Dachshund Puppy Care

First of all, let me congratulate you for buying an adorable breed of dog, the Dachshunds. This dog is extremely popular among people of all ages. Children and even adults, simply love to play with it. Whether it is long-haired or a wire-haired dachshund, having this dog breed is a pleasure and a wonderful addition to a family.

Proper dog care is mandatory for anyone purchasing these animals and dachshund is no exception. Taking care of a puppy is not restricted to giving a comfortable bed to sleep. There are various other aspects of puppy care. Following are some miniature dachshund puppy care tips, helpful for those eager to make it an integral part of their family.

Vaccination
Dog vaccination benefits are plenty, but many people ignore this integral part of puppy care. When you vaccinate your puppy, you are indirectly keeping your pet away from diseases like rabies and hepatitis. Puppies generally have a weak or underdeveloped immune system and so they are susceptible to infections. The best way to protect them from deadly viruses or bacteria, would be to vaccinate the puppy at the earliest. Consult a qualified veterinarian and find out, which are the vaccines that need to be administered to your pet, so as to avoid any health threats. Although puppy vaccination is extremely important, administering vaccines frequently is certainly not recommended, as it can cause few side effects such as swelling and pain.

Dachshund Puppy Food

Feeding a high quality dog food is a must to ensure that your puppy's health remains fine. Of course preparing dog food at home, that is made from fresh, high quality ingredients is definitely the best option, as it does not contain any preservatives. The other alternative is to buy high-grade commercial dog food (puppy kibble) that is specially made for the dachshund puppies. These dog foods are formulated, considering the nutritional needs of the puppy. Anyway, veterinarians often say that Dachshunds require food that is a combination of yellow corn, wheat, horse meat and beef.

Meal Size
Follow a 4 small meals a day plan for your puppy to avoid digestion problems. After 3 months of age, you can give meals 3 times a day. Half a year old (6 months) should be given 2 meals everyday and this should be continued for the entire lifespan of your pet. Dachshund puppy weight chart clearly indicates that height is proportional to its weight and hence unnecessary feeding can cause weight and make the puppy obese.

Dachshund Puppy Training

Although, Dachshund puppies are small in size, training them is not that simple as it seems. Initially, dachshund puppies do not respond to training, which is quite normal. But that doesn't mean you make use of punishments to discipline the puppy. This may frighten your pet enormously, which may negatively affect its mental health. Many times, dachshunds do not understand what their master is trying to tell. Saying 'multiple words' command at one time, will only confuse your pet. Instead, prefer single word command such as 'sit' and 'come' as they are best understood by Dachshund. Be persistent and do not be in a hurry or forcibly try to enforce your teachings. Dachshunds are well-known for their stubbornness, but you need to be patient and one fine morning you will see your pet obeying your commands. But, make sure to reward your pet appropriately (favorite food), when he starts following your command.

On the whole, taking proper care of your puppy cannot be ignored, as it will keep your pet cheerful and obedient. It can also make your pet a better animal, in terms of behavior and health.