Long Haired Sausage Dog Puppies: The Complete First-Year Care Guide

Bringing Home Your Long Haired Sausage Dog Puppy: Timing and First Steps

The Longhaired Dachshund — often called a "long haired sausage dog" — combines the bold, curious temperament of the standard Dachshund with a silky, feathered coat inherited from historical spaniel crosses. If you've committed to raising one of these puppies, understanding their developmental needs week by week is critical, especially given the breed's well-documented susceptibility to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).

When should you bring your puppy home? Most responsible Longhaired Dachshund breeders release puppies between 8 and 10 weeks of age. While some states legally permit sales at 8 weeks, many experienced Dachshund breeders prefer holding puppies until 10–12 weeks. This extra time allows for critical littermate socialization and ensures the puppy has received its first round of core vaccinations. The American Kennel Club's Dachshund breed standard notes that these dogs mature slowly, and a slightly longer breeder hold period often produces a more confident, stable puppy.

Before pickup day, prepare a confined space — a puppy-proofed room or exercise pen area — with a crate, water bowl, enzymatic cleaner, and soft bedding that won't snag on feathered fur. Longhaired Dachshund puppies typically weigh 2–5 lb (0.9–2.3 kg) at 8 weeks depending on whether they're miniature or standard variety.

Long Haired Sausage Dog Puppy Milestones: Week by Week

Understanding what to expect at each developmental stage prevents unnecessary anxiety and helps you provide appropriate stimulation. Here's a realistic milestone timeline for Longhaired Dachshund puppies:

IVDD-specific note for Longhaired Dachshund owners: Dachshunds are chondrodystrophic breeds, meaning their discs calcify early. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, up to 25% of Dachshunds will experience IVDD in their lifetime. From puppyhood, prevent jumping on/off furniture, use ramps, and carry your puppy with both hands supporting chest and hindquarters — never let their long spine dangle unsupported.

Feeding Schedule and Portions for Long Haired Sausage Dog Puppies

Longhaired Dachshunds come in two sizes — miniature (under 11 lb / 5 kg adult weight) and standard (16–32 lb / 7–14.5 kg adult weight). Feeding amounts vary significantly between the two. Use the chart below as a starting framework, then adjust based on your puppy's body condition score (BCS). You should be able to feel ribs easily without pressing hard, and see a slight waist tuck from above.

How often should you feed your puppy? Feed 8–12 week old puppies three to four meals daily. At 12–16 weeks, reduce to three meals. From 6 months onward, transition to two meals per day. Free-feeding is strongly discouraged for Dachshunds, as obesity dramatically increases IVDD risk.

Choose an AAFCO-approved small-breed puppy formula with minimum 22% protein and 8.5% fat. Kibble size matters — look for small-breed-specific kibble (such as Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy or Royal Canin Dachshund Puppy) that your puppy can chew without gulping. Always provide fresh water and pick up uneaten food after 15–20 minutes to establish meal-time routines that aid potty training predictability.

Potty Training Timeline: Realistic Expectations for Dachshund Puppies

When will your puppy be fully potty trained? Most Longhaired Dachshund puppies achieve reliable house training between 4 and 6 months of age, though some take up to 8–10 months. Dachshunds are notoriously stubborn about going outside in cold or wet weather — their long belly fur drags on wet grass, and they dislike the sensation. This is a breed-specific challenge, not a failure of your training.

Potty training progression:

• 8–12 weeks: Accidents are the norm. Take puppy out every 1–2 hours, immediately after eating/drinking, after naps, and after play. Expect 5–8 outings per day including overnight.
• 12–16 weeks: Bladder capacity improves to roughly 2–3 hours. Accidents drop to 2–4 per week if you maintain a consistent schedule. Begin using a verbal cue like "go potty" paired with the action.
• 16–24 weeks: Most puppies signal (sniffing, circling, going to the door) before needing to eliminate. Accidents should be rare (1–2 per month). If regression occurs, rule out urinary tract infection with your vet.
• 6–12 months: Near-full reliability. Some intact males may begin marking — spay/neuter reduces this behavior in approximately 60–70% of dogs.

Troubleshooting common issues:

• Frequent small accidents: Could indicate UTI, especially in female puppies. See your vet for urinalysis.
• Submissive/excitement urination: Common in young Dachshunds. Avoid greeting with high energy; crouch sideways and ignore for 30 seconds upon entering.
• Crate accidents overnight: Remove water 2 hours before bed. Set a 3 AM alarm for puppies under 14 weeks. Ensure crate is sized correctly — just enough room to stand, turn, and lie down.

Socialization Window (Weeks 3–14): Your Puppy's Critical Exposure Period

The primary socialization window closes around 12–14 weeks of age, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. For Longhaired Dachshund puppies, this window is especially important because the breed can develop wariness of strangers and territorial barking if under-socialized. You must expose your puppy to novel experiences before full vaccination — carry them, use a sling, or visit controlled environments where unvaccinated dogs are not present.

Socialization exposure checklist for Longhaired Dachshund puppies:

When can your puppy go outside and meet other dogs? Your puppy can explore your own yard (if no unvaccinated dogs have access) immediately. For public spaces and dog-to-dog introductions, wait until 7 days after the final DHPP vaccine — typically around 16–17 weeks of age. However, carried socialization in public spaces (farmers markets, outdoor shopping areas) should begin immediately at 8 weeks. The risk of behavioral problems from under-socialization exceeds the disease risk when exposure is controlled, per the AVMA's position on early puppy socialization.

Vaccination Schedule for Long Haired Sausage Dog Puppies

Your breeder should have administered the first DHPP vaccine at approximately 6–8 weeks. Here is the standard core vaccination protocol recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association:

Lifestyle vaccines to discuss with your vet: Leptospirosis (recommended in areas with wildlife or standing water), Lyme disease (if in tick-endemic regions like the Northeast or Upper Midwest), and Canine Influenza (H3N2/H3N8 — recommended if boarding or frequenting doggy daycare). Dachshunds are not at elevated risk for vaccine reactions compared to other breeds, but small dogs in general have a slightly higher rate of mild post-vaccine lethargy. Monitor for 24 hours and contact your vet if facial swelling, hives, or vomiting occur.

Teething Timeline and Safe Relief Strategies

Longhaired Dachshund puppies follow a standard teething progression, but their small mouths mean tooth eruption can be particularly uncomfortable:

• 3–4 weeks: Deciduous (baby) incisors erupt
• 4–6 weeks: Baby canines and premolars come in
• 12–16 weeks: Adult incisors push out baby teeth — you may find tiny teeth in bedding or notice increased mouthing
• 4–6 months: Peak teething intensity; adult canines and premolars erupting; chewing behavior at maximum
• 6–7 months: All 42 adult teeth should be in place; if baby canines haven't fallen out by 6 months, consult your vet about extraction (retained deciduous teeth are common in small breeds and cause crowding/malocclusion)

Safe teething relief options:

• KONG Puppy (size XS for miniatures, S for standards) stuffed with wet puppy food and frozen
• Nylabone Puppy Chew (softer formula — never give adult-density Nylabones to puppies under 6 months)
• Frozen washcloth twisted into a rope (supervise to prevent swallowing fabric)
• Benebone Puppy (small size — the angled shape works well for Dachshund jaw structure)
• Carrot sticks (cold, low-calorie, safe if puppy is old enough to crunch — typically 12+ weeks)

Avoid: Ice cubes (too hard for developing teeth — can cause fractures), rawhide (choking and blockage risk), antlers or weight-bearing bones (tooth fracture risk), and any toy small enough to swallow whole. For Longhaired puppies specifically, avoid rope toys with loose fibers that can wrap around teeth or be ingested and cause intestinal blockage.

Crate Training Progression and Time Limits

Crate training is essential for Dachshund puppies — it aids potty training, provides a safe den, and prevents destructive chewing when unsupervised. However, crate duration must respect your puppy's developing bladder and the breed's tendency toward separation anxiety.

Crate sizing for Longhaired Dachshunds: For miniature puppies, a 22-inch crate (with divider panel) works from 8 weeks through adulthood. For standard puppies, start with a 24-inch crate and upgrade to a 30-inch crate by 6 months. The crate should allow standing without head touching the top, turning in a full circle, and lying stretched out. Wire crates (like the MidWest iCrate or Frisco Double Door) offer better ventilation for long-coated dogs than enclosed plastic crates.

Common Puppy Problems and Breed-Specific Solutions

How do I stop puppy biting and nipping? Dachshund puppies were bred to hunt badgers, which means they have strong jaws and a natural tendency to mouth. Biting peaks between 10–16 weeks. Use these force-free methods:

1. Redirect: When teeth touch skin, say "oops" in a neutral tone, withdraw attention for 5 seconds, then offer an appropriate chew toy. Resume play when teeth are on the toy.
2. Reverse time-out: If biting persists after 2 redirects, calmly leave the play area for 30 seconds. Return and try again. This teaches that biting ends fun — not that the puppy is "bad."
3. Bite inhibition training: Allow gentle mouthing (no pressure) during play. If you feel pressure, yelp softly and go limp. Puppies learn to modulate jaw pressure from littermates — you're continuing this education.
4. Provide adequate outlets: A tired puppy bites less. Ensure 15–20 minutes of structured training or sniffing activity (snuffle mats, scatter feeding) twice daily for mental stimulation.

Whining in the crate at night: For the first 3–5 nights, place the crate next to your bed so your puppy can smell and hear you. A Snuggle Puppy (with heartbeat simulator and heat pack) reduces nighttime whining for many Dachshund puppies. If whining occurs after the initial adjustment period, wait 5 minutes before responding — if it continues, take puppy out for a potty trip (no play, no talking, lights low), then return to crate. This prevents reinforcing whining for attention while ruling out a genuine need to eliminate.

Destructive chewing: Longhaired Dachshund puppies explore the world with their mouths, and their long coat doesn't protect them from boredom the way exercise does. Provide a rotation of 5–7 approved chew items (put away 3–4 at a time to maintain novelty). Puppy-proof at Dachshund height — that's 6–12 inches off the floor. Baseboards, electrical cords, and low-shelf items are all targets. Bitter apple spray on baseboards helps deter chewing during the 3–6 month peak period.

Digging: Burrowing instinct is hardwired in Dachshunds. Provide a designated dig box (a shallow plastic storage bin filled with shredded paper or fleece strips) and hide treats inside. This satisfies the digging drive without destroying your garden or couch cushions.

First-Year Cost Breakdown for Longhaired Dachshund Puppies

Budgeting realistically prevents surprises. Here's a detailed first-year cost estimate for a Longhaired Dachshund puppy in the US (2025–2026 pricing):

Emergency fund recommendation: Set aside an additional $1,000–$2,000 for unexpected veterinary needs. Dachshund puppies can develop conditions like luxating patellas, cherry eye, or LaFora's disease (a genetic form of epilepsy found in Miniature Longhaired Dachshunds). Pet insurance enrolled at 8 weeks, before any pre-existing conditions develop, offers the strongest financial protection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Long Haired Sausage Dog Puppies

When should I bring my Longhaired Dachshund puppy home?

Between 8 and 12 weeks. Many responsible Longhaired breeders hold puppies until 10–12 weeks to allow additional littermate socialization and first-round vaccination completion. Confirm your puppy has been dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks and has received at least one DHPP vaccine before pickup.

How often should I feed my 10-week-old Longhaired Dachshund puppy?

Four meals per day, spaced roughly 4 hours apart during waking hours (e.g., 7 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM). For a miniature puppy, offer ¼ to ⅓ cup of small-breed puppy kibble per meal. For a standard puppy, offer ⅓ to ½ cup. Adjust based on body condition — ribs should be palpable without pressing hard.

When will my Dachshund puppy stop having accidents in the house?

Most Longhaired Dachshunds are reliably house-trained by 4–6 months with consistent scheduling, but some take up to 8–10 months. The breed's dislike of wet/cold weather can cause setbacks — use a covered potty area or indoor grass patch during bad weather. If accidents suddenly increase at any age, consult your vet to rule out UTI, diabetes, or other medical causes.

What vaccines does my puppy need and when?

Core vaccines include DHPP at 6–8 weeks (often done by breeder), 10–12 weeks, and 14–16 weeks, plus Rabies at 14–16 weeks. Lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme, Canine Influenza) depend on your region and your puppy's planned activities. Discuss a tailored protocol with your veterinarian at the first wellness exam.

How do I stop my Longhaired Dachshund puppy from biting my hands?

Use redirect-and-withdraw: when teeth touch skin, say "oops," stop moving for 5 seconds, then offer a chew toy. If biting continues, leave the area for 30 seconds (reverse time-out). Provide adequate mental stimulation through sniffing games, training sessions, and frozen KONG toys. Never hold the puppy's mouth shut, yell, or use physical punishment — these methods increase fear-based biting and damage your bond. Expect improvement within 2–3 weeks of consistent application.

When can my puppy safely go to the park or meet other dogs?

Full public access (dog parks, pet stores with floor walking, group playdates with unknown dogs) should wait until 7 days after the final DHPP booster — typically around 16–17 weeks. Before that, carry your puppy in public spaces for socialization, and arrange playdates only with known, fully vaccinated dogs in private yards. Avoid dog parks entirely until at least 6 months, as the uncontrolled environment poses both disease and injury risk for a small puppy.