dachshund questions

[gregs317]

Hi all, I will hopefully be bringing home a dachshund in the next month or so. Anyway, I have a few questions: my neighbors have a dachshund, Rusty who is about 8 years old, and I've been observing him when I go over to visit them.

I noticed that at least once or twice during a 1-2 hour visit, that Rusty will lie on the floor, extending his back legs - looks to me like he's trying to stretch his legs. The couple who owns him is elderly, and can only take him out about twice a day for a bathroom break and short walk. Do you think this is what Rusty is doing - stretching his legs since he may not be getting enough exercise?

Also what is the best way to keep your dog free of fleas - esp. in the warmer months? I figure the best way is to use flea collars and powder if needed. I notice Rusty tends to have scratching, sometimes. His owner said that he may have mange (spelling?). It's a shame to see Rusty having to scratch from the bugs. I guess most dogs do at one time or another, but was just wondering how to handle it, if it should become an issue with my dog. Thanks, Greg

[britishbandit]

He only gets to go out twice a day! YIKES, poor dog!

Sorry, that just really baffles me why someone would own a dog if they can't take care of such simple needs as letting it out for the bathroom. How hard can that be? Are they that old and unable to move that they are stuck in bed or sitting on the couch all day? If they can't let the dog out, what's the harm in having someone do it for them?

I don't think the leg stretching is due to lack of exercise, my dogs do that too, and they get a ton of exercise.

Ok, on to the fleas. Flea collars and powders just don't cut it. The flea drops are the best way to deal with it, and ensures you pet/s remain flea free. Frontline Plus, K9 Advantix, Revolution and Advantage I've heard all work well. But go with the drops that they sell at vet offices, the ones you can pick up in pet stores usually don't work. There's also some natural oils you can mix together to make your own flea preventative, for those who aren't keen on putting and kind of chemicals on their dogs. You'd have to do a search if you went that way though, I can't recall what you use or how much of each go in it.

[Cassiepeia]

Welcome to Global Paw! And congrats on the soon-to-be new furkid.

I agree with BritishBandit, the drops you get (I use to use Revolution) from a vet are the best. Flea collars are only good for using in your vacuum cleaner if you have to deal with fleas in your home. They are no use on a dog. Flea powder might be ok to get rid of fleas, but the eggs remain and the cycle just starts all over again. So, it's not really a whole lot of use (plus powder is very messy and I don't like the idea of using a chemical that a dog could swallow).
So try using the drops, you can get puppy versions in most (if not all) brands as well.

The lying with his legs stretched out the back is a common position for a lot of dogs and has nothing to do with lack of exercise. It's just comfy for them. But your neighbours Dachshund certainly needs to be walked more and taken out to pee more often.

I can't wait to see pictures of your new furkid when you get him/her. Are you getting a mini or standard? Wire coat, smooth coat or long coat? Us dog people love details. LOL

Cass.

[gregs317]

so what is a good number of times for a dog to go out for a bathroom break: 3-4 times in a day?

I was just taken aback by the leg stretching thing. It really looks like he is stretching his legs, he actually moves his legs back and forth. maybe he just gets stiffness in his joints since he's 8 yrs. old. Greg

[IceyBlueSibes]

I think the amount of times they go out depends on the particular dog in question. My dogs go out at LEAST 3-4 times a day. They are constantly being let outside. During winter time, we leave our back door open for them to have free reign of outside. Keeps the house cool (we live in FL, so it doesn't get TOO cold), and the dogs are happy. They don't always go out to go potty though, but they like to go and just lay in the grass or run around the yard like idiots. lol

Puppies need to be taken out a lot. Especially at a young age (8 weeks). As they get older, the amount of times you take them out will decrease, since you are trying to teach them to hold their bladder for longer periods of time. I would probably treat an elderly dog like a puppy. Even with humans, the older you get, the weaker your bladder control becomes and I feel it would be best to take them out more often so you don't set them up for mistakes in the house.

My dogs stretch their legs all of the time, too. They get plenty of exercise. Stretching feels good and helps oxygen flow to your muscles better

[britishbandit]

I think for an adult dog, around 5 times a day is sufficient, but puppies need out much more than that, and as the dog hits it's senior years, they should be let out frequently as well. Being that this particular dog is a small breed, and they generally have a fairly long life span, 8 may not be considered senior age just yet. However, I think the fact that this dog isn't exercised much, the aging process might be sped up. I think keeping a dog active, keeps it younger and much more healthy.

[Ritz459]

My pup Chloe (well, seven month old pup anyway) gets taken outside about every two hours. When she was a young puppy I was taking her outside every 45 minutes.

Lots of dogs like to lay in the "flying frog" position. I find it quite cute.

[gregs317]

I agree - the froggy position is cute. I forgot to mention before that the dog I would be bringing home is an adult female. She is a short-hair, Isabella and tan piebald. I don't remember, but I think she's 2 or 3 years old.

Oh and I was mistaken, the older couple does take Rusty out at least 3 times daily. Sorry for that. Greg

[Ritz459]

You'll have to post lots of pictures when you bring your girl home! She sounds like a cutie. That's great that you are giving an adult dog a home - that way you don't have to go through the annoying puppy stage!