Do crate train your dachsie. Crates provide a quiet, safe place for your dog to rest/sleep, travel, eat, and chew on a favorite toy (Nylabone).

Don’t allow prolonged periods of high activity. Puppies need rest/sleep to promote proper growth and development.

Do give your puppy lots of chew toys, i.e. Nylabones, Booda ropes, Kong toys, etc. Make sure squeaky toys have built in squeakers and stuffed toys don’t have button eyes/noses, which pose a choking hazard or blocked intestine. Damaged squeaky toys and stuffies should be thrown away.

Don’t give your puppy rawhide bones, pigs’ ears/snouts, lamb ears, etc. They are a choking hazard, as well as very fattening. Many of these come from foreign countries where they use formaldehyde to preserve them. (Formaldehyde causes cancer.)

Do practice taking away a treat or toy while your dachsie is chewing it. This is VERY important for your dachsie’s safety and the safety of small children.

Don’t allow jumping on or off furniture.

Do provide ramps and step stools for easy access to high places (the sofa or your bed).

Don’t play jumping and twisting games (i.e. "keep away" or. "Tug-o-war") to avoid back and neck injuries and prevent aggressive behavior.

Do play "intelligent" games, i.e. hide and seek or fetch (retrieve the tennis ball, etc.).

Don’t allow your dachsie to climb up or down long flights of stairs. One or two steps are OK occasionally. Provide ramps wherever more than one or two steps are needed for access.

Do cuddle and hug your dachsie often throughout the day. It is OK to let them sleep with you.

Don’t play rough. See that children interact safely with your dachsie.

Do socialize your puppy with people and other animals to help prevent aggressive/fearful behavior.

Don’t over feed your dachsie or give your dog table scraps or treats from the table. Fat dachsies have back and heart problems.

Do give your dog healthy treats (small dog biscuits, fruits, most veggies, but NO onions ).

Don’t allow your dachsie to "sit up and beg". This puts a big strain on the disks in the lower back and can lead to injury and paralysis.

Do teach your dachsie the "drop it" command, so he will drop whatever you think he has in his mouth that might be bad for him.

Don’t take your puppy to public parks or places other dogs frequent until he is fully immunized (about 16 weeks of age). Distemper and Parvo KILL. Keep immunizations up-to-date.

Do take your dachsie to obedience training classes (after full immunization). This is a wonderful opportunity for both of you to bond and for your dog to get much needed socialization skills. Make sure other family members attend as well, so everyone learns the commands and how to enforce them properly.