Honestly, I am absolutely pro “make your Dachshund walk” whenever you can. Walking is good for your Dachshund’s health and it can help keep their spine-supporting muscles strong.
However, there are times when carrying your Dachshund is appropriate. Let’s discuss them.
Reasons Your Dachshund May Need to Be Carried
It makes sense to carry your Dachshund when one or more of these 7 situations are true.
1) Your senior Dachshund can’t walk as far as they used to
When my Dachshund Chester became a senior dog, he started to have trouble keeping up with us on walks and hikes. My second senior Gretel developed kidney disease and mobility issues.
All of my Dachshunds are used to a life of adventure, so I don’t want to deny them that later in life. Instead of leaving my older dogs at home, I carry them with us in a backpack.
2) You want to socialize your puppy but she isn’t fully vaccinated
Even before my Dachshund puppy received her full round of vaccinations, I started the socialization process by taking her for walks in a sling or dog backpack.
That way she could experience many different sights, smells, and sounds without the risk of exposure to other dog germs on the ground. Doing so is a crucial step in raising a calm, friendly Dachshund.
3) Your Dachshund puppy is too young for long walks or hikes
I wanted to start taking my puppy hiking, and expose him to nature, from the very beginning. However, it’s not safe for puppies to go on long walks or hikes before they are physically developed enough to hike themselves.
I carried my puppy in a backpack for most of the hike, but set him down to sniff and explore during breaks (we kept to unpopular trails so there was little to no risk of dog germs on the ground).
4) Your Dachshund is recovering from an injury
Sometimes a dog is recovered enough from injury, or other health issue, to get out of the house but is still not physically up to hiking or walking long distances.
At least not for very long.
Carrying a dog recovering from an injury or illness still gives them mental stimulation, and can be helpful for reducing their energy/stress levels, while keeping them safe.
Note: I used a dog stroller to walk my Dachshund when she was recovering from a back injury because it’s safer for the spine, but I did carrier in a backpack after the initially recovery and before she had enough stamina to hike long distances again.
5) Your Dachshund is still building endurance
Just like people, dogs need to get into hiking shape before doing long distances. When my Dachshunds were still building up their fitness and endurance, and I didn’t want to be constrained to only doing short hikes, I carried them in a dog backpack.
You can also bring a dog backpack so your dog can hitch a ride in when they start showing you they are too tired.
6) Your Dachshund gets injured on a hike
Of course, there is always a chance your dog could suffer an injury while hiking and need to be carried out.
I always carry an or emergency dog sling in my backpack in case that happens. Sure, my Dachshunds are relatively small, but even 12 lbs carried in your arms gets heavy after a mile. Don’t ask me how I know.
NOTE: The pic below is not a back-safe way to carry your Dachshund. This was a real emergency and was the only option that I had (the smile is because I was proud that I got creative so I could hike out 5 miles hand-free).
7) Crowded events may not be safe for small dogs on the ground
To keep small dogs safe from stompy feet at events, you may want to elevate them off of the ground.
I actually prefer a stroller when I take my Dachshunds to events because mine has a gear basket underneath I can put things in so I don’t have to carry them. I also hang a messenger bag over the handlebars so I can carry even more stuff.
However, strollers are not always practical and they aren’t allowed at some events. Also, it can be a challenge to navigate crowds with a stroller and the ground may be too rough or uneven, making pushing one difficult.
In those cases, a dog backpack is a great way to keep your Dachshund off the ground and safe from feet.
8) Walking conditions become unpleasant or unsafe
We all know that many Dachshunds get wet belly syndrome and will put the breaks on walks if it’s raining. Also, Hot pavement in summer, freezing snow and ice, or road salt can make walking unsafe for your dog.
A dog backpack can allow your dog to get outside in winter safely.
9) Your Dachshund becomes overwhelmed in busy environments
If your Dachshund is the nervous or fearful type, but you can’t or don’t want to leave them behind, you can respect their comfort level and help them feel more safe and secure by carrying them in a dog backpack.
When You Shouldn’t Carry Your Dachshund
If your Dachshund is a healthy adult with no medical restrictions, I beleive they should spend most of their outing walking under their own power.
Walking is excellent physical exercise, helps maintain the muscles that support the spine, provides mental enrichment through sniffing and exploring, and builds endurance over time. If you always carry your Dachshund whenever they slow down, they never have the opportunity to develop the fitness needed for longer adventures.
Instead, gradually increase the length and difficulty of your walks as your dog’s conditioning improves. If you’re planning a longer outing than your Dachshund is currently prepared for, a backpack can be a helpful backup plan rather than the primary mode of transportation.
In other words, let your Dachshund walk whenever it’s safe and appropriate, and carry them only when they truly need the extra support.
Should I Use a Backpack or Stroller?
My first choice for carrying my Dachshunds is in a dog stroller because that is safest option for their backs. Also, a stroller also allows me to carry more gear, supplies, and shopping scores (hands-free! which is safest for my back.)
However, dog strollers aren’t always practical, like for hiking, and sometimes they aren’t allowed at certain events or venues. In those instances, I use a dog backpack to carry my Dachshund.
Which Backpack Carriers are Safe for My Dachshund?
I wrote an entire article about the safety and considerations of backpacks for carrying Dachshunds.
Read it here: The 6 Best Backpack Carriers for Dachshunds (Considering Back Safety First)
In a nutshell, the safest backpacks for carrying your Dachshund allow them to lay horizontally so their spine is fully supported.
There are other important considerations – mostly for you – and you should be prepared to compromise and get creative in order to find one that works for both you and your dog. Read my article so you are educated about the choices you are making though.
Final Thoughts
A dog backpack isn’t something every Dachshund owner needs, but it can be an incredibly useful piece of gear in the right situations.
Whether you’re helping a senior dog continue enjoying adventures, safely socializing a young puppy, or carrying an injured dog off the trail, a backpack can help you include your Dachshund in experiences they might otherwise have to miss.
One final tip: don’t wait until you need the backpack to introduce it. Let your Dachshund become familiar with it at home first, then practice wearing it on short outings before relying on it for a long day out.
Like most new experiences, a little preparation goes a long way toward helping your dog feel comfortable and confident when it matters most.
