11/15/2025
Note: Due to his past affecting how he reacts to "strangers," Michael needs to stay in the Omaha area and his adopter will need to be willing to meet him several times prior to adopting so Michael can be introduced slowly and start the trust process. The extra effort will definitely be worth it! Please read more about Michael below.
5 years. That's 1,825 days. A dark dank shed. Stifling in the summer, freezing in the winter. Filthy and matted, loaded with fleas, ear infections and parasites. Nails so overgrown that he walked on the sides of his feet. Rotten teeth. Poor quality food (and probably not enough.) No vet care. Very little human contact. One other dog for companionship (his dad.) He wasn't even given a name. 5 whole years. His whole life.
Then one day, the door to that shed opened and he will NEVER have to go into it again. This boy now has a name and somehow, even through all of this, he is one of the happiest dogs you'll ever meet. Michael was surrendered from a breeder recently. He spent his whole life in a shed with very little interaction with people. But dogs, being truly amazing creatures, are so very forgiving. And once he trusts you, Michael is one of the most affectionate, loving, happy boys you'll ever meet.
Michael is a handsome 5 yr old, 14 lb, long hair black and tan dachshund. He is such a joyful boy that his tail never stops wagging. Velcro dog is an understatement. He will follow you EVERYWHERE and loves to give kisses. He likes to stick that long dachshund nose in whatever you're doing to try to "help." He'll help you with lawn work, laundry, watching TV, whatever you're doing, he's there. He will do best in a home where someone is home more than not as he gets attached to his person quickly. He goal in life is to spend all his time in your lap getting pets and belly rubs.
Michael does great with other small dogs. He loves to run and play with other dogs his size, so would love a young active sibling to play with. He tends to be submissive, so he won't boss anyone around and listens to corrections made by other dogs. But if you're petting another dog, he will stick his nose into it and even step on them to get to you. He's not aggressive, just wants all the attention.
Since he didn't have enough food previously, he does try to eat everyone else's food and will try to steal their treats. It helps to feed him in his kennel. He requires a confident, small resident dog to continue to "show him the ropes" and to help him gain some independence and confidence of his own. But no cats. He gets obsessed and won't leave them alone.
Michael does great in a kennel. He'll jump in for a treat.
Michael enjoys spending time outside as long as you are outside with him. He gets a little nervous by himself, even if the other dogs are outside with him. A securely fenced yard is a must as he hasn't learned to walk and potty on a leash yet. He was doing well with potty training until it started getting cold. Then in true dachshund fashion, he started having accidents in the house. He will potty outside if you stay outside with him and make sure he takes care of business. He wears a belly band well, so that helps prevent potties in the house.
Michael is a barker. (He had to have something to do in that shed for 5 years.) He has a deep, strong bark. He will alert you to any perceived danger. And that pesky squirrel running up the tree. And that neighbor kid riding by on his scooter. And that plastic bag... And....well, you get the picture. He wouldn't do well in an apartment.
While Michael loves to follow his foster everywhere and be with her all the time, he's extremely nervous around new people. In the flight or fight mode, Michael will choose flight every time. But if he's cornered or feels threatened in a way that he can't run, he will choose fight. He has nipped at people when he was scared. So absolutely no kids. He has never once snapped at his foster or even showed any small sign of aggression. (And she's had to do some very uncomfortable things like give baths, give ear drops, comb out mats, trim nails, etc) So once he trusts you, he's just a big goofy lover boy. But it might take some time to get there.
He will definitely need someone patient, calm, dog savvy and willing to work with him on building trust. Due to his past actions, Michael will need to stay in the Omaha area where his potential adopter can come to his foster home and meet him a few times to start building up trust prior to adoption. Your efforts will be rewarded with a lifetime of snuggles and kisses.
Michael had a very rough start in life, but he has plenty of life left to enjoy. If you are a patient person and would like to give this joyful boy a life that makes him forget his first 5 years in a shed, apply to adopt Michael at: at https://www.wagntrainterrierrescue.com/adoption-information
