1. Nutrition
Choose a high-quality small-breed puppy food with real meat as the first ingredient and AAFCO certification. Feed three to four small meals a day while your puppy is young, moving to two meals as they grow — small, regular meals keep energy steady and prevent the weight gain dachshund backs can't afford. Fresh water should always be available.
2. Training
Start with "sit", "stay", "come", and "down" from day one, and reward with treats, praise, or play — dachshunds respond far better to encouragement than correction. Keep the whole household using the same commands. For potty training, take your puppy out after every meal, nap, and play session, and celebrate every success immediately.
3. Exercise
A good rule: about 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. Short walks and play sessions like fetch or hide-and-seek burn energy and build your bond. Protect that long spine — avoid stairs, furniture jumping, and rough play, and add puzzle toys for the clever brain between walks.
4. Grooming
Smooth coats need a quick weekly brush; long-haired coats want attention every few days to prevent matting; wire-haired coats may need occasional hand-stripping. Bathe only when needed with a gentle dog shampoo, keep nails short, and start tooth brushing early — small breeds are prone to dental trouble.
5. Health Care
Keep up with routine vet visits, vaccinations, and deworming, and discuss spay/neuter timing (usually around six months). Watch especially for back trouble (IVDD) — keep weight healthy and jumping minimal. Check ears weekly, watch the skin for irritation, and call your vet about anything unusual.
6. A Safe Home
Puppy-proof before arrival: remove toxic plants, chemicals, and swallowable objects, and gate off stairs. Set up a cozy crate or bed as their safe haven — crate training helps with potty training too. Provide sturdy chew toys for teething and inspect them regularly for wear.
7. Love & Attention
Dachshunds bond hard to their people. A predictable daily routine of feeding, walks, play, and cuddles makes your puppy feel secure, and dedicated one-on-one time each day — training, a walk, or couch snuggles — is what turns a puppy into your shadow for life.
8. Watching Behavior
Know your puppy's normal. Track appetite, energy, and bathroom habits, and treat sudden changes as a reason to call the vet. Puppy classes and playdates round out their social skills and teach dog-to-dog manners like bite inhibition.
The golden dachshund rule: protect the back. Healthy weight, no jumping off furniture, and ramps instead of stairs will add happy years to your dog's life.