Links and Resources
BRAVEHEART DACHSHUNDS
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Resources
Books
The Dachshund by Anna Katherine Nicholas and Marcia A. Foy
This book is a nice dachshund resource with lots of photographs.
The Complete Dachshund by Dee and Bruce Hutchinson
Another good dachshund book.
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
A must read book about how dogs learn. Also shows how to actually
train specific behaviors (like sit and down)
The Other End of the Leash by Dr. Patricia McConnell
Another great book on how dogs learn and interpret and interact with
humans
Bones Would Rain From The Sky by Suzanne Clothier
A groundbreaking book on dog/human relationships
Positive Training for Show Dogs - Building a Relationship for
Success by Vicki Ronchette
A book on training show dogs using positive reinforcement methods.
Websites
www.dachshund-dca.org
Official website for the Dachshund Club of America
www.goldengatedachshundrescue.org
Official website for the Golden Gate Dachshund Club
www.braveheartdogtraining.com
Vicki's dog training website
www.positivetrainingforshowdogs.com
www.storybookdachshunds.com
www.carrdoxdachshunds.com
www.sausagestables.com
www.grandgables.net
www.drwp.net
The Dachshund Rescue Web Page is a great source for dachshund
rescue
www.akc.org
Official website of the American Kennel Club
www.apdt.com
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers website. Great resource for
finding a qualified dog trainer
www.dogwise.com
A great resource for dog books
www.flyingdogpress.com
Suzanne Clothiers website with great free articles
www.clickersolutions.com
A great resource for information on clicker and positive dog training
About Dachshunds...
If you have lived with Dachshunds before you already know what a
great breed this is. Dachshunds, when properly bred and raised are
outgoing, friendly, confident and intelligent dogs.
Dachshunds are bred in three varieties smooth (short coated), longhair
(with hair not unlike a golden retriever) and wire haired (have stiff wiry
hair like a terrier) and two sizes standard (over 11 pounds) and
miniature (11 pounds and under). See variety pictures to the left.
Properly socialized Dachshunds with sound temperaments typically will
get along fine with children who are kind and appropriate with dogs.
The key is supervising the interaction to make sure that both the child
and the dog are interacting appropriately and to ensure that everyone is
being safe. Keep in mind that the miniature Dachshunds are much
smaller and can be fragile around toddlers and small children.
Despite the smaller size of the miniature Dachshunds they are NOT toy
dogs (which are bred strictly for companionship rather than working
ability). Both the miniature and standard Dachshunds are working
dogs. They have a desire to work and use their natural abilities and
instincts.
Dachshunds were originally produced to "go to ground" which means to
follow the badgers into the earth. They were also used to track and do
scent work. When you consider the original purpose of the breed it
makes total sense how and why the Dachshund is the way it is. Think
about how they love to burrow under your covers and push their way
into small spaces. This is because they are earthdogs. Think about
how they love to use their noses and sniff things on the ground. This is
because they are scenthounds. This is all natural to Dachshunds. It is
hardwired into their makeup to have these traits.
A Dachshunds working ability can be tested today through
Dachshund Field Trials and Den or Earthdog Trials.
In field trials, Dachshunds are tested on their ability to track rabbits
(jack or cottontail). The dogs are released in braces of two dogs (who
are drawn randomly) on rabbit scent lines. The Dachshunds are judged
on their ability to follow the scent line, how committed they are to
following it and working it and how accurate they are on where the
rabbit went. The dogs do not chase or spot rabbits, they scent the line
that the rabbit was moving on.
In earthdog or den trials, Dachshunds are released into man made dens
that contain caged rats at the end. The dogs must get to the rats in a
certain amount of time, and "work" the rats (bark, claw, scrape,
scratch) for a certain amount of time. The dogs are separated from the
rats by the cage AND bars and are not permitted to get to and hurt the
rats.
Dachshunds with a correct temperament are clever, lively and
courageous to the point of rashness. Dachshunds are sometimes
labeled "stubborn" and "difficult to train", both labels that are not
really fair if you think about it. Dachshunds are not stubborn, they are
simply bred to do a specific task (go to ground or do scentwork) and
when we attempt to interfere with their work by asking for something
else, it is sometimes difficult to convince them that we are right. I call
this commitment and dedication. Dachshunds tend to have a pretty
strong work ethic and asking them to stop when they are working can be
challenging. So, I will admit that they can be challenging at times, but
all that means is that we need to be better trainers and more creative in
convincing them that we are worth listening to. Blaming the animal for
our shortcomings as trainers is unfair and unreasonable.
If we are going to choose a breed to spend our lives with, we have to
learn to embrace all the traits that come along with that breed. People
tend to love the fact that Dachshunds are courageous and confident and
that they have a great sense of humor, but then call them "difficult"
when the dog wants to chase a squirrel instead of coming when called.
Not fair, you must accept and respect all the things that make a
Dachshund a Dachshund.
When trained with positive training techniques that make sense to the
dog they are not that difficult to train. The key is making it worth the
Dachshunds while. Teach him you are worth listening to and you will
have a good relationship with your dog.
Pros and Cons of living with Dachshunds
The Cons
1. Dachshunds are hunting dogs, if they are to live with small
animals (cats, rabbits, birds), it's best if they are raised with them.
2. Dachshunds are scent hounds and can easily get sidetracked
by interesting smells. They must be taught a reliable recall if they
are to be permitted off leash.
3. Dachshunds tend to enjoy food very much, owners must be
sure to properly ration food to keep dogs at a healthy weight.
4. Dachshunds can be prone to having back problems. Keeping
your dog at a healthy weight and well conditioned can help keep
him healthy.
5. Dachshunds are an independent, free thinking breed. This means
that they are bred to do their job and work on their own, making many
of their own choices. They are not likely to look to their handler for
direction or approval as a gun dog or herding dog might. You must be
able to accept and embrace this trait.
The Pros
1. The Dachshund is a dog with a great sense of humor. They
are fun to live with and are sure to make you smile every day.
2. Dachshunds tend to be very adaptable. When well cared for
and trained, they are great companions to the whole family.
3. With the two sizes and three coat types, there are many
varieties to choose from.
4. There is a wide variety of activities that you can do with your
Dachshund (conformation, obedience, field trials, earthdog, rally,
agility....)
5. Because they tend to enjoy food, they are easily motivated for
training with food.
Books
The Dachshund by Anna Katherine Nicholas and Marcia A. Foy
This book is a nice dachshund resource with lots of photographs.
The Complete Dachshund by Dee and Bruce Hutchinson
Another good dachshund book.
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
A must read book about how dogs learn. Also shows how to actually
train specific behaviors (like sit and down)
The Other End of the Leash by Dr. Patricia McConnell
Another great book on how dogs learn and interpret and interact with
humans
Bones Would Rain From The Sky by Suzanne Clothier
A groundbreaking book on dog/human relationships
Positive Training for Show Dogs - Building a Relationship for
Success by Vicki Ronchette
A book on training show dogs using positive reinforcement methods.
Websites
www.dachshund-dca.org
Official website for the Dachshund Club of America
www.goldengatedachshundrescue.org
Official website for the Golden Gate Dachshund Club
www.braveheartdogtraining.com
Vicki's dog training website
www.positivetrainingforshowdogs.com
www.storybookdachshunds.com
www.carrdoxdachshunds.com
www.sausagestables.com
www.grandgables.net
www.drwp.net
The Dachshund Rescue Web Page is a great source for dachshund
rescue
www.akc.org
Official website of the American Kennel Club
www.apdt.com
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers website. Great resource for
finding a qualified dog trainer
www.dogwise.com
A great resource for dog books
www.flyingdogpress.com
Suzanne Clothiers website with great free articles
www.clickersolutions.com
A great resource for information on clicker and positive dog training
About Dachshunds...
If you have lived with Dachshunds before you already know what a
great breed this is. Dachshunds, when properly bred and raised are
outgoing, friendly, confident and intelligent dogs.
Dachshunds are bred in three varieties smooth (short coated), longhair
(with hair not unlike a golden retriever) and wire haired (have stiff wiry
hair like a terrier) and two sizes standard (over 11 pounds) and
miniature (11 pounds and under). See variety pictures to the left.
Properly socialized Dachshunds with sound temperaments typically will
get along fine with children who are kind and appropriate with dogs.
The key is supervising the interaction to make sure that both the child
and the dog are interacting appropriately and to ensure that everyone is
being safe. Keep in mind that the miniature Dachshunds are much
smaller and can be fragile around toddlers and small children.
Despite the smaller size of the miniature Dachshunds they are NOT toy
dogs (which are bred strictly for companionship rather than working
ability). Both the miniature and standard Dachshunds are working
dogs. They have a desire to work and use their natural abilities and
instincts.
Dachshunds were originally produced to "go to ground" which means to
follow the badgers into the earth. They were also used to track and do
scent work. When you consider the original purpose of the breed it
makes total sense how and why the Dachshund is the way it is. Think
about how they love to burrow under your covers and push their way
into small spaces. This is because they are earthdogs. Think about
how they love to use their noses and sniff things on the ground. This is
because they are scenthounds. This is all natural to Dachshunds. It is
hardwired into their makeup to have these traits.
A Dachshunds working ability can be tested today through
Dachshund Field Trials and Den or Earthdog Trials.
In field trials, Dachshunds are tested on their ability to track rabbits
(jack or cottontail). The dogs are released in braces of two dogs (who
are drawn randomly) on rabbit scent lines. The Dachshunds are judged
on their ability to follow the scent line, how committed they are to
following it and working it and how accurate they are on where the
rabbit went. The dogs do not chase or spot rabbits, they scent the line
that the rabbit was moving on.
In earthdog or den trials, Dachshunds are released into man made dens
that contain caged rats at the end. The dogs must get to the rats in a
certain amount of time, and "work" the rats (bark, claw, scrape,
scratch) for a certain amount of time. The dogs are separated from the
rats by the cage AND bars and are not permitted to get to and hurt the
rats.
Dachshunds with a correct temperament are clever, lively and
courageous to the point of rashness. Dachshunds are sometimes
labeled "stubborn" and "difficult to train", both labels that are not
really fair if you think about it. Dachshunds are not stubborn, they are
simply bred to do a specific task (go to ground or do scentwork) and
when we attempt to interfere with their work by asking for something
else, it is sometimes difficult to convince them that we are right. I call
this commitment and dedication. Dachshunds tend to have a pretty
strong work ethic and asking them to stop when they are working can be
challenging. So, I will admit that they can be challenging at times, but
all that means is that we need to be better trainers and more creative in
convincing them that we are worth listening to. Blaming the animal for
our shortcomings as trainers is unfair and unreasonable.
If we are going to choose a breed to spend our lives with, we have to
learn to embrace all the traits that come along with that breed. People
tend to love the fact that Dachshunds are courageous and confident and
that they have a great sense of humor, but then call them "difficult"
when the dog wants to chase a squirrel instead of coming when called.
Not fair, you must accept and respect all the things that make a
Dachshund a Dachshund.
When trained with positive training techniques that make sense to the
dog they are not that difficult to train. The key is making it worth the
Dachshunds while. Teach him you are worth listening to and you will
have a good relationship with your dog.
Pros and Cons of living with Dachshunds
The Cons
1. Dachshunds are hunting dogs, if they are to live with small
animals (cats, rabbits, birds), it's best if they are raised with them.
2. Dachshunds are scent hounds and can easily get sidetracked
by interesting smells. They must be taught a reliable recall if they
are to be permitted off leash.
3. Dachshunds tend to enjoy food very much, owners must be
sure to properly ration food to keep dogs at a healthy weight.
4. Dachshunds can be prone to having back problems. Keeping
your dog at a healthy weight and well conditioned can help keep
him healthy.
5. Dachshunds are an independent, free thinking breed. This means
that they are bred to do their job and work on their own, making many
of their own choices. They are not likely to look to their handler for
direction or approval as a gun dog or herding dog might. You must be
able to accept and embrace this trait.
The Pros
1. The Dachshund is a dog with a great sense of humor. They
are fun to live with and are sure to make you smile every day.
2. Dachshunds tend to be very adaptable. When well cared for
and trained, they are great companions to the whole family.
3. With the two sizes and three coat types, there are many
varieties to choose from.
4. There is a wide variety of activities that you can do with your
Dachshund (conformation, obedience, field trials, earthdog, rally,
agility....)
5. Because they tend to enjoy food, they are easily motivated for
training with food.
| Standard Smooth |
| Standard Longhair |
| Miniature Wirehair |