Dachshund's Best Life

Does your Dachshund listen well at home but seem to completely ignore you the moment you step outside? You're not alone, and the missing piece might not be more obedience training. It might be engagement.

In this episode of Dachshund's Best Life podcast, I explore the difference between constantly trying to get your Dachshund's attention and teaching them that voluntarily checking in with you is worthwhile.

You'll learn why the outside world is so distracting, what engagement actually means, and how building this foundational skill can support better communication, recall, loose-leash walking, and a stronger relationship with your Dachshund.

Most importantly, engagement isn't about demanding constant attention or preventing your Dachshund from sniffing and exploring. It's about helping them discover that you're worth paying attention to, even when the world around them is fascinating.

You'll also get a simple challenge to try on your next walk that may change how you think about your Dachshund's attention.

Want to build better engagement with your Dachshund?

Join my six-week live course, From Distracted to Connected: Get Your Dachshund to Listen Better Outside. You'll learn three simple exercises to encourage voluntary check-ins outdoors, with demonstrations, practice assignments, and group feedback.

The course starts November 15, 2026, and costs $89.

Learn more and enroll: https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dachshund-enagement-course-live/

Remember, you don't need to win your Dachshund's attention away from the environment every moment. You want to become someone they find worthwhile checking in with as they explore it.

DachSand is the largest weekend beach festival for wiener dogs on the west coast. Last year, over 400 Dachshunds showed up!

The event is put on by Doxies of PNW Club and it's their biggest annual fundraiser. Besides wiener madness, there are raffles, giveaways, a costume contest, doxie derby, longest weener contest, two beach bonfires, and more.

We leave tomorrow, Thursday, but I started packing Monday because I was excited and I wanted to make sure everything I needed for 1 night of camping, staying in the hotel, my vendor booth at Ruby's Friday night plus camera equipment would fit in the car.

If you're going, you can find me at Ruby's Friday night (look for the table with the orange skirt), on the beach Saturday by the contest and vending area, and Sunday morning at 9 am for the beach walk.

Last week, we encountered an off-leash dog that wouldn't leave us alone. My initial subtle "scram" signal didn't work, and the owners either didn't try to recall their dog or the dog wasn't listening, so I had to escalate my efforts. It worked.

But then the dog owner came back to confront me. Now, I did swear at his dog and his little girl popped out of nowhere and saw that, so I apologized. We both kept our cool, but the conversation quickly devolved from what I thought was a request to not swear in case a kid hears it to him justifying his entitlement.

There are two primary kinds of dog owners in this world - those that think it's ok for their dog to be off leash and go up to any dog or person because "he's friendly" and those that don't like off-leash dogs running up to them. We were clearly on opposite sides of the spectrum.

In this episode, I talk about what to do if an off-leash dog approaches you and you don't want them to, how to advocate for your dog, and how to prepare for potential consequences of doing that.

While I've slowly been shedding my identify as a "pet blogger" over the last few years, a few big personal losses, and the realization that I've never held one "career" for 15 years, makes me feel like the time for true change is now. I'm going to double down on personal connection with you and shift my primary focus from the blog to this podcast and YouTube. Thanks for sticking with us.

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It's been 2 months since we said goodbye to Gretel. In this update, I talk about the emotional balance between feeling sad but not too sad. I also explain about trying to find the opportunity in the hole left in our lives.

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Believe it or not, Dachshunds can be trained. What is often interpreted as "stubborn" or defiant is simply a breakdown in communication. Your dog needs to understand what you expect of them and have the skills to do the right thing.

These 10 things made living with my Dachshunds easier, , improved my relationship with them, and allows me to successfully manage up to 6 Dachshunds at a time in a 650 square foot home as a dog sitter.

If you have questions about your Dachshund's behavior or training, ⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up for a consult with me⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you live in Washington State, and want your Dachshund to come stay with me at "Adventurewiener Camp, you can find more information HERE.

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After an amazing camping weekend, and the the best life I could have given her, I had to let Gretel go to on to her next adventure without me. My whole live has been punctuated by loss and grief. I think it's something that needs to be talked about more openly - especially pet loss when so many people don't understand that pets are family. Sometimes, the loss of them hurts even more.

In this episode, I read a letter I wrote while I was still reeling from the loss. I also discuss what giving your pet a good death means, because I truly believe giving them the best life includes what happens at the end. That stepping out of your own despair to do what is best for your dog is the last, best, most compassionate gift you can give them.

Gretel is the reason that I started our blog back in 2010, when blogs were the social media of the day. That blog, and Gretel, totally changed my life. This is the end of a 14 year chapter for me. Near the end of this episode, I also discuss ways I am considering to keep Gretel's memory alive so she can continue to help improve Dachshund's life forever.

When I had to let my first Dachshund Chester go due to advanced dementia, I wrote this letter to him the same morning. I mention it in this episode and it will give further insight into how I view saying goodbye to a pet in the most compassionate way... and the negative thoughts that I struggle with.

Love and Loss: Letting Go of My Dog With Dementia

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We all want to give our Dachshunds the best life that we can. However, even I, who left my government job in 2012 to dedicate myself to my Dachshunds and helping others, can't always give 100%. The fact is, life is crazy, unpredictable, and emotionally draining at times. At the same time my senior Dachshund was experiencing a health issue, two of my most important family members were in health crisis too. Sometimes, we simply can't do the "best", and instead, have to do the best that we can for our dogs. I recorded this to remind myself but also in hopes of helping others not feel so guilty when they are forced to shift priorities. We are all doing the best that we can. Be kind to yourself.

If you need help with your Dachshund's behavior or training, sign up for a consult or training plan with me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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They say Dachshunds are like potato chips, you can't have just one. These cute, funny, quirky little dogs will snuggle into your heart, and you may want another. Obviously, a person can't really have ALL THE WIENER DOGS, but how many could you realistically own? In this episode, I discuss all of the things you should consider when the urge strikes to rescue another or get another puppy.

For more information about some of the things that I mention, check out these blog posts:

If you need help with your Dachshund's behavior or training, ⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up for a consult or training plan with me⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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(Part 2 of 2) Whether you are a first-time Dachshund owner, haven’t owned one in a long time, or are thinking of getting one, you’ll definitely want to know these 25 important facts about Dachshunds. I wish I knew some of the things I know now from the beginning so I am going to share them with you below. Knowledge is power and it makes for a happy healthy life for both you and your Dachshund.

In this episode, I go through the rest of my list, which includes other common health issues in Dachshunds, behavior, and a couple fun quirks the breed.

You can read the list of all 25 things in ⁠this article on my blog⁠.

If you need help with your Dachshund's behavior or training, ⁠⁠⁠sign up for a consult or training plan with me⁠⁠⁠.

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