Thinking about owning a Dachshund? Dachshunds For Dummies, 2 nd Edition, is fully updated to show you how to find the one you’ll love forever and make him or her part of your family. Whether you choose a standard or miniature this one-stop guide gives you all the information you need to raise and care for your adorable “hot dog.” This must-have resource is packed with expert advice on everything from feeding and healthcare to housebreaking, grooming, training, and more. Plus, you’ll learn the ins and outs of selecting the right vet, handling emergencies, and even showing your Dachshund. You’ll find out about the ups and downs of living with a pet, get familiar with the Dachshund’s classic physical characteristics, and find help in deciding whether you’d like a smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired pooch. Discover how to: Choose your ideal Dachshund Prepare your home for your new arrival Manage your puppy’s nutrition and health Conquer training problems Groom a smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired Dachshund Build a strong and loving bond with your pet Handle common Dachshund back problems Choose toys, grooming tools, and accessories Select a crate and bedding Introduce your dog to other pets Take charge of your Dachshund’s training Bringing a lively, clever Dachshund into your home will be a happy and joyful experience. Dachshunds For Dummies, 2 nd Edition, makes it easy, too! Dachshunds for Dummies, 2nd Edition 5 Contents at a Glance 11 Table of Contents 13 Introduction 19 About This Book 19 Conventions Used in This Book 20 What You’re Not to Read 20 Foolish Assumptions 20 How This Book Is Organized 21 Icons Used in This Book 22 Where to Go from Here 23 Part I: Preparing to Live with a Dachshund 25 Chapter 1: Is a Dachshund Right for You? 27 Examining the Pros and Cons of Dachshund Ownership 28 Dachshunds: Not Just Any Dog 30 Understanding a Dachshund’s Special Needs 32 What’s Your PQ (Patience Quotient)? 33 Dachshund Dollars: The Financial Commitment 34 The Size of Love: Standards versus Minis 37 Are You Ready to Be Owned by a Dachsie? 39 Chapter 2: Defining the Dashing Dachshund 43 Hey, Who Stretched Out My Dog? 43 Dachshund Anatomy 101 46 Evaluating the Perfect Dachsie 47 Chapter 3: The Long and Short of Dachshund Varieties 57 Size Matters (Or Does It?) 58 Pick a Coat, Any Coat 63 Choosing from a Rainbow of Color and Pattern Options 66 Male or Female? The Battle of the Sexes 68 Chapter 4: May the Best Breeder Win: Finding the Dachshund for You 71 Finding the Right Breeder 72 Getting the Real Scoop on Contracts 78 Picking the Best Puppy for You 79 Forming a Good Bond with a Dachsie Breeder 81 How Much Is That Dachsie in the Window? 82 Chapter 5: Rescue Me! Adopting a Dachshund 85 Making a Friend for Life 86 The Pros and Cons of Adopting a Dachsie 87 Adopting through a Rescue Organization 89 Working with Animal Shelters 90 Part II: Starting Out on the Right Paw at Home 93 Chapter 6: Making Your Home Dachshund-Proof 95 Considering a Dachs-Eye View of Home 96 Preparing for Demolition Dog 97 Compensating for Stairs 101 Ledges and Couches and Beds, Oh My! 102 Chapter 7: Dachs-Proofing Your Family 103 Giving Your Family Dachshund Lessons 103 Mastering Dachshund-Friendly Décor 109 Chapter 8: Purchasing Your Dachshund Essentials 111 Every Dog Needs a Den! 112 Shop ’Til You Drop: A Pet Store Checklist 115 Choosing Tools for the Well-Groomed Dachshund 119 Toys for Playtime! 121 Kibble, Kibble, Everywhere . . . 122 Chapter 9: The First Day: What to Do and What to Expect 127 Taking the First Ride Home 127 Welcoming Your Dachshund Home 128 Surviving the First Night 133 The Morning After: Starting a Routine 136 Calling On a Vet 139 Part III: The Obedient Dachshund (Not an Oxymoron) 143 Chapter 10: Understanding the Defiant Dachshund 145 Looking for Signs of Intelligent Life 146 Why Dachshunds Are Independent Thinkers 147 Dachshunds Can’t Obey What They Don’t Understand 148 Communicating with Your Dachshund 149 Recognizing “Normal” Dachshund Behavior 152 Chapter 11: Taking Charge of Your Dachsie 157 Knowing Your Dachshund’s Instincts and Traits 157 Oh, Those Dachshund Wiles . . . 162 Chapter 12: Determining Your Trainer Profile 165 Forming Your Personal Training Style 166 Attending Obedience Classes (For Your Dachshund and You) 172 Chapter 13: Teaching Your Dachshund the House Rules 175 Housetraining 101 175 Biting, Gnawing, Chewing — Nixing All Toothy Indiscretions 180 Convincing Your Little Barker to Quiet Down 184 Jumping: Not Joyous for Everyone 187 Teaching an Older Dog New Tricks 189 Chapter 14: Putting Your Dachshund through Basic Training 191 Considering Obedience Classes 192 Important Lessons for You and Your Puppy 193 Mastering the Leash 201 Troubleshooting 101: Conquering Training Problems 204 Recognizing the Importance of Play 206 Chapter 15: Advanced Training and Competing for Fun 207 Preparing for Competition 208 Taking the Canine Good Citizen Test 208 Showing Your Dachshund: Isn’t She Lovely! 211 Shining in Obedience Competitions: Surprise ’em All! 212 Canine Freestyle for Dramatic Dachshunds 214 Competing in Field Trials: A Dachshund’s Destiny 214 Competing in Agility Trials: Poetry in Motion 216 Competing in Earthdog Tests: Born to Burrow 218 Becoming a Versatile Dachshund 220 Part IV: Helping Your Dachshund Stay Healthy 221 Chapter 16: Healthy Dachshund 101 223 Keeping Your Puppy (Or Older Dachsie) Healthy 223 Practicing Good Grooming 230 Getting Regular Exercise: Move It or Lose It! 232 Meditating on Holistic Health Care 234 Chapter 17: Handling Dachshund Health Problems 237 Why Good Backs Go Bad 237 Treating Disk Disease 241 Living with Paralysis: Is It a Quality Life? 247 Considering Other Dachsie Health Issues 248 Chapter 18: Enjoying Your Senior Dachsie and Saying Goodbye 251 At What Age Is a Dachsie a Golden Oldie? 251 Addressing a Senior Dachshund’s Care Needs 252 Recognizing When Problems Aren’t Just “Old Age” 255 Losing and Mourning Your Friend 256 Part V: The Part of Tens 261 Chapter 19 Ten Dachshund-Focused Books and Web Sites 263 Ten Great Choices for Your Dachsie Bookshelf 263 Ten Wiener Web Sites to Keep You Busy 264 Chapter 20 Ten Good Foods, Ten Bad Foods 267 Ten Great People Foods for Dachshunds 267 Ten Foods You Should Never Feed Your Dachshund 268 Index 271
thinking About Owning A Dachshund? dachshunds For Dummies, 2nd Edition, Is Fully Updated To Show You How To Find The One You’ll Love Forever And Make Him Or Her Part Of Your Family. Whether You Choose A Standard Or Miniature This One-stop Guide Gives You All The Information You Need To Raise And Care For Your Adorable “hot Dog.”
This Must-have Resource Is Packed With Expert Advice On Everything From Feeding And Healthcare To Housebreaking, Grooming, Training, And More. Plus, You’ll Learn The Ins And Outs Of Selecting The Right Vet, Handling Emergencies, And Even Showing Your Dachshund. You’ll Find Out About The Ups And Downs Of Living With A Pet, Get Familiar With The Dachshund’s Classic Physical Characteristics, And Find Help In Deciding Whether You’d Like A Smooth, Wirehaired, Or Longhaired Pooch. Discover How To:
- choose Your Ideal Dachshund
- prepare Your Home For Your New Arrival
- manage Your Puppy’s Nutrition And Health
- conquer Training Problems
- groom A Smooth, Wirehaired, Or Longhaired Dachshund
- build A Strong And Loving Bond With Your Pet
- handle Common Dachshund Back Problems
- choose Toys, Grooming Tools, And Accessories
- select A Crate And Bedding
- introduce Your Dog To Other Pets
- take Charge Of Your Dachshund’s Training
Bringing A Lively, Clever Dachshund Into Your Home Will Be A Happy And Joyful Experience. dachshunds For Dummies, 2nd Edition, Makes It Easy, Too!
