How to Dachshund-Proof Your Home

If you own a dachshund, you already know how independent this little guy is. Affectionately known as “wiener dogs,” the dachshund is an adorable small breed with either long or short hair, a pointed nose and an extended body that sits low to the ground on his short legs. Very popular with purebred dog owners, the dachshund is the sixth most popular breed registered with the American Kennel Club, and true breed fans surround themselves with every related to their dogs, from dachshund checks to Christmas cards taken with their pooch. Unfortunately, these adorable dogs have special needs due to their body size and shape.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Get down to your dog’s level. Safety is a concern for dachshund owners since this breed is very curious and will investigate every nook and cranny or object they can see. To truly dachshund-proof your home, you must lie on your belly on the floor and look around. What do you see that would pose a danger to your doxie?

2. Move your collectibles and knickknacks to a higher level. A lot higher. Just taking a vase of the ground and setting it on an end table won’t protect it when your dachshund can jump onto the couch and then jump to the end table. This breed is naturally curious and your doxie will try to investigate anything he sees that is new, shiny or intriguing.

3. Provide ample chew toys for your dachshund. Your dog might be small but don’t let his size fool you. A dachshund has powerful jaws and sharp teeth and he can chew apart a favorite shoe in less than fifteen minutes. When you take off an item – put it away.

4. Restrict your doxie to a kennel if he scratches when you’re gone. A dachshund’s front paws and toenails are very hard and more than a few doxie owners have returned home only to find the finish on their front door scratched off and the carpeting torn apart. The only cure for this behavior is keeping your dog in a place he can’t destroy.

5. Raise your doxie from the time he is a puppy with cats or other dogs to prevent him from developing a fighting instinct. Dachshunds are natural hunters and anything that moves looks like prey to them. Even larger dogs are not off limits, as this breed doesn’t seem to know how small it really is. A dachshund will start a fight with a dog much larger so socialize your pup right away.

6. Spray the legs of furniture and other valuable items with a no-chew spray, available from pet supply stores. No matter how many times you scold your dog for chewing on the furniture, he’ll do it again the next time you leave the house. Make it unattractive by drenching it in deterrent.

7. Carpet a 6 in. wide strip of board and place it on one side of your stairs to allow your dachshund to climb up and down without hurting his back. This is especially helpful for older dogs that have a difficult time getting their hind feet up a step.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t allow your dachshund to play outside in your yard if he can get out of the fence. Doxie’s don’t think about safety when they see the neighbor’s cat – they just follow their instinct and set off in pursuit.
• Don’t use a choke chain on a doxie. Try a gentle leader that will pull your dog’s head down slightly and make training or walking him a pleasure without risking injury to his throat or spine.

[HowardBThiname]

on 11/21/2009 Dachshunds have very, VERY strong nails that can tear up things you wouldn't even imagine.

[missflorence]

on 10/11/2009 Very good article. My late dachshund could tear up anything in the house if I left him alone for longer than half an hour. Those nails are powerful!