Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Safely holding a Dachshund
• Method 2 of 2: Know what to avoid
• Tips

Dachshunds (also known as sausage dogs) are known for their long body, short legs and floppy ears. While these adorable dogs make good companions, their unusual proportions make them delicate too; their long vertebrae are particularly sensitive. This means paying extra attention to the dog's back when you pick it up, hold it and put it down.

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Method 1 of 2: Safely holding a Dachshund

1. Place one hand under the chest. Picking up a Dachshund should be done differently from other breeds, but it's not particularly difficult once you know how to do it. Start by placing one hand under the dog's upper body to support his chest and rib cage. Don't pick it up yet.
   • Spread your fingers so that you support as much of the dog's upper body as possible. The wider the area over which the weight is distributed, the less pressure there will be on the spine.
2. Place your other hand under the dog's torso. Gently slide your free hand under the dog's torso, directly behind or just in front of the dog's hind legs, to support his lower body. Prepare to lift it.
   • Again, it is best to spread your fingers to provide as wide a support surface as possible.
3. Slowly lift the Dachshund and keep its body straight. Now pick up the dog. While lifting, try to ensure that the lower body does not hang or come too far below the upper body. A little bending is okay, but you should keep the dog's back as straight as possible to avoid putting pressure on it.
4. Continue to support the dog's back while holding it. While walking or playing with your Dachshund, make sure that his lower back is always well supported. Dachshunds are not like other dogs; hanging their lower body is very uncomfortable for them and can cause painful back problems (such as shifted or broken vertebrae) over time.
   • Fortunately, lifting with some practice becomes obvious after a while. Ultimately, it will feel wrong if you lift the Dachshund the wrong way.
5. If desired, proceed to a rocking position. As long as the Dachshund's back is well supported and the body is slightly straight, it doesn't matter much how you hold it. If you want to be able to hold the dog in one arm for convenience, try to bring it into this position after lifting correctly using the above method:
   • Gently shift the weight of the dog so that it lands on the forearm of the arm that was below the trunk. Use your full forearm to support the weight.
   • Pull the dog against your body for extra support and comfort. This should feel like holding a baby or American Football.
   • Use your free arm if necessary to balance the dog properly and keep it from wiggling free.
6. To put the Dachshund down, slowly bring it to the floor. If you have experience with other dog breeds, you may be used to pushing them to the ground when you no longer need to hold them. With Dachshunds, you need to bring the dog all the way down before letting go. Keep the back well supported all the time as you lower it.
   • It's best if his paws touch the ground before letting go. As you will read below, even a free fall of a few inches is enough to put pressure on Dachshunds' back and joints.

Method 2 of 2: Know what to avoid

1. Do not lift a Dachshund by its upper body. Many people are used to picking up dogs as if they were human babies by placing their hands under the dog's armpits. However, this is not safe with Dachshunds. It puts unnaturally a lot of pressure on the dog's back, their spine is not shaped to support the long body without additional support.
   • In general, you should use any grip that supports only one part of the dachshund's body. This also applies if the dog is already standing on 2 legs by itself, for example if it stands on its hind legs to look over the sofa. In this case, you have to lean down so that you can also support his torso when you pick him up.
2. Never let the Dachshund touch the ground from a height. As stated above, the dogs should be placed with care and should not fall from any height. A Dachshund's legs are very short compared to those of other dog breeds. This means that they cannot bend far enough to absorb the shock of impact, putting most of the pressure from impacting on the leg joints and back. Removing the trap eliminates the danger.
   • Don't rely on your dog's body language here. Dachshunds are unaware that their skeleton cannot support a fall, so they may have no problem jumping out of your hands at all. Even if this doesn't cause them immediate pain, it can cause very painful problems in the long run.
3. Never make a Dachshund twist or bend when you pick it up. Dachshunds' long, thin spines are particularly prone to injury, which is why it's so important to keep their body straight when you pick them up. Avoid activities that bend or turn the back, as this increases stress on the body and can contribute to conditions such as displaced vertebrae.
   • For example, you could do this accidentally by suddenly picking up the Dachshund when he is not expecting it. If you startle your dog, it can twist or wiggle out of your hands, causing an unnatural bend in the spine while hanging. Make sure your dog is calm and aware that you want to pick it up.
4. Do not ignore signs of discomfort from the dog. Dachshunds, like all dogs, are quite capable of letting you know when they are in pain. If your dog looks or sounds uncomfortable, it probably is. Put him back on the ground and evaluate the way you are holding him before trying to grab him again.
   • Some signs of pain in dogs are obvious, such as wheezing and the like. Others, however, are a bit more subtle. Here are some nonverbal signs that your dog is uncomfortable:
   • Vibrate (with no other explanation, such as cold)
   • Trying to run away
   • Unusual affection or aggression
   • Clenching the mouth (instead of having a natural, happy posture)
5. Show family and friends how to properly hold a Dachshund before letting them play. Nothing is more frustrating than putting the effort into learning how to hold a Dachshund correctly and then seeing how well-meaning family members treat your Dachshund like a normal dog.To avoid problems, teach visitors how to properly hold a dachshund before letting them play with him.
   • This is especially important for children, who are sometimes accidentally too rough with dogs. It's a good idea to keep an eye on children when they interact with your Dachshund until you are confident they know how to play safely.

Tips

• Consider investing in a ramp or dog stairs to help your Dachshund reach higher places and come back down. For example, if your dog sleeps in a bed that is elevated, a ramp will allow him to get out of bed without injuring his joints when jumping down. Sometimes a simple wooden board is enough, but options from the shops are usually no more expensive than about 20 euros.
• Make sure you take your dog's spine well-being seriously. In the long run, incorrectly lifting a Dachshund can lead to spinal injury, nerve damage, and even paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury. While many of these problems can be solved with medical care, it is always better for Dachshunds and their owners if these problems do not occur at all.