I'd strongly recommend researching options (lesson learnt!). Lifetime policies are usually bought when a pet is young, they generally offer a more comprehensive level of cover and are intended to last for your dog's whole life, assuming your insurer offers a competitive renewal and you do continue with the cover. This can be particularly beneficial if your dachshund sadly encounters a longer term condition.
We did extensive research and chose to insure four of our dogs with Napo Insurance. At the time, they offered the highest level of cover at £16,000, and considering my own personal experience I felt it was the best option. Here is a £30 referral link if you wanted to proceed with Napo: £30 Amazon Voucher Link. However, I would stress it is important to do your own research and ensure the level of cover and insurer is right for your needs.
What a great post!! I am a Canine Behaviourist and a lot of my clients find my Pre-Puppy Sessions useful, which you can find on my website www.eyesofdogs.co.uk Crate training is by far the best thing you can teach your pup, especially with the high risks of IVDD are Daxies have. This saves the extra distress later on if they need surgical treatment and crate rest, as they will already be so used to it!
What a great post!! I am a Canine Behaviourist and a lot of my clients find my Pre-Puppy Sessions useful, which you can find on my website www.eyesofdogs.co.uk Crate training is by far the best thing you can teach your pup, especially with the high risks of IVDD are Daxies have. This saves the extra distress later on if they need surgical treatment and crate rest, as they will already be so used to it!