Needing Advice!

[DoxieDweller]

Hello, all! My name is Taylor and it's a joy to be here. My boyfriend and I moved into our apartment March 31st and we're looking to add a special new member to our family towards the end of June.

We decided on a dachshund because they're what I grew up with and he's come to love them being around my family of dachshund lovers! Or "DoxieDwellers", if you will.

Anyway, I was just looking for a little advice on EVERYTHING puppy. Got something you LOVE to teach people about concerning getting a new puppy? Post it here! I'm always grateful for any help I can get and every piece of advice helps.

I'm glad to be here and looking forward to your responses!
Thanks so much,
Taylor
DoxieDweller

 

[nola]

Welcome!

Books to check out:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Dog-Training/dp/0470241845/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360104078&sr=1-1&keywords=the+power+of+positive+dog+training]The Power of Positive Dog Training: Pat Miller: 9780470241844: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Puppy-Primer-Patricia-B-McConnell/dp/1891767135/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360104203&sr=1-1&keywords=the+puppy+primer]The Puppy Primer: Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., Brenda Scidmore: 9781891767135: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Revised-Karen-Pryor/dp/B0075OG86E/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360103673&sr=1-2&keywords=don%27t+shoot+the+dog]Don't Shoot the Dog! Revised edition: Karen Pryor: 0352788564428: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Other-End-Leash-What-Around/dp/034544678X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360103817&sr=1-1&keywords=the+other+end+of+the+leash]The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs: Patricia B. McConnell: 9780345446787: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Positive-Training/dp/1615640665/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360104034&sr=1-1&keywords=idiot%27s+guide+to+positive+dog+training]The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training, 3rd Edition: Pamela Dennison: 9781615640669: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Dog-Training/dp/0470241845/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360104078&sr=1-1&keywords=the+power+of+positive+dog+training]The Power of Positive Dog Training: Pat Miller: 9780470241844: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Talking-Terms-Dogs-Calming-Signals/dp/1929242360/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360104595&sr=1-1&keywords=calming+signals+by+turid+rugaas]On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals: Turid Rugaas: 9781929242368: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/How-Behave-Your-Dog-Behaves/dp/0793806445/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360103485&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+behave+so+your+dog+behaves]How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves: Sophia Yin: 9780793806447: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]



YouTube trainers to check out:
Dog Training - YouTube
Dog training explained - YouTube

Links to check out:
Understanding the Four Quadrants of Operant Conditioning | Dogster
http://www.jeandonaldson.com/jeans-blog-mainmenu-51/64-are-dogs-pack-animals
The Dominance Controversy | Philosophy | Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS
Nonlinear Dogs
Myths About the Dog's Origin and Nature
The Social Organizatin of the Domestic Dog
You Can’t Reinforce Fear; Dogs and Thunderstorms » TheOtherEndoftheLeash
Is Clicker Training Right for Me? | Karen Pryor Clicker Training
dog clicker training shaping
Exploits of An Amateur Dog Trainer: Volume 4 - Tactics of Training: Classical and Operant Conditioning



Good dog food brands:
Blue Buffalo
Orijen
The Honest Kitchen
Fromm
Acana
Merrick
Natural Balance
Nature's Variety
Innova
Natural Choice
Solid Gold
Wellness

Remember to keep them lean! A healthy Doxie should look like my girl Nola:

This was Nola when she was overweight:

Consistent, positive training, good food, positive socializing, and lots of exercise are the keys to a happy and healthy Doxie.

Make sure you training your pup, at the very least the basics! Contrary to popular belief, they are very smart and willing to learn. My girl's only 2 and has a huge list of cues and tricks she can do, and she has her Canine Good Citizen and we'll be doing Rally-O and Agility soon.

Good luck!

 

[vizzla]

I always remind people that they are hunters, and should be treated that way. Bloodtracking is a fun and great way to let them be hunters! They dont like beeing alone for longer period of time.

Other then that, They are just perfect little dogs Good luck with finding your puppy! They are superfun little dogs.

 

[sherlock]

All of that info above!

We brought Watson home when he was brand spankin new, fresh out of the litter...so my advice to anyone getting a puppy is to be very, very patient, and prepare to not get a lot of sleep the first few nights because they are scared and crying and maybe need to go out.

Sort of like having a new baby...one time (when Watson was just home and crying around 3 am) my DH actually said, while half asleep, "Honey...honey the baby is crying." Hehe


Oh - and start crate training as soon as (s)he comes home!!

 

[sbarne3]

Have you already picked one out? Remember... where you get your puppy from is very important!