Ruoff Haus of Dachshunds by Mona Lisa

01/09/2024

Wishing you a HaPpY New Year with dachshunds galore....

12/08/2023

From my home to yours...wishing you joy!

11/28/2023

Jäger turns 3 years old today! He's a fine AKC mini longhair black & tan piebald. ❤️
(This was a baby picture)

11/25/2023

Olga is 11 months old. ❤️

11/23/2023

From my home to yours, HaPpY Thanksgiving Day!

10/21/2023

Molly has taught Olga and Jäger the fine art of hunting. Mostly that means sitting very still with a lot of patience so that the squirrel comes to them.

Case in point ....

10/09/2023

I found this on another page and it had been "shared" even then. I too think it's worth sharing...

Realistic Expectations Of Taking Your Puppy Home.

You go to the breeders home. The pups are all social. They are quiet in the pen. The breeder shows you videos of them being totally relaxed at a dog show. All looks amazing and you bring your puppy home.
Then reality hits. The puppy may cry in the crate for the first few nights making you tired and agitated. The happy social puppy is refusing to greet the half dozen overly excited friends you invited over to see your new puppy. The puppy refuses to walk on a leash. Many are wondering how did my perfect puppy turn into a nightmare.
So let’s discuss realistic expectations of when a puppy goes home. First of all the puppy has been in the breeders home since birth. They had their mother and often littermates. They had their routine, were taught expectations and were completely in their comfort zone.
Now suddenly they are taken to a totally new environment. Picture yourself being dropped into an unknown country, often in a different part of the world. You know only a few words of their language. Different trees, animals, smells, temperature and people. Now in the middle of this we are switching up your routine, decide to have a party with people you don't know, and ask you to do jobs you have no idea about. Overwhelming to say the least.
This is what every puppy goes through when going to their new home. Stress manifests in different forms. From not eating, reluctancy to play and greet people. Being apprehensive at the vet’s office or as strangers reach for them. Diarrhea, vomiting and depression can occur.
So what can you as a new owner do to help your little one acclimate?
- most puppies take 3-4 weeks to acclimate to their new home. Repeat after me THREE to FOUR WEEKS! Not a 1-2 days. I can’t stress this enough about how much time is needed for a dog or puppy to feel comfortable in their new home!
- limit guests during the first week. We understand you are excited to show off your new baby but they need time to adjust. Plan on waiting 1-2 weeks before inviting people over
- ask guest to sit on the ground and let the puppy approach them. No squealing and grabbing the puppy
- set up a good routine
- restrict the puppy to a small area of the house. This not only reduces them being overwhelmed but also allows you to watch them
- don’t expect a 9-13 week old puppy to walk on a leash. Instead work at home with a leash where they are comfortable. Let them drag the leash, use treats to encourage them to walk with you
- if your puppy is refusing to walk give them time. My first trips to town with puppies a walk around a small block took 1 1/2 hours. We only move when they initiate the movement as they need time to take in the different environment
- understand your puppy needs time to see you as family. Expecting an immediate bond is unrealistic
- train your puppy. This not only helps you to bond but the puppy to look to you for direction and input
- lastly be patient. Don’t declare “omg there’s something wrong with this dog”. Nothing occurs overnight. Outings should be planned at puppy speed. So while you might imagine a fun walk around the lake in reality your puppy might only be able to handle walking a short distance that day.
Most outings for me take a long time, as I am often just standing still as the puppy cautiously explores the new environment. Patience is key!
Remember if the puppy was wonderful at the breeder’s house but now is struggling, you as the owner, need to help the puppy adjust which takes time, patience and training. Have realistic expectations and give the puppy positive experiences. Each puppy is an individual, don’t compare your current puppy to past pets and judge their behavior based on how another dog handled things. Lastly, try to see thing’s from a puppy’s perspective and adjust situations accordingly.

10/09/2023

Olga is 10 months old now and experiencing her first heat. I feel like I'm the mother to two teenagers right now! 😳 Trying to provide safe-sex options this past week has been a full time job for me...one I wasn't always good at. Enjoy a little laugh while seeing in the photo what I mean. 🤣
P.S. Stay tuned!

07/28/2023

Puppy pic! This is "Ben" who was born in my very first litter. Heidi and Fritz were the parents.

07/24/2023

Molly was pregnant with a litter sired by Jäger. Both are long-haired piebalds.

The litter was thought to be 3 pups but now there are none! The veterinarian and team are all puzzled as am I. Resorption seems to have happened but she may have had a miscarriage. We'll never know for sure.

It's all a huge disappointment. She's okay, however and that makes me happy.

06/28/2023

4th of July 🎉 is quickly approaching!

Dogs can and do get scared with the loud booms and pops that come with fireworks 🎇🎆

Reminder: Make sure your dog has it's identification on it...by way of a tag attached to it's collar or with a microchip.

If you keep calming meds for your dog...check that pill bottle now to see if you'll need a refill.

Also, if you rely on a fence to keep your dog contained in your yard, please walk around it looking for weak or damaged spots...and do repairs asap.

You'll be glad you tended to this now instead of at the last minute. 😃

06/07/2023

Puppy "Nik" from June 2022 as I delivered him to his new family ❤️🥰

06/06/2023

Heidi was my first female in my small scale program. Here she is with her first litter...

05/29/2023

Long-haired piebald pups will be born towards the end of July! 💋🎉
Stay tuned....

05/07/2023

While on guard duty one must be as comfy as possible...per baby Olga! 😃

05/05/2023

Baby Olga is such a cutie! Her nose has been growing and she's got her adult bark now. She has learned so much by watching my adult dachshunds which is a huge plus.

04/20/2023

Baby Olga is such a great addition to Ruoff Haus of Dachshunds!

04/12/2023

Easter afternoon was beautiful here in Bossier City, Louisiana! Aside from the first photo the rest were taken outside that afternoon. Enjoy!

03/21/2023

Jäger poses well. This morning I couldn't resist taking his pic while I was drinking my coffee. He's a pretty boy. (See the pic of his feet in the comment section below) He is available for stud service.

03/18/2023

Molly and Jäger's little girl, Daisy Popcorn, met her new humans this afternoon and was soon off on her next great adventure to Alpine, Texas. 💖🌷

03/18/2023