The Puppy's First Year and Beyond..
Marilynn's Boys have been raised around Dachshunds nearly their whole lives. Brandon is 13 and Elijah 10-1/2. We're hooked on these dogs. Kid tested and Mother APPROVED! It would be our pleasure to spoil your new puppy while with us, please say you'll join the Le Caring's family. This page is dedicated to Barbara & Marilynn's families which makes this all possible. Thanks for taking the time to visit our website!
Newly added videos about basic nail trimming, tips on training, when does a dachshund stop growing? and others. Explore the website too view other videos I posted. To disable the music on this page or other pages of our website to listen and watch the videos, just go to the bottom of the page and disable music.
Leaps and Bounds:1-12 months & beyond.
What to Expect in Your Puppy’s First Year
In the early days of his life, your puppies whole world consisted of his dam’s quiet, nurturing warmth and the close comfort of his littermates. As his eyes opened and his hearing developed at two to three weeks, his world and his experience began to broaden-he learned to get his tiny legs under him, and he began to wrestle with his brothers and sisters.Bit by bit, play and other interaction with his dam and siblings helped him learn important lessons about how to behave with others (as in “Hey, let go of my ear”). His breeder was sure to provide loving human interaction as well. Staying with his breeder and his family group and continuing to learn from them for his first eight weeks was crucial in helping your puppy develop a healthy, secure personality.Now it’s up to you to give him the care he requires everyday. There’s a lot involved-he needs nutritious food, plenty of attention, gentle training, safe toys, a comfortable home, and proper veterinary care. He’ll give boundless love in return. This important first year of his life is a fun and exciting time for both of you! As he grows physically, the wonderful bond between you will grow, too. Understanding your puppy’s needs in the weeks and months ahead will help you give him the right start as your healthy, happy companion for life.
Socialize Your Puppy-It’s Essential!From 7 weeks to 4 months of age, your puppy goes through a socialization period that permanently shapes his future personality and how he will react to things in his environment as an adult. Gently exposing him to a wide variety of people, places, and situations now makes a huge, permanent difference. Proper socialization can prevent a dog from being always fearful of children, for example, or of riding in a car, and it will help him develop into a well-mannered, happy companion.
Stock Up!
Here are some basics you’ll need for your new puppy.
FOOD
TREATS FOR TRAINING
FOOD AND WATER DISHES
CRATE(TO BE REPLACED BY A BIGGER ONE AS HE GROWS)
PUPPY HOUSETRAINING PADS
BEDDING (AT LEAST 2 SETS)
DOG GATE(S)
SOFT, ADJUSTABLE COLLAR (AND NEW ONES AS HE GROWS)
AT LEAST ONE 4 TO 6 FOOT LEASH, LEATHER OR WEBBING
AT LEAST 5-6 SAFE CHEW TOYS (THE MORE THE BETTER)
A SOFT-BRISTLE BRUSH
BRUSH AND STURDY METAL COMB
GENTLE PUPPY SHAMPOO
GOOD-QUALITY DOG NAIL TRIMMER
Housebreaking and Crate Training A Process of Elimination 1. The key to success is simple: Timing is everything.
How to Care for a Miniature Dachshunds -- powered by eHow.com
Housebreaking your new puppy need not break you. With patience, diligence, and a calm, authoritative manner, you can teach your dog exactly where he should eliminate and where he should not. Here’s a play-by-play of how to housebreak your puppy.
2. Take your puppy outside immediately after eating, playing, or napping (approximately every two hours). Keeping this rigid schedule will prevent him from making mistakes in the house.
3. Some trainers recommend giving your dog a command like “Potty time!” or “Go to the bathroom!” at the moment your pup is correctly doing his business outside. Eventually, whenever you say that phrase, the dog will eliminate on cue.
4. Much like a little boy who dances up and down when he has to go to the bathroom, a puppy’s behavior will let you know that he needs to go outside. If he whines, paces, or runs in a circle, grab the leash and get out the door.
5. Mistakes happen. If you catch your puppy eliminating in the house-and "he will" correct him with a firm, gentle “No.” Take him for a walk and praise him lavishly when he does his business outside.
An Embarrassing Incident
Some dogs, no matter how well housebroken, suffer from what is called "submissive urination." This embarrassing problem, for man and beast, usually occurs when the “pack leader” of the household comes home, and the dog, so happy to see him or her, pees a bit on the floor.When confronted with this bewildering behavior it’s important for owners to realize that the dog hasn’t forgotten his hard-learned housebreaking lessons. Owners should not get angry or chastise their dog. This only ensures that the dog will try even harder to appease them, and as pee is the only gift the pup has to give, the problem continues.So what do you do? No admonishments, no yelling, no finger-pointing. Instead, when you enter the house, ignore the dog for a few minutes, giving the pup some time to cool his jets and greet you in a more “appropriate” way. Steady as She Goes Rome wasn’t built in a day, and every puppy moves at his own pace when learning proper bathroom habits. Some figure out housebreaking in one day, others take months. You can make the training go smoothly with consistency; allowing for frequent trips outside (with plenty of praise); providing every meal regularly (at the same time each day); and always using a confident, authoritative, calm voice with your puppy.
What is Paper-Training and or Pad Training?
If you do not have easy access to outdoors or a backyard you will have to paper train your puppy inside the home. Here’s how.
1. Choose an enclosed area in the kitchen or bathroom (anything with a floor that is easy to clean) and cover the entire floor first with a vinyl shower curtain and then with newspaper or puppy house training pads (available at your pet store).
2. When the puppy eliminates, replace the dirty paper or pads with clean paper or pads.
3. In a few days, take away some of the paper or pads and leave part of the floor bare. If he eliminates on the bare floor in front of you, correct him gently, and put him on the paper and praise him.
4. Gradually remove more and more paper until you have just a small spot for elimination. Then, as he learns to hold it longer, take him outside three or four times a day to conclude his housetraining.
What is Crate-Training?
Crating your dog several times a day is an excellent way to housebreak him. This is because dogs will try not to soil their “home.” Line the crate with blankets to make it cozy. You can also cover the top of it with a blanket or purchase specially made crate covers and mat sets to further mimic the “den” atmosphere.Use the crate for naps, nighttime slumber, and quiet-time breaks for the puppy to “unwind” from family chaos. Buy a well-ventilated crate, one large enough for him to stand up, lie down, and turn around. If the pup has a lot of growing ahead of him, use a larger crate, but section off half of it with a divider. Every time you take the puppy out of the crate, take him for a walk or to the paper so he can eliminate. Never leave a puppy in his crate all day; he needs several bathroom breaks and play and feeding times. Even though he won’t want to soil his sleeping area, if he is in there for extremely long stretches, he just might. (He can’t help it.) And if he does, it is because his owner has neglected his responsibility, not because the dog has misbehaved.Never use the crate as punishment. It should always be a haven for your pup, not a jail cell.
Which Toys Are Safe?
Trying to figure out which chew toys are safe? Assume that your puppy is going to do all he can to rip the object apart and swallow whatever pieces of it that he can.. Therefore, do not give him items with swallowable parts that might be harmful.
Some NO-NOS:
1. Items with small or sharp metal parts such as pins, springs, or batteries.
2. Long strips or fibers, such as strings or thin ribbon. Nylon hose can be dangerous if swallowed.
3. Cooked real bones of any kind. Cooked bones break into tiny, highly abrasive fragments that damage the digestive tract over time.
4. Sheets of plastic film (e.g. garbage bags) can cause choking.
5. Chewies made of large pieces or knots of rawhide. Swallowed pieces of these often cause intestinal obstructions.
6. Thin, squeaky-type rubber pet toys. Dogs who are vigorous chewers can swallow these toys whole, swallow large pieces of them, or swallow the metal squeakers inside.
7. Soft toys with foam stuffing.
Some of the Best “OK to Chew” items:
1. Artificial bones made of hard nylon.
2. Balls and chew toys made of hard rubber. Many of these are designed to hide bits of kibble in and can entertain your pup for extended periods.
3. Knots of thick rope.
4. Artificial bones made of rawhide particles pressed together, or other material designed to be safely swallowed.
Food and Nutrition
What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Before we get to the particulars of puppy nutrition, let’s first consider the foremost pitfall of canine feeding. In theory, keeping your growing dog properly nourished is simple; serve sensibly sized portions of high-quality chow, avoid feeding “people food,” and keep snacks to a minimum. In practice, this is easier said than done. The doleful gaze of a begging dog can be downright irresistible. This is no accident. During his long partnership with man, the dog has perfected cunning methods of exploiting the human neurosis that associates food with affection. Allowing your dog to “guilt” you into over feeding him, or serving him a steady diet of table scrap in a misguided show of affection, can have harmful or even fatal results. So don’t take it personally when the cute little con artist under the table goes into the old whimper and whine routine. Simply ignore it and find healthier ways of bonding with your pet. Otherwise, you risk loving your puppy to death.Year One Canine metabolisms vary, even within breeds. Consult with your vet or breeder to customize a feeding regimen for your pup.
6-12 Weeks
Growing pups should be fed puppy food, a diet specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs for normal development. Feeding adult food will rob your puppy of important nutrients. Four feedings a day are usually adequate to meet nutritional demands.
3-6 Months
Sometime during this period, decrease feedings from four to three a day. A pup should be losing her pot belly and pudginess by 12 weeks. If she is still roly-poly at this age, continue to feed puppy-size portions until body type matures.
6-12 Months
Begin feeding twice daily. Spaying or neutering lowers energy requirements slightly; after the procedure switch from nutrient-rich puppy food to mixing 1/2 puppy food to 1/2 adult maintenance food. Iams Proactive health smart puppy 1-12 mos. then switch to Iams Mini Chunk.
Grooming
A puppy’s body is a map to his well-being, and by becoming familiar with his physical condition through regular brushing, combing, and eye, ear, and dental care-you will find that the road to good health is much smoother. By establishing a grooming routine in early puppy-hood, you will quickly learn what is normal for your dog-allowing you to keep tabs on what’s going on with his body and to catch problems such as ear infections, skin disease, parasite infestations, and tumors before they become serious. Beware of the Dangers of Lyme's Disease from Deer Ticks. Use a Flea & Tick once a month remedy.
Establishing a Routine
Grooming has many benefits beyond keeping your pup looking good. If introduced properly, your puppy will come to relax and enjoy grooming. At first, keep the sessions short and fun.
1. Teach your puppy to open his mouth so you can look at his teeth, and praise him when he complies. Fondle his ears and paws now and then (it’s best to do so when he is relaxed and tired). Dogs are especially sensitive in those areas, so they need to learn that being handled can be pleasurable.
2. Establish a weekly routine so the puppy comes to expect grooming at a certain time, preferably before he has eaten and after he has relieved himself. Regularity is one key to making him comfortable with the process.
3. Place him on an elevated, nonskid surface, such as a picnic table, a washer-dryer with a rubber mat on top of it, or a professional grooming table. Be sure you keep one hand on the pup at all times, and if you have to walk away, put him on the floor.
4. End each grooming session with a soothing massage and a treat.
Skin And Coat
The foundation of good grooming is brushing and combing, which loosens and removes dirt, dead hair, and skin cells. Brushing and combing also distributes the skin’s natural oils through the coat and prevents tangles. And daily brushing during shedding season can help keep loose hair under control. Be sure you brush down to the skin, not just over the surface of the coat. Don’t skip the stomach area, even if your pup resists lying on his side or back. Brushing several times a week keeps the average dog neat and clean, although daily attention is ideal.
Feet and Nails
Nail trimming usually involves much protest by the dog, but with care and early training, the task can be accomplished without trauma. A dog’s nails should be trimmed so that they just clear the floor. If you hear him clicking, they’re probably too long.
1. Pick up one paw and firmly but gently place your thumb on the pad of a toe, and your forefinger on top of the toe on the skin above the nail. Push your thumb slightly up and backward on the pad while pushing your forefinger forward. This extends the nail. (Don’t squeeze the paw!).
2. Using your other hand, clip the tip only, straight across.
3. Avoid clipping past the curve of the nail, or you risk hitting what is called the quick. A nick there is painful and will cause bleeding. It’s harder to see the quick on darker nails, so clip only the hook-like part of the nail that turns down.
4. Examine the paw pads for foreign objects or injuries. In winter, clean your dog’s feet after he has gone outdoors; this removes de-icing chemicals, salt, snow, and ice, which can injure the feet or make your dog sick if he licks his paws. With the right equipment and some patience, and by getting your pup used to the routine early on, proper and thorough grooming will have your canine pal looking like a Best in Show winner!
How to Cut a Dog's Nails -- powered by eHow.com
Eyes & Ears
Eyes should be cleaned when there is noticeable discharge or when the dog is being bathed. Check for redness or other signs of irritation. Healthy eyes are bright and clear, and the white of the eye is pure white. You can help keep them that way by gently wiping away discharge in the corners with a cotton ball or soft washcloth moistened with warm water. Avoid rubbing the cotton ball directly over the eye. Ears should be cleaned at least once a month, more often if your dog is prone to ear problems. Look inside to check for dirt, scratches, parasites, or discharge. Then give him a good sniff! There shouldn’t be any unpleasant odor; Moisten a cotton ball with mineral oil and gently wipe out the ears, going no deeper than the first knuckle on your finger. Breeds with long, hanging ears can be especially prone to ear infections.Make an effort to keep ears dry and clean, or your dog may face recurrent ear infections that are difficult to treat. Avoid using drying agents on a regular basis. If there’s no problem such products can dry out the ear too much, and if the ear is oozing there’s a reason for it. Drying it up without treating the underlying cause leads to more ear problems.
Gums & Teeth
Teeth should be cleaned frequently. Your vet can advise you on your dog’s oral hygiene needs. Dental care is an aspect of grooming that many people ignore, but it can pay off in fresh breath and better health. Food and saliva cause a buildup of soft plaque, which hardens into tartar. The bacteria trapped in the plaque contributes to doggy breath and to the development of periodontal disease. By brushing your pup’s teeth regularly, you can prevent or decrease the need for veterinary cleanings, which may require anesthetizing the dog.Begin by gently scrubbing the teeth with a finger brush or gauze pad. Later you can graduate to a toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for dogs. Toothbrushes should be soft, and toothpaste must be formulated for a dog’s system. Toothpaste made for people can cause an upset stomach if your pup swallows it. Teeth can also be cleaned with a paste made of baking soda and water.
To Bathe or Not To Bathe?
It was once believed that dogs should be bathed only when dirty, but that was back when shampoos for dogs were much harsher than they are today. If a gentle shampoo is used, a dog can be bathed weekly without drying out his coat. Brush your dog thoroughly before bathing to remove dead hair and mats that will otherwise tangle when wet. Gather everything you need for the bath-shampoo, towels, cotton balls to place in the ears so water won’t run into them-then get your pup. Place the dog in the tub (or wherever you are going to bathe him), and wet him to the skin with warm water. Lather with a gentle dog shampoo (never use shampoo made for people), then rinse thoroughly with warm water. It’s very important to rinse out every bit of soap. To help in combing out afterward, some people apply a small amount of conditioner, which is rinsed out as well. Squeeze as much water as you can out of the coat, then absorb more water with a towel. Brush your pup dry and use a blow dryer (made for dogs) set on a warm, gentle setting to speed the process. Hold the dryer at least a foot away from your pup so you don’t burn his skin. Keep him in a warm place until he is completely dry.
Ebony (above) is a puppy Marilynn milk supplemented, plus special nursing sessions with her Mom. We provided her with the extra care she needed. Ebony was so much smaller than her siblings that she was being pushed off her Mom. She was healthy, just smaller. She slept in my bed, right in the middle. We would never give up on a puppy. Her new family adores her and we do too.
Keeping Your Dog in Tip-Top Shape
Surely you’ll want to give your new family member the best care possible. You’ll be buddies for many years to come, and you hope to ensure he’s off to a good start both physically and mentally. But if you’ve never raised a puppy before, the responsibility might seem daunting. It helps to keep in mind six major aspects of care; feeding, grooming, exercise, play, training, and veterinary care.
Feeding. It’s recommended to feed your pup a well-balanced quality diet formulated for his age and activity level. Premium brands, though more expensive than store brands, tend to contain a higher grade of ingredients, and may give your pup’s health an added boost in the long run.The younger the puppy, the more frequent his feedings should be. Although a young pup has great nutritional demands, his stomach can’t handle much food at once. Even adult dogs benefit from having their daily ration divided into two or more feedings rather than one huge meal.
Water.Don’t forget to provide your pup with ready access to an ample supply of fresh drinking water, especially in the warmer months. Even if his water bowl is not quite empty, rinse it out and refill it at least once a day to limit bacterial growth and help keep it as fresh as possible.
Grooming. No matter his breed, every dog benefits from some type of regular grooming. Brushing or combing your dog encourages healthy skin and helps to keep his coat free from mats and debris.Grooming time also provides a wonderful opportunity to inspect your dog all over-you can keep watch for fleas or ticks, take a look at his teeth, check his ear canals to make sure they’re clean and healthy, inspect his footpads for cuts or thorns, and trim his nails. It’s vital, too, for your dog to become accustomed to having his body handled all over. If you do this with him regularly, taking him to the vet or having others care for him at a boarding kennel will be less stressful all around.
Exercise. Another major aspect of your dog’s care is ensuring that he gets enough exercise. Sufficient activity is ecpecially important during his physical development, and it will help an energetic adolescent burn of the “crazies”! Exercise shouldn’t be forced; if your pup is showing signs of tiring, such as lagging on the leash or panting excessively with his tounge hanging out, it should be quitting time.Dogs have widely varying energy levels and exercise requirements, depending largely on age, health, breed and temperament. A vivacious sporting dog may feel cooped-up without a long walk or jog every day, while a quiet daily game of fetch indoors may be plenty for a retiring toy dog. Try different activities and observe your dog’s demeanor to determine his exercise needs.
Play. The best type of exercise. In fact, is that which is incorporated into playtime with your dog. By nature, dogs are playful, social creatures, and their minds are highly attuned to interacting with others-in this case, with you in particular. Your dog needs and craves your attention. He doesn’t want to spend his time alone, out in a yard. He wants most of all to be with you. It’s as important to his healthy development as a well-rounded pet as are good food and fresh water. The great thing is, this aspect of caring for your dog is fun! Happy times spent together deepen the bond between you. As the games you play with your dog evolve over time, you’re fine-tuning your understanding of each other. Taking lots of time to play with your dog will help to develop the “whole dog”-it will nurture the best he can be and help him to become a great companion.Try to provide your pup with a wide variety of toys, too. Toys help keep him occupied while you’re not around, and provide a safe outlet for his urge to chew.Training. Playtime and training can and should go hand in hand. Teaching your dog basic manners is essential, but that doesn’t mean the process can’t be fun. As well as making him a good companion, learning specific behaviors gives your pup a job to do and most dogs thrive on this.Try also setting a goal toward doing a specialized activity with your dog-agility, for example, or Frisbee-and you’ll find out how enjoyable it can be for both of you, and how it enriches your relationship.
Veterinary care. For your dog to live a long, healthy life as your companion, he must be protected aganst parasites and diseases. Be sure to keep up with scheduled veterinary visits, and don’t put off calling the vet if you become aware of symptoms of possible concern. Continue to educate your self about canine health matters. If you have any questions, jot them down so you can discuss them with your vet on the next visit.
How to Raise a Happy, Friendly, Confident Puppy
A well-socialized and secure puppy is a happy puppy. This means helping him early on to feel that the world is a fun and safe place to be-whether encountering other dogs, children, or strangers on the street. Ideally, your pup will be content in any setting, and even when you’re not home. Give him plenty of stimulation, socialization, and encouragement or you will risk problems such as aggressive or fearful behavior, excessive barking, and separation anxiety.
What You Should Know
1. Chewing, barking, whimpering, jumping on people-and of course, being endlessly curious about everything-are normal (though not necessarily desirable) puppy behaviors. Abnormal behaviors include being fearful or easily startled, constant crying or yelping, biting to guard food or toys, and extreme nervousness or destructive behavior. These can be quite serious problems and may require professional help or formal training.
2. Remember that when it comes to puppies, “out of sight” usually means “into trouble.” Pay attention to what your puppy is doing and how he interacts with his environment. Keep things positive, interesting, and stimulating. (Extended periods of boredom can lead to problems.)Puppies use their mouths to explore their environments. This can mean playing rough with other puppies, which is often fine. (Dogs tend to let each other know when they’ve had enough.) Still, monitor your puppy to ensure he isn’t becoming aggressive or bullying. And see that he has enough toys of his own to keep him busy, so he doesn’t get into your things.
3. Kids are often scared and overexcited around dogs. Help them to encounter yours in a gentle way that gives both child and dog a happy experience. A puppy’s early experiences with children are formative and therefore must be handled with patience and care.Puppies exposed to many people, dogs, places, sounds, and situations (in fact, as many as possible) gain confidence, happiness, and trust. They should meet people in your home and in unfamiliar places as well. Let the encounters be diverse: tall people, short people, women pushing strollers, teenagers with backpacks, people in wheelchairs, people wearing hats or carrying umbrellas, and so on.Your dog takes his cues from you. When introducing him to a new person or place, or when encountering loud sounds such as sirens, you should be calm and confident, and address the pup in a smoothing, authoritive voice. This will reassure him that all is well and help him build confidence as he matures.Your puppy’s socialization is a lifelong commitment. Lay a solid foundation, and maintain it throughout his life: Let him meet and greet people and continue sharing experiences and discoveries with you. Your happy, friendly puppy will be grateful, and you will be proud of what you’ve accomplished.
What You Should Do
Take your puppy to a dog park daily when old enough or at least a few times a week, but don’t over stimulate him. Make sure he enjoys the experience; otherwise, don’t force him into it. Keep his social periods brief at first, so as not to overdo it. (Don’t allow socialization before he is fully immunized.) And always pick up after your dog, wherever you go.To discourage separation anxiety-which often results in puppies engaging in destructive behavior-supply your pup with chew toys to keep him appropriately occupied in your absence. You’ll want to make sure that both his teeth and mind are busy. Sometimes dogs need to work off steam in ways you don’t have time to provide. Consider signing your dog up at a daycare center, if there is one in the neighborhood, or hire a dog walker to take your pup on an extended walk to burn off energy. If your puppy meets another dog on the street or at the dog park who seems aggressive, calmly lead your dog away. Never try to force an interaction that could turn dangerous. Praise your puppy for seeking out equals who will engage in a friendly, give-and-take style of play.At the earliest opportunity, take your puppy for a ride in the car. Stop by the vet’s office, just for a visit and a treat, so he considers it a positive place to spend time.Because puppies sometimes see kids as equals, they may react to them in unpredictable ways. Put your pup into a “sit” or “down” when meeting toddlers or babies. He should never be permitted to jump on them. Explain to the child (or parent) that it is important to ask you if it’s OK to pet the dog first. Show the child how to approach your dog-from the front or side, holding hands out low, under his mouth so he can sniff the child’s hand.Tell the child to speak softly to the dog, using a friendly tone of voice (no shrieking, shouting, or jerky movements)..Explain that a dog shouldn’t be disturbed while he is eating, as he may react defensively.Teach kids to pay attention to a dog’s body language and to respect his space.
LOVE
It Was Our Pleasure To Provide you with these key tips on raising your New Puppy. Lastly the most important tip to the perfect pet is "LOVE" and lots of it. "LOVE" them when they're good & "LOVE" them when they are bad but, be firm. NEVER Physically spank your New Puppy. You have to look at them like children & they're ways to discipline without being cruel. Love is the main key to a happy healthy puppy! ~Marilynn & Barbara
