|
by Tamar Love Grande
By nature, dachshunds are curious and foolhardy, prone to getting themselves into all sorts of mischief. By following a few common-sense rules, you will help your doxie live a long, healthy life.
Because of their unique physiology, doxies are prone to a variety of physical problems. By following a few rules about what NOT to do, you'll keep your doxie safe and healthy.
When you pick up your doxie, always make sure you support his hindquarters. That long body might be a tempting “handle,” but picking up your doxie by his torso or front legs can cause expensive and debilitating back problems.
Although they love running up and down the stairs, leaping onto furniture, jumping into the car and bounding off the bed, these activities can seriously injure your doxie’s intervertebral discs. Always lift him up and down, discourage all forms of jumping and train him to use doggie steps to get up onto furniture. Install ramps over short flights of stairs and use baby gates to block off interior stairways.
The twisting, pulling movements of this game can cause serious back problems and neck injuries. If your doxie tries to engage in this form of play, immediately redirect him to another activity, like chasing a tennis ball or stuffed toy.
The high fat content in pig ears can trigger pancreatitis, which is often fatal. The sharp edges on most rawhide chews can damage your doxie’s stomach and throat or cause a blockage in his intestinal tract. Over-consumption of high-calorie treats can lead to obesity, diabetes and liver problems. Feed only healthy treats, such as dehydrated chicken or liver, compressed rawhide and “healthy” biscuits.
You can’t stop your doxie from stalking, decapitating and disemboweling his squeaky plush toys, but make sure he doesn’t eat any of the parts. It costs roughly $4,500 to remove a chewed-up toy that has become lodged in your doxie’s intestines.
Your doxie might be the cutest, sweetest thing in the world, but that doesn’t mean you should breed him. There’s no guarantee that the next generation will be anything like the doxie you have, and the potential for birth defects is frightening. Unless you have done extensive testing to ensure the biological and genetic health of your doxie, alter your doxie and leave the breeding to the professionals.
In addition to regular veterinary checkups and common-sense behavior, being proactive in a few areas will enable you and your doxie to enjoy each other even more than you already do!
Although companies like Iams, Science Diet, Pedigree and Purina spend a lot of money on advertising, their food contains fillers, fats and chemical additives. By feeding a quality diet, you'll keep your doxie healthy and fit for many years to come. The best food you can buy is Flint River Ranch, but you'll find lots of other brands at your local feed store or pet specialty store.
Your doxie’s neck and back are too fragile for him to walk safely on a lead attached to his collar. Purchase and use a harness, and attach his leash to the D-ring on the back of the harness, which will direct pressure, stress or tension to stronger parts of his body.
No one likes an ill-mannered doxie! Nip behavior problems in the bud by taking your doxie on regular walks, play dates and trips to the park, and encourage him to respond positively when he meets new people and dogs. The more experience your doxie has with the world, the less likely he is to behave inappropriately in new situations.
Long nails can cause back problems, dirty ears can be a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria, full anal glands can lead to “scooching” and other potty problems, and neglected teeth can result in expensive vet bills. Prevent all these problems by grooming your doxie once a month, either at home or with a professional groomer.
Since many doxies act out when they don’t have a “job” to do, consider trying a few activities together. Basic obedience or Canine Good Citizenship classes are good places to start—check with your local animal shelter for more information. Active doxies might also enjoy agility, earth dog trials or freestyle dancing; more mellow doxies might prefer Animal Assisted Therapy or the “Barks & Books” program at your local library.
By having your doxie spayed or neutered, you greatly reduce the risk of testicular, prostate, mammary or ovarian cancer. Veterinary clinics offer low-cost spaying and neutering, and your local animal shelter may be able to provide free vouchers.
top of page
|
