Perfectly Polite Dachshunds

08/01/2025

Blog on marking behaviours in dogs. I hope it helps.

Marking is a normal dog behaviour, but when its in a place that we don't want it to happen it can affect your relationships with your dogs. Lets have a look at why they mark, and what you can do to stop them doing it in places you don't want it to happen. As we all know dogs see through their noses,...

07/01/2025

Who needs heating when you have a dachshund blanket?

Someone make me a cuppa!

07/01/2025

For those of you who are struggling with rivalry or conflict between your dogs, here's a blog about Huxley and Arlo, who at one point couldn't stand the smell of each other:
https://www.perfectlypolitedachshunds.com/post/a-tail-of-rivalry-best-friends-enemies-and-friends-again

I am very grateful that Huxley and Arlo's pawrents have been so open with their journey with everyone, its not often we can follow a journey like this with such immense honesty about the realities of what to expect when best friends become rivals,
...they've just posted another update on insta......

https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDY3MjEzMDQ1ODE4NTAz?story_media_id=3449619173234813472&igsh=MXZkcmRkN3JzZWl4ag==

Go team sausage!

Just over a year ago I was contacted by the loveliest of couples who have the loveliest of dogs, I’d worked with them with their younger one some time before on prey drive issues, but sadly now these two beautiful boys dogs started throwing down their handbags on the arrival of the new human baby....

05/01/2025

Wow

2025 has me hitting the ground running.

Several very complex Dynamic Dog Assessments near completion where the dogs, i hope, will, as a result of the assessment also be running, tails wagging through 2025 and sharing a much happier future with their humans.

People booking onto the next Stop Barking (Stop reactivity) course. I love this course so much and immensely proud of it and the people who really commit to making positive changes to their relationships.

And overall People stepping up to change their relationships for the better with their daxies.

I also wanted to say a very humble thank you. As we entered 2025 I shared a post about the losses i had in 2024, which dampened by ability to write a blog in my usual style. I was overwhelmed and so encouraged by your wonderful words of kindness and encouragement. This year your words were the words of kindness and wisdom. Your words really helped me, in more ways than you will ever know. So, from the bottom of my heart.....thank you!

Here's a quick vid of mine, alongside the newbie, as usually pinning me into a tiny gap on the sofa whilst I attempted to do some uni work.

Here's to a positive and productive 2025 for all of us, and loads more sausage sofa snuggles of course!

03/01/2025

There’s only one new year's resolution that matters this year…

Making ALL the dogs as happy as can be.

And I can help you with that.

Start the year as you mean to go on with boundless play that’ll boost your bond and snap up a serious saving with Tug-E-Nuff.

Get 20% off ANY two toys >>> just hit the link below and get shopping!

https://tug-e-nuff.com/offer?ref=PERFECTLY

You know the dax favourites are the rabbit skin and faux fur...if you didn't, you do now!

As a Tug-E-Nuff partner, I’m so happy to be able to share this EXCLUSIVE offer with you. Their toys are AWESOME training aids and can be used in so many ways.

From supercharging recall to scentwork and confidence building, there really is so much you can achieve with your dog through the power of play with Tug-E-Nuff toys.

Best of all?! They take your play to legendary levels - once you go Tug-E-Nuff, you never go back!

Full transparency: I do get a thank you from Tug-E-Nuff from any purchases made via this link, but you pay no more and I’d recommend them even if I didn’t!

So go on, hop on over and grab some new toys to supercharge your play this year.

01/01/2025

I hope you had a lovely day.

I spent it blowing away the cobwebs of 2024 at my favourite place to start 2025.

What did you get up to?

31/12/2024

I usually try to write a blog around this time of year, but I have tried and failed. I don’t have any words of wisdom, after the loss of 7 beautiful 4 legged friends, my thoughts turn to them every time i try. Instead, I will leave you with my favourite memories and remind you, that whatever life throws at you, duck or catch it and throw it back.

I said a final goodbye on the Solstice but will continue to miss their presence for a long time to come.

For those of us who have lost this year, the best words I can give you are not to let their loss undo all the joy you were brought, and all the learning you were taught. Grief is a privilege, it means you loved and were loved in return.

Popi – I love that despite 8 years of abuse and neglect you still loved deeply. I will never forget how happy you were to see me, how your whole body would wag and how you’d roll over in my arms in glee unable to contain your joy. I love how forgiving you were of the human race and how spicy you could be. 2 years of loving you was not enough. You taught me forgiveness and love.

Fudge – my old cantankerous g*t. I remember the first time you looked at me with complete trust and love, I remember your sweet little licks. I will try to forget how loud you were. I will never forget you hurtling down a hill in your wheels and slamming on the brakes when you sniffed an interesting smell. And I will never forget how you liked to chase Kieron out of a room. I never expected you of everyone to pass quietly and without me, but you chose your time. You taught me patience and tolerance.

Lyka – You were the perfect dog. Watching stressed children climb over you at races, you offering comfort to anyone who needed it and just being an all around good girl. You taught me how to understand the more subtle cue’s of people and dog body language. You taught me patience with others.

Fern – my confidence bringer. Seeing you gallop across a field and spinning on the spot. Learning that the simple things in life were more important than what you could get. Giving me that quiet moment of calm and peace whilst you just stood there. You taught me the importance of calm moments.

Karma – you were always there waiting when I came home. You taught me the importance of trust, the importance of appreciating the value of those small moments. You taught me how to adapt to change.

Marty – you taught me everything. There is not one favourite memory, but a lifetime of lifetimes. The importance of nurturing those weaker than yourself. The importance of avoiding conflict without accepting it. The importance of accepting everyone irrespective of their difference. You taught me love and kindness.

Domino – You just refused to be defeated. You were so ill as a young pup but you were a fighter. You were always there when I walked into a room and just cuddled straight in. Those last moments we had were a blessing whilst we said goodbye. I am sorry I wasn’t there at the end, but waking you to say goodbye would have been for me. You taught me the importance of always parting company as if it’s the last time.

I end this year sharing a piece of my heart with all of you, as many of you have with me.

Thank you all for trusting me in helping guide you through your difficult times, and thank you for continuing to do that. I will always do my very best to be the best I can be to ensure you are all supported in the best ways I can.

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you achieve all you set out to do.

29/12/2024

Do you all remember the Swadlincote 8 stolen dachshunds? 8 dachshunds were stolen from kennels. 5 have been found at various places over the UK.

Many made passing judgements about why the dogs were in kennels. 4 belonged to a friend of mine who was going through a really tough time and asked a friend of hers to board them whilst she recovered. So whilst she was at probably one of the lowest points of her life, someone drove her deeper into the depths of despair.

I don't need to imagine how it felt, I saw the devastation it brought her.

The good news is thanks to an amazing community,, the work of Beautys Legacy page and a bloomin' amazing dog warden 3 of my friends dogs were found. But Cookie is still missing alongside the other 2 girls. Cookie stands out though, her dapple coat and different coloured eyes make her stand out. But....it also means she's not likely to see the light of day because of how unique she is. It is highly likely she is being used for breeding, and I don't need to say much more than that. She was only a pup when she was stolen.

So after nearly 4 years, I think its time we brought her home. Can we do a mass share and try to make her too hot to handle again?

Please share widely. Lets get her home.

If you've seen her, or think you have perhaps you bought a puppy and she looks familiar, contact Beauty's Legacy and have a chat with them.

Updated post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dd37kFbWo/

27/12/2024

I think Mia has decided the laptop is banned 🤣🤣🤣

Don't you love how they always seem to colour coordinate!

Hope you are all recovering from the Christmas celebrations and taking some time for yourselves. Even if it is Dachshund enforced rest!

27/12/2024

Stepping off on the right paw for 2025.

There are still a couple of £25 off discount vouchers left to grab by 31st December.

Is your dog struggling with:

Reactivity
Guarding type behaviours
Being approached
Biting
General anxiety
Noise sensitivity
Hyperactivity
Restlessness
Lethargy
Reluctance to walk
Grumpy
Jekyll and Hyde personality
Reluctance to be groomed or handled

A Dynamic Dog assessment includes:

A 90 minute consultation via zoom looking at the behaviour you are struggling with and an extensive look at what may be contributing to this.

A full and thorough assessment of posture and gait.

A full report to share with your vets.

Behavioural support after the assessment has been carried out alongside initial strategies whilst the full analysis is carried out (as per standard behaviour consultation)

The DISCOUNT code for the full assessment is: DDINTRO2024

For more information and to book visit:

**Please note if times available via the website are not suitable please send me dates which best fit you and I can check availability. The Deep dive is approximately 90 minutes in length** A Dynamic Dog Consultation is very different from most canine behavioural assessments. All aspects of both you...

25/12/2024

Since having Kami and discovering her excitement for wrapping paper this has become a bit of a post present tradition that I love to share.

The pure joy she experiences just shredding paper brings such a big smile to my face. The simpler things in life huh.

*note: for those who are unaware, Kami has 1/3rd of her brain missing, and is generally discombobulated but as you can see a very happy saus.*

(Please excuse the new girls FOMO in the background.)

Merry Christmas everyone, cherish the simpler things in life.

24/12/2024

Wishing you all a merry Christmas. Mine are all tucked up waiting for Santa Paws.

I hope you all have a lovely day surrounded by love and kindness and sausage snuggles.

23/12/2024

Lovely Christmas gift from the Dynamic Dog team. It's always nice to receive a real certificate, especially for something like this.

Can't wait to continue with the Dynamic Dog assessments as part of a fully comprehensive Behavioural package in the new year.

All information on www.perfectlypolitedachshunds.com

22/12/2024

This time of year is a wonderful opportunity to listen to stories of the past. There is much we can learn from our elders and much we can be thankful for when we see how much the world has moved on.

I am a big believer in young dogs learning from their elders. There's nothing more that can give confidence than a calm, experienced guiding paw to help them navigate our complex human world.

Today we waved a final goodbye to our 7 lost souls from this year. Using the winter solstice as a spiritual end to one cycle and the start of another.

It was a pleasure watching 10 year old Indie guiding 18 month old Zella through strong winds, approaching dogs, and finding the joy of chasing sea sponges on the beach and brought a smile to my tear streaked face.

It was also lovely watching my son hold my mums arm so she could join us whilst we said goodbye without her being blown away.

Be grateful for your elders and relish in their stories. One day, if you are lucky you will be the guiding spirit in a young person's life. A privilege and a badge to wear proudly.

Wisdom through the ages

As I sit at the feet of one..
Stories or old are told.
Lessons that were learned,
Funny memories...
These are the things I need.
As I sit at these feet,
Who have seen much more than I,
My life seems to take a new meaning.
I am learning from the past,
I can now change the future.
A long time ago,
Society had a great respect for such people.
Wisdom throughout the ages.
Something we have lost through time and change.
It is time to start sitting again
At the feet of those who are older.
The things we can learn
The memories that can be made,
and the changes that can take place,
They are all priceless.
So let us go together to the feet of our elders..
Let us learn the wisdom of the ages.

Lynn 2006

Enjoy your celebrations everyone. Remember the season is about spending time with those you love.

19/12/2024

Great evening playing Bingo with The Red Foundation for raising funds for Spesh's Legacy.

The fundraising platform named after our special boy Spesh helps to contribute to the medical treatment of all medical cases coming to The Red Foundation.

This year they have spend over £100,000 on vet fee's alone. So every bit matters.

Thank you to all those who joined in.

Join us tomorrow, Friday 20th at 7.30pm on TRF's fb page for a shared live of Christmas tips with me and Vicky.

Here's Chelly in her glory having found my bag of toys, and apparently bones during this evenings antics.

16/12/2024

I am currently studying MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour at University of Lincoln. For my thesis I am investigating the relationship between on lead behaviour and IVDD.
I need dachshunds from all walks of life to take part to fully represent the dachshund community. I would be grateful if you would take part.

Your dachshund does not need to have suffered with IVDD to take part.

For the survey please visit:
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/lincoln/lead-pulling-ivdd

For more information please see this blog:
https://www.perfectlypolitedachshunds.com/post/investigatingonleadbehaviourandivdd

Thank you everyone. Please feel free to share as widely as possible.

Research into onlead behaviour and IVDD in dachshunds