There are several things you should know about taking care of a dachshund puppy. You can check out our guide here to learn more.
Are you thinking of adding a dachshund puppy to your family?
Dachshunds are friendly and make excellent companions. But before you buy one, you need to make sure that you’re ready.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to take care of a Dachshund puppy.
Do Your Research Beforehand
When buying any puppy, it’s essential that they are coming from a healthy and caring environment.
If you’re buying from a breeder, make sure they are registered. Check online reviews, and see what people are saying. Schedule a visit, and look at the general environment. Is it clean? Do the puppies have toys? Do they seem to be loved?
If you’re buying from a foster home, ensure that the agency is reputable.
Trust your instinct!
Find a Good Vet
As is the case with any dog, Dachshunds can require sudden and intensive care. Make sure that the vet you choose to see is knowledgeable and caring.
A good vet will respond promptly to calls and emails and will provide consistent communication. They will also be reassuring and not dismissive, explaining things patiently.
Do some research by asking friends and reading reviews.
Make Sure Your Home Is Puppy Proof
Dachshund puppies are notorious chewers. You can train this out of them with age (don’t worry!), but you’ll still need to make sure your home is ready for their arrival.
Ensure that anything valuable is out of their reach. You don’t want your puppy chewing your new pair of shoes! Cables and other wires should also be properly protected.
Make sure that anything toxic, such as certain kinds of plants, is also inaccessible to them.
Decide on the Food
Before you bring your Dachshund home, make sure you have a clear plan as to what you will feed them.
Puppy food is recommended, as it will give your puppy the nutrients it needs to grow up healthy and strong. Check out this guide on the best Dachshund dog food. It may help you decide on a brand!
Feeding your dog table scraps is not recommended. Many foods, such as chocolate and nuts, can seriously impact your dog’s wellbeing.
Train Your Dachshund Puppy
Puppies are like babies and need to be taught appropriate behaviors at a young age.
Create a reward and punishment system and stick with it. If they do something good, give them a treat and praise them. If they misbehave, scold them.
You should also consider crate-training them. This can be a safe and secure place for them to be in, and after a while, they may even enjoy it!
Training involves a lot of repetition and patience.
Encourage Socialization
Socializing your Dachshund at a young age will encourage it to be confident and good-natured. Just like with children, socializing affects what their future personality will be like.
If your dachshund is coming from a responsible breeder, they will already have started this.
It’s a Process!
Remember that having a Dachshund puppy is not always easy and training them into well-behaved adults will take time.
Showing your puppy love and affection, while also being consistently strict when necessary will help them develop into healthy and happy dogs.
Check out my other blog posts for more guides and tips!
