How to Care for a Dachshund Dog

Note that Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Like many small dog breeds, Dachshunds are at a higher risk of developing IVDD, where discs between the vertebrae rupture or bulge, putting pressure on the spinal cord. This condition can lead to pain, bladder control issues, and even paralysis. To reduce the risk of IVDD in Dachshunds, it's important to take extra care. Additionally, watch for early signs of IVDD to catch potential issues early. Seek immediate veterinary care if you observe any of the following symptoms:

• Changes in activity level, no longer as playful
• Difficulty standing
• Crying out in pain
• Behavior changes, becoming anxious or fearful
• Arching the back and neck and/or tensing the back and neck muscles
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Loss of bladder and/or bowel control

Help your Dachshund maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight puts Dachshunds at a higher risk of developing IVDD, so it is important to feed them properly and ensure they get plenty of exercise. To determine if your dog is at an ideal weight, stand above your pet and look down. If you can see the ribs, your pup is too thin and needs to gain weight. If the ribs are not visible but can be felt, your dog is at a healthy weight. If you can't see or feel the ribs, your dog is overweight. Dachshunds should have a defined waist, not a sagging belly.

• Consult with your veterinarian to determine the necessary weight adjustments and proper feeding techniques for maintaining or achieving a healthy weight.
• Take your Dachshund for daily walks and play sessions.
• Limit treats.
• Consider feeding weight-maintaining food if your Dachshund is overweight.

Learn how to properly lift a Dachshund. Lifting your dog correctly helps protect their back. You should support the body with one hand while placing the other hand under their belly to help support their back.

• Never lift a Dachshund with just one hand or by grabbing its feet or head.

Help your Dachshund navigate stairs. Climbing stairs increases pressure on a Dachshund’s back, which could lead to IVDD over time. Normal stairs are too high for this breed and put strain on their back as they ascend or descend.

• Install a small gate to prevent your Dachshund from climbing stairs.
• Consider adding a ramp to smaller stairs that your Dachshund uses frequently.

Prevent your Dachshund from jumping on furniture or high surfaces. Jumping puts extra stress on their back and increases the risk of IVDD. To minimize this risk, avoid allowing your Dachshund to jump onto furniture or beds. If you want your dog to join you on the couch or bed, lift them up instead of encouraging them to jump on their own.

• Consider placing ramps or steps to help your Dachshund reach furniture when you're not home.

Use a harness to walk your Dachshund. If your Dachshund tends to pull on the leash, it adds pressure on their spine, which could cause IVDD. Attach the leash to a harness rather than a collar to reduce strain on their neck and help prevent other risks associated with IVDD.

Keep training sessions short. For the best results, it’s recommended to train your Dachshund three times a day, with each session lasting five minutes. Short training sessions help keep your Dachshund focused. Frequent sessions help reinforce lessons for your pet.

Reward good behavior. To encourage your Dachshund to follow commands, reward them immediately after they perform the desired behavior. For example, if you ask your Dachshund to sit and they do it, praise and reward them right away so they understand that they’ve done something good. Consistently rewarding your Dachshund when they follow commands will help them learn that these behaviors are what you expect.

Ignore bad behavior. By ignoring undesirable behavior or withholding rewards, you help your Dachshund understand what actions are not acceptable. For example, if your Dachshund is excited and running around the house wanting to go for a walk, ignore them until they stop. Once they stand still, you can put on their leash and take them for a walk. This process will teach them that running around will not get them a walk, but standing still will.

Consider hiring a professional dog trainer. If you’re having trouble getting your Dachshund to follow commands, you might want to hire a professional trainer to help. A skilled dog trainer can assist you in training this breed, especially if you're trying to correct unwanted behaviors.

• You can also enroll your Dachshund in group training classes locally if you want them to learn how to interact with the world around them.

Bathing your Dachshund. Use a special dog shampoo to bathe your Dachshund. For dogs with short coats, a bath every three months should suffice. For long-haired Dachshunds, more frequent baths are necessary. Wet the dog's coat using a showerhead, but avoid getting water around the eyes, ears, and nose. Then, apply the shampoo to the coat. Rinse thoroughly and dry the dog with a towel.

• After the bath, praise and offer a treat to your Dachshund so they associate the bath with a positive experience.

Brush your Dachshund's coat. If your Dachshund has a short coat, brushing once a week is enough. For long-haired dogs, daily brushing is required to prevent tangling. Use a wide-toothed comb to untangle the hair before using a brush. While brushing, be sure to offer lots of praise and reward your dog with treats afterward to help them link grooming with positive outcomes.

Trim your dog's nails. To trim a Dachshund's nails, use a special dog nail clipper available at pet stores. It's also helpful to acclimate your Dachshund to having their paws touched before you begin trimming. If your dog is wary of having their feet and nails touched, gently massage their paws and fingers to help them get used to the sensation. Praise and reward your dog when they allow you to touch their feet. Once your dog is comfortable with paw handling, you can start trimming their nails.

• Be careful not to cut too deeply to avoid hitting the sensitive quick, which can bleed.
• If you're concerned about hurting your dog during nail trimming, ask your vet for guidance or take your dog to a grooming professional.

Check for issues. During the cleaning process, you can check for fleas, ticks, and other potential health concerns. Additionally, check your dog's skin for any abnormalities, injuries, or areas of pain. Don’t forget to inspect their ears for excessive wax buildup or any unpleasant odor. If you notice anything unusual, take your Dachshund to the vet promptly for a check-up.