Wiener Dogs

Dachshunds: they are rare and an interesting breed! We know because we have had two of them in our married and family life! Our first one, Nicholas, was such a beautiful red miniature dachshund, but boy could he bite in a second. He could be Dr. Jekyl one minute, and Mr. Hyde the next! (Our dog trainer who really tried to help us train him when Nicholas was about a year old thought that because he had been a runt, he was more defensive towards everything and everyone.)

Mom and I bought Nick a few months after my father had passed away during my second year of college. Nick was so adorable at 6 weeks of age. Mom and I had NO CLUE how to train a dachshund though. We thought a little swat on the rear for "inappropriate" behavior would be good for him! Wouldn't you think? Nick didn't like it though and would turn his head around and snap when we did it! How is that for a loving pet/master relationship? He really respected us, didn't he? (We soon learned that that is NOT the right way to train a puppy and do things a lot differently now.) Shortly after getting Nick, Scottius Maximus and I started dating. It eventually dawned on us that we needed a LITTLE help with Nicholas so we started taking him to a dog training center. Oh boy, was that an experience to behold! Whenever we would walk the dogs in a circle, Nicholas would grab the fur of the dog in front of him! One time he got a big wad of some dog's hair. It was so embarrassing! Another time he got off his collar to chase a big doberman through the building and then outside! A few years later he got another dog at our apartment complex down by the throat! Ughh!

You must think we had lost control! Well essentially Nick did have the upper hand. We loved that little guy and really tried to make him mind, but ... He could be so much fun and had his good moments too. Nonetheless, we had to put him to sleep when our first son was born because Nick had bit too many people. We knew it was the right thing, but it was SO HARD to leave that little guy at the vet, knowing that we would never see him again.

The next wiener dog we got was much sweeter and a riot to have around. This time we took her to a professional dog trainer to try and start her off the right way. He was a big help. We had to put her to sleep too when she was 10 years old but not because of behavior. She had gotten very sick and was suffering with a lot of problems. This time I decided that I would not just drop her off but be with her when the vet put her to sleep. It was an instant thing. I was so glad I was there with her, but it was SO hard to do it. I think I cried for 2 - 3 days afterwards just as I had with Nick.

We now have a great dog, a Golden mix, and love him to pieces. He is the best dog we have EVER had. It was a little bit of an adjustment to have a much bigger dog than a little old wiener do; however, having a big dog is a lot of fun. Pets are such blessings. They are a lot of work, but they are worth it! Right TK? :)