40 Years Dedicated To Dachshunds

Bringing your new fur baby home can be stressful for them. They are now in a strange environment without their littermates or mom. To help reduce anxiety, consider using a product called Snuggle Puppy, which produces a real-feel heartbeat and heat pack to mimic littermates.

Diet

We feed all our dachshunds Science Diet dry and wet food. Dogs need grain in their diet. While wolves, which are meat eaters, consume deer, rabbits, and antelope, these animals are grazing animals, and the grain they consume transfers to the carnivores. If a medical need arises, your veterinarian may prescribe food without grain.

Transportation

Most people who get their new fur baby either come to us or we meet them at George Bush Airport in Houston. Sometimes this isn't possible. We do have air-nannies and ground transportation available. These people are professionals, and this is their full-time job. We can recommend some people, but ultimately the decision lies with the new parent(s) as to whom they select.

Weaning

Weaning puppies is a gradual process. We start at four to five weeks of age, withholding mom and offering softened puppy food to the puppies. At bedtime, mom rejoins the puppies to nurse them and spend the night. This can be for a few days to a week. Then mom is let in with the puppies to nurse them, but she doesn't spend the night. At six weeks, mom no longer nurses the puppies. This is not a rule set in stone as all litters can be a little different. Many times, I have observed my females regurgitate part of their dinner for the puppies to eat when weaning them.

Their primal instinct is not removed from the wolves or wild dogs in Africa. While we consider our dachshunds as pets and domesticated, the call of the wild still remains in their primal instinct.

Teething

Your fur baby needs items they are allowed to chew. If you find them chewing on something inappropriate (like your kitchen table), tell them "No" and then give them their chew toy to enjoy. They are in a learning process. Check their bite and teeth at least twice a month. If you notice any abnormalities, check with your veterinarian on how to address the problem.

Around five to six months of age, your fur baby should have dropped their upper and lower baby K-9s, and their adult K-9s should have replaced them. If the baby K-9s are still present and have not fallen out by seven months of age, they most likely will need to be extracted to ensure a proper bite.

Vaccinations

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR FUR BABY ALONE AFTER ANY VACCINE. After you get your new fur baby home, he/she will need more vaccinations. I use leptospirosis in my puppy/adult vaccines. At the appropriate age, your fur baby will need a rabies vaccine.

A deadly reaction to these vaccines may occur immediately after the vaccine is administered, or it can manifest several hours later. Negative reactions involve lethargy, shivering, shallow breathing, swelling of the face or head, and pale white gums. Seek help immediately as this is a medical emergency. It's not going to get better; it will only get worse and cause the death of your precious fur baby. This is called anaphylactic shock.

Vaccines are not the only cause of anaphylactic shock. Bee stings, insect bites, and picking up a toad that gives off toxins are other causes.

I am not a veterinarian, but I've seen my share of negative reactions and want you (the new parents) to be vigilant if your puppy/adult fur baby exhibits any of these negative conditions.

Potty Training

Your first order of training is to have him or her learn going outside to relieve themselves. First thing in the morning take your fur baby outside. After they relieve themselves, praise, praise, and praise them. Don't give food as a reward, this is something they need to do for the rest of their life. Be understanding. Your baby may have an accident. If you don't see him/her have the accident you cannot correct them. They won't understand why you are correcting them. If you catch them having an accident immediately say, "No", pick them up and take them outside.

Basic potty training is something to get down ASAP. Just be understanding. Dachshunds are quite intelligent. Consider enrolling them in obedience classes when they are 4-5 months of age. It's a great way to socialize them with other dogs and people.