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Miniature Dachshund Pup - Questions & Advice


M1keAU
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Good evening, Everyone!

I've been lurking around the forums for a few weeks now reading through the various discussions, boards, etc and I have some questions and topics I would like to obtain some advice on. I have searched everything I can find on the internet, spoken with a couple of breeders, etc -- and still have some points i'd like to see what the community here could offer as far as guidance/advice.

In about 2 weeks we will be bringing home a Miniature Dachshund who will be a little over 8 weeks old in to our house and as it is the first pup I have ever raised, I want to ensure that I do everything I possibly can to raise her appropriately, socialise and care for her. I am very familiar with the breed and throughout my life have had standards and a miniature x wire-haired (some rescue, some pure) however, this will be the first time I have had/will have a pup. I expect it will be very exciting but also, very full on. Our house is suitable for her (no stairs), any risky areas of the yard have been dealt with, fenced off, and suitable for a pup who for the most part, anything within reach is something to explore.

1. Current situation; currently we have an older dog at home (a rescue Scottish highland x) who about 6 months ago lost her partner (a miniature dachs.). It has been a rough ride for her and it took a good 3 months for her to pull through and adjust. However now, she has become very maternal and affectionate towards our neighbours pup (unfortunately they are moving as both have been interacting great and have become friends). I have no concerns with her temperament and how she will interact with the pup but I will not leave them unsupervised for probably 1 - 2 months until I have completely sussed out how they will interact.

Besides introducing them on neutral ground, ensuring that the existing dog's routine still takes precedence and that she has full and normal reign and the pup will at times have to remain in a pen/enclosure we have set up in the loungeroom... what other advice would you offer to help them bond?

2. Socialisation/training; From past experience, I have learnt it is very, very important to socialise this breed with people and other dogs in an early stage and in a very supervised manner. At what age is it most effective to start proper training? Toilet training will be a first, I do not feel comfortable confining her to a crate of an evening, however I have found a large washing basket that she will be unable to get out of and it has been padded with some blankets, etc. I am hoping that by restricting her movements during the evening, she will make noise when she needs to go to the toilet.

3. Daytime supervision; For the first week, my brother will be home due to uni exams and will keep an eye on her in her enclosure (having water, a puppy bad thing (with astroturf on the top to replicate grass) a bed, etc. and I will probably leave a soft radio on for her so she doesn't feel too lonely. FOr the most part, as we will be getting her on a Saturday, during the first week in working hours I am requesting my brother limit the interaction with her to help her acclimatise to entertaining herself with toys, etc. as opposed to spending every minute of the day with her and then the following week, she has no one for a period of about 6 hours. Our older dog will remain outside throughout the day and not until the puppy is a little bigger will I leave them unsupervised. Our existing dog is quite placid, I expect that in time she will assert her authority over the pup however, for the most part is not an over-active dog.

I understand puppy's often require multiple feedings per day, however, we can establish a routine for her and make sure that there is some food available for her throughout the day. I am quite careful with food and Dachshund's as they are moreso ruled by their love of food than much else, at times. :p

Any other advice from someone who has dealt with the breed and raised a pup, or could offer observations is greatly appreciated. I know what we are getting ourselves in to as far as the breed goes and fully commited to raising this pup properly so I am open to all advice/suggestions.

Cheers

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Besides introducing them on neutral ground, ensuring that the existing dog's routine still takes precedence and that she has full and normal reign and the pup will at times have to remain in a pen/enclosure we have set up in the loungeroom... what other advice would you offer to help them bond?

I wouldn't bother about introducing them on neutral ground - IMO that's an adult-adult thing. Puppies don't do territory so really don't pose a threat in this area to an established dog. What you have planned is fine - just let them do things their own way.

At what age is it most effective to start proper training? Toilet training will be a first, I do not feel comfortable confining her to a crate of an evening, however I have found a large washing basket that she will be unable to get out of and it has been padded with some blankets, etc. I am hoping that by restricting her movements during the evening, she will make noise when she needs to go to the toilet.

The moment she comes home is the right time to start training. Even while she's settling in and getting to know her new world you can be teaching her little things - the rules of the house so to speak. If you don't start the way you plan on carrying on it's worse in the long run. Crate, laundry basket - whatever works for you - but I'd be concerned that if she really wants to get out she would be able to jump/scramble/claw her way out of a basket and probably over turn it on herself. Dachshunds are determined little beggars :laugh:

Any other advice from someone who has dealt with the breed and raised a pup, or could offer observations is greatly appreciated. I know what we are getting ourselves in to as far as the breed goes and fully commited to raising this pup properly so I am open to all advice/suggestions.

Breath, relax and enjoy.

Edited by Sandra777
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How exciting!! :) :)

You know what? A puppy trying to jump out of a laundry basket to toilet/get near humans .. can injure itself very easily, or start yipping/crying with frustration .

A crate with bedding , placed where you can hear her/reassure her .. and in which she cannot hurt herself sounds to me like a much better option :)

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How exciting!! :) :)

You know what? A puppy trying to jump out of a laundry basket to toilet/get near humans .. can injure itself very easily, or start yipping/crying with frustration .

A crate with bedding , placed where you can hear her/reassure her .. and in which she cannot hurt herself sounds to me like a much better option :)

As usual :thumbsup: - totally agree with Pers. To me, crate - preferably in your bedroom - is the best thing. Pup is safe and secure, and you will be able to hear when you need to get up and take her outside to toilet - loads of praise, then back to bed - with a little biscuit if you like. My grown up boy (5) still goes to bed in his crate - with a biscuit - his choice - I took the door off a while ago, because it was a pain :laugh: .

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Besides introducing them on neutral ground, ensuring that the existing dog's routine still takes precedence and that she has full and normal reign and the pup will at times have to remain in a pen/enclosure we have set up in the loungeroom... what other advice would you offer to help them bond?

For dogs in general, a puppy's first encounter with a dog outside the nest will influence how the puppy sees the outside world. Make sure it's a pleasant experience whether on neutral territory or not. Both puppy and older dog need to be in a fairly relaxed situation. No surprises!

The older dog's existing routine is paramount, but try to let the puppy join in - feeding time, outside time (more often for the puppy!), play time, etc. The puppy will quickly learn to go with the flow.

From my very little experience with the breed, their size and boldness make them quite unique, so listen closely to the breeder which I'm sure you've done.

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try to let the puppy join in - feeding time, outside time (more often for the puppy!), play time, etc. The puppy will quickly learn to go with the flow.

yes.. but feeding time is not a time to have them together . Food is a cause for many disagreements/attacks .. and feeding dogs seperately , in different rooms/ crates , takes the stress out of it for everyone

No way would I feed a tiny puppy and an adult together ....

Edited by persephone
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Thank you everyone for the advice.

You know what? A puppy trying to jump out of a laundry basket to toilet/get near humans .. can injure itself very easily, or start yipping/crying with frustration .

A crate with bedding , placed where you can hear her/reassure her .. and in which she cannot hurt herself sounds to me like a much better option :)

Regarding the crate, I know there is a lot of strong support for using them and the results they achieve just I don't want her to feel trapped or locked up. But I guess, overall, it is a much safer option. It would probably only until I am certain she is fully house trained for the evenings. Once she is at that stage, I don't mind if she is on my bed -- we wash our current dog each week and her bedding etc.

Are you able to recommend any particular places (in Sydney) to buy the crates, or online? Obviously don't mind spending a little extra to make sure it will be spacious enough and comfortable for her...

yes.. but feeding time is not a time to have them together . Food is a cause for many disagreements/attacks .. and feeding dogs separately , in different rooms/ crates , takes the stress out of it for everyone

No way would I feed a tiny puppy and an adult together ..

Certainly agree here. Until the pup and her are fully comfortable with each other (and she is grown) I will be feeding them separately. Probably at different times at first with the older dog first, pup second. Just to eliminate issues and not provide any opportunities for our existing dog to feel threatened and neither of them start the whole resource guarding behaviours.

The older dog's existing routine is paramount, but try to let the puppy join in - feeding time, outside time (more often for the puppy!), play time, etc. The puppy will quickly learn to go with the flow.

I will be doing my best to preserve our current dog's routine, essentially, she is on our schedules. In of an evening, out during the day, but fed outside, etc. Once they are comfortable and friendly I will slowly start to bring them in to the same routine which will be that of the existing dog's.

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With regards to the crate issue.

Our Jack Russell loves his crate. He feels safe there, and chooses to sleep there. We feel more relaxed knowing he is not chewing, peeing etc, and so can enjoy him more thoroughly. Obviously crate time is only a part of his routine, when he needs a break from other dogs, when he needs to eat, when we are in the shower or cooking and at night. We soon re- arranged that the the pen and crate are open for him to come and go from, except at night, when his pen is closed and he sleeps in there in his open crate. When he is toilet trained he will be a free range dog, but the crate will be available to him.

Consider the other long term advantages of crate training- easy to take away,a safe travel option, always has a safe bed, vet stays are less traumatic.

Truely all dogs I know that are crate trained properly love their "bedroom" after the first little while.

I bought a cheap $49 Bengo brand off Ebay. It arrived promptly and is all I need for my Jingo.

Good luck with your puppy.

Di

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I have nothing to offer in terms of advice re introductions to other dogs - but can offer advice re the crate - our Maltese was just 800 grams when he came home a 8 weeks back in April this year - so he was tiny (no idea how tiny your mini will be!). I bought my soft sided crate from Pet Barn - I got the smallest one because I knew that he wouldn't outgrow it. It has a zip around the front so that he could be secured inside at night and he was used to that from day one - once he was house trained and could be trusted at night he was allowed to "free range" at night. You can probably get the crates cheaper online but I'm a visual person and need to see the actual item before I will commit to buy.

Enjoy your new baby when he comes home - they don't stay puppies for very long - there is lots of invaluable info here :thumbsup:

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I have nothing to offer in terms of advice re introductions to other dogs - but can offer advice re the crate - our Maltese was just 800 grams when he came home a 8 weeks back in April this year - so he was tiny (no idea how tiny your mini will be!). I bought my soft sided crate from Pet Barn - I got the smallest one because I knew that he wouldn't outgrow it. It has a zip around the front so that he could be secured inside at night and he was used to that from day one - once he was house trained and could be trusted at night he was allowed to "free range" at night. You can probably get the crates cheaper online but I'm a visual person and need to see the actual item before I will commit to buy.

Enjoy your new baby when he comes home - they don't stay puppies for very long - there is lots of invaluable info here :thumbsup:

Thank you, Yvonne. I only have a photo of her from about 2 weeks ago -- she was around 6 weeks. Was just before she was getting her microchip, etc. She was big enough to fit in mine and my brothers palm... About the size of a Samsung Galaxy S4/Iphone 5. Very tiny and probably weighed about the same as a block of cooking butter...250g?

For a crate, I like the idea of this...safe and secure but also not too restrictive. I will probably go in to the store and buy it or at least size them up before ordering (20% off for online orders). It seems practical that if we take her when I go on a road trip or something or go away with the GF we can bring her with us. I got an exercise/play pen today from a work colleague I am borrowing, almost all set now.

I doubt anything other than a ferret harness/guinea pig will fit her lol. I couldn't believe pups were that small.

post-50785-0-74273700-1384423674_thumb.jpg

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That's adorable, hard to believe you won't turn something so tiny over and find a battery pack.

I resisted crate training with my anxious dog for a while, eventually got one as part of car safety. I have a plastic one that separates into a bottom and top half and it was super easy to get him used to getting into the halves, climbing on top as a trick and so on. Then I assembled it and left it in the lounge planning to feed him in there. Dog headed in and said "Thank you for finally getting me my own place!"

I know it's possible that puppies develop issues because they become dependent on the older dog so it's important he have time separate for walks and so on without the older dog so he learns to cope on his own. Also it's very important that many pictures of cute puppies are posted on DOL. There's a special photography forum just for that. Without this your dog cannot develop properly.????

Edited by hankdog
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I will be sure to post some photos. And I will go ahead with the crate. I found a good collapsible one at pet barn with plenty of ventilation and windows.

And as it turns out, I got my dates wrong. She comes home tomorrow! I had planned on doing my last minute run to grab a few things so just make that a little earlier in the morning.

It's very exciting but also a little scary but the advice I've gotten here has been very helpful!

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I found a good collapsible one at pet barn with plenty of ventilation and windows.

What is it made of ?

The better ones for puppies are sturdy plastic or wire mesh .... puppies - even minis can scratch/dig/bite and damage themselves or a crate if the crate is unsuitable . Tiny puppies can also get noses/feet thru the wire ..and chew holes in teh mesh on 'soft' crates .

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I found a good collapsible one at pet barn with plenty of ventilation and windows.

What is it made of ?

The better ones for puppies are sturdy plastic or wire mesh .... puppies - even minis can scratch/dig/bite and damage themselves or a crate if the crate is unsuitable . Tiny puppies can also get noses/feet thru the wire ..and chew holes in teh mesh on 'soft' crates .

Hi Persephone,

Here is a link http://www.petbarn.com.au/dogs/dog-kennels-crates-containment/kennels/bono-fido-soft-kennel.html

I am swinging by on a mad run this morning to get some astro-turf (for the top of the puppy pad thing for during the day, a food and water bowl, some blanket type material to line the crate, chew toys, etc.

Thank you for the link -- it was very helpful!

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Puppy may be tiny .. but scratching on that mesh may well lead to holes ... and once they learn that things can be that way ...it's a hard habit to break. I much prefer using things which are too high , too strong , and too unreachable from the very first - so that bad habits never get taught early .

Don't know what others use for puppies .. but considering the high likelihood of diarrhoea ..peeing inside , and teeth/claws - something easily washed , and strong ,would be my choice .

Soft crates look lovely from a human point of view ..and they are terrific for when travelling , or for trained adults ...I hope your girl appreciates the effort ;)

Have a great day!! Very exciting times :D

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