Doxie fitness
- Thread starter jerrymg
- Start date
Penny
New Member
I think the biggest mistake is that they don't. lol
Many dachshunds I've seen need to lose weight, and that's very hard on their long backs which are already prone to spinal cord injury.
Very important is that there's no jumping off of stuff! A little ramp or stool for the couch for them, block off stairs so they don't go down. We had a couple of steps to our back door and our Basil often mistepped and slid down them and scraped his belly. It would have been very bad if he had done that on a flight of stairs. We kept the stairs blocked off and carried him up and down.
Hope your granddaughter has time to come by and join us, post pics! It's very exciting to get your first doxie!
Many dachshunds I've seen need to lose weight, and that's very hard on their long backs which are already prone to spinal cord injury.
Very important is that there's no jumping off of stuff! A little ramp or stool for the couch for them, block off stairs so they don't go down. We had a couple of steps to our back door and our Basil often mistepped and slid down them and scraped his belly. It would have been very bad if he had done that on a flight of stairs. We kept the stairs blocked off and carried him up and down.
Hope your granddaughter has time to come by and join us, post pics! It's very exciting to get your first doxie!
vizzla
New Member
I would say the same - lack of exercise is most common.
To warm up before all activities (even hard play) is important especially if its cold outside. Where we live we have winter for 4 months and we dont let them play outside in the cold for too long, and always warm up with a fast walk or something.
To warm up before all activities (even hard play) is important especially if its cold outside. Where we live we have winter for 4 months and we dont let them play outside in the cold for too long, and always warm up with a fast walk or something.
Penny
New Member
When you have an adult, the correct weight can vary because dachshunds can be 8 lbs or go up to 35 lbs. The best weight for your dog is when there is a waistline. The chest will come down, then the waist should rise and tuck up.
If your adult dog looks like a tube, they are too chubby.
The chest takes some time to drop so in the first year they will look like a tube, and that's ok.
It's better for adult dogs not to be free fed. Dachshunds have a tendency to eat as much as you give them, so measuring kibble is very important. Treats don't have to be store bought, they will enjoy things like apple, strawberries, carrots etc, and those things are good for them. Store bought treats can have a lot of fat and calories so better not to get into that habit. There has been a lot of recalls on those treats too, just avoid them from the start.
If your adult dog looks like a tube, they are too chubby.
The chest takes some time to drop so in the first year they will look like a tube, and that's ok.
It's better for adult dogs not to be free fed. Dachshunds have a tendency to eat as much as you give them, so measuring kibble is very important. Treats don't have to be store bought, they will enjoy things like apple, strawberries, carrots etc, and those things are good for them. Store bought treats can have a lot of fat and calories so better not to get into that habit. There has been a lot of recalls on those treats too, just avoid them from the start.
Penny
New Member
Free fed is putting kibble in a bowl on the floor and leaving it for the day.
It's better for bathroom habits too to feed them their measured portion, take out to potty. If they free feed during the day, the potty schedule isn't as predictable.
Free feeding often means they have access to more food than they need because the bowl gets 'topped up'. Although some breeds are fine with this, usually dachshunds aren't. lol
It's better for bathroom habits too to feed them their measured portion, take out to potty. If they free feed during the day, the potty schedule isn't as predictable.
Free feeding often means they have access to more food than they need because the bowl gets 'topped up'. Although some breeds are fine with this, usually dachshunds aren't. lol
DeafDogs
Alberta Region Moderator
I abhor free feeding, and do my best to convince everyone to not do it! not only is it bad for weight control (over and under) but it's extremely hard on training. I train with food, so I need to know when my dogs are hungry, how much to give them, and, because food is so important to them (I've made my dogs food-hounds) I can use plain kibble for training treats, and I don't have to give them expensive treats! LOL
Penny
New Member
Very smart.
I use their own kibble too but it was because the first doxie I had was on a hypo-allergenic diet so right away we couldn't give the treats that most pet owners are so accustomed to. Fruit and veggies are so good for them so that was my thing to grab, with their kibble. It's nice when the dog is lean and they are very 'able', and not so sluggish. I could take a few pointers from them!
Penny
New Member
Sounds good. My 2 have been leaner than the photos but they get more yard time in the summer so it's difficult figuring out how much to increase their food and decrease in the fall. It's a balancing act.And Penny, I keep mine even skinnier than thatI'm obsessed with keeping my Doxies thin
Could you take a side view of your babies and post? I would love to see some lean mean bunny machines. lol
DeafDogs
Alberta Region Moderator
Well, I could, but I don't have a computer right now (I'm using the library's computers for awhile) But I could see if I could borrow a friend's computer to post pics.
Boo was overweight when I adopted him, so it took awhile to get down to "fightin' trim" But he's perfect now
Boo was overweight when I adopted him, so it took awhile to get down to "fightin' trim" But he's perfect now
DeafDogs
Alberta Region Moderator
ok here's side, and top views of my little munchkins... however the photos aren't great at showing how skinny Boo is, due to his funny coat pattern on his side....
Boo side view
and top view
Mouse side view
and top view
and a bonus... feeding time at my house
Ready... Set...
GO!
Boo side view
and top view
Mouse side view
and top view
and a bonus... feeding time at my house
Ready... Set...
GO!
Penny
New Member
Very nice and lean, 'fightin' trim'. It's nice to see. They are lean from exercise, not from neglect, which some people might think. Georgia looks very much like that at the moment too and when they get exercise, you can feed them more too. I like that! lol
Thanks for posting for us.
Thanks for posting for us.
DeafDogs
Alberta Region Moderator
actually, their a touch chubbier than usual right now... they cant go outside much LOL But there's a layer of fat over the ribs and spine, and hip bones are properly covered. Mouse has gotten way too skinny on me a couple of times, due to too much exercise, so I have to watch her carefully!