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My cute Dachshund

 

Problems like bald spots, bump, and swelling affecting dachshunds must be immediately brought to the attention of a veterinarian, as these signs may be symptoms of some kind of disease. Special attention must also be given to the ears, nails and teeth.

 

Spinal problems

Intervertebral disk disease affects more Dachshunds than all other dogs combined, so naturally it is atop this list of conditions that concern Dachshund owners. Due to the Dachshund’s long-backed construction, owners are advised to avoid activities that will strain their backs and spines. IVD, as the disease is known, is marked by herniated disks in the lower back. The disease primarily affects dogs with stunted legs. Affected dogs experience severe pain, usually in the lower back but sometimes in the neck as well. The disease can be treated medically and/or surgically, depending on the severity. Carts for dogs have been devised to assist Dachshunds with rear-quarter paralysis due to severe IVD.

 

A soft, moist towel can be used to clean and remove earwax. Nails should be trimmed at least once a week to prevent digging in your garden. Cleaning teeth includes an oral examination, root scaling, root planning, polishing, and supragingival plaque and tartar removal using hand instruments. Proper treatment for worm infestations is also a part of dachshund grooming.

 

If nails get too long they can break and affect the nail bed. Bonnie signals that her nails are getting long by incessantly biting them. When a dachshund’s nails grow too long, they can affect his gait uncomfortably. You’ll know that his nails are too long when you hear them clacking against hard floors. Depending on your dog, his nails will need to be cut every few weeks. If your breeder hasn’t removed the dewclaws, the nails farther up the inside of the legs, they may need to be cut more frequently.
Nail Care Tools and Procedure
To cut your dachshund’s nails, you’ll need two things:

* Nail clippers: Get a small pair of guillotine- or pliers-style clippers, whichever you are most comfortable using. Either type is available at pet stores. Don’t use scissors or nail clippers made for humans.
* Styptic powder or gel: Styptic powder or gel will stop the bleeding if you cut your dog’s nail too far.

Trim each nail just a tiny bit at a time or you’ll risk cutting the quick, the blood vessel inside the nail. In a dog with light-colored nails, you can see the quick as a pink line running up the middle of the nail nearly to the end. On darker nails, you can see the quick by holding a flashlight under the nail. If you do cut the quick, dip the nail into styptic powder or gel to stop the bleeding.

Most of Bonnie's nails get worn down naturally but the nail that grows in our index finger position seems to grow very quickly. The tip grows to an extended narrow point and despite it being black, so you can't see the quick, it is obviously too long.

 

Another test for length is to have Bonnie stand an a flat floor and if any nails touch the surface they are too long. If her nails were white then the pink quick could be seen and avoided, but they are dark and so rather than use a vet. the obvious excess gets regularly trimmed (including the dew claw which grows in a circle).

The best tool for trimming is the enclosed double bladed nail clippers that are especially made for pets. Scissors are not only dangerous - because sharp points and reluctant pets don't mix - but also bad at the job because nails are tough

 

Eye Care Tools and Procedure
To clean your dachshund’s eyes, you’ll need a moist cloth. Whenever necessary, remove discharge from the corners of his eyes by wiping it away carefully with a moist cloth. If he seems to have constant eye discharge, bring him to the vet. If your dachshund’s brows or eyelashes are interfering with his eyes, you can trim those hairs carefully

 

Whether you’ve adopted a dachshund puppy or an adult, you’re going to need some supplies. And though you can certainly spoil your dog as much as you want, the basic must-have supplies are the ones listed here.
Bed
Your dachshund’s bed should be soft, durable, washable, and large enough for him to curl up on. Even if you let him sleep in your bed, he’ll still need a place of his own to lie down when you need him out of the way or when he wants a nap. Avoid low-quality beds, which you’ll have to replace more often. Even so, expect to replace your dog’s bed every few years.
Crate
Dogs are denning animals who prefer to rest in dark, confined places. A crate is designed to contain a dog safely when he needs some downtime, when you’re not home, and when you’re traveling. Crates come in a variety of sizes, so choose one that’s large enough for your dachshund to comfortably stand and turn around in but small enough so that he can’t use opposite ends for eliminating and sleeping. There are four main types of crates:

* Plastic crates: Durable, lightweight, easy to clean, and (in most cases) airplane-friendly.
* Wire crates: Provide good ventilation, give your dachshund a great view, and fold up for easy storage or transport. Can’t be brought on airplanes.
* Canvas crates: Lightweight and easily transportable, making them perfect for travel. Not as sturdy as other crates, so should be used for adult dachshunds who are past the chewing stage.
* Decorator crates: Come in a variety of materials, from wicker to wood. Not easily transportable and are best for a dog who’s already been crate trained.

Unless you’re willing to buy several crates as your dachshund grows, invest in one that has dividing panels. These panels allow you to expand the size of the crate as your dog grows without having to buy a new crate each time.
Crate Pad
To make the crate comfortable, you can buy a fleecy crate pad that fits snugly in the bottom. As an alternative, you can use a flat dog bed or an old blanket or towels.
Collar
Your dog should wear a collar at all times, except when he’s in his crate or you’re not at home. Look for a flat nylon collar or leather buckle collar with ID tags and a rabies tag attached to it. You’ll probably have to buy two collars as your dachshund grows—a small one when he’s a puppy and an adjustable collar once he’s a few months old. A collar fits your dog correctly if you can fit two fingers snugly between the collar and his neck.
Choke and Prong Collars
Some people use choke collars or prong collars. Avoid these collars: it’s better to rely on positive reinforcement training (see How to Train Your Dachshund).
Leash
There are several different types of leashes available, including:

* 25-foot (7.6-m) cotton long line: Used during the training process in the park or other open spaces. The long line is great for teaching “come” and many other obedience commands.
* 4- to 6-foot (1.2- to 1.8-m) leash: Used during the training process and when walking. It should be made of the same material as your dachshund’s collar (nylon or leather).

Leashes should not be adorned with any decoration—some dogs like to carry their leash in their mouth, and ornaments may pose a choking hazard.
Food and Water Bowls
There are several important factors to consider when getting food and water bowls for your dachshund:

* Material: Stainless steel water and food bowls are best. Ceramic bowls tend to crack, and plastic bowls can scratch, enabling bacteria to gather.
* Size: Puppies need smaller bowls, graduating to larger bowls as they grow into adults.
* Mess proof: Bowls that are heavy, difficult to tip, and that have a nonskid surface on the bottom will help limit messes.

If your dachshund also spends time in the yard, make sure to have a second water bowl outside.
Exercise Pen
An exercise pen, called an ex-pen for short, is made of a series of gates that lock together to form a safe area in which your dog can exercise. You can buy as many gates as you need to build an exercise area of whatever size you’d like.

An outdoor ex-pen should be at least large enough to house a crate and allow your dog to eliminate at the other end of the confinement area. The dachshund is a small dog, but you should get ex-pen panels that are high enough to prevent him from jumping or climbing out. You also can use ex-pen panels to build confinement areas for your dachshund inside your home.
Baby Gate
As an alternative to an ex-pen, you can use baby gates to confine your dachshund to a specific room or to keep him away from places you don’t want him to enter. Gates are sold at different heights, so for a dachshund, the gate should be high enough to prevent him from jumping or climbing out.
Identification Tags
Your dachshund should wear ID tags whenever outside (even in an ex-pen). The tags should be plastic or metal and can be ordered online or made on the spot at most pet stores. Include the following information on the ID tags:

* Your dog’s name
* Your last name
* Your phone number

If your dog has a medical condition, include that information and consider signing him up for a service that provides a 24-hour hotline. This will help anyone who finds your dog to provide him with the proper care.
Microchips
To be extra safe, ask your vet to inject a small microchip between your dachshund’s shoulder blades. The chip number is registered to you and entered into a pet database, making it much easier to identify the owners of lost dogs. The injection process is neither painful nor allergenic.
Toys
Dachshunds are notorious chewers, and their need to chew must be satisfied. If you don’t give your dog something appropriate to chew, he will choose something inappropriate. Dachshund puppies especially need toys for teething and to keep them occupied. Toys that your dachshund may appreciate include:

* Hard rubber “stuffable” toys
* Plush squeaky toys
* Rope/tugging toys
* Rubber squeaky toys
* Tennis balls
* Treat-dispensing toys

Make sure that any toy you buy is large enough that it won’t pose a choking hazard for your dachshund.

 

Check your dachshund’s ears once a month for signs of mites or illness, and bring him to the vet if his ears have:

* A color different from the skin
* Red blotches
* A strong, unpleasant odor

 

Ear Care Tools and Procedure
Even if your dachshund’s ears are healthy, it’s still a good idea to clean them each month. To clean his ears, you’ll need cotton balls and dog ear cleanser, available at any pet store.

1. Squirt a liberal amount of dog ear cleanser directly into your dog’s ear and then rub the ear in a downward motion for approximately 30 seconds.
2. Most dogs shake their heads immediately after this, which actually helps to loosen dirt embedded within the ear.
3. Use a cotton ball (not a cotton swab) to clean the visible area inside the dog’s ear. Do not stick anything deeply into the ear.