Bringing Home a Dachshund Puppy: Essential Tips For New Owners

You've welcomed your new puppy baby into your home—congratulations! Now, let’s explore what to expect and how to handle it with finesse (and a tail-wagging pawsitivity).

1. Realistic Expectations: Before you start picturing Instagram-perfect moments with your puppy, remember this: what you see in breeder photos isn’t always the whole picture. Your puppy might not be ready to host a puppy party on day one—and that’s perfectly normal!

2. Acclimation Time: Your puppy just moved countries, figuratively speaking. From their cozy breeder's den to your bustling home—it's a big change! Give them 3-4 weeks (maybe more!) to settle in. Expecting them to adapt overnight is like expecting a soufflé to rise in 10 seconds—it's just not happening. This can mean, lack of appetite, some vomiting, diarrhea and small amounts of blood in their stool from stress related inflammation and even some temporary depression type symptoms. Be sure to only feed their breeder's suggested diet and check with your veterinarian for any health concerns.

3. House Rules for Guests: Hold off on the puppy parade for a bit. Limit visitors during the first week or two or until your puppy is feeling more settled. When guests do come, no tackling the puppy like it's the Super Bowl—let them approach at their own pace. Imagine if strangers tackled you with hugs right after you moved—yikes!

4. Leash Struggles: Leash walks might resemble a slow-motion scene from a movie for a long time and tiny baby puppies dont need the pressure. It’s okay—let them get used to it at home first. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a puppy’s leash manners.

5. Bonding Time: Bonding takes time. Your puppy won’t instantly see you as their BFF (Best Fur Friend). Build that trust through training and patience—remember, good things come to those who wait (and give treats).

6. Teething Woes: Teething is a puppy’s way of saying, “Hey, these teeth won’t grow themselves!” Expect chewing marathons until around 10 months. Provide safe chew toys and repeatedly redirect the little biter to their toys —your fingers will thank you. Remember, they won't be miniature T Rex forever!

7. Nap Champions: Puppies are champions of napping. They need around 18-20 hours of sleep per day, starting with short wake times of about 20 minutes or so. Embrace the cute nap times—they’re recharging for more mischief later!

8. Savoring Puppyhood: These early years with your puppy are precious. Take time to savor the puppy breath, the clumsy play, and the unconditional love they offer. Enjoy the journey of watching them grow and discover the world around them—it’s a magical time you’ll cherish forever.

At Grateful Dachshunds, we do everything possible to prepare our puppies for their new homes. Even so, following these puppy parenting tips will make the transition smoother for you and your new baby. If you are still searching for your dream dachshund puppy, be sure to check out our Available Puppies page -your future best friend is waiting for you.