GoodyGoody Gum-Dachs

Puppy Care

By no means is the following information all there is to know about raising and/or caring for a new Puppy. There is much to learn, and content herewith are the "biggies" that a new owner should give attention to and be used as a guideline. Please also see our Web Page on "Do's and Dont's" and "Dachshund Breed" link, as these will help too.

Before Puppy Arrives:

First and foremost is the preparation of where your new Puppy is going to live. Basically, you need to "baby-proof" your home, yard and garage. Assume that everything from say 18-inches off the floor could potentially belong to the Puppy, or at least get it in his/her mouth. Take care to remove, raise or change surroundings so that Puppy is less apt to take advantage of all these new things that they will be exposed to. Remember, you are protecting a "baby" of sorts and with 4-legs, one that will have much easier access than a toddler human counterpart.

Decide where the Puppy will be housed and how, and for how long. Constantly changing habits, locations, beds, rooms, floors, etc. is NOT good for a Puppy. They have been uprooted from a stable home and removed from their siblings and now are totally and completely on their own. The quicker they can adapt to a new stable environment, the better off the both of you and your household will be. That is why it is so important to put forethought into bringing a Puppy home. Rather than bringing the Puppy home and trying to figure it out 'after' the Puppy arrives. Not a good idea.

Have your premium puppy food purchased and waiting for the Puppy. Our Puppy's are only fed Pro-Plan foods, and we encourage you to continue this trend as it is what the Puppy's system is familiar with. Feed the Puppy puppy food through 1-year of age, then slowly crossover to the Pro-Plan adult mix. You don't want to shock the Puppy's digestive system too quickly. Start with a 25% adult to 75% puppy mix for a week, then move to 50-50 and then 25% puppy and 75% adult mix, and ultimately 100% adult food after 2-3 weeks of change-over.

Have good quality chew toys already purchased, so that when Puppy chews on something you don't want them to, you correct the Puppy and give them a correct chew/play toy. Dachshund's love squeaker toys, but be careful to buy only good quality ones where the dog cannot get to the squeaker part. There is no doubt that a Puppy is going to chew, experiment and "taste" everything in your home. Be prepared, not frustraited. Limit rawhide chews as "treats", not as a mainstay.

Decide what is going to be "allowed behavior" and what is not going to be allowed. Deciding this on the front side will help from confusing the Puppy when corrected. If you don't want the Puppy on the Sofa, then from the beginning don't let the Puppy up on the Sofa. If you are on the Sofa, you may choose to hold the Puppy, but not let it "on" the Sofa. This will confuse the Pup as to "why can I be on my person on the Sofa, but not on the Sofa itself?". No, it may not go like that, but you get the idea. Never strike out.

Homecoming for Puppy:

Congratulations! Your new Puppy is coming home. Remember that they are leaving everything they ever knew, seen or loved behind. Brothers and Sister, Mom, Dad and "home" are all gone now. Puppy is coming into a new strange home, with new people, new surroundings, new obstacles, new scents and new threats. Be very patient with your new Puppy because it may be very afraid and will probably whine, wimper and probably bark a little until the newness wears off. YOU must step in and be there for your new baby. YOU must take the place of Mom, Dad, Siblings and Friend right off the bat. YOU must give your Puppy the required attention to acclimate him/her with as little hardship as possible, both to you and the Puppy. Please don't assume that bringing a dog home and tossing it into a crate is going to work with little to no effort on your part. You took the time to invest in a Purebred animal and are beginning a new relationship. You just brought home your new best friend. Be loving and kind always and NEVER strike your Puppy. There are many books on training. Ask your Vet which one they recommend, or get a couple. Try some place like "Half-Price Books". You can even get training info from the Internet or Web. The sources are endless. The sooner you begin training, the better.

Love and pay attention to your Puppy, but don't over-handle the animal. Children should not be allowed to handle the Puppy without DIRECT adult supervision (please, please supervise) as they may drop the Puppy or leave the Puppy on a couch or other high place where the pup may fall and sustain an injury. YOU are responsible. Always control the amount of time a Puppy is handled and who may and who may not handle the animal. After all, it's a baby, not a new 'toy' for children.

Be careful to NOT expose your new Puppy to the great outdoors too soon (i.e. the public sector). Their immune systems are still developing and depending upon age, are NOT protected by vaccines against disease until they are older. Taking a Puppy to a public place frequented by other dogs, strays and wild animals is NOT a good idea, yet. Diseases such as Parvo (a real killer in puppies) and other diseases can be left behind from other animals feces (poop) and even if the poop is gone, Parvo will live in the affected area for more than a YEAR (no joke), and still be just as deadly to the unsuspecting dog owner. And whatever you do, DO NOT take in or expose pup to strays. Strays can carry deadly diseases and may not be visably ill. They are what is called a "carrier" or a "host". Everywhere they go, poop, urinate or slobber, they leave part of them behind. DO NOT allow a stray into your yard or any area which your Puppy/dog will be allowed to frequent, or even you, where your shoes could pick up a disease.

Housebreaking:

Right from birth (whelping) you should keep both mother and pups on a clean surface, such as newspapers which are LAYERED so that you can peel off the top sheet when it becomes soiled or dirty. You don't want the pups to get use to the smell of urine and feces. If they do, it will be harder to "potty train" them later on. Mom will keep pups clean by licking them during the first 4-weeks or so, then the little buggers will start to explore on their own.

At about 4-weeks is when the pups will begin relieving themselves on the paper, and when mom will begin to turn a nose to thier waste, sometimes sooner, sometimes later. When the pups have "gone", peel back the top layer of newspaper and remove. The next sheet will contain enough scent for the pups to smell and realize their scent is there and return to that spot again. Continue the process until older or you begin yard training. Add new newspaper from the BOTTOM, this since you are peeling off from the top down. Soon, pups will become accustomed to the certain surface and seek that and remember it in the future. You may also use other surface material, but be careful that whatever you use will not harm the pups or allow them to choke on it.

Your Veterinarian (and dog's best friend):

This by far the the most important factor in having and maintaining a healthy Puppy. Please seek out and find a good licenced vet in your area. Take your Puppy to the vet within 48-hours after the pup arrives at your home (its a requirement in our contract of sale). Ask around and talk with other pet owners and see who they use and how well their vet comes recommended. Next, find out where the 24-hour animal Hospitals are and put the phone number with your other emergency numbers. Emergency care is not a joke. From the time you can drive to the Hospital, your animal could die if you don't "tune in" to their condition soon enough. Learning your Puppy's attributes is key to knowing when a puppy is tired, or sick.

Follow and maintain any schedule that the Vet puts you and your Puppy on. Keep ALL appointments. Don't skip any shots. It is critical that shots be given to Puppy's at specific ages as they grow older, to protect them from killer diseases such as Parvo, Distemper, Rabies and others. Listen to all the information as to how to care for your Puppy, including heart-worms, parasites, mites, fleas, ticks and many others. Ask questions, because a good vet will know about Dachshunds and probably has several customers with them already. Just remember, you are caring for an animal and they CAN NOT say where it hurts or how they feel. You must pick up on this and care for a child that cannot talk.

> Disease
> Worms & Parasites
> Falls & Drops
> Choking on Toys / Treats
> Collars, Ropes & Chains
> Bad Diet
> Poisons, Houseplants &
Holiday Decorations

> Chocolate & People Food

> Poisonous Shrubbery,
Plants & Weeds
> Escape, Cars & Trauma

> Other Animals / Carriers

> Breeding

> Follow Vet's vaccination schedule.
> Vet care, plus frequent check-ups & medicine.
> Do not allow Puppy up high on Beds or Sofa's.
> Buy only safe Toys & Treats. Limit rawhide chews.
> Never leave animal unattended or tied up.
> Always feed high quality food (Pro-Plan).
> Keep plants, cleaning products, pesticides out
        of dog's reach. Puppy proof 18-inches
        off floor to be safe. Think Baby.
> No candy or chocolate. Limit or do not give
        people food to Puppy or dog.
> Remove or protect plants from Puppy's reach.

> Have good fence. Check regularly for signs
        of digging or holes. Use a leash. Watch
        when doors open & close. Keep away
        from street, alleys & cars.
> If dog is to be bred, protect from other
        animals. If a pet only, spay or neuter
        your dog and do not let it get out. When
        out with you, keep away from strays.
> Become familiar with Pedigree's. Know that
        breeding can cost you lots of money in
        vet bills if complications arise, far more
        than any litter of puppies will replace.

Dangers, Threats and Prevention:

DANGER / THREAT

PREVENTION