Personality Traits of Dachshunds
Dachshunds have four basic personality characteristics. Knowing them and taking advantage of the personality traits of Dachshunds will help you take and maintain control. You're the top dog in your dog's pack (or at least you should be), so you need to know how your dog thinks.
The hunter/tracker
Dachshunds were bred to hunt, to track scents, and to follow their quarry — with unwavering persistence and courage beyond their size — until the prize is won. What does this mean for your training?
Training challenge: If your Dachshund detects a scent while you're working, training, playing, or walking together, his every instinct will tell him to run after it. Be prepared. Keep him on his leash in an open area.
Great games: Dachshunds almost always enjoy games that mimic a hunting or tracking situation. Show your Dachsie a small ball, let him sniff it, and then throw it as far as you can (in a safe area). Watch him do his stuff.
An edge on the competition: You can use your Dachshund's tracking ability for advanced training in field trials, earth dog events, or den trials — all of which take advantage of the Dachshund's natural abilities.
The digger
Some Dachshunds love to dig more than others, but in general, they all love it — after they discover how fun it is. What does this mean for your training?
Training challenge: Be prepared. A digging Dachshund can dig under fences, dig up your flower beds, and even try to dig through your carpeting. Realize that this is a reality and take action. Bury the fence at least a foot deep and use raised flower beds. Sounds like a lot of work, but its all part of life with a Dachshund.
Don't get mad if your Dachshund digs. You can't argue with instinct, but you can try to teach him what he can dig in and what he can't. It is important to give his digging an outlet. Try giving him a sandbox as your Dachsie's very own digging playground. If you seem him digging some place he shouldn't, pick him up and put him in the sandbox.
Great games: If you get a sandbox, you can play a digging game. Show your Dachshund a toy, and let him sniff it. Then go bury the toy in the sandbox, and cover it up. Until he gets the idea, let him watch you bury it.
An edge on the competition: Dachshunds are born for den and earth dog trials. They're events that utilize a dog's natural instinct and aren't for exhibiting special skills developed by training.
The athlete
Dachshunds may have delicate backs, but many are superior athletes. Dachshunds are built to work, not to sit around looking pretty. What does the Dachshund's natural athletic ability mean to your training?
Training challenge: Dachshunds like to move, exercise, and use their natural athletic ability, so if you're a sedentary person, you'll have to work to make sure that your Dachshund gets enough exercise to use up all that excess energy. A bored Dachshund is a mischievous Dachshund.
Athletic as they are, Dachshunds probably shouldn't engage in certain activities too often. This would include any activity that involves running around sharp corners, jumping or shaking the neck (like in a boisterous game of tug of war).
Great games: Dachshunds love to play. There are a number of games he'll love. Chasing a Frisbee, running an obstacle course, and don't forget the all-important walk.
An edge on the competition: Dachshunds have achieved the highest obedience titles, which takes tremendous athletic ability. They can and do participate in agility competition as well — if jumps are adjusted for height.
The actor within
Your Dachsie is a real clown and is happiest when all eyes are on him. He considers himself to be the star of the household, and he likes it that way. What does this mean for your training?
Training challenge: If you don't make training sessions fun for him, forget it. Take advantage of your Dachshund's showy side and make a big deal out of good behavior.
Your performer wants to be center stage and hates being ignored even more than being yelled at, so take advantage of this trait. React to bad behavior by ignoring it and he will quickly stop.
Great games: Teach him some really flashy tricks that are sure to elicit oohs, aahs, giggles, and applause from spectators. Tricks are sure to become a favorite part of your scene-stealing Dachsie's repertoire.
An edge on the competition: This type of Dachshund loves canine freestyle. This competition involves a choreographed routine that includes both you and your Dachshund. Because Dachshunds love to show off, freestyle may be right up his alley.
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A-B-C assessment
Checking a dog’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
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animal shelter
1. An animal control agency run by local government to protect people from animals, take in strays, and manage animal issues and problems within the community. 2. A privately run shelter managed by individuals who want to protect, advocate for, and find homes for animals.
Dogs Glossary
BARF diet
A method of feeding dogs as closely as possible what they would eat in the wild: raw flesh and bones, along with vegetable matter from the stomachs of their prey. The acronym stands for either Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
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blow out
A twice-yearly shedding of a dog’s undercoat.
Dogs Glossary
blue slip
An application to register a purebred puppy.
Dogs Glossary
breeder
A person who raises, sells, and often shows dogs of a specific breed. Reputable breeders screen parent dogs in an effort to produce healthy dogs that conform to breed standards.
Dogs Glossary
castrate
The removal of a male dog’s testicles to render him infertile.
Dogs Glossary
clicker
A small hand-held device that makes a sharp cracking sound when pressed. Paired with a food reward, an effective dog-training tool.
Dogs Glossary
cohesive bandage
A stretchy wrap that clings to itself used to cover and secure gauze bandages without tape.
Dogs Glossary
come into season
The advent of a female dog’s term of fertility.
Dogs Glossary
dead ring
The stationary ring on a training collar that pulls on the collar, not the dog’s neck.
Dogs Glossary
double coat
Two layers of fur — a top coat of stiff guard hairs and an undercoat that serves as insulation.
Dogs Glossary
dropped ears
The term for hanging or drooping dog ears.
Dogs Glossary
Elizabethan collar
A wide, cone-shaped plastic or cardboard collar that prevents a dog from being able to scratch her head. Used to prevent further injury or hasten healing.
Dogs Glossary
euthanize; put to sleep
To kill an animal to relieve suffering.
Dogs Glossary
fall
Hair that extends over a dog’s eyes.
Dogs Glossary
feathering
Long hair that runs from armpit to paw on the backs of a dog’s legs.
Dogs Glossary
free-feeding
Keeping a constant supply of dog food available so that the dog can decide when and how much to eat. It works best in single-dog households where there’s no competition for food.
Dogs Glossary
heartworms
Parasites that live in dogs’ hearts and cause heart failure. They’re transferred through mosquito bites.
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heat
The period when a female dog is fertile.
Dogs Glossary
heel
A command and position in which a dog walks at your left side staying with you as you change direction or pace.
Dogs Glossary
hip dysplasia
A painful malformation of a dog’s hip socket. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to the condition.
Dogs Glossary
hot spot
A localized area of skin infection. It’s usually round, red, and warm to the touch.
Dogs Glossary
live ring
The floating ring of a training collar. Attach a leash to this ring for training purposes.
Dogs Glossary
neuter
A general term to describe either spaying or castrating a dog to render it infertile. Neutering and castrating are often used interchangeably.
Dogs Glossary
pantaloons
The tufts of hair on the backs of a long-haired dogs legs that make him look like he’s wearing bloomers.
Dogs Glossary
pedigree
A diagram of a dog’s ancestors for three or more generations that lists the registered names of the dogs and the titles they earned.
Dogs Glossary
pinch collar
A training collar with interlocking prongs that pinch a dog’s neck when tugged on. Some veterinarians recommend them above all other collars for training purposes.
Dogs Glossary
praise
A verbal reward for a dog , such as an enthusiastic “good dog!”
Dogs Glossary
prong collar
A training collar with interlocking prongs that pinch a dog’s neck when tugged on. Some veterinarians recommend them above all other collars for training purposes.
Dogs Glossary
pulse
Normal dog pulse is between 70 and 120 beats per minute. The pulse of a puppy ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute.
Dogs Glossary
puppy mill
A place that supplies puppies to pet stores, usually without screening for possible genetic defects or properly socializing the puppies.
Dogs Glossary
registration certificate
The paper certifying a dog’s registration with an accredited organization.
Dogs Glossary
registration slip
An application to register a purebred puppy.
Dogs Glossary
release word
A word that lets a dog know that she is free to move.
Dogs Glossary
rescue group
A network of animal lovers who rescue and find new homes for their favorite breeds or animals.
Dogs Glossary
reward
To give a dog a treat for a correct response while he’s still in the desired position.
Dogs Glossary
ruff
The long, thick fur around a dog’s chest, shoulders, and neck.
Dogs Glossary
separation anxiety
A condition in which your dog becomes anxious and stressed when you leave him.
Dogs Glossary
shed
A twice-yearly process of casting off the undercoat in a double-coated dog.
Dogs Glossary
single coat
A single layer of hairs that comprises a dog’s fur.
Dogs Glossary
spay
To remove of both the uterus and the ovaries of a dog to render her infertile.
Dogs Glossary
stripping
Plucking the dead hairs from a dog’s coat.
Dogs Glossary
titer tests
Tests that check a dog’s immunity levels to determine exactly which vaccinations are needed.
Dogs Glossary
top coat
The top layer of a double-coated dog composed of stiff guard hairs that tend to be naturally water-repellant. The top coat protects the dog’s skin and undercoat.
Dogs Glossary
training collar
A collar that enables you to guide your dog and to check her as necessary — a brief, sharp tug tightens the collar around the dog’s neck.
Dogs Glossary
treat cup
A plastic container filled with small treats or dog food. Shake it and give treats from it as a reward as you train a dog.
Dogs Glossary
undercoat
Fleecy or downy fur shorter than the top layer of a double-coated dog. The undercoat serves as insulation.
