I have volunteered to adopt a dog from a woman with two kids who is going through a divorce at the moment. The dog is a miniature long-hair dacshund that is about 2 years old, housebroken, and is used to being around small children. I have had other dogs in the past but this is my first time adopting one and this will be the first time I have had the dacshund breed as a pet. First off, when adopting an animal how do you make the switch for them easier and less stressful? I know if I was a kid and I was transfered from one home environment to a new one it would be a very traumatic situation and I feel it is the same way with an animal. So how can I help with this transformation? The dog is almost 2 years old but he has not been fixed. It is always my liking to fix animals to help stop the spread of unwanted pets from being born and the behaviors that unfixed animals have. Is it ever too late to get an animal fixed because I have always had mine fixed ASAP? With this breed (dacshund), what sort of medical problems should I be looking out for and trying my best to help him avoid? I figure, with the way they're shaped, that they have spinal issues but are there any other health concerns to be worried about? I think that is all the questions I have for now but please feel free to post any other information you think I might find to be beneficial for my new pet. Thanks!
Just watch out for the little guys back. (Imagine if your spine alone was about a foot and a half longer but you kept the same proportions everywhere else...) Don't let him jump off high furniture or beds. Also need to watch their diets they can get fat pretty quickly which also hurts their backs. These dogs are the greatest. They have really cool personalities. Definately want to get em fixed. Just be patient, these dogs are smart and will catch on really quick to what is going on. They are also pretty empathetic and tend to take on the personalities of their family. Congrats.
I just recently adopted a Rhodesian Ridgeback which is about the polar opposite of your breed. I've found that trying to keep the same schedule and surroundings as his old home made the transition pretty smooth. For instance, if they have a bed in the living room at the old house, have one in yours just until they get adjusted. Also, make sure you keep them on the same diet as before, and if you want to wing them off of their old food and onto new food give them half/half for a few weeks before giving them all new food. As far as having the dog fixed, is it a male of female? Two years old isn't too old to get fixed, but I wouldn't really bother if it was a male that wasn't going to be around other dogs (unless it gets randy from time to time). I dunno, I just hate having male dogs fixed... but that is just me, I like my stones and I image they do to, lol. I've had some family and friends with dacshunds and you have to really watch their weight, if they get too heavy as you hinted above it can get bad on their back. From my limited experience they are also attention whores, which isn't a bad thing but just be prepared to be pestered by them. Congrats and good luck, it is kind of a shell shock for me with my new dog... I'm not used to having to wait on anyone else, and of course they are like children.
Congrats on your new pet. Find a place in your house to make theirs and keep their food, water and bedding there. Try to feed when you are eating as well. Take it for walks around your neighborhood, so that on the rare chance it bolts through an open door, neighbors will recognize it and it may be able to "smell" it's way home. Dogs adapt pretty well and and you shouldn't have many problems. The fact that you worried about it shows you will be a good owner.
definitely watch their weight, It might be depressed for a little bit while it adjusts to the new surroundings so this can add to the weight gain. They can also be hard to house train so hopefully yours is. Interesting that a thread would have dachsunds and ridgebacks together. I have a ridgeback that practically grew up with miniature dachsunds so she thinks shes a 100 pound miniature dachsund.
It's just better to get them fixed. They hump things less, and they are healthier, AND they have much less drive to escape to find a mate. Heaven forbid they smell a female in heat - then even a well-trained dog may bolt past you through the door. When there are so many dogs needing to be adopted, it's really irresponsible not to have your dog fixed. Your stones comment was funny though - some people go to the trouble of giving their male dogs silicon implants - apparently it makes them feel more studly after the operation.
Thanks for the responses so far guys. I figured they had spine issues and your posts seem to reflect that thinking. I had no idea that weight issues are a problem for this breed but it makes sense. What diet recommendations do you have for the little guy once I get him, how many times a day should I feed him? I saw a post that says keep him on the same diet but if he is on some bad, cheap food I would rather wean him off it and start with a healthier choice of food.
No real need to wean him off the crappy food. Just feed him the good stuff. I have had dachsunds my entire life. Weight problems usually happen after you get them fixed. Our vet recomends Science Diet or Nutro-Max Diet food. They are great dogs, sometimes hard to housebreak, but looks like that has already been taken care of. As far as the back problems go, knock on wood, we have never had that problem. We have always had short hair ones. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I feed my pooch Purina One. You should probably feed him twice a day, and since I've never had a small dog I wouldn't know where to begin on the servings. I feed my 100lb dog 2 cups in the morning and 2 at night, so they don't need much. http://www.purinaone.com
OK, I set up the vet appointments to get him fixed and get him his shots. Now I've been told that I can order medications, such as heartworm medication and Frontline, online and save more money than if I get it at the vet or a local store. Anybody know of any good websites to get pet needs cheap?
