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by Tamar Love Grande
Through trial and error, I have spoiled my dogs with great success. I invite you to learn from my mistakes and get right to the good stuff.
Make sure the bowls are doxie-sized. Also, pick up a package of collapsible plastic bowls and store them in your purse/bag and car. You never know when you will need to give your doxie a drink.
Doxies in general love to play with toys. Plushy, squeaky toys are the most popular in my house, even though they are quickly stalked, killed, scalped and eviscerated, a process that can take anywhere from two hours to two months. Tennis balls are also a good investment. Avoid plastic toys, which some dachshunds will often chew up and ingest.
Because doxies are so prone to back problems, they require a harness to ensure their safety. Although many nylon harnesses will work, a Hug-a-Dog harness is a great investment.
A stylish, safe alternative to other harnesses, a Hug-a-Dog harness will protect your doxie’s back from injury. You’ll pay about $30, and you’ll need to order it online, but the tradeoff is a harness that really fits and a healthy, happy, mobile dachshund. In addition to providing these harnesses in a variety of colors and fabrics, Hug-a-Dog makes a model compatible with seat belts, and you can find harnesses in many fashionable pattens.
You can either knock wood that your dachshund will 100% housetrained for the rest of her life, or you can be realistic and accept that there will be pee in your home's future. If you find yourself tearing out your hair because your doxie refuses to pee outside, strap them into a belly band (for boys) or a pair of period panties (for girls).
As your doxie’s collar will be mostly ornamental, really only used to hold his tags around his neck, select any collar that appeals to your personal sense of style. I like the flexibility and durability of rolled leather collars. Boomerang is my favorite supplier of tags, which your doxie should wear, even if he is microchipped! It's a lot easier to call a phone number on a dog tag than haul a stray dog to the shelter for microchip scanning.
A six-foot nylon or leather leash is a must for everyday use. I like the kind with an additional hand strap at the base of the leash. If your dachshund pulls a lot, try training him with a Gentle Leader, Halti or properly fitted prong collar. Although retractable leashes are enticing, I don't recommend them.
Although your dachshund will certainly prefer to sleep in bed with you, preferably under the covers, you’ll want your doxie to have his own bed on which to snooze during the day. Doxies love to snuggle and burrow, so add a fleecy blanket to his bed. Tip: Don’t splurge on a fancy bed until your doxie has proven that he isn’t going rip it open and fling the stuffing everywhere.
Even if you don’t crate train your dachshund, you will need to have a crate on hand for emergencies, car trips and a variety of other instances. Invest in an inexpensive plastic kennel or collapsible wire crate, and add a soft pad, a blanket and a cage cup for water. You can also use your dog’s kennel to store his emergency-preparedness supplies; in the event of a fire or other catastrophe, you can simply toss your doxie into the kennel and go.
If you have cats, unreliable dogs or valuable possessions in your house, you may want to purchase an inexpensive baby gate to contain your doxie in one room or prevent him from entering an “off limits” room.
Because doxies should not be allowed to jump onto or off furniture, many people invest a ramp that allows their doxies to access the furniture as they please. Purchased ramps are wonderful, but expensive. You can make your own ramp, if so inclined, with a few pieces of board and some carpet. Just ensure the slope is gradual enough and the ramp wide enough for your doxie to travel easily and safely up and down. Doggie steps are also an inexpensive investment; we have steps up to all our couches and beds.
If you have a dachshund, you're going to need to pick up a lot of poop, especially on walks. Instead of getting the kinds of bags that take 1,000 years to decompose in landfills, pick up some BioBags. I like the cute little bag dispensers that attach to the handle of a lead. Pick up a pack of replacement baggies and store rolls in your purse/bag and cars.
Invest in a big jug of Nature’s Miracle; your stubborn little doxie will certainly make a few indoor messes during his lifetime. I also recommend Mrs. Meyers Clean Day stain remover or any product that uses oxygen bleach.
While you don’t really want to encourage going potty in the house, you also don’t want to endure a weeklong monsoon without an alternative to the outdoors—and as any doxie person knows, dachshunds believe they will melt if water touches them. Have a pack of training pads on hand, and you'll be covered.
If your Hug-a-Dog harness doesn’t have a seat-belt loop, purchase an attachment for your car’s seat belt. At first, your doxie might hate being unable to sit on your lap, but at least he won’t smash into your windshield during an auto accident. Of course, he'll be safest in the back seat!
This luxury item, usually about $135, is an outstanding investment if you plan to take your doxie for car rides. The Lookout serves two purposes: to ensure your doxie is safe, and to give him a nice view of passing scenery. It straps into the back seat with your car’s seatbelt, and then additional straps connect your doxie’s harness to the seatbelt. I like the Lookout Buddy, which accommodates two doxies and has a little drawer for storing supplies (collapsible water bowl, extra bottled water, poop bags, first-aid kit, toy, snacks). Ours has withstood five years of abuse!
Dachshunds for Dummies, by Eve Adamson, is a fast, fun read, the definitive guide for every dachshund owner, novice or pro. Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, by Debra M. Eldredge, has saved me hundreds of dollars in what would have been unnecessary vet visits.
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