Adopt Don’t Shop!

Whether you found a Dachshund in the street or in a shelter, bringing them home may present a lot of challenges. However, as a loving and responsible pet owner, you are ready to take on a new responsibility just to give this poor dog a home.

Bringing a rescue dog to your home is a noble act of love. However, there are reasons that a rescue dog has been dropped off at a shelter. The same reasons also lead to their eventual return to the dog shelter.

Having a dachshund is no different. Though Doxies are known for their playful, adventurous, and courageous attitude, the trauma of neglect and losing your master may be too much for them. Thankfully, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that you successfully adopt a rescue Dachshund and welcome him to your new home.

Expect Behavioral Problems

Rescue dogs are in a unique situation. Most of them have been neglected or have spent a lot of time in the street. Some of them have been left by their previous owners while others are physically abused. Since they are entering a new territory, you can expect one or more of the following to manifest:

• Fear as shown by their body language
• Aloofness
• Desire to find hiding places
• Lack of appetite
• Aggression

These behavioral problems are expected to disappear as your dog gets used to you and your home. When dealing with your rescue Dachshund, keep in mind their temperament and personality so you can adjust your approach accordingly.

The Car Ride Home

The first thing to do is ensure their car ride home is as comfortable as can be. Use a car ramp and allow your new forever pet to go into the car by itself. Allowing them an act of independence will establish trust in the long term.

Once inside the car, strap the rescue dog safely in its seat with an Alpha Paw dog seat belt. For small dogs like the Dachshund, use a Dog Car Safety Seat. It’s a durable, and practical booster seat that allows a small to medium-sized dog a contained space to sit and enjoy the car ride. They can peek out the window without slipping or falling

Introducing Your Dog To His New Environment

You want to make sure your dachshund feels safe and comfortable in your new home. If this is your first bringing a dog home, be sure to puppy- or dog-proof your home for safety.

To keep your new furry friend comfortable, prepare his bed in a quiet area with low foot traffic. However, keep his bed close enough so he can still hear and see you and other people in the house.

The Cozy Calming™ Bed for Dogs is perfect for nervous puppies and dogs transitioning into a new home. It’s ultra-soft and made with vegan fur. It has a raised outer edge for extra coziness. Considering that one in four dogs suffer from anxiety, the Cozy Calming Bed™ mimics the comfort of a mother’s fur to relieve stress and promote a sense of comfort.

In that quiet area for your dog, add in a dog toy. Not only will it keep your pet distracted but the toy will a comforting item for the dog. The Bouncy Fish Toy is a wonderful dog toy that wiggles and moves around. After the fun ends, the dog toy makes a good cuddle buddy for anxious dogs.

The Comforts Only Mother Can Give

If you plan to use a crate for your Doxie, make sure that he is crate trained. Most dogs coming from the shelter might be scared of small enclosures. Don’t force your Dachshund to get in the crate, but train it to do so little by little. Keep them snug and safe in their crate with a Cozy Calming™ Blanket. 

It’s soft, cozy, and designed to mimic the comfort of their mother’s coat. The blanket is composed of premium quality polyester sherpa fabric that provides warmth and a calming sense of security. For a stressed-out dog, small comfort like these makes a colossal difference.

The First Meal At A Forever Home

You’ve made it home with your rescue dog and it’s feeding time. However, your dog is not eating, so what could be wrong? When feeding your four-legged buddy, remember that some rescue dogs may not have much appetite yet. So, be sure to do it in a quiet and calm place to encourage proper eating.

Put your rescue dog at ease by treating them to a dog treat like Victor’s Doggy Cookies and Calming Chews. It’s difficult when your furry best friend has trouble settling down or displays aggressive behavior such as excessive scratching, barking, chewing, licking, and hyperactivity. Soothe their anxiety with these premium soft chews that contain only natural ingredients.

It’s best to introduce dog food that is simple, and healthy for your new forever four-legged family member. Foods that are tough to chew, full of additives, and other harmful ingredients can cause your new dog to have an adverse reaction and not eat.

Even though you know your forever buddy is safe, it needs to understand that for itself. So, allowing your pet to observe, and take situations in slowly, and make their own conclusions will do them wonders.

Establishing a Bond With Your Dog

It is tempting to lavish too much attention to your new cuddly and adorable dachshund. Why not? After all, your Doxie went through a lot of bad experiences before it arrived at your doorsteps. However, excessive attention may cause separation anxiety in your dog. Thus, it is important to give attention and affection in a slow but consistent manner.

To establish a strong bond, you need to first establish a trusting relationship. This happens by having the right interaction with your pet. Your buddy can easily sense if you really love him or not.

Daily walks, exercise, and playtime should be incorporated into your Doxie’s life. If the rescue dog isn’t leash trained yet, you can ask for help from a qualified dog trainer. You can also do it yourself if you are confident and knowledgeable enough.

Be sure not physically punish your Dachshund. While it can correct certain behaviors immediately, it is not a good long-term solution. Since your bond is still fragile, punishments can lead to more harm than good.

Positive reinforcement is still the best way to go. There are a lot of ways to do this and it is effective in controlling your dog’s behavior and eliminating behavioral problems.

Final Words

With the right amount of effort, patience, love, and time, most rescue dogs should be able to eventually assimilate to their new home and that includes your Doxie.

If you are still having trouble transitioning a dachshund to your family, don’t hesitate to get expert advice from vets, dog rescue groups, and other people who have similar situations. There are also countless magazines, books, websites, TV shows, and other resources you can study to further help you in this process.

Just do your best and your rescue dog will soon become your new best friend.