When we added Emma to the family we didn't know we were taking in a keen hunting dog. This year alone she has killed two rabbits, a squirrel, numerous chipmunks, probably a mouse or two, and too many birds to count - all in our back yard. We're starting to prune our shrubs up from the ground so she doesn't have good hiding places any more. She's so sneaky and cunning. She'll go out in the yard and chase all the squirrels from under the bird feeders and then she'll hide in a bush until the squirrels and chipmunks forget about her. Then she pounces. Same thing with the birds - she hides and waits for them to become complacent and forgetful. Wham!
I found a
dachshund website that warns about this trait in the breed. Here's an excerpt on some of the negative traits of dachshunds:
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They are hunters and they may kill other animals in your yard, including birds, squirrels, raccoons, possums, chipmunks, and rabbits. If you're squeamish about real-life natural events, don't get a dachshund or be prepared to always walk your dog on a leash. My wife always rattles the back door before letting the dogs out to give the wild-life a fighting chance of escape. Never let your rabies vaccination lapse as these encounters could result in some severe consequences. Dachshunds are friendly to adults and children that have manners, other dachshunds, even a few other dogs and maybe the family cat, but everything else is prey.
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Stubbornness almost to a fault
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Clever definitely to a fault, lively and courageous.
So, we're trying to give the wildlife in our yard a bit of warning when we let Emma outside by making a lot of noise as we open the door. The squirrels are learning, but I don't know if the other animals are smart enough to take heed. Poor Emma, we're ruining her fun. . .
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