Dachshund Puppy Care
They are cute and cuddly. But when you bring one of those adorable balls of fur home to live with you, it can be as overwhelming as contemplating the care of any new baby. A Dachshund puppy may be small, but he will require a large amount of love and care, particularly in the first few days of making your house his new home. If you are prepared for the arrival of your new baby prior to the event, it will help make the transition to man and dog a much smoother ride.
Supplies
Before you take the trip to the breeder to pick up your Dachshund puppy, make a pit stop at the pet store for a few necessary supplies. If you have already visited with your breeder (and you certainly should have!), you will probably know the brand of puppy food that your dog is currently eating. Have a bag of that on hand, along with dishes for food and water. You can also have a leash and collar ready, so that you pup can begin taking walks with you once he is ready. One other thing to have ready is the name and number of the veterinarian that you have hopefully chosen prior to bringing your Dachshund pup home.
It is also a good idea to have an appropriate size of crate set up for your Dachshund puppy. Crate training has become quite popular with most breeds of dogs over the years, and with good reason. A crate will give your new Dachshund pup a secure haven for sleeping, and will ease the process of housebreaking. It will also offer you an alternative for keeping your dog (and your house) safe when you are not available to watch him, or when you are gone. Details of crate training will be covered further in Dachshund training.
Bringing your Puppy Home
Your new Dachshund pup has spent the first eight weeks of his life surrounded by his mother and littermates in a place that he feels comfortable. All of a sudden, a new human comes along to remove this baby from his safe haven, only to place him into a new home with different sights and smells. How do you think your Dachshund puppy will survive this transition? Chances are, with a bit of whining and restlessness the first night, which may very well turn into a night of very little sleep for both of you.
Handling the first night with your Dachshund pup will start with accepting the fact that your new baby will need time to adjust to his new home. First, try to bring your dog home early in the day to give your Dachshund puppy a chance to get acclimated before night falls. If you will be using a crate for your pup, introduce the crate as soon as possible by placing a treat or toy inside for your puppy to discover. Do not close the dog into the crate right away, but let him go in and come out as he chooses. At bedtime, set the crate close to your bed, so that you can reach inside to comfort your Dachshund puppy when he gets upset. Keep in mind that the first night will be the rockiest, and every subsequent night will be better for you and your dog.
Dachshund puppy care is a step by step process that will keep your dog healthy and help the two of you get acquainted. There are some additional steps that you can take in preparing for your Dachshund puppy.
