Bathing and Grooming Your Dachshund

“My Long Haired Dachshund seems uncomfortable and tends to scratch and lick various parts of her body.  Is there something wrong with her?” A lady asked me this question a long time ago when Charlie and I were out for a walk. The dog was antsy and itchy and did look uncomfortable! After asking some questions of the owner, I suspected there was something going on with how the Dachshund was being bathed and groomed. We had a nice discussion and I did give the owner some gentle opinions and advice regarding her doxie’s behavior.

How proper grooming should be performed is an issue of debate.  It is important however because incorrect grooming can affect your Dachshund’s health.  Any grooming mistake needs to be corrected as soon as possible in order to make your dog look and feel their best.

There is not much to worry about when it comes to brushing and hair care of Short Haired Dachshunds.  They require less grooming because only a few hairs cling to their coats.  Regular brushing with soft bristle is enough to maintain a Short Haired Dachshund.  This breed is also easy to bathe.

My Dachshund, Charlie, is a breeze when it comes to bathing and grooming. He is however on a special prescription shampoo. I use to use ChlorhexiDerm shampoo which was ok but it left his coat with a residual texture I was not crazy about—a texture which I cannot put into words. I switched to Malaseb shampoo a few years ago which is I like much more. The over the counter shampoos left Charlie with too much dry and flaky skin afterwards. He has used prescription shampoo for years now and has had no skin problems since. This is one suggestion I gave to the lady mentioned above–that she should try a different shampoo for her doxie.

While bathing helps make the coat smoother and softer, frequent bathing may not be good for Dachshunds.  Dachshunds are known to produce a special hair fat that serves as an insulating layer of protection.  The coat is not the only thing to consider when bathing a Dachshund.  The ears are equally important.  During a bath, try to keep water and/or soap from getting into the ears as this can lead to infection. After the bath,  the ears can be gently cleaned with a soft cloth.  Q tips work great also as long as you do not go too deep into the ear.

Unlike the Short Haired Dachshund, Wire Haired and Long Haired Dachshunds need frequent brushing to remove dead hair and to prevent matting and tangles.  In Long Haired Dachshunds, mats often develop behind the ears and in areas where the hair grows longest.  These mats need to be untangled by hand and/or cut off.  It is also important to blow dry the hair instead of allowing it to dry naturally.  Regularly trimming the underside of these Dachshunds is recommended also as long hair in this area can quickly pick up dirt and debris from the ground.   Dachshunds do not stand that far off the ground anyway…

A pin brush is good for Wire and Long Haired Dachshunds.  An excellent brushing tip is to brush according to the direction of the hair growth.  Start from the head and work down.  Negligence in brushing your Dachshund’s hair may lead to serious tangle problems.

These practices may seem insignificant to some but nobody gets hurt from doing these things.  No more uncomfortable dogs!  Instead, what you will have is a feeling good, looking good, Dachshund!



Please click on the brush if interested to see and learn more

Nice photo of a long haired Dachshund

Training Dachshunds

Dachshunds are intelligent and have a sturdy and willful personality. Typically, Dachshunds are independent and stubborn.  They can however be transformed into a sociable breed through regular and rewarding training.  Training Dachshunds requires considerable patience and diligence.  Their studies should include house training and socialization.  Since the Dachshund is a hunting breed, it must be properly trained to get along with different types of pets…such as cats.  Dachshunds also need desensitization training to overcome their suspicious behavior towards outsiders.

It is always wise to start socialization and training of a Dachshund at an early age.  Vigorous training is required for adult Dachshunds…hence the saying, “It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.”  Dachshunds should be treated as one of your children.  As they do not respond to harsh training methods, Dachshund training should always be game and treat oriented. 100 out of 100 Dachshunds surveyed indicated that treats inspire and motivate them during training sessions.  

Wonderful vintage photo of a lovely lady with a Dachshund.

Photograph by Mary Eleanor Browning
BROWNING STUDIO 150 EAST 40th STREET
NEW YORK 16, N.Y.

Eye contact is important while training Dachshunds.  Don’t forget to praise your Dachshund when he or she performs well.  Well planned exercises coupled with lots of praise can bring amazing changes in Dachshunds. 

There are numerous training schools that offer comprehensive learning programs for Dachshunds.  Instructions and tips for training Dachshunds can also be found in books, magazines, from other Dachshund owners, from veterinarians and, from the internet. The sites referenced on the Links Page on this site contain a wealth of information on the topic.

Dont’s To Remember In Dachshund Training

Training Dachshunds requires love of the breed, patience and most of all, knowledge in proper training techniques.  A mistake in your technique will have negative repercussions.  This in turn will lead to an unwieldy Dachshund that displeases everybody.  Here are some of the dont’s to guide you–to let you know what should be avoided.

• Do not punish your Dachshund by hitting or by yelling.  If  your doxie is not responding to your commands or did something wrong, let him realize his mistake by not giving him/her attention and by being silent for awhile.  Since the dog’s major goal is to please and make his owner happy, in time it will dawn upon him that you do not like what he did.  He will thus come to refrain from doing the unwanted behavior.  Physical and harsh verbal punishment will harm your Dachshund.  They are very sensitive.
• Do not use the crate or kennel as a tool to punish.  Their kennel is supposed to be their sanctuary, their haven and, a happy place they can call their own.  Do not turn their kennel into a jail or a place where they may be made to feel hurt.
• Do not punish the Doxie after responding to a recall.  Recall commands such as “come” or “here” are important commands in training.  Punishing a dog after responding to a recall will teach him that if he returns, he will be punished.  He will then quickly learn to run away every time you give a recall command.
• Do not punish you dog hours after he made the mistake.  Punishing him in the afternoon for the mistake he did in the morning will just confuse him.  He will not understand why he is being punished.  Correction should be done at the time of the mistake.
• Do not overtrain your Dachshund.  Make training sessions short, at least five to fifteen minutes, to maintain your Doxie’s motivation.  A five-minute rest for every fifteen minutes of training is recommended.  Training activities should be enjoyable and challenging for your dog.  Dachshunds are easily bored so it is important to come up with activities which keep their active bodies and intelligent minds engaged.  Most Dachshunds agree that a few treats should play a role in their training.
• Do not let your Dachshund feel he is the leader of the pack.  Your dog must understand there is only one leader in the house and that is you.  Set limits and let your dog acknowledge you as the leader.  Failure to do this will cause your Doxie to disobey you.

Be patient, love your Doxie and, have fun!  You will be rewarded!

Photo from the latter part of the 1960s

Tools For Dachshund Training

Having the right tools/items is important when training Dachshunds.  The following things are ideal aids for successful Dachshund training.

Clicker

A clicker is a small plastic box with a metal tongue on the side of it.  The clicker makes a sharp, clicking noise when the button or trigger is pushed and released.  A clicker is faster than saying something verbal.  A clicker can be found at most pet supply stores. 

I myself have not used one of these but many do.  For us, verbal techniques, treats and other methods were/are effective (please see my “Indoor Potty Training for Dachshund Puppies“ article).   

Treat

Treats are essential in Dachshund training.  It is a food your doxie likes and is given to him/her during training.  The treat is given when the pet performs well;  it represents positive feedback and reward.  Your Dachshund comes to associate the pleasurable treat with correct performance.  Your Dachshund, by nature, wishes to please you. 

My Dachshund is a treat fanatic and gets so excited when a treat is a possibility!  He gets so excited that he runs around in circles!  It is wonderful how a simple thing can be so motivational and such a joy for your pet.  Use common sense in your choice of treats; carefully chosen treats from a pet store, a few pieces of dog food, a few little pieces of chicken, etc.

Leash

A leash should be strong enough to withstand your dog pulling on it.  There are various types of dog leashes
depending on material, lengths, styles, etc.  Selecting the right type of leash for your dog depends on the size of the dog, its personality and, strength.  

A leash is also needed so your doxie doesn’t run away chasing a squirrel or some other critter.  A doxie off leash is much more likely to be hurt or killed.  In many places, it is the law your Dachshund be leashed. 

A leash is essential but I used it only to teach Charlie how to walk being attached to it.  I never used the leash to train otherwise.  By the way, Charlie for me has been mostly recreational; we never got too much into anything beyond the most basics of training. He was never a show dog. 

Muzzle

When your Dachshund has a biting issue, a muzzle may be necessary.  A muzzle is a device placed over the snout of an animal to prevent unwanted biting or barking.  A muzzle should have a strong buckle or other fastening device to ensure it does not come off.

Please use a muzzle on a Dachshund if only absolutely necessary. I hate to think of a Dachshund wearing a muzzle but it may be needed in certain situations.  Charlie has never worn one because he never had a biting or anger problem. 

Collar

A collar is a device which can be made of nylon, cotton, leather, etc.  It is placed around the neck of the dog.  It is used for control, identification, fashion and, other purposes.  The collar should not be too loose or tight.  A dog collar is a perfect fit if you are able to place a few fingers between the dog’s neck and collar. 

Charlie wore a collar when he was young but no more.  I do not see it as essential.  He is an indoors dog  and the only time he goes outside is when I am with him.  I know, I know…you can argue he should have one for this or that situation but we just, at this time, do not.

Bed

The bed is an ideal place to teach your Dachshund commands such as stay and lie down.  The bed should be a place where your doxie will feel safe and secure.  Your doxie will come to identify the bed as a special place which belongs to him/her—it will be a nice and comfy place for your doxie to be.  It will become habit for your doxie to spend time in their bed.  The bed should not be used as a tool for reprimand or negativity.

A bed is an essential thing for your doxie to have.  Charlie’s primary bed is within his kennel but he also has a blanket that he spends a great deal of time on.  Furthermore, he lays on top of me or on my lap in various places around our home.  I love laying on the couch and having him sleeping on top of me. 

Harness

The harness fits around the upper chest and back of the Dachshund.  It acts as a protective cage of sorts and gives the owner great control.  When you first obtain one,  it takes a bit of patience to adjust it correctly and to figure out how to place it on your doxie.  Once it is sized and you get a bit of practice putting it on and taking it off, you’ll be “on easy street”.  Having a leash which hooks into the harness is ideal; much better than a leash that hooks into a collar with no harness present.

A harness is essential with a Dachshund.  You connect the leash to the harness when walking and this provides great support for your doxie and lots of control for you.  I do not suggest connecting the leash into the collar as this provides less support for your doxie, opens them up for strains and sprains and, gives you less control.  A collar can slip off a doxie’s head when connected to a  leash but this is highly unlikely to happen if he/she is wearing a harness. Charlie only wears his harness when we go out for a walk. 

=========

I consider treats, a leash, a bed and, a harness absolutely essential.  A muzzle may be needed in certain situations.   Many use a clicker for training but I do not.

The aforementioned are just a few of the tools/things which can be helpful in Dachshund training.  More tools can be utilized depending on the type of training you want for your dog and your particular situation.  A professional dog trainer can be consulted if you have little time and a few extra dollars.

Too much Training?
A Wire Haired Doxie Taking a Siesta