Dachshund Adoption: What to expect

Are you thinking of adding a furry friend to your family? If so, consider adopting a dachshund! These long-haired, short-bodied dogs make great companions and are known for their friendly personalities. Plus, many dachshund rescue organizations can help you find the perfect dog for your home. So why not give one a loving home today?

Dachshund Adoption: What to expect

When adopting a dachshund, be prepared to deal with a lot of energy and some separation anxiety. Dachshunds are very devoted to their owners and do not like to be left alone for long periods. They need plenty of exercise, both mental and physical, to stay happy and healthy.

The adoption process for a dachshund is much like adopting any other dog. The potential adopter must fill out an application and be approved by the shelter staff. Once approved, they will be able to meet and adopt the dachshund of their choice.

The adoption fee for a dachshund is usually around $200. This fee covers the cost of spaying or neutering, as well as any other necessary medical care. It also helps to offset the cost of caring for all the other dogs at the shelter.

When adopting a dachshund, you will need to provide a collar and ID tag, a leash, food and water bowls, and a bed. You will also need to purchase some basic supplies, such as food, toys, and a crate.

Dachshunds are active, playful, and loving dogs that make great family pets. With proper care and training, they can be a wonderful addition to your home.

What you need to know before adopting a Dachshund

Is a dachshund the right breed for you?

If you are thinking of getting a dachshund, you should do some research about this breed’s care and health needs. Dachshunds are relatively low-maintenance dogs but they do have some specific needs you should know before adopting one.

Dachshunds are lovely, loyal, intelligent, and very strong-willed. Their big personalities can make them a bit of a challenge to raise and train, so you need to make sure your personality and the breed’s natural traits and temperament are a good match so you can have the best experience with your dachshund.

Here are some articles with helpful information for anyone thinking of bringing a dachshund to their home.

• Dachshund temperament and personality
• Dachshund care and health

Ask yourself if your lifestyle coincides with having a dog

Unfortunately, a lot of people get a dog or a puppy for the wrong reasons, we know how cute dachshunds can be, so you might be tempted to get one because they look adorable and do not think about the commitment and responsibility of owning a dog. They are living beings that need care, attention, and patience. So you need to evaluate if your lifestyle allows you to have the time and resources to care for a dog.

For example, if you work long hours you need to think about who will be taking care of the dog while you are away. Dogs can be left alone for a few hours just fine, but if you are away most of the day, then you need to have someone that can take proper care of the dog. You can rely on willing family members to share this responsibility.

Make sure you can stick to a schedule

Dogs need routines. You need to take them on walks daily once or twice a day as well as dedicate some time every day for short training and play sessions. This will help develop a strong bond between you and your dog and make your life and your dog’s so much easier and pleasant. Dogs, especially dachshunds, that are bored or under-stimulated physically and mentally, will be likely to misbehave and can become destructive of things around the house.

If you feel like you can commit to exercising and playing with your dachshund daily, then this breed might be a good match for you.

Be prepared to potty train

Dogs need to be potty trained which takes time, patience, and consistency. If you are not willing to put in the work required for potty training, then you should not get a dog.

Dachshunds are prone to some health conditions

Like all breeds, dachshunds are prone to certain health conditions. These include intervertebral disc disease, von Willebrand’s disease, and epilepsy. Be sure to ask the shelter staff about the health of the dog you are interested in, and if they have any information on the dog’s parents or grandparents.

When adopting a dachshund, be prepared for a lifetime commitment of care and attention. This breed is not for everyone, but if you are willing to put in the work, you will be rewarded with a loyal and loving companion.

Dogs are not cheap

One of the main reasons people end up giving away their dogs is because they cannot afford them. There are a lot of costs that come with owning a dog:

• Quality food
• Dog Supplies (collars, leashes, beds, crates, etc)
• Vet expenses
• Grooming and hygiene supplies

You need to also consider additional health expenses that are not regular vet visits. Dachshunds are generally a healthy breed, but as with any other pet, they can get sick and may need treatments that can be expensive and you need to be able to cover those expenses if needed.

Adopting an adult dachshund

If you are looking to adopt an adult dachshund, there are a few things you should know.

Many wonderful adult dachshunds are waiting to be adopted in shelters and by rescue organizations. Adopting an adult dachshund can be a great option if you are not interested in dealing with the puppy stage or if you want a dog that is already trained.

When adopting an adult dachshund, you will have a better idea of what to expect in terms of size, temperament, energy level, and health.

Be prepared to do some research

When adopting an adult dachshund, you should still do some research about the breed so you know what to expect. It is also a good idea to find out as much as you can about the dog’s history and why he or she was surrendered or ended up in a shelter. This will help you understand the dog better and figure out if he or she is a good match for your family and lifestyle.

Take your time

When adopting an adult dachshund, take your time to get to know the dog and see how he or she interacts with you and your family. It is important that everyone in the family is on board with the adoption and that everyone is comfortable with the dog.

Do not be afraid to ask questions

When adopting an adult dachshund, do not be afraid to ask the shelter staff or rescue organization volunteers any questions you may have about the dog. They can give you valuable insights into the dog’s personality and behavior.

What to expect when bringing your new dachshund home

No matter where you adopt your dachshund, there are a few things you can expect when bringing your new dog home.

Your dachshund will need time to adjust

When you first bring your dachshund home, he or she will need some time to adjust to the new environment. Give your dachshund some space and time to explore the house and get comfortable.

Your dachshund will need to be trained

All dachshunds will need some basic obedience training. If you adopted a puppy, he or she will need to learn things like potty training and manners. If you adopted an adult dachshund, he or she may already know some basic commands but will still need some obedience training.

Your dachshund will need to exercise

Dachshunds are active dogs and they need plenty of exercise. Be prepared to walk your dachshund several times a day and provide him or her with plenty of toys and activities to keep them busy.

Your dachshund will need regular vet care

All dachshunds will need to see a veterinarian for regular check-ups and vaccinations. Be prepared to take your dachshund to the vet at least once a year.

Now that you know what to expect when adopting a dachshund, you can start your search for the perfect dog!

Requirements for adopting a Dachshund

If you have already decided that adopting a dachshund is the right option for you, then you should contact a local dachshund rescue organization to find out about their adoption process. Generally, you can expect them to have a screening process in place to ensure the dogs get a responsible, appropriate owner. This process varies from shelter to shelter. You may be asked to attend an interview, fill out an application, and/or sign a contract. In some cases, they may require a home visit or other requirements.

These requirements are beneficial for both the dog and adopter, as they increase the likelihood of finding a dachshund that is the right fit for you and your family. Most shelters will allow you to visit the dogs and interact with the one that catches your attention. If you already have a pet at home, you should also take them to the shelter to interact with the dog that interests you and see if they get along before bringing the new dog home.

Cost of adopting a dog from Rescue

The cost of adopting a pet from a shelter or animal rescue can vary but typically ranges from $100 to $350. Some may find this to be a high fee, considering the abundance of dogs in need of homes at shelters. However, shelters rely on this fee to cover their operational costs and provide necessary healthcare for the dogs.

Advantages of Adopting a Dog from Rescue

There are several reasons to adopt a dachshund, but one of the most important is that you will be giving a home to a dog who needs one. There are millions of homeless dogs across the country, and each one deserves a loving family.

When you adopt a dachshund, you are not only giving that dog a home, but you are also helping to prevent the homelessness of other pets. By adopting from a rescue organization, you are freeing up space in a shelter for another dog in need of a home.

Helping your rescue dog adjust

Adopting a dog is a very rewarding experience, but it requires patience as your new friend adapts to its new home. Here are a few things to know to make the transition process less stressful and to make sure that you and your new friend get off to a great start:

In the first couple of weeks, expect your new dog to be on its best behavior. Not always, but often dogs behave better than normal because they don’t feel confident yet in their new environment. After a couple of weeks, you can see their true personality emerge. So just keep this in mind because you are probably going to have to correct some bad habits or behavior later on when your dog feels more comfortable. Don’t be surprised if after a week or so your dog starts to misbehave a little, that is very common, and you just have to be prepared to overcome that with some training.

Keep your dog’s world small for the first few days. Keep in mind that if your new friend has been living in a shelter a house can be a bit overwhelming for him/her. So introduce your new dog to only a few spaces of your home for the first couple of days and then slowly let him explore more. A crate will be of great help because dogs, especially dachshunds, are naturally burrowing or denning animals, so make sure you make their crate a nice place for them to feel guarded and safe.

Timing and consistency are key. When you start teaching your dog the rules of the house you need to have good timing meaning that if your dog is doing something wrong like chewing on furniture, jumping on counters, or any other bad behavior you need to be vigilant because you only have a few seconds to correct him/her or stop the behavior, otherwise your dog won’t know what you want him to do. The other key thing is consistency, you will need to correct or teach your dog several times so that it will get the message loud and clear of what is acceptable and what is not.

Spend as much time as you can play with your new buddy, it is important to dedicate time to your new dog, and also teach him some basic training while playing to make the learning process a fun experience. This will help create a strong bond between you and your new best friend and will make him feel loved and safe.

Rescue dogs are great companions, sometimes they just need a bit more time to settle into their new home. Be patient and you will have the most rewarding experience knowing that you are giving them a new opportunity to have a happy life.

Dachshund rescue organizations

• Doxie by Proxie (doxiebyproxy.org)
• Long Dogs and friends rescue (longdogsrescue.org)
• Coast to coast dachshund rescue (www.c2cdr.org)
• Dachshund Rescue of North America (www.drna.org)
• Furever Dachshund Rescue (fureverdachshundrescue.org)
• Furry angels dachshund rescue (furryangelsdachshundrescue.com)
• GetALong Dachshund Rescue (www.getalongdachshundrescue.org)
• Little paws dachshund rescue (www.littlepawsdr.org)
• Midwest Dachshund Rescue (mwdr.org)
• Sophia’s Grace Foundation (sophiasgracefoundation.org)
• All American Dachshund Rescue (allamericandachshundrescue.org)
• Dachshund Rescue of North America (www.drna.org)
• Central Texas Dachshund Rescue (www.ctdr.org)
• Dachshund Rescue South Florida (dachshundrescuesouthflorida.com)

Conclusion

Congratulations on choosing to adopt a Dachshund! They are delightful, affectionate, and loyal companions that will undoubtedly bring joy to your life. In this guide, we’ve covered the key aspects of Dachshund adoption, from understanding the breed’s characteristics, the adoption process, preparing your home, caring for your new pet, and facilitating a smooth transition. With proper care, love, and attention, your Dachshund will become an integral part of your family and create lasting memories for years to come.

Check out these related posts:

• Why Are Dachshunds So Popular?

• Are Dachshunds Expensive to Own?

• Where To Find The Best Dachshund Breeders