Ask Me Help Desk - Dachshund Puppy Seems Scared

I purchased a dachshund puppy a few weeks ago. She was 6 weeks old. I have a neutered 2 year old male and I wanted a little girl. My first question is that sometimes she runs away when we go to pick her up and I don't know why. We love our dogs they are like our children. We play with them and give them treats. We have never hurt either one of them. (For reference I got her from the pet store. Our local breeder sends then there to be sold.)

The other question I have is that my male keeps trying to mount her and I am worried he is going to hurt her. He can't produce so that's not a problem. I just don't know the risks involved and I can't find any info on it.

Any suggestions?

First of all, awwwwwwwwwww! She sounds absolutely adorable!! And the fact is that you shouldn't buy puppies/dogs from pet stores because they ALWAYS come from puppy mills and puppy mills are horrible places that keep dogs locked up in cages with no food/water/excercise whatsoever. And as far as running away when you try to pick her up she may be afraid of hands or being picked up from a bad experience involving hands or being picked up. Or she could be playing but that's less likely...
And with your older dog... he is a male so its natural :) ex: I also have a dog she's a westipoo so adorable :) and she is one of the youngest from her litter and her brother mounts her as well it is pretty weird... just because its natural doesn't mean you shouldn't stop it though
If your male dog is big than I can see why you would be scared but I believe that she wouldn't get hurt in any way but you should still preven it from happening. I hope my advice helps you!:D

She is adorable. She has green eyes and is a soft light brown. She is really loving and had taken up with me so well. I do stop Roscoe (the male). Daisy doesn't seem to mind she just continues to play. I just don't want any dog doing that to my little girl. Before anyone says it... She will be spayed when the vet says OK.

That's great! She sounds so pretty! And I completely understand I'm protective of my puppy too. You seem like a great owner. Good luck!!

Imagine this. You are a young child, you live with your brothers and sisters.

One day a strange adults comes and takes you away to place you have never been before.

Would you be scared?

It's normal for a pup to be a bit apprehensive for the first week or so. But coming from a bad breeder it might just be that she is timid, and always will be. I doubt the breeder would have spent time with the puppies or picked them up regularly.
Only time will tell.

How much does your male weigh?
When I got my pup he was about 2kg, my male is 11kg. I kept them separated until the pup was 6 months old because he plays a bit too rough and didn't want him to get hurt.

An injury at this age can damage them for life.

If separation is impossible keep a spray bottle on hand with water in it and give your male a squirt with it every time he tries to mount the puppy.

Make sure you give your male plenty of alone time so he can get away from the puppy, and spend time with JUST you. That way you are still showing him that he is your "top dog" and the puppy hasn't taken over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrshodges

I purchased a dachshund puppy a few weeks ago. She was 6 weeks old. I have a neutered 2 year old male and I wanted a little girl. My first question is that sometimes she runs away when we go to pick her up and I don't know why. We love our dogs they are like our children. We play with them and give them treats. We have never hurt either one of them. (For reference I got her from the pet store. Our local breeder sends then there to be sold.)

The other question I have is that my male keeps trying to mount her and I am worried he is going to hurt her. He can't produce so that's not a problem. i just don't know the risks involved and I can't find any info on it.

Any suggestions?

I have to point this out, just so this information is available to anyone planning to purchase a puppy.

No legit breeder sells to a puppy store. Breeders put a lot of time, money, effort and love into the breeding of their dogs. Every legit breeder I've ever met (and I've met a lot) demand to know where their puppies are going, they often do a home inspection and have a contract for you to sign before they'll allow you to have one of their puppies. Most times there will be a waiting list for the puppies. You may have to wait years to get one.

The second reason that I know that this "breeder" that sells to your local pet store, isn't a breeder, is the fact that you got the puppy at 6 weeks of age. In most places it is illegal to take a puppy away from it's mother before 8 weeks of age. For those places where it isn't illegal, it is a well known fact that a 6 week old puppy still belongs with the mother. No legit breeder would ever put a 6 week old puppy up for sale. Ever.

Sorry, but at best you have a backyard breeder puppy. At worst you have a puppymill dog. If this breeder supplies all the puppies to the pet store, then I'm going to bet that it's a puppymill. Just because someone pays for a company name, calls themselves a breeder, doesn't make them one.

Timidness may be the least of your worries. Dachshunds have a lot of genetic problems, which is why it's important to test before breeding. Backyard breeders and puppymills don't do genetic testing.

You may get lucky and your pup may not have any problems, but with this breed, all the likely things that could go wrong, it's a very small chance that you'll get lucky.

These are the facts. Anyone buying from a puppy store, do not believe that these puppies are from breeders. They're not.

I just wanted to add that obedience classes or puppy classes are a great way for you and pup to bond. It will help build your little girls self esteem and she will be a happier pup. Puppy classes would be a good thing with your pup seeing as she was so young when leaving her pack. She may develop some behavior problems and along with her timidness they could really help her to build her confidence and learn what she would have been learning in her pack.

I am going to echo what others have already said, pet store pups are almost always puppy mill or back yard breeders, and I think in your situation, I would say puppy mill. It's a great way for them to get top dollar for their pups, but not be held accountable for the health of them. Also no one really gets to see the living conditions of the parents and other pups.

I just wanted to say thanks for the info. Daisy is doing better. She makes all of her vet visits so we will watch for abnormalities. For the person who asked Daisy is 7.5lbs and Roscoe is 12lbs. He would weigh less if I didn't have to one year old!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrshodges

I just wanted to say thanks for the info. Daisy is doing better. She makes all of her vet visits so we will watch for abnormalities. For the person who asked Daisy is 7.5lbs and Roscoe is 12lbs. He would weigh less if I didn't have to one year old!!!

LOL! I know how that goes. My dog gained around 5 pounds when my son started eating. ;)

I think that's the only reason my dog Lady gained weight. She knows how to strategically place her self under my daughters seat. Plus my daughter knows that Lady is a garbage disposal and will eat anything including peas, carrots, potato's and cabbage!