I have a 5 month old miniture doxie who is just wonderful. I know every mom says this, but I think he is an over achiever! Anyway, he recently started sleeping on the heat runs when the heat is on. This is something new, as he usually would go into his crate to sleep or find a blanket. Should I be worried that he is cold or uncomfortable and searching out the heat for comfort? He is not shaking, and is eating fine.

It is a basic principle of physics that smaller things have a greater surface to mass ratio. So many smaller dogs do have a problem keeping warm. Puppies often do not have the same warm coat adults do. I would try to make sure he has a cozy place to nap. You do need to balance warmth and chewing misadventures. Some dogs can't be trusted around electric cords and even bedding.

Thanks Labman... he had never done that before, but has done it a couple of times in the last 2 days. Poor thing might need more blankets.

Year ago, we were puppy sitting a Mini Dachshund. Perhaps we kept our thermostat lower than she was used to. Every time the furnace kicked on, she laid down on the one register. The one time her toe nail got caught in it. She frantically galloped across the room dragging the register.

Labman - Great visual of a mini dox amongst your labs ! She could have cuddled up with one of them instead.

-Beth

Smooth coated Dachshunds seem to get cold easier than any other dog I have met. When I used to board dogs the dachsy owners would bring little flannel doggie sleeping bags for their dogs and the little guys would burrow right inside and stay warm. It always freaked me out when I went to walk them and couldn't find them because they had disappeared into their sleeping bags!

You might also think about a flannel coat/ bathrobe for night time. I think coats are better than sweaters because they can't get their nails caught in fabric like they can with knitting.

Hope this helps.

Molly

Tuscany has his very own flannel PJ's that he sleeps in. Perhaps I need to get him a shirt or something to wear throughout the day. He does just what Labman describes... the minute the heat comes on he is on that register and there he stays until it is off.

You should see the camoflauged jacket that my sister got him for christmas... yep my dog is completely spoiled. But dang is he cute. I see now why the breeder says that minis are like Lays potato chips... you can never have just one.

Labman - Great visual of a mini dox amongst your labs ! She could have cuddled up with one of them instead.

-Beth

No such luck, we were actually between dogs at that time.