The Dachshund Clinic with Désiré Mirelux

Désiré Mirelux

Understanding why dachshunds do what they do. The Dachshund Clinic is a podcast for dachshund owners who want to better understand their dogs. Hosted by Désiré Mirelux, each episode explores behaviour, training, welfare, health, genetics, enrichment, and everyday life with dachshunds. Practical, evidence-based advice designed to help owners build happier, healthier relationships with their dogs.

Episodes

  1. 3 days ago ·  Video

    The Dachshund Behaviour Blueprint Bonus Episode: How Dogs Learn – Why Behaviour Repeats Itself

    The Dachshund Behaviour Blueprint Bonus Episode: How Dogs Learn – Why Behaviour Repeats Itself Why does your dachshund keep doing the things they do? Why do some behaviours seem to appear overnight, while others become lifelong habits? And why can some behaviours be so difficult to change once they've become established? In this episode of The Dachshund Behaviour Blueprint, we explore the science of learning and behaviour. You'll discover how dogs learn from every interaction, why behaviour is driven by consequences, how habits form, and why understanding motivation is often more important than teaching commands. By understanding how your dachshund's brain makes decisions, you'll be able to approach training with greater clarity, compassion, and effectiveness.   Connect With Us Join the Molly's Dachshund Club WhatsApp Community for walks, behavioural discussions, challenges, events, and podcast updates.   Follow The Dachshund Clinic for more evidence-based dachshund education, behaviour insights, and practical training advice.   ⭐️ WhatsApp Community - https://daxie.uk/whatsapp ⭐️ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@DachshundClinic  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mollysdachshundclub  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mollysdachshundclub Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mollysdachshundclub    In This Episode • Why dogs are learning all the time, not just during training sessions • The biggest myth about dog training • How behaviour is shaped by outcomes and consequences • Why dogs can be viewed as decision-making machines • The science behind habits and behavioural repetition • Understanding reinforcement beyond food rewards • Hidden rewards owners often miss • Why unwanted habits develop so easily • Why punishment often fails to create lasting change • The role emotions play in learning and behaviour • Why dachshunds often approach training differently from other breeds • The single most important question every owner should ask Key Takeaways • Learning never switches off. • Dogs repeat behaviours that successfully achieve outcomes. • Reinforcement is anything that increases the likelihood of a behaviour occurring again. • Rewards are determined by the dog, not the owner. • Behaviour is often logical from the dog's perspective, even when it appears problematic to us. • Emotional wellbeing directly influences learning ability. • Practice strengthens behaviour, whether the behaviour is desirable or undesirable. • Understanding motivation is often more effective than trying to force compliance. This Week's Homework Become a behaviour detective. When your dachshund repeats a behaviour, ask yourself: • What reward might they be receiving? • What outcome is the behaviour achieving? • Why does this behaviour make sense from their perspective? • What is my dog practising repeatedly? Spend the week observing patterns rather than judging behaviours as good or bad. Discussion Questions • What behaviours does your dachshund repeat most often? • Which rewards seem most valuable to your dog? • Does your dog value food, play, sniffing, social interaction, or freedom most highly? • Are there behaviours you may have unintentionally reinforced? • What habits would you like your dog to practise more often? Resources Mentioned • Learning theory • Operant conditioning • Reinforcement and motivation • Habit formation • Behavioural decision-making • Emotional influences on learning • Breed-specific behavioural traits Connect With Us Join the Molly's Dachshund Club WhatsApp Community for walks, behavioural discussions, podcast updates, challenges, and owner support. Follow The Dachshund Clinic for practical, evidence-based guidance designed specifically for dachshund owners. Scientific References • B.F. Skinner (1938). The Behavior of Organisms. • Ivan Pavlov (1927). Conditioned Reflexes. • Edward Thorndike (1911). Animal Intelligence and the Law of Effect. • Karen Pryor (2006). Don't Shoot the Dog. • Susan Friedman. Behaviour Works and Learning Principles. • Ádám Miklósi (2015). Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition. • John Bradshaw (2011). In Defence of Dogs. • Karen Overall (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. • Patricia McConnell (2002). The Other End of the Leash. • Daniel Mills & colleagues. Learning, behaviour and emotional state research in companion animals. • Linda Case (2017). Dog Smart. • American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Position Statements on Humane Dog Training. • British Small Animal Veterinary Association. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine. • International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour (2022). Canine Neuroscience.

    11 min
  2. 19 Jun ·  Video

    The Dachshund Behaviour Blueprint Series - Week 1: Understanding Your Dachshund • The Dachshund Clinic with Désiré Mirelux

    The Dachshund Behaviour Blueprint – Week 1: Understanding Your Dachshund Your dachshund is communicating all day, every day. Not through words, but through body language, posture, movement, facial expressions, and behaviour. In this first episode of The Dachshund Behaviour Blueprint, we explore how to better understand what your dachshund is trying to tell you before behaviour problems develop. We discuss the subtle signs of stress that many owners miss, how excitement and stress can sometimes look remarkably similar, and how to recognise when your dog is comfortable, learning, or overwhelmed. Understanding behaviour starts with understanding communication. The more accurately you can read your dachshund, the more effectively you can support them, train them, and build a stronger relationship. Connect With Us Join the Molly's Dachshund Club WhatsApp Community for walks, behavioural discussions, challenges, events, and podcast updates. Follow The Dachshund Clinic for more evidence-based dachshund education, behaviour insights, and practical training advice. ⭐️ WhatsApp Community - https://daxie.uk/whatsapp ⭐️ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@DachshundClinic  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mollysdachshundclub  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mollysdachshundclub Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mollysdachshundclub    In This Episode • Why body language is one of the most important skills a dog owner can learn • How dogs communicate long before they bark, growl, or react • Common stress signals owners frequently overlook • What a relaxed and comfortable dachshund looks like • Why excitement and stress often appear similar • How breeding influences dachshund behaviour and decision-making • Recognising when your dog is approaching overwhelm • Understanding comfort zones, learning zones, and overwhelm zones • Why behaviour should be viewed as information rather than disobedience Key Takeaways • Behaviour is communication. • Dogs usually show subtle signs of discomfort before displaying more obvious behaviours. • Stress is not always bad; learning and growth require manageable levels of challenge. • Excitement does not always equal happiness. • Dachshunds were bred to think independently and solve problems without constant human guidance. • Overwhelmed dogs struggle to learn effectively. • Understanding the emotion behind behaviour is often more important than focusing on the behaviour itself. This Week's Homework Spend the week observing your dachshund without trying to change anything. Notice: • What relaxation looks like for your dog • What stress looks like for your dog • What excitement looks like for your dog • How your dog responds to different people, environments, sounds, and situations Keep a simple journal of observations and look for patterns. Resources Mentioned • Canine body language • Stress and displacement behaviours • Learning theory • Emotional states and behaviour • Breed-specific behavioural traits Connect With Us Join the Molly's Dachshund Club WhatsApp Community for walks, behavioural discussions, challenges, events, and podcast updates. Follow The Dachshund Clinic for more evidence-based dachshund education, behaviour insights, and practical training advice. Scientific References • Patricia McConnell (2002). The Other End of the Leash. • Turid Rugaas (2005). On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals. • Daniel Mills, Karagiannis, C., & Zulch, H. (2014). Stress and Pheromonatherapy in Small Animal Clinical Behaviour. • John Bradshaw (2011). In Defence of Dogs. • Ádám Miklósi (2015). Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition. • Bonnie Beaver (2009). Canine Behaviour: Insights and Answers. • Karen Overall (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. • Carlo Siracusa (2017). Animal Behaviour for Veterinary Teams. • Sophia Yin (2009). Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behaviour Modification of Dogs and Cats. • James O'Heare (2014). Aggressive Behaviour in Dogs. • Linda Case (2017). Dog Smart. • American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Position Statement on Humane Dog Training. • Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Understanding Dog Behaviour and Body Language Resources. • British Small Animal Veterinary Association. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine. • International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour (2022). Canine Neuroscience.

    13 min

About

Understanding why dachshunds do what they do. The Dachshund Clinic is a podcast for dachshund owners who want to better understand their dogs. Hosted by Désiré Mirelux, each episode explores behaviour, training, welfare, health, genetics, enrichment, and everyday life with dachshunds. Practical, evidence-based advice designed to help owners build happier, healthier relationships with their dogs.