In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds The overwhelming majority are born healthy and live long, mostly disease-free lives.Almost every dog can develop minor health issues even if they receive vaccinations and excellent life-long care. Even dogs that receive their vaccinations and excellent life-long care can develop some minor health issues in their lifetime.

Nevertheless, there are some conditions that tend to occur more frequently in Dachshunds that in other breeds.

Diseases of the Adrenal Gland

Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease, is one common disease of the adrenal gland. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the cortisol hormone is produced, either by the adrenal gland or a primary tumor, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level resutls in a pot-bellied appearance, excessive drinking and urination, skin conditions, hair loss, and sometimes diabetes. Specific laboratory tests can be used to diagnose Cushing’s disease and treatment depends on the results. Several drugs are can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. Occasionally, surgery may be needed to remove the adrenal gland if it is cancerous. Cushing’s disease is not limited to Dachshunds and can be found in other breeds, too.

The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or low cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism). Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, but Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to too low of blood sugar (glucose) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian to correct the imbalances with cortisone injections and fluid therapy. Addison’s  is the most difficult disease to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Cushing’s and Addison’s Disease. Life long treatment with prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed to treat Addison’s disease.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a gradual deterioration of the retina, the back wall of the eye. The degeneration results with gradual vision loss and blindness. PRA is a genetic trait, and since it is a slow, progressive disease,  these dogs are sometimes bred before the disease is diagnosed, thus perpetuating the disease. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve hypoplasia, abnormal eyelashes (distichiasis) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help early identification of these eye-disorders.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc provides a cushion between the bones of the spine (back) and is normally gelatinous. In Dachshunds, this material some times calcifies, or hardens, and sometimes ruptures. The protruding disc material causes inflammation, swelling and pressure on the nerves coming from the spinal cord and sometimes presses on the spinal cord itself. The herniated disc causes pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and can progress to total paralysis. Most of them with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Acupuncture and Chiropractic manipulation is sometimes used to help relieve the pain with varying success. If there is a complete rupture resulting in total paralysis, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs. The sooner the surgery is preformed, the greater the chances of full recovery.

Experimental treatments are being tested using laser needles to fuse the disc material to try and prevent the herniation. Because this is such a common problem in this breed, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Because surgery to repair the herniated disc is expensive, euthanasia is sometimes the option for the paralyzed pet. A few of my patients, which were partially paralyzed, did recover some function of their legs over time. There is no way to predict which dogs will recover without the surgery.

Vaccination Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. The reaction is usually minor, resulting in swelling of the face and muzzle and sometimes hives. Occasional vaccine reactions can occur with any dog so it is always a good idea to observe your pet for a few hours after their shots. Vaccines have improved over the past few years so reactions are fewer and the benefits of protecting your pet against the diseases outweighs the risks.

With good health care, Dachshunds can lead a long and healthy life. Vaccinations, proper diets, preventive health checks, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help your Dachshund live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

Clicker Training Review

Would you like to Become a Super Trainer?

I observed a disturbing event one morning when I was walking my dog Rigby off leash. He commenced galavanting with a group of dogs, a couple of retrievers and a collie. Rigby is a water lover, and I mean fanatical, as were the rest of them, the only problem was, their owner didn’t want them to go for a dip…. You can visualise what came to pass, the group were in the drink and loving it! 

Their master tried calling them out and when they felt it was time to get out, to my dis-belief… they got thrashed, after that Rigby’s playmates kept a clear distance from their boss, and who would be suprised. Rigby left the water, shook and sat down on my foot shaking. At the time he was still quite young, so why was he happy to obey? 

We had been using Clicker Training by then for a couple of months and though only a mere learner, Rigby’s mastery was very clear and he knew that if he responded correctly, he would benefit. We still see the reluctant group every now and again but their owner still twigged!

‘The 4 Secrets of Becoming a Supertrainer’ was our first guide to commencing Clicker training, this wonderful manual is by far the most informative book on the Clicker Training technique. It’s authority has also been implemented by other training organizations:

It is essential reading for Guide Dog for the Blind Instructors in California

The techniques are used for training Search & Rescue Dogs and Military Patrol Dogs

Clicker Training is employed in training marine Mammals

An increasing number of Dog Trainers use it for Corrective Behavior Training

But this book is not only for professional trainers, it is a wonderful manual for every dog owner who would be proud to have a well trained dog; a dog that is an inspiration to others.

The authors of  ‘The 4 Secrets of Becoming a Supertrainer’ have been heavily into dog trainers for a long time, so this is not the work of a newcomer, it is grounded on well researched practices and never employs any sort of admonishment.

The instructions are simple to understand, well laid out and you will quickly implement the training techniques. The more advanced trainers will also find a good selection of ideas they can integrate into their existing regimes.

I doesn’t  matter what animal you own, they will all respond to clicker training, you will be amazed how you can adapt the instructions to your own training challenge.

To get your copy Click Here Now.

When you bring home a new puppy or new dog, the first thing that will be a worry for you, naturally, is how you will potty train the dog or puppy.  Although some folks will get lucky and get dogs from breeders who took the energy and time to train them, this won’t always be the case.  Indeed, much of the time, the new owners will be the ones responsible for any dog training.  This might be a daunting idea for many of us, but training dogs is actually much easier than it might appear to be.

Two traits that an individual must have when they potty train a dog are patience and consistency.  If you are inconsistant with your approach, it will take a while for your dog to learn the preferred behavior.  If you have the proper mindset and dedication, training a dog can be very enjoyable.  The first choice you must make in regards to training a dog is if it will use the bathroom indoors (pee pad/litter box) or your backyard.

If you decide that you would like to train your dog to use a pee pad, you will need to find a consistent location for the pad.  If the dog is unable to find the pad, they will become unsure of what to do.  You must create an environment where the dog knows exactly what is expecting of them.  When the dog knows what the expected behavior is, there will be fewer accidents.  If your dog has chosen another location for its restroom, you will have more work to train the dog.  You must be willing to work with your dogs current behavior to properly train them.

Decide where you want your puppy potty train indoors.  Put the pee pad down and show him where it is.  Most dogs will try to please you by using the pad.  If they decide that there is somewhere else in the house, like under the table, then you have found your training start place.  Put the pad down, show him where it is, and then gradually move it to where you want him to use it on a regular basis.

Learn more about how to Potty Train Dog here.

No matter whether indoor or out,  when you potty train a dog you should be careful to only give food and water during set meal times, so that there are less accidents. For outdoor training, wait about twenty minutes after eating, then put the leash on and take your dog outside, but do not let it just wander around as it pleases.  Instead, lead it directly to a designated spot, and when your dog does what it’s expected to,  give lots of acknowledgment along with a treat.

Continue to do this but you will need a plan of action for when you are not home. Unlike the dogs being trained for the pee pads, your dog will not have a means to properly relieve itself. How to potty train a dog for going to the bathroom outside also means teaching it how to hold its bladder. Crate training comes in handy here. If you place your dog in a safe crate while you are sleeping or away from the house, it will most likely not go to the bathroom. Once home though you will need to take it out right away.

Learn more about how to Potty Train Dog here.

When you live in a climate where it gets cold, it can be difficult providing your dog with a bed that will keep him warm. Winters and sub-zero temperatures can be especially hard on outdoor dogs, even with their thick fur coats. You may have looked into a heated dog bed that would keep your dog toasty-warm no matter how cold the temperatures get only to find that the cost is prohibitive. If this is the case with you, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a much more economical bed you can provide for your dog to keep him warm and comfy on even the coldest of winter nights.

Advantages of a Fleece Dog Bed

You know how cozy fleece can be when the temperatures fall. That’s why sweatshirts and other fleece clothing have become so popular with people in colder climates. Your dog will enjoy the comforts of fleece, too. No, you don’t have to buy him little fleece doggie outfits to keep him warm! You can buy him a bed made out of fleece that will help him stay warm and sleep well. If you have a dog that is getting older or that suffers from arthritis pain, warmth will make him feel better, and he’ll love being able to snuggle into his fleece dog bed for naps.

Different Kinds of Fleece Dog Beds

There are many styles, sizes, and colors of fleece dog beds available. No matter how large your dog is or how much he likes to sprawl out while sleeping, you’ll be able to find a bed large enough to accommodate him. A large bed will give him the room to move around as he likes, but he’ll also be able to snuggle down in to keep warm. If you want to add additional warmth, you can buy a fleece blanket to cover him with on really cold nights.

Several different types of fleece beds are on the market for smaller dogs, too. You might choose a fleece sack, a flat fleece dog bed, or a bed that features a bolster. If you’ve provided a doghouse or crate for your pet, you’ll be able to find fleece mattresses that will fit inside, and if you need to transport your pet, you can find portable fleece sleepers in order to take him along with you in comfort. Fleece is so soft that it makes a very safe bed for any pet.

If you have a huge dog, you’ll still be able to find a fleece dog bed that will fit him comfortably. The covers on fleece dog beds are easy to remove so that you can toss them into the washing machine for a quick cleaning. Some covers are reversible which will give you two clean sides to use before you need to launder the cover.

Finding the Right Fleece Dog Bed

The easiest, and probably most economical, way to find a fleece dog bed is by browsing the Internet. Some very reputable pet supply stores have online stores to make your shopping easy. You will find websites for Dog–Beds.com, DogHouses.com, and Petco. Your online shopping trip will also be an easy way to comparison shop and find the best price on the bed you want.

Pet adoption fees are being collected during the adoption fees.  Whether it is a pet adoption from shelters or from rescue groups, adoption fees range from $75 dollars to $200 dollars.There has been so many arguments over the fees charged for pet adoption. 

People who are giving up their pet for adoption think that their pets is not up for adoption but for sale.Many of us have the opinion that it is not ethical to charge for and animal which is homeless or is going to be homeless.  Some people interpret that shelters and rescue groups are in it for the money, rather than looking for the best suitable home for their beloved pets. 

There are even arguments  from people saying that the range of the adoption fee is to high,  something between $20 to $50 dollars will be suitable enough for “homeless” animals.As higher the fees of adoption is, as larger we make concept that people and organizations are trying to get more and more money from the buyers pocket. 

But there are realistic reasons for charging an adoption fee.  Adoption fees make sure that animals are going to suitable, responsible and secure homes.  It is a sad reality that there are dog fighting rings and animals can be used as bait to train fighting dogs.  Giving away animals can make these “homeless” animals more vulnerable to abuse. 

Paying adoption fees also shows commitment.If there are some people who are not in position to pay the adoption fees of the pet’s, is it possible that they can afford to provide other needs of the pet.  Pets do not only requires attention and time, but also they require financial responsibility.  Aside from food, grooming and day-to-day needs, there are also regular veterinary check-ups and vaccines that needs to be done. 

Pet adoption fees do not go to people’s pockets for personal use.  Pet adoption fees cover the operating expenses, pet care, medical bills and so forth.  In most cases, adoption fees may also fall short of the actual expenses. 

Pet adoption fee is sometimes determined by the vetting cost.  This include vaccinations (for puppies normally it takes over a period of 6 weeks to 16 weeks) and spay/neuter.Even adoptable animals at times require tooth removal or surgery or cleaning of the teeth.Yet, the rescue organizations and shelters never overcharge but a nominal fee. 

For animal rescue groups, their adoption fees are usually higher than that of shelters.  Shelters often have relationship with rescue groups, they ask rescue groups to take responsibility for animals that they cannot afford to pay for the vetting cost. 

There are people who are doing the adoption process personally without shelter or animal rescue organization help to ensure that their pets will be taken to a good home.  Individual pet owners may charge adoption fee since there are times that they include kennel, food dishes, toys, bedding and other pet accessories before adopting.  Some would require an adoption fee to cover the vetting costs that they have incurred while taking responsibility for the pet. 

Why animal rescue groups charge higher fees than shelters is that are volunteers that provide care and training for animals using their own personal finances.  Rescue groups do not have corporate backing.  Rescuers use their funds for looking the best possible match,  setting up transports, calling adopting family prospects and reference checks. 

Pet adoption fees are justified by having a healthy companion or additional family member.  Let’s remember that pets are not toys to be discarded when we are already done with playing them.

Because we are living in the materialistic world it is hard to believe but true that the pets having no value are considered as disposable.