Dachshund's Best Life

20. Big (Good!) Changes Are Coming

While I've slowly been shedding my identify as a "pet blogger" over the last few years, a few big personal losses, and the realization that I've never held one "career" for 15 years, makes me feel like the time for true change is now. I'm going to double down on personal connection with you and shift my primary focus from the blog to this podcast and YouTube. Thanks for sticking with us. Follow us on: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/youdidwhatwithyourwiener/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@YouDidWhatWithYourWiener/videos] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner]⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dachshund educational blo⁠ [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/]⁠g⁠⁠⁠ [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/]

19. Pet Grief Update: Is There a Bright Side?

It's been 2 months since we said goodbye to Gretel. In this update, I talk about the emotional balance between feeling sad but not too sad. I also explain about trying to find the opportunity in the hole left in our lives. Follow us on: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/youdidwhatwithyourwiener/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@YouDidWhatWithYourWiener/videos] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner]⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dachshund educational blog⁠⁠ [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/]

18. 10 Things I Will Absolutely Train Every Dachshund That I Own

Believe it or not, Dachshunds can be trained. What is often interpreted as "stubborn" or defiant is simply a breakdown in communication. Your dog needs to understand what you expect of them and have the skills to do the right thing. These 10 things made living with my Dachshunds easier, , improved my relationship with them, and allows me to successfully manage up to 6 Dachshunds at a time in a 650 square foot home as a dog sitter. If you have questions about your Dachshund's behavior or training, ⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up for a consult with me⁠ [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dachshund-behavior-training/]⁠⁠⁠. If you live in Washington State, and want your Dachshund to come stay with me at "Adventurewiener Camp, you can find more information HERE [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/camp-adventurewiener-dachshund-boarding/]. Follow us on: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/youdidwhatwithyourwiener/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@YouDidWhatWithYourWiener/videos] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner]⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dachshund educational blog⁠⁠ [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/]

17. (TW: Pet Loss) What is a Good Death? Saying Goodbye to Gretel with Compassion

After an amazing camping weekend, and the the best life I could have given her, I had to let Gretel go to on to her next adventure without me. My whole live has been punctuated by loss and grief. I think it's something that needs to be talked about more openly - especially pet loss when so many people don't understand that pets are family. Sometimes, the loss of them hurts even more. In this episode, I read a letter I wrote while I was still reeling from the loss. I also discuss what giving your pet a good death means, because I truly believe giving them the best life includes what happens at the end. That stepping out of your own despair to do what is best for your dog is the last, best, most compassionate gift you can give them. Gretel is the reason that I started our blog back in 2010, when blogs were the social media of the day. That blog, and Gretel, totally changed my life. This is the end of a 14 year chapter for me. Near the end of this episode, I also discuss ways I am considering to keep Gretel's memory alive so she can continue to help improve Dachshund's life forever. When I had to let my first Dachshund Chester go due to advanced dementia, I wrote this letter to him the same morning. I mention it in this episode and it will give further insight into how I view saying goodbye to a pet in the most compassionate way... and the negative thoughts that I struggle with. Love and Loss: Letting Go of My Dog With Dementia [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/love-and-loss-letting-go-of-my-dog-with-dementia/] Follow us on: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/youdidwhatwithyourwiener/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@YouDidWhatWithYourWiener/videos] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner]⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dachshund educational blog⁠⁠ [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/]

16. Go Easy on Yourself. You're Doing the Best You Can

We all want to give our Dachshunds the best life that we can. However, even I, who left my government job in 2012 to dedicate myself to my Dachshunds and helping others, can't always give 100%. The fact is, life is crazy, unpredictable, and emotionally draining at times. At the same time my senior Dachshund was experiencing a health issue, two of my most important family members were in health crisis too. Sometimes, we simply can't do the "best", and instead, have to do the best that we can for our dogs. I recorded this to remind myself but also in hopes of helping others not feel so guilty when they are forced to shift priorities. We are all doing the best that we can. Be kind to yourself. If you need help with your Dachshund's behavior or training, sign up for a consult or training plan with me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/dachshund-behavior-training/]. Follow us on: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/youdidwhatwithyourwiener/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@YouDidWhatWithYourWiener/videos] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner]⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dachshund educational blog⁠⁠ [https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/]