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First Night with a Dachshund Puppy: What We Did with Winston
Quick answer: On Winston’s first night, we kept everything quiet, introduced him to his toilet area and crate/pen straight away, and one of us slept nearby on the sofa. He woke around twice for the toilet but otherwise slept surprisingly well. We think the familiar-smelling jumper from his breeder, heartbeat toys, warmth and simply knowing…
How to Puppy-Proof Your Home for a Dachshund
Quick answer: Puppy-proofing for a dachshund means doing all the usual puppy safety checks — cables, cleaning products, food, small objects and anything chewable — but also thinking about their long back, tiny size and surprising ability to squeeze into places you thought were impossible. We used stair gates, ramps, playpen panels, non-slip mats and…
Best Toys for Dachshund Puppies: What We Used With Winston & What We’d Buy Again
Quick answer: Our favourite toys for Winston as a dachshund puppy were not necessarily the fanciest ones. Snuffle toys, puzzle boards, lick mats, food-stuffable toys and soft toys all got far more use than traditional hard puppy chews. Dachshund puppies are clever, curious and often extremely food motivated, so we found toys that made Winston…
Do You Need a Puppy Camera? Why Ours Was One of Our Most Useful Puppy Buys
Quick answer: You do not need a puppy camera, but ours became one of the most useful things we bought for Winston. It helped us learn his sleeping and toilet patterns, check whether he genuinely needed us at night, build up separation training gradually, and see how he behaved when we were not in the…
Dachshund Puppy Feeding Guide: What We Learnt with Winston
Quick answer: There is no single amount that every dachshund puppy should eat. We fed Winston three meals a day, weighed his food, used calorie information from the manufacturers, allowed part of his daily calories for treats, and adjusted things as he grew. We also learnt very quickly that food changes need to be gradual…
Dachshund Puppy Socialisation Before Vaccinations: What We Did with Winston
Quick answer: You can start socialising a dachshund puppy before they have completed their vaccinations without putting them down in public places. We carried Winston in a puppy sling, introduced him to new sights, sounds, people and places in very short sessions, and rewarded him for calmly looking back at us. We kept him off…
How to Stop a Dachshund Puppy Jumping Off the Sofa
Quick answer: To stop a dachshund puppy jumping off the sofa, make jumping impossible or unrewarding from the start. Use a ramp or steps, block unsafe exits, supervise sofa time, lift them down when needed, reward them for using the safe route, and be consistent. With dachshunds, it is much easier to prevent the jumping…
What We Wish We Knew Before Getting a Dachshund Puppy
Quick answer: Before getting a dachshund puppy, we wish we had fully understood just how tiring, intense and life-changing the first few weeks would be. We had the crate, the puppy pen, the ramps, the gates, the food, the toys and the research — but nothing quite prepared us for the constant watching, toilet training,…
How to Crate Train a Dachshund Puppy Without Making It Scary
Quick answer: To crate train a dachshund puppy, make the crate feel safe, cosy and positive from the start. Let them explore it, reward them for going in, avoid using it as punishment, keep early sessions short, and build up slowly. For dachshunds, it also helps to think about their tiny bladder, little legs, long…
Heel Walking vs Sniff Walks: Why We Let Winston Use His Nose
Quick answer: Heel walking and sniff walks both have their place. Heel walking can be useful for training, safety, and focus, but sniff walks are not “bad walking.” Letting a dog sniff gives them mental stimulation, allows them to explore their environment, and can be especially useful for dachshunds because it tires their brain without…