At first we would just put the harness on and give Kody hot dogs. He showed the classic behavior of freezing on the spot that dogs exhibit when humans attempt to put costumes or other clothing on them.

At first, he just got hot dogs places where he could reach them. The next step was throwing hot dog bits a few feet away. After just a couple of days of this, Kody was excited for "the harness game" as we call it, a phrase he now recognizes.

His excitement did not extend to wearing the harness right away, just to the game and treats part. He quickly knew I was trying to lure him to get his feet to the place they belong so that I can gently lift up and buckle the harness. (These step-in harnesses are awesome.) At first he would try to refuse to even get near that position. Now he will usually leave one leg out awkwardly, but he gets more comfortable with it every day.

At this point after we buckle the harness, we walk slowly around the apartment with Kody on my right side giving him treats as often as it takes to keep him in roughly the correct position. The idea is to get him used to staying by my right leg facing forward as we walk.

Like potty training, it's intensive, which is why we do one short walk, of about 20-30 feet around the apartment and that's it for the day. Any more and he and I would get bored. But once he's good and reliable at that off leash, we'll attach the leash and do the same thing. After that we'll start just going out the door and back in and eventually we'll get loose leash walking, I hope.

The idea is that when the harness is on, being next to me will just feel like the right place to be.

Kody teaches me so much about patience, I really enjoy this, but I can see how it's not for everyone. Luckily most dogs are a lot easier to train than Kody, my wonderful Asperger's dog! I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world.

It’s time for pets and kids to parade through downtown Olympia

Featured Story

Celebrities Love Halloween Just As Much As Children, Gay Dudes

Excerpt

Model Veronica Webb is either going to be a lion, devil, or witch — her kids get to decide. But she won’t be dressing up her pet dachshund. “You can’t put clothes on a dachshund, their legs are too short!” she said, mournfully. “Some dogs are into it, you know, like some guys are drag queens and some aren’t.”

Comment

There isn’t anything more in this story about dachshunds, but I just had to point out this funny quote.

Featured Story

Dog days of summer mean Dachshund Days

What

Dachshund Days

Where

Hulen Park

Cleburne, Texas

When

Saturday, September 12th 2009

Who

Camp Fire USA, Tesuya Council

Excerpt

As summer drawns to a close, Camp Fire USA Tesuya Council members are busying planning the third annual Dachshund Days.

The event, which features dachshund races, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Hulen Park, 1010 Hillsboro St.

“We had 53 dogs the first year. We’re hoping to have 75 dogs or more this year,” said Tammy Derden, Dachshund Days coordinator.

Admission is free for all events except the races.

Comment

Texas has a lot of dachshund events, if this one isn’t close to you, there will be another soon enough!

Featured Story

Hotdogs on the March

What

Flickr Photo Set

Excerpt

One of Krakow’s weirdest traditions, the annual Dachshund March (Marsz Jamników in Polish) took place this Sunday, with dozens of the iconic short-limbed dogs and their owners participating.

For the 15th year now, dachshund lovers from all over Poland have gathered in Krakow to show off their best furry friends. While some come just for the experience, many go as far as dressing up their sausage dogs in all sorts of elaborate costumes – and some are rewarded for their efforts. This year’s winner of the costume contest featured a coarse-haired pup dressed up as an Egyptian pharaoh, royally escorted by his human companions, who donned Arabic dress and even had a soundtrack for his majesty’s entrance. Honourable mentions went to dachshund police officers, doctors, sportsdogs, and one greying canine who had participated in every year of the march.

Comment

I think it’s great when someone takes the initiative with an event like this to take and post some photos!

Come join Main Street for some fun at Kidtopia Park.
Activities will include the main event “Dachshund Derby” as well as Obedience, Best Dressed
and Best Weenie Dog Kiss. Saturday June 20th. Check in begins at 9:00am with Derby to
begin promptly at 10:00. Other events will follow the race event.

More information at:

Main Street Texarkana

I didn’t hear about it before it happened, but this weekend the Raytown Summerfest was held in Raytown, Missouri. This event features the Sausage Sprint dachshund races. One interesting part of the event is that one of the races was won by the dachshund/pug mix pictured above. Since I’ve mentioned that mixed breeds are often healthier dogs, I wanted to highlight this and applaud the folks for accepting mixed breed dogs and also show the picture. I wonder, as I’m sure you do, if his mixed breeding gave him an edge. However, to me at least, dachshund races are less about the “winner” and more about the cute things the other dogs do on the course such as running to people on the side, running back to the start, playing, or just laying down to take a breather. I prefer my wiener dog race contestants sassy and untrained (for racing.)

This mix looks pretty cute, you can definitely see the pug in the eyes. I’ve noticed dachshunds seem to have very dominant traits, so mixes still end up looking mostly like dachshunds. But maybe those are the only ones who get their picture taken because they’re so cute.

HOWL-O-Weenie 2009

The website says:

Likely date is October 3 in Cabbagetown Park. Start planning your costumes, training for the races, and getting those tail wagging muscles in shape for the contests!

There are so many great photos from last year I couldn’t help but include a few, so I’ll let you know now there’s also a video of the event at the end of this post.

I’m not sure but I think this one might be Hugh Hefner and Holly Madison. Or maybe Dolly Parton. It made me laugh because in one of the pictures Dolly’s boobs fall out.

The website has a link to over 800 pictures from last year’s event. They are very lucky that photographer Pat Thomas takes all these wonderful high quality photos. I can understand why she’s motivated to take pictures at this event, though.

I love this John Deere tractor!

The event also includes dachshund races.

At first I thought this was Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. But I think the one on the left is Captain Jack Sparrow, and the one on the right might be Peter Pan.

A brilliant gold fish.

Hey, these are the salt and pepper shakers I just posted about in fun products!

And finally, the video: