Feeding Your Miniature Dachshund
Feeding is one of the most important areas in the development of a Miniature Dachshund; it begins very early when the puppy is weaned and continues throughout its life. The food you give your dog plays an integral role in muscle and bone development. When purchasing a puppy, be sure to ask the previous owner what type of food the puppy was eating because sudden changes in diet can cause digestive problems.

If you desire to feed your puppy a different well-balanced diet, do so gradually. Begin by mixing small portions of the new food with the one being replaced, until it is completely switched over. Remember to do this gradually, over a period of seven to ten days.

The amount of food a dog eats and the number of times per day a dog is fed will change as it matures. Important things to remember when feeding your puppy ...

• A puppy should be fed small portions frequently. A young puppy's activity level is high and you will want to be sure it eats enough to properly develop and steadily gain weight.
  Rule of Thumb when feeding your Miniature Dachshund:
  • Feed 3 times a day until it reaches 3 months of age Note: a young puppy will not over eat they eat till they are full and stop.
    
     
  • Between the ages of 3 to 6 months, feed the puppy 2 meals a day, with slightly larger portions. If your puppy at this stage is very small 4 lbs or under continue feeding 3 times a day.
    o After 6 months, there should be 2 meals a day
    o At one year of age, there should be only one meal. Some dry biscuits in the morning and evening if it is having only one meal per day is acceptable.
    
     
  • Once the Miniature Dachshund becomes an adult, please keep in mind it does not require as much food as it did as a puppy. Obesity can be a problem if food portions are not monitored closely. When your dog is a year old, you may decide to feed it in the evenings when your family has its meal. Another method is to divide the your dog's meal into 2 smaller portions, one given in the morning and one at night.
    
     
  • Never over-feed your dog! Since it will not turn down food, it's up to you to monitor eating habits and provide a reasonable amount. Remember to keep a bowl of fresh, clean water near your dog's food bowl at all times.
    
     
  • In order to develop good eating habits, allow your dog its own dining area. Feeding times should be in a consistent place and time everyday.
    
     
  • Food and water should be served at room temperature to ensure it's not too hot or too cold.
    
     
  • Snack foods such as cake, chocolate, and other junk foods are not for dogs and should never be given to them. Other unhealthy foods include spicy, fried, starchy or fatty foods.
    
     
  • Chicken, pork, and fish bones are very dangerous to a dog if eaten since they can cause intestinal damage and tear the stomach lining.
    
     
  • There are many good commercial foods on the market that are nutritionally complete for your Miniature Dachshund. Most of them contain the ingredients listed on the packages. Remember that providing a variety of meats and cereal grains is very important in maintaining a balanced diet for your pet. It's your responsibility to make sure your dog gets the daily requirements of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water from its diet.
    
     
  • Depending on your dog's age, growth, and activity level you may be faced with making some dietary changes for your dog. Your breeder can assist you in making these adjustments, if necessary.
    
     
  • If your Miniature Dachshund becomes pregnant or sick, nutritional needs will definitely change. Consult with your veterinarian to make the proper dietary adjustments. Vitamin and mineral supplements can also be given.
    
     
  • There are a variety of feeding dishes to choose from: hard plastic, stainless steel, and earthenware dishes, available in many shapes and sizes. Choose one that is large enough to hold each meal, but will not tip over or spill as your dog eats. Another important step is to clean your dog's feeding and watering dishes daily. Once the dog has finished the meal, throw away uneaten food and clean the dishes. They should be washed using hot water and soap, and then rinsed and dried. There are also water bottles now on the markert for dogs. These are great as they cannot be tipped over and provide water on demand for your puppy or dog. since they cannot be split it you do not have to worry about leaving your puppy a bowl of water and wondering if he spills it and has no water the rest of the day. All our dogs and puppies now use this at our ranch.

Health
Miniature Dachshund puppies rely on their mother's milk to provide protective antibodies. Approximately 2 weeks after weaning, natural immunity begins to diminish; at this time it is important to take your puppy to the veterinarian for a check up and full vaccination schedule. Vaccines stimulate puppies into producing their own antibodies; so all puppies must be vaccinated in order to protect them from certain diseases. Common diseases include distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, rabies, and coronavirus. Your veterinarian should be notified if you notice a loss in your puppy's appetite, any vomiting or diarrhea, or persistent coughing.
Parasites can also pose a problem for puppies; they can be either internal or external. Most of the internal parasites live in the puppy's intestine. Their eggs are usually transmitted through the soil from other infected feces. Some indications of internal parasites include vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, poor appetite, lethargy, or weight loss. Thin spaghetti-like or short rice-like worms are also indications of internal parasites. A veterinarian can examine a sample of the puppy's feces to detect parasites.

External parasites such as fleas, lice, and ticks, can cause skin damage and infect a puppy with disease. Lice are small insects that cling to the dog; infection is usually made by contact with other animals or an infected environment. Fleas feed on the puppy's blood and cause itching. Once a flea is swallowed, it can cause tapeworms. Ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever as well as lyme disease. Ear mites can also pose a problem for your puppy; signs include scratching of the ears, shaking of the head, or dark earwax. It is best to seek the advice of your veterinarian to treat parasites, both internal and external.

CONTACT REBECCA FOR MORE INFORMATION:  954-294-7860

SUNSHINE RANCH 'S
SECRET GRAVY RECIPE
Here at the Ranch we feed all our dogs a home made gravy. Its different every time depending on what's on hand but we start with Beef or Chicken bones with a little meat left on the bones or bones and add a small amount of meat. I also add in chicken livers. Put this into a crock pot over night or all day. This cooks the gelatin out which is very good for the dogs. You can then add any vegetables you have on hand. You can use Potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, peas, alfalfa sprouts, corn and on and on. I add the vegetables in the last couple of hours. You take this mixture and put it into a blender or food processor and blend. I then add into the mixture in the blender wheat germ and olive oil 2 TBL's each or wheat germ oil. You can also add garlic for flea control. If its too thick you can add a little water and blend this all together. Now you can store it in a handy container in the refrigerator and add a couple teaspoons to the big meal of the day or put in ice cube trays and pop one on top the dry food for a cool treat.  They love it and this gravy will keep them healthy and give them an awesome coat.

Exercise
Exercise is an essential element the development of your Miniature Dachshund, both physically and mentally. While it is important to monitor your dog's dietary habits and provide proper medical attention, it is equally imperative to provide your dog with adequate exercise. This is especially important if your dog is confined during the day, while you are at work or school.

• An allotted time should be set aside each day for exercise.
  
   
• A walk around the block or a game of fetch would be ideal; you can also jog or bicycle with your dog.
  
   
• Indoor dogs can be taken outdoors for exercise after meals.
  
   
• Familiarize your dog with a collar and leash as soon as possible. You might even allow your Miniature Dachshund puppy to wear the collar a few days before attaching a leash. If you take your dog on a long walk through the park or playground, keep it on the leash; the leash should be long enough to allow your dog sufficient room to run and jump. Also, make sure your dog is wearing a tag or collar stating it's name and address in case it becomes separated from you.
  
   
• Always allow your dog some warm-up time before engaging in heavy play. Since most Miniature Dachshunds are enthusiastic about exercise, you should provide ample time for activity and exertion. This enables a dog to look its best by staying in shape, and is a great form of stress or tension release as well.

Grooming
Grooming can be a special time of bonding between a pet and its owner. Some areas of grooming include bathing, coat care, eye/ear care, and nail/teeth care.

• Your Miniature Dachshund should be bathed only when needed; too much bathing will dry out the skin and coat. Use a good shampoo that's veterinarian approved. Dry-bathing your dog is another option. These products are sold at most pet stores and are applied by rubbing into the dog's coat; afterward they are brushed out. If you give your dog a wet bath, keep it indoors and protect it from any drafts until coat is fully dry.
  
   
• Most Miniature Dachshund's love having their coats brushed and combed. They are usually easy to handle if you are gentle, taking care to not pull the hair. During the shedding season, it's a good idea to give your dog a hand massage in order to remove the excess hair; this should be done outdoors.
  
   
• Check your Miniature Dachshund's eyes and ears during the grooming process; eyes should be clear and bright, and ears should be clean. It may be necessary to clip some hair inside the ears if there is not a clear air passage. Pay close attention to the ears; if you notice any redness, bad smell, swelling, or sensitivity to touch, contact your veterinarian immediately.
  
   
• You should keep your puppy's nails clipped to ensure good foot development. Let your veterinarian show you how to do this so you do not clip too much. If you clip too far back, you may cut a vein and make the nail bleed. You can get a product at the pet store to stop the bleeding. You can pick it up and have it on hand before you clip the nails. Be sure to have a good, sharp nail clipper to do this job. If it makes you uncomfortable or your dog will not cooperate, you can pay a professional groomer to clip the nails. The more you clip the nails as a puppy the easier it will be on both of you later on.

Caring For
Your Miniature Dachshund's Teeth

• Miniature Dachshund puppies need to chew while their teeth and jaws are developing for a variety of reasons. Chewing helps cut the baby teeth, makes sure they are shed at the right time, and helps cut and settle the permanent teeth in the jaws. It also helps the development of the jaws. Most dogs have all 42 permanent teeth by the time they are 7 months old. When an adult dog chews it is for different reasons. It may be cleaning his teeth or perhaps just exercising its jaws. It is a good idea to have some chew toys available for your dog, otherwise it may begin chewing on some valuable items. Make sure there is nothing dangerous for it to chew on.
  
   
• Dental care is an area of a Miniature Dachshund care that should not be overlooked. You may want to have your veterinarian show you how to do this the first time. Your dog's teeth should be brushed daily, although some flossing 'toys' are just as effective. Unlike humans, cavities are practically unheard of in dogs; however, they have a more rapid accumulation of tartar, which can result in infection or a loss of teeth.
  
  
   
• Your butcher or pet store will be a good source for strong natural bones. However, natural bones may wear down the dog' teeth so they should only be used periodically. Also, avoid feeding your dog small bones; they could swallow the broken pieces and result in surgery or death. Additionally, some rawhide chews contain lead, insecticides, or other foreign matter that may contribute to constipation in your dog. Consult your veterinarian before introducing rawhides to your dog.
  
   
• One of the safest and most complete solutions to your dog's chewing needs is nylon chews. Some are even enhanced with bone and natural meat flavors. While chewing on the nylon bone, the dog's gums are massaged and teeth are cleaned. If tiny portions are swallowed, they usually pass through the intestine without disturbing the digestive process. Nylon chews should be kept indoors because they may become brittle and splinter if exposed to freezing temperatures. They are not abrasive like natural bones; therefore, they do not break down the enamel on the teeth. Nylon chews can also be sterilized by boiling the chew for 30 minutes and cooling completely before giving it to your dog. Be aware of imitations; ask your veterinarian to recommend a good quality nylon chew.
  
   
• Consistent maintenance and prevention are the keys to promoting healthy teeth and gums. Your Miniature Dachshund should be checked and its teeth cleaned by a veterinarian at least once a year.