1. OBESITY: Being Over-weight will increase the risk of back injuries in all Dog Breeds. Proper Diet and Excersise is essential. You want your Dachshund to be lean and muscular. So Walking your Dachshund is great for maintaining their weight!!!! (Tips: Instead of over-the-counter treats......Give your Dachshunds treats like: Baby Carrots, Apples, Pears, Greenbeans or other fruits and Veggies) (Avoid: Raisins, Grapes, Onions, Green Peppers and RAW Potatoes...... they can be harmful and possibly poinsonious to a dog)
2. JUMPING: Please Keep your Dachshunds from Jumping off of furniture (beds, couches, chairs, decks) Discourage them from climbing up to any elevation that causes your dog to jump down from. Always pick-up your Dachshund and help them down from any height. (Tips: Use Steps or Ramps for the dogs to use rather than having them jump).
3. NUTRITION: Proper Nutrition and Feeding your Dachshund a Good Quality Premium Dog Food is Important to keep their Bones Strong and Healthy(Tips: Read the Ingredients that is in your Dog Food......Meat should be the Very First on the list of Ingredients. Also supplements like NuVet or NuJoint Vitamins can help with nutritional value)
4. HORIZONTAL: When Picking-up your Dachshund.... PICK them up Appropriately and always keep them Horizontal. You should wrap your arm around them as though your were going to pick-up a Football. Place your palm under their chest and craddle their abdomen with your elbow tight against you. Never Pick them up like you would a baby (NEVER from the front and under their Arms) (Tips: Start right when they are a puppy and Put yourself into the perfect habit of picking-up your Dachshund the right way and you will Always keep their backs safe for the future)
5. HARNESS: Instead of a "Collar" & Leash.......Choose to use a "Harness" & Leash, when walking your Dachshund. A Harness puts less strain on a Dachshunds back and neck, especially when you are first training your dachshund to walk on a Leash (Tips: Dachshunds chest will grow much larger as they mature. Try not to invest in a designer or an overly expensive harness for your Dachshund until after they are at least one year old. Unless, the harness is extremely adjustable, your Dachshund will out grow, their very first harness)
6. PLAY-it-SAFE: Although Dachshunds are by no means a fragile Breed....these guys are strong, tough fearless Hunters!!! But, you should always play games that are Appropriate to protect their backs. Try to avoid playing Tug-a-War with your Dachshund. The sharp back-and-forth Movements can put stress on a Dachshunds discs in their backs. Also, Do Not Encourage them to Jump-up or stand-up onto their back legs for their Treats. Give them their treats while they are just standing naturally. (Tips: Just Remember for Dachshunds....Always try to keep "ALL 4 Paws On The Floor"!!!)