u/Imaginary_Ad_4340

We’ve got all the good ones here today folks:
✅ Livestock guardian dog in service work
✅ “They’re not my pets, they’re my TEAM”
✅ Rescued in FEBRUARY and still underweight
✅ Naturally offered the behavior, of course
✅ Poorly bred but being used for heavy mobility on rough terrain
✅ Struggling to get around…yet managing to film everything for content

All because this woman wants to ride her horses on steep rough terrain despite the fact that she is too sick to go down hills on horseback. I’m all for accessibility in equestrian sports, but sometimes you need to *modify* your activities for the safety of yourself and your animals. If you cannot ride down hills or safely dismount to walk down them, you shouldn’t be trail riding on hills.

(Not pictured: multiple other dogs and horses following her down this steep hill as she supports her weight on her dog’s back).

Probably 80% of the sweet doxies posted in this sub have overgrown nails, and I’m concerned many people don’t realize the significance of nail length or what “too long” even looks like.

If your dog’s nails touch the ground or click when they walk, they are too long. This is painful for your dog, as overgrown nails push upwards on their nail beds with each step. Further, [overgrown nails and the associated pain can cause changes in your dog’s posture that contribute to IVDD, arthritis, and other injuries](https://www.haarstadveterinarydermatology.com/blogs/news/pet-nail-trims-importance-health?srsltid=AfmBOooIhSJD0-aB3bLKN\_Fwq7ZFdnAWWDO-5EtLOH-CXcoqoCRAAPik).

Most doxies need nail trims *at least* every 3-4 weeks, but I’ve found mine do better with shorter weekly trims. While walking on rough surfaces can help spread out trims, it shouldn’t be an alternative to them; in order for concrete and asphalt to shorten your dog’s nails they need to already be overgrown and touching the ground with each step.

If your doxie’s nails have been neglected and now the quicks are too long for them to be safely cut short enough, you can use a dremel/grinder to slowly shorten them every 3-5 days to help the quicks recede to a safe length. If you struggle with nail trims and have tried the typical positive reinforcement methods, I recommend either trying a new tool (swap your clippers for a dremel or buy a scratchboard), buying a grooming hammock, or taking your dog to a groomer to get started.

Dog’s nails are not just cosmetic and failing to upkeep your dog’s nails is the most common form of medical neglect outside of pet obesity. If you love your dachshund, you need to keep their nails in check. It’s not optional.

Please add any tips or tricks you’ve found helpful for others to see in the comments! We all know that even with lots of peanut butter and positive reinforcement, dachshunds rarely make nail trims easy

My lovely dobie boy is six months now and we’re working hard training for IGP. Well, I’m working hard. He is only marginally interested. He comes from a line of excellent working dogs and is doing amazing in all things pet-related—house-trained, walks on a loose leash, learning not to jump on everyone, etc. He enjoys the barking and biting aspects of IGP but is easily frustrated and shows little interest in obedience. For example, he can be lured in a focused heel for about 1 nanosecond before he gets lazy or distracted and drops his head. I don’t mind that he doesn’t know how to do a focused heel—that can take years—but it troubles me that he loses interest in a high value treat like hotdog slices so quickly.

Part of this is on me. I’ve been discussing with my trainer new ways to build enthusiasm around training and to get him engaged, but I’m also optimistic that part of this is his age and if we keep working at it, he’ll start to age into a desire and drive for work. My three year old dachshund is incredibly food and toy motivated. For a single slice of hot dog she will twirl and jump and focus heel and anything else you want, but my dobie puppy from IGP3 parents seems happiest laying in a sunny field or better yet, playing with other dogs (something we’ve cut down on to try to get more energy for training).

If you have a dobie, especially one from working or protection sports lines, what age did you start to see a real focus on you and desire to be given some sort of “work” to do, even if that work is just throwing the ball?

Pic so this doesn’t get lost

Let’s just say they have different interests.