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NASHVILLE, TN

Temperament/personality:

Penny is just pure joy.  She is an energetic and fun-loving dog.  She loves to be in the mix of things and loves playing with our other dogs.  She’s sweet, gives lots of kisses and enjoys being outside.  She’s fine with our kids and their energy.  She’s not a big eater and she’s rather slim and it suits her body type.  She feeds more on the affection and response of the humans around her.  She is playful with our other foster puppies and isn’t aggressive.  Penny spends a lot of time dancing on her hind legs.  She’ll make an excellent pet for a home with kids or for a family who just wants a fun loving dog who will follow them everywhere.

The vet who treated Penny and her pups did mention she has an aversion to Schnauzers.  It’s not just a particular Schnauzer; apparently it’s any Schnauzer.

History: 

Penny was picked up as a stray.  The family who found her brought her into a local shelter when they discovered she was pregnant.  Penny gave birth to four pups in December of 2010; two have survived. 

Training:

Penny doesn’t have a lot of training but she’ll pick it up easily.  She, like most other Dachshunds, is a very bright dog.  She responds to her name (given to her by us so she hasn’t had it a long time).  She doesn’t know any commands but she’s not a disobedient dog either.  She wants to please.  We haven’t focused on training different commands.  We have focused on having her wait to have her food set down before her and obeying a release command before eating the food.  We are also teaching her to sit.  She doesn’t dart out the door when it’s opened; she prefers to stay by your side.  She isn’t aggressive when taking treats out of your hand (no snapping and accidentally getting your fingers).

Housebreaking is not an issue; she’s 99% there (I’ve never given a Dachshund a 100% trained because there always seems to be that one time…).  She knows how to use a dog door and likes the freedom it offers.  She does prefer her humans to go outside with her but doesn’t require it.  If she has to go she’ll go outside.

Best environment:

• Penny will thrive in a family where she has other canine companions. 
• She’ll do best with a family who can provide a yard or multiple daily walks. 
• Penny will need someone who has some background with training so she can learn some basic commands. 
• She’ll do best in an environment where she is free to roam in the house so she can be part of the human pack. 
• Although Penny doesn’t have a problem with a crate (encourage one going into her new home to reinforce housebreaking skills), she is not the type who will do well being in a crate while her human family is away beyond a couple of hours.  Penny has used our large laundry room as her ‘crate’ while she and her puppies have been with us but she feels confined at times even in that room.  She wants to be with the humans.  She has never gone to the bathroom in the laundry room.

AADR does not recommend dachshunds for families with children under 5, or families planning to have children during the dog's lifetime. Dachshunds are often not patient with little kids, and kids can accidentally hurt a dachshund's back or get bitten.

Please don't let the distance stand in your way of finding your newest best friend. We have volunteers that will help your "new friend" get up and down the East Coast and mid-west. We just can't get them from one coast to the other. For now, please look for dogs on your coast.