How we prepare sausages for summer fun

Summer at Long Dog Hotel is one of my favourite seasons. The garden wakes up, the sausages wake up, and suddenly everything feels a little brighter, a little sillier, and a lot more wiggly. But with warmer weather comes a shift in how dachshunds move, rest, explore, and play — especially those with mild to moderate IVDD history.

Preparing for summer isn’t just about opening the back door and letting the sunshine in. It’s about creating an environment where every long dog can enjoy the season safely, comfortably, and confidently. Here’s how we get ready for the warmer months and all the sausage‑shaped joy they bring.

☀️ New Season, New Enrichment

Summer gives us opportunities we simply don’t have in winter — different textures, different smells, different temperatures, and different ways for dachshunds to use their brains and bodies.

Cool‑Weather Sniffing Adventures

The garden becomes a sensory playground:

• Fresh herbs planted at dachshund height

• Safe summer plants that rustle, smell, and invite gentle exploration

• Hidden treats in shaded areas to encourage slow, thoughtful movement

Sniffing is one of the safest, most enriching activities for long dogs — especially those with IVDD history — and summer gives us a whole new palette to work with.

Water‑Based Fun (The Dachshund Version)

Not paddling pools — most sausages think those are suspicious. But:

• A shallow water tray to do pea bobbing in

• Gentle “paw dips” on hot days

It’s sensory, it’s cooling, and it’s low‑impact.

Shade‑Based Socialising

Summer doesn’t mean high‑energy play. It means:

• Lounging together under the parasol

• Slow, companionable pottering

• Sun‑bathing rotations (because dachshunds will roast themselves like little baguettes if you let them)

The enrichment is in the choice, the comfort, and the calm.

🌿 Seasonal Routines That Keep Sausages Comfortable

Dachshunds thrive on predictability, and summer brings changes that can feel exciting but overwhelming. So we adjust our routines gently and intentionally.

Earlier Morning Garden Time

Cooler temperatures mean:

• More comfortable movement

• Less risk of overexertion

• Happier sniffing sessions

The early hours become our “golden time” for pottering and exploring and play.

Midday Quiet Hours

When the sun is at its strongest, we shift into:

• Indoor naps

• Slow enrichment (lick mats, snuffle boxes, gentle puzzles)

• Calm companionship

This helps prevent overheating and keeps the day balanced.

Evening Wind‑Down Walkabouts

As the temperature drops, the sausages get a second wave of confidence:

• Gentle garden strolls

• Social time with the group

• A bit of gentle play time

It’s a lovely way to end the day — relaxed, unhurried, and full of tiny tail wags.

🐾 Supporting IVDD‑Prone Sausages in Summer

For dogs with mild to moderate IVDD history, summer routines matter even more.

Here’s what changes behind the scenes:

• More frequent rest breaks during outdoor time

• Extra attention to body language (heat can make dogs move differently)

• Careful management of excitement — summer can make some sausages feel bolder than their backs appreciate

• Cool, supportive bedding so they can stretch comfortably after activity

• Thoughtful pacing to avoid sudden bursts of energy

It’s not about limiting them — it’s about helping them enjoy the season without pushing their bodies too far.

🌞 Why Summer Preparation Matters

Dachshunds are brave, determined, and occasionally convinced they’re invincible. Summer amplifies that confidence. Specialist preparation ensures:

• They stay safe while exploring

• They stay cool while playing

• They stay comfortable while resting

• They stay emotionally settled in a changing environment

And most importantly: They get to enjoy summer in a way that suits their long bodies and big personalities.

💛 A Final Wag

Summer at Long Dog Hotel isn’t loud or chaotic. It’s gentle, thoughtful, and full of small joys — the kind that make dachshunds feel understood, supported, and free to be their wonderful, quirky selves.

Every season brings something new, but summer brings out the best in our sausages. And with the right enrichment and routines, it becomes a season they can enjoy safely and wholeheartedly.