Caring For Your Dachshund

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility! They depend on us for everything, at minimum, safety, food, shelter, nurturing and love! However, they are family and deserve much more! When you take a puppy into your life, you should understand the lifelong commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health:

Generally, a healthy breed, the Dachshund can be expected to live 12 to 16 years with proper care, so long as it is kept on a nutritionally sound diet and has enough exercise to maintain good muscle tone. To prevent disc damage to the dachshund's long back, be vigilant about keeping him from becoming overweight, and always monitor his activities to avoid back injury. Like most dogs with drop ears, dachshunds can get ear infections if their ears aren't kept clean.

At DiamondDachs, we do all the recommended health tests from the National Breed Club:

Patella Evaluation
Cardiac Exam
Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming:

Smooth dachshunds are moderate shedders, relatively clean, and have little or no body odor. They are somewhat 'wash and wear,' needing little beyond a wipe with a towel or hound glove to look dapper. All Dachshunds should have their nails trimmed every other week and we bathe monthly. We also encourage you to brush their teeth daily.

Exercise:

Many owners think that because they are so small, dachshunds don't require more exercise than just running around the house. However, they do need regular exercise not only to stay fit, but also to build strong muscles to support and protect their back. Dachshunds require fenced yards to keep them contained and for daily exercise. Regular zoomies in the yard and moderate length walks every day are sufficient.

To avoid injury, never allow your dachshund to run up and down stairs or jump on or off furniture. We have dog steps, ramps and many dog pillows that will allow access to and from our furniture.

Training:

Dachshunds are very intelligent but are also independent and often stubborn, so they can be a challenge to train. They love to give and receive affection and do their best with positive, reward-based training. They are sensitive and will not react well to harsh commands or punishment. Patience and consistency are key. Dachshunds have an excellent sense of smell as well as a strong prey drive. Because they were bred to stay focused and follow a trail without distraction, if they are busy with something more interesting, they may not always pay attention to you. To get started, find a local puppy class. This will be great for both training and socialization.

Crate Training:

If you recently brought home a new puppy, it’s a great time to start crate-training.  Teaching your puppy to use a crate not only helps with potty training, but it also offers them their own space. Dogs find comfort sleeping in small, enclosed areas. Think of a crate as a relaxing, protected destination where they can unwind and have some alone time.

Teaching your dog to use a crate is an important part of puppy training. With crate-training, your dog learns that a crate is a safe and comfortable place to be. Your role is to facilitate their learning by introducing them to their crate and motivating them to use it. Patience and consistency on your part is key, as puppies need to get used to their crate. Many dogs learn to enjoy it. My dogs let me know when it is time for bed. Joy will walk towards the mudroom, where we keep the crates and come back and wait for me to get them all tucked in every night. They are truly creatures of routine!

Why Crate-Training is Important - There are a few important benefits to crate-training:

Provides a safe and comfortable place for your puppy to spend time when you’re away and/or busy.
Crates along with baby gates helps set boundaries in your home.
Crates prevents your puppy from going potty in the house (dogs usually don’t like to relieve themselves in the same place in which they sleep) I am a firm believer that accidents are the owner's fault, not the puppy fault.
Crates prepares your pet for car and/or air travel. I flew to Washington state from Pennsylvania to pick up Wyatt as a puppy. (I can help you choose a FAA-approved crate so it can double as an at-home travel crate)
Crates act as a safe place to recover from an injury, if their movement is restricted.
Comfortably crating you dog, in the same place with a radio and some toys may help with separation anxiety.

When to Start Crate-Training Your Puppy:

You can start crate-training your puppy as soon as you bring your puppy home!

How to Crate-Train Your New Puppy:

If you’re wondering how to crate-train a puppy in a few simple steps, try the following: 

Find a permanent location for the crate—somewhere close to where you or other people in the home spend lots of time, yet in an area that has some privacy.  Our crates are in our mudroom off of the kitchen, sectioned off by a baby gate.
Introduce your puppy to the crate in a low-stress situation—not when you’re about to leave. Toss in a treat and praise your puppy when they enter the crate. Keep the door open to allow them to move around and explore. 
Remove their collar before putting them in, as you don’t want the collar to get stuck on a part of the crate. 
Put a treat in the crate and use simple words like “kennel” or “crate” to get them used to the command. 
Try giving your dog a chew toy as a reward when they start spending more time in the crate. This will help them relax and engage in an activity they enjoy.  
Try feeding your puppy in the crate to reinforce their positive feelings about it. 
Gradually increase crate time with the door closed. Start by closing it for only a few moments, then gradually increase the length of time. Make sure to praise them after you close the door.  When I am planning on extended crate time as if I am leaving the house or bedtime, I give each dog a treat. I also leave a radio on and a nightlight during the night.
Don’t open the door if they start to whine. That may teach the wrong lesson. Wait for a calm moment before you let them out.
Remember your puppy’s potty schedule. How long puppies can hold their bladder gradually increases over time. By the time they’re around six months of age, they can hold their bladders for five to six hours during the day.  If you are leaving for an extended amount of time, make sure they have access to water, a water bowl or a water bottle in the crate. Amazon sells many options of special hanging bowls for dog crates.
No matter their age, avoid leaving your puppy in their crate for more than eight hours. Long stretches of time in their crate can be difficult, both physically and mentally. Remember, the longer your dog stays in the crate, the more exercise they’ll need when you let them out. If your dog has been in a crate for several hours, make sure they get extended playtime afterward.

How Long Does It Take to Crate-Train a Puppy?

There is no definitive timeline for crate-training a puppy. Some pets might learn in a week while others take several weeks or months. You can try to make the process go as quickly as possible by staying consistent with training and always making using the crate a positive experience. Never put your puppy in their crate to punish them.

Your Puppy’s Crate-Training Schedule:

By making a crate-training schedule, you can ensure your training occurs consistently, which may accelerate your dog’s learning.

In the beginning, training sessions should be brief periods of time where you simply introduce your puppy to their crate. Use treats and toys to entice them to enter, but don’t force it. Try this a few times per day, every day, until your puppy is comfortable in the crate.

How Big Should a Dog Crate Be?

When learning how to kennel train a puppy, the first step is finding a crate that’s cozy but big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in. 

If your pet has to squeeze through the entrance, the crate is too small. However, if a crate is too big, your puppy may decide to use one part of the crate to relieve themselves and another part to sleep. Add a pad or a blanket to make your dog’s crate a comfortable place. 

Note that the easiest crates to clean are wire or plastic crates. Puppies who go outside often may not have accidents in their crates, but an easy-to-clean option may be best until fully potty trained. 

A crate is a place your puppy or dog will use for relaxation. To avoid any distractions, it should be a somewhat dark and den-like enclosure. Hard-sided crates are good at blocking out the light, but we have wire crates that I drape a blanket over it at bedtime. This provides a sense of enclosure while making sure there’s enough air flow.

Crate-Training at Night:

A crate is an excellent safe place for your puppy to sleep at night. However, don’t leave them in the crate overnight until they have been fully acclimated to it. So, if you’re wondering how to crate-train a puppy at night, first make sure they’re used to the crate, and remember you’ll need to let them outside to go potty throughout the night until they’re older.

A crate is a place your puppy or dog will use for relaxation. To avoid any distractions, it should be a somewhat dark and den-like enclosure. Hard-sided crates are good at blocking out the light, but we have wire crates that I drape a blanket over it at bedtime. This provides a sense of enclosure while making sure there’s enough air flow.

I always start my dogs sleep training in a soft open zipper top crate next to my bed. They are more relaxed knowing I am with them. They will awaken throughout the night needing to relieve themselves. I take them out and put them right back into their crate after of course giving them praise. This is a new environment, and they are looking to you for love and support.

Remember, while puppies can only hold their bladder one hour for every month of age, most of them can hold it for six to seven hours overnight. Ensuring your puppy gets enough exercise and doesn’t drink a lot of water before bed can also help them sleep longer in their crate.

Until What Age Should a Dog Sleep in a Crate?

My dogs enjoy sleeping in their crates their entire lives. The crate is a long-term resource for your pet rather than just a training tool for puppies. Our dogs travel well in crates and just like at home, they sleep in crates in our camper. Don’t forget, if you are new to crate-train a puppy, be consistent and practice patience. Accidents can happen, but if you offer lots of praise and positive reinforcement, you can set your puppy up for crate-training success.

(All opinions expressed are solely the opinions of DiamondDachs)