KENTUCKY DACHSHUND RESCUE

Dachshunds were bred for decades by Germans in three sizes, Teckel, Miniature Teckel, and Rabbit Teckel rather than two sizes standard and miniature found in the U.S. In 1873 12 men met in London and founded the kennel club that recognized the breed. In the U.S. the American Kennel Club began in 1873 and the Dachshund Club in 1881. According to the von Marienlust Legacy, one of the leading Dachshund Breeders in the 1930's, Josef and Maria Hehrer of West Hampton NY bred Ch.Favorite von Marienlust who helped set the type for the modern Dachshund with lower legs and deeper chest. He sired over 100 champions .

CHARACTERISTICS

There is nothing like a Dachshund. Dachshunds are longer than they are tall no matter what variety whether, smooth, long hair or wire hair. They were bred for hunting close to the ground prey and their long bodies could go deep into a burrow. Their loud deep woof alerted the hunter to the location of the prey. The temperment of a Dachshund is fearless with no timidity. They will stand up for themselves against much larger animals and backing down is not a trait in their vocabulary. They can be fearless and a bit bossy.

Dachshunds come in many colors: presently in the U.S. red smooth (dominant coloring) black /tan (smooth), Creams. (Isabella) Dapples that show lighter on darker spots on the red smooth or a grey splotches on the black /tan, Long hair which comes in the Black/Tan, Red or Chocolate Browns trimmed in dark colors and Piebalds

The coats of the Dachshund come in smooth, wirehaired and longhaired.

The coat of the long hair is soft and wavy while the wire hair is coarse and straighter and may have whiskers or a beard at the nose.

The nose is black, tight lips and no drooling. Muzzle slightly arched and the long hair and wire hair may have a larger muzzle. The eyes are darked rim, except in the piebald and almond shaped. The ears are long and hang down from the head reaching nearly halfway to the nose. The breastbone is shaped in the chest like a v resembling the keel of a boat. He has strong shoulder muscles. The tail is not large but sleek and tipped

Life Span: A Dachshund generally lives between 14-16 years old.

Temperent: Even though they are short and weigh between 7-20 lb they have a bold nature and and exhuberant personality. They are on the go and jumping off high places such as a bed can lead to back injuries.

Exercise: Dachshunds need exercise but they are not a favorite if you are the jogger type. Those short legs are not built for long runs.

Eating: Dachshunds love to eat and take a dim view of folks who never drop crumbs. It will depend on how active your dachshund is how much you feed him. Most only need 1/2 cup a day but if he is active I would increase it to 3/4 cup per day and feed twice a day 7am and 6pm.

Protection: Dachshunds are fierce protectors of the family unit and territorial of their yard. That is why an underground fence is not a good choice for a Dachshund. It will not keep larger dogs from coming into the yard and a Dachshund will fight fiercely to protect his area and could be killed by a larger dog. Dachshunds usually pick a member of the family and become devoted to that person sometimes following them wherever they go and insisting on being with that person.

Sociability: Dachshunds will accept other pets gradually, even a cat if you raise them from childhood. But, they may be protective of their family members if a new dachshund is suddenly brought into the home. They establish their ownership of the family and sometimes do not like new members if they are loud and noisy such as a baby. If a new baby is to arrive, it would be a good idea to let the dachshund become accustomed to the smells of the formula, clothes, and even a damp diaper BEFORE the baby comes home. Constant reassurrance the Dachshund still has a place in the family will deflate most problems.

Children: Children under two are toddlers and they often tumble , have high pitched voices and stomp loudly. This frightens a Dachshund. They should receive constant monitoring. By three a child is able to learn to be respectful with the Dachshund and should be taught to not grab ears, try to pick the dog up, or jump toward him suddenly. Common sense rules of behavior will thrwart most issues.

Crate: Its a good idea to use a crate for the protection of the Dachshund so he can have his own den to escape that no one enters and to allow him rest time whether he is a pup or an adult. Teach a child to never enter the crate. NEVER.

WHERE TO FIND A DACHSHUND:

Of course we recommend rescue since the dogs coming into rescue are in desparate need of homes. Rescue dogs come from a. owner surrenders b. shelter pulls

Owner surrenders: Sometimes a family can no longer keep a pet they dearly love. It may a move or death in the family or an pet may come from a shelter pickup from a stray running lose.

Make sure whether you adopt from a breeder or a rescue, that the pet you receive is up to date on all vaccinations, had a fecal test for worms, a heartworm test for heartworms and you know the background as much as possible of the pets history. Since histories of rescue dogs are not readily available you may request a DNA test (at your cost) that will tell the profile of the dogs DNA.

Puppies should not be adopted before 8 weeks and preferably 12 weeks when they have had most of their shots. Prepare your home before bringing your pet in by tucking away cords, removing plants, and preparing for where he will sleep, eat, play and what he will eat. Its a good idea to keep him on the same food and gradually change if you need to.

WHAT DOES YOUR PET NEED?

A good collar- (if he's a puppy one that will allow him to grow)

A good leash--there's no time like the beginning to leash train. Start with short walks and encourage him to take the lead. If he's reluctant entice him with a treat. Always use the the same word to encourage him to "come on". Never pull or yank a leash as that may harm the neck. If he struggles with the leash, take your time and kneel and say "no" then let him try again.

ID tags--the rabies tag should be attached to his collar. Microchipping however is a permanent way to id your pet . Most vets provide the injection of the small rice like capsule under the skin with the unique number to identify your pet. Most vets , rescues and shelters own scanners and use them frequently to identify whether a pet is owned.

Food and Water Bowls- Metal or heavy bowls are best . They prevent chewing that plastic containers encourage.

Toys and Chews-- Your dog loves to chew, even as an adult. So provide nylabones or heavy rubber chews often serve the purpose. Those fluffy toys with squeakers inside may cause digestive blockages and choking. Rawhide is something that must be supervised as large pieces can be swallowed and cause choking. Watch out for the rope kind as the strings can be digested and cause blockages.

REGISTERING YOUR DOG

If your Dachshund is a shelter or rescue pet and you feel he is purebred and want to compete in AKC performance events, you may apply for an ILP number. The Indefinite Listing Privelege allows you to compete in all events except the Conformation shows. You need to send pictures to AKC along with an application showing your dog is truly a Dachshund.

TRAVELING WITH A DACHSHUND

When you take a vacation it will be time to decide if you want to take your Dachshund with you. Plan ahead. If you will be spending a lot of time at parks where your dog is not welcome, it may be best if he stays home. If you're staying with family make sure he's welcome. And never leave your pet in a hot car. If he's going you'll need to pack for him. A first aid kit,water from home, his own food and meds , take his rabies certificate, and make sure he's wearing his tags. Its also a good idea to take extra towels in case of upset. Plastic sandwich bags to pick up droppings. If you're staying on a 2nd floor of a hotel, take a hard carrier for the car and a soft lighter weight one for the room. Always leave your dog crated in a motel room and put out the "DO NOT DISTURB' sign. Many dogs are lost simply because someone opened the door suddenly while Junior was lose in the room.

Flying with your Dachshund

Miniature Dachshunds are small enough to fly in soft carriers under your seat. But make sure before you go to the airport. Airlines may only allow so many pets to fly on that flight. If he's flying in baggage (which we dont recommend) try freezing his water and let it melt during the flight so he will have fresh water. You'll need an airline approved crate and plastic is better than metal since metal gets hot.. Have absorbent material in the bedding. Check often with the personnel about how your dog is. Traveling in very hot or cold weather is a poor choice. The optimal temperature used by airlines is: 45 degrees to 85 degrees . If it is colder or hotter than those temperatures at the starting , end between or ending location then its not a good time to fly your dog in baggage. Many dogs are lost the same as baggage and fly to other locations and may take several days to locate. Be prepared to deal with this.

Boarding Kennels.

If you chose to board your Dachshund, make sure you check the kennel out thoroughly. You may want to provide your dog's personal crate to make him feel more comfortable. Bring his own food, water from home and toys. Select a kennel based on its cleanliness, how well the pets in the kennel are cared for, whether someone is always in attendance and if they have professional vets on call. Ask for references and make sure you check them out. Its better to go the limit than have to cancel your vacation. Make sure you provide whoever will be carrying for your pet all its vaccination records and allergies and the phone number of your vet.

Pet Sitters

The other option is to hire a sitter who will come to your home. Some sitter will come in at specific times to feed, play with and take your dog out to potty. Others will actually stay in your home while you are away. The average cost for an in-home sitter may be higher (as much as $30 per day) but they will be there to give individual attention and may even water your plants . Check the references of any individuals staying at your home. Leave your vets name and always give your cell phone if they need to call. Make sure your sitter visits your dog several times BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME. Its even a good idea if they are present when you leave to make a smooth transition. Dont hesitate to check in frequently.

No matter what option you choose keep your dog's health and safety in mind when planning your trip.

FEEDING YOUR DACHSHUND

Food is important.....but be sure you are feeding a well balanced diet for your Dachshund. They are notorious beggers and its all right to share a piece of cheese or a boiled egg with your dog. Health experts now say that a variety of foods helps eliminate a pet from developing allergies. Just watch when you give your pet a new food if he should develop diarrhea within 24 hours you would not want to give that food again. He should have a basic diet of dry kibbles and at least 3 Tablespoons of canned food to make it tasty. We recommend the canned food in addition to dry because although dry food will sustain a pet it is mostly made from grains and all the vitamins they receive are added not natural. Dry food diet will keep your dog slim...but the important thing is nutrients. Some dogs are allergic to corn so check the label on your dog food bag if your dog is constantly itching and you see no sign of fleas. Corn is cheap and a lot of dog foods are based on it. But dogs naturally are carnivous not herbivours so they need real meat. Boiled chicken breasts from your grocer without preservatives, raw beef baked, eggs, and even canned green beans are not harmful to your dog when added with his regular diet. If you have more than one dog, its a good idea to start the habit of feeding in the crate. That way you can limit the food of each dog and there is no food aggression. After a few times they run to the cage at feeding time because the crate is a good experience. Remember to remove his bowl within 20 min of eating and let him out to eliminate.

How Much to Feed-

Young dogs will eat more than older couch potato dogs. Puppies eat about 1/2 cup of kibble with a teaspoon of canned food four times a day. Reduce to three feedings at 16 weeks and to two feedings at four months. Dont let your Dachshund get fat. If you're using treats in behavior training make sure you delete that amount from his overall amount of food.

Treats- No more than 10% of your dogs diet should be treats. You can give a small amount of turkey but no stuffing. A spoonful of canned pumpkin won't hurt but not the baked seasoned pie. Stay away from CHOCOLATE. It takes only ten ounces of milk chocolate to be a fatal dose or 1/2 to 1 ounce of baking chocolate or 2-3 ounces of baking chocolate can kill a medium size dog. Liver treats are used by trainers and folks showing their dogs. Liver makes a wonderful treat and its fast to make. Just pop it into the microwave or boil it for 20 minutes and slice into tiny pieces.

TEACHING MANNERS

Start from the beginning teaching good table manners to your Dachshund. It may seem cute to let your dog have the rest of your cereal milk, but what happens when you have two or three waiting for you to finish? Teach your Dachshund to get , you have to give. Use treats to teach him to stay or sit .

GROOMING YOUR DACHSHUND

Bath time should be a happy time. Plan ahead. We recommend using the bathtub with a detachable shower head. Make sure you have all your supplies available before you get the pet. He will not wait patiently while you hunt the shampoo. Have several towels ready, his shampoo and a towel on the floor for your knees and to sit him immediately when he comes out of the bath. The room should be warm. Don't chase your dog down to catch him. Offer a treat if needed and pick him up casually....dont make a big deal out of it. Once he sees the tub he may struggle...close the bathroom door to prevent escape and onlookers causing him stress. Set him in the tub and start the water slowly . Engage the sprayer. If he's afraid of it, you may just start with 3 inches of water in the tub. Add a good dog shampoo and lather up to the base of his neck. I dont wash my dogs face except with a cloth to prevent getting soap around the eyes or into the ears. Talk to him and reassure him you are having a good time. Engage the sprayer and rinse him thoroughly, especially underneath. Dachshund hair is very tight and the water should run clear with no soap. Lay a towel over him and gently lift him out of the tub and to the floor where you can finish drying him. I do not allow my pet out into the draft of the house until he is at least mostly dry. And never allow him outside until completely dry. In winter, I would wait at least a few hours before allowing him outdoors and then he would wear a sweater . Trim nails and brush after he's dry. If he's due for a Frontline Spray, now is the time to do it. Check his ears for any smell and use a soft washcloth to rub the teeth.

DENTAL CARE

Your dog's breath shouldn't smell like a breath of fresh air, but it shouldn't smell terrible either. If you feed a good diet and allow him to have chew items that will clean his teeth naturally he should have a healthy mouth. Occasional brushing, if he will allow it with either a small soft toothbrush or a washcloth will prevent buildup. There are oral sprays to prevent tartar build up too but they sometimes sting if he has a sore tooth. Don't ignore if your dog has bad breath. If its a fruity smell it may mean your dog has diabetes. Annual check ups at your vet should let you know if you need a professional cleaning.

TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR

Setting Rules--Waiting to be fed, not charging out the door, walking on a leash all these are training and behavior. In the wild animals develop a pack order. Its the same in your home. You should be the pack leader and everyone in your household should come before the pet in rank order. He should use the same door to go potty, be fed at certain times, and be allowed to do only those things you determine are approprate AND EVERYONE SHOULD FOLLOW THE SAME RULES. That means if you dont want him begging at the table NO ONE is allowed to give him food.

Its important to Socialize your pet so he will be loving and friendly. Take him to the park and have others feed him. Introduce him to older folks, younger folks, other dogs and cats. Once your puppy has had his shots take him around the neighborhood , introduce him to children, the postman, the neighbors. Don't let other pick him up or hold him , but supervise their interaction with him. When introducing a larger dog, be careful and don't hesitiate to pick up your Dachshund if things don't go well.

Crate training--Its not a bad thing...as a matter of fact it represents his den to him..Dogs don's see bars they see a den and protection. Crate training helps at feeding times when you have many dogs and prevents aggression. A crate is a good idea when you have company over and don't want the dog to be the center of attention. A soft blanket , his toy and a treat will keep him happy for hours. Another good reason is housebreaking to home your puppy when you can't watch him. Travel is another good time for a crate as it provide protection for your Dachshund who could easily jump from a down window or get trapped under the drivers foot.

Crate Limits--Until your Dachshund is housetrained and about a year old when you leave the house make sure he is crated. Make sure he has water and maybe a toy. This doesnt mean you put your Dachshund in the crate at 8 am and leave him until you get home at 6 pm. A crate can have advantages but using it to doggie sit is not a humane practice. The rule for pups is they can be crated for their age in months plus 1. So if your puppy is two months, three hours is the limit. The other rule is no longer than four hours for any dog puppy or adult. If you cant find a family member to let the dog out for a break then turn a laundry room into his day space where he can play about and exercise. Add a small wall space heater to your garage and make sure everything is up off the floor. Dogs are pack animals and do better in a pair. So to avoid separation anxiety if you work long hours consider getting an older dog or a pair to keep one another company. Isolation is punishment and is used foremost in our human world as punishment in our prison system. Dont treat your dog that way just because he's a dog.

Housetraining- Housetraining with a crate is good with puppies. Take him out first thing in the morning to a specific spot. Give him breakfast while you have yours and then take him out again 20 min later. There should be play time before everyone leaves for work or school. Put him in his crate for no more than 4 hours. Someone should take him out to potty and play for at least an hour and then he can spend another four hours until you get home. Take him out of the crate immediately when you arrive home and let him potty. Feed him and then its play time. Then he may nap while you have your dinner and watch tv. Take him out again before your bedtime and keep him warm all night . If he awakes you will have to take him out . Its a good idea to have his crate in your bedroom so you can hear him at night and he feels close to you. Never clean up his mess with ammonia because he will return to that area again. Papertraining is an option if you are gone longer than 4 hours and no one can let him out. Set an area of your home for him and gate it off, such as the kitchen with vinyl. Place his pad in a specific area. Used newspapers are good. Only remove the top paper so he can smell where he is to return.

Leash Training--After housetraining , you'll want to leash train your pet. Set aside a certain time to take a walk each day. Make sure he is comfortable with his collar before you add the leash. You may let him drag it around and become used to it. When you take him on his walk, at first let him take the lead. He will soon become accustomed to it and then you can direct his lead.

Coming When Called--The puppy must know his name before he will respond to coming when called. Make sure it is a good experience when he comes to you. Give him a treat or a pat on the head. If he has misbehaved go get him and pick him up to reprimand him....don't expect him to come to you and then get punished.

Teaching Sit--Sitting is trained by offering him a treat and allowing your hand to move back over his head . Dont hold it too high or he will jump up. When he sits , praise him and give him the treat.

Teaching Stay--Start with your Dachshund sitting on your left. Place your open palm in front of his nose and give the stay command. Move one in front of your Dachshund, then move back beside him and praise him. Extend the time you are in front of him before you release him.

Teaching Down--Once your Dachshund understand training you can attempt the Down . First tell your Dachshund to sit, Hold a treat in your hand and move it slowly down and away as you give the command to down.

Using Clickers--Professionals use clickers to train. I snap my fingers. It works! The clicker or snap marks the behavior t the instant it occurs and there is no tone to or change ..its always the same. There's no edge of impatience , no variation in volume. You can achieve the same results with words but it has to be the same word every time. Remember "Go" can mean several things ...go potty, go for a ride, or get off the bed. Its best to use that one word for one thing and another word for another behavior. You'll have better results with a less confused dog.

WHEN ITS ALL SAID AND DONE ...ENJOYING YOUR DACHSHUND IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. BEING FAIR IN YOUR EXPECTATIONS....AND ENJOYING HIM FOR WHAT HE IS A REALLY LOVABLE LITTLE PET.......KATHY M PRES. KDR

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