Article: As already mentioned, dachshunds are prone to back problems because of the double whammy of prematurely aging discs and their body shape. A sensible precaution that any dachshund owner should consider is to stop their dog running up and down stairs as this strains the spine. Consider putting up dog gates at the top and bottom of stairs. This will stop the dog from going up or down without your supervision. Consider adding dog stairs to your bed if your dog sleeps with you. These are small sets of stairs that allow a dog with short legs to get up on a surface it can't jump onto. You can also add them to the front of your couch or any other piece of furniture that you want to give your dog access to. If your dachshund is showing signs of back pain, be sure to confine them to a puppy crate for strict rest. In cases of minor injury, this will give the inflammation in the back a chance to subside. Dachshunds are prone to inter-vertebral disc disease or more simply "slipped discs." To understand why disc disease can be so painful, it helps to understand the anatomy of the back. The spine is not a rigid rod, but has some flexibility because it is made up of smaller individual bones called vertebrae. There is a hollow 'arch' to each vertebra through which the spinal cord passes. Each vertebra is cushioned from its immediate neighbor by a disc, which is like a spongy doughnut. The discs articulate with the solid body of the vertebra, but should not intrude on the spinal cord at all. Each disc has a spongy center (nucleus pulposus) surrounded by a more fibrous body (annulus fibrosus). Damage to the disc can happen when the liquid core becomes solid and its cushioning effect is lost, or if the fibrous body ages and becomes brittle and prone to cracking or rupture. When force is applied (such as when the dachshund jumps off a chair or twists awkwardly) the disc is prone to shear and tear. If the now-stiff nucleus pulposus presses upwards it puts pressure on the spinal cord, which results in pain. If the disc fails catastrophically the contents of the nucleus pulposus can be forced explosively into the spinal cord and cause nerve damage. Dachshunds, along with breeds such as the Pekinese and Shih Tzu, are genetically predisposed to premature ageing of the cartilage part of the disc. This, along with the structure forces at work on the spine, mean they are prone to back pain, from ages as young as 2 - 4 years.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Prevent your dachshund from jumping off furniture or running up and down stairs. Help your dog get up on furniture. Force a slightly injured dachshund to rest. Understand why dachshunds have such high rates of back injuries.
Article: Though it may sound obvious or even condescending, it's a common misstep for people to get too confident and rushed while they're painting. This is especially true when it comes to painting large spaces such as ceilings and walls. Needless to say, the amount of time you'll be potentially saving is not work risking damaging your clothing over. Go slow with your work, and make sure you aren't tracking any excess paint on your brush or roller before moving onto applying it. An apron is a commonplace way of protecting your clothing. Aprons can take a beating, and most would agree it doesn't really matter how they look or how much paint gets on them. If you have a kitchen apron you don't mind about keeping the appearances of, you should wear it while you're painting. While this advice is arguably limited solely to home painting situations and wouldn't go over well in any professional context, the easiest way to save your clothes from paint is to disrobe down to your undergarments. That way, if you get paint on yourself, you can easily just hop in the shower and get it off. Even if you exercise all of the precautions, there's always a chance that mistakes will occur. If a stain does happen, it really helps to have all of the materials (such as rubbing alcohol or an oil solvent) in the same room to minimize having to run around to fetch it when time is of the essence.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Work slow and cautious while painting. Wear a paint apron. Take your clothes off while painting. Keep solvent and damage control supplies at hand while painting.
Article: Set them aside for later. Cut nearly to the bottom of the threshold, but do not cut all the way through to avoid cutting the toe kick. If any section is not coming free easily, use a hammer and chisel to break it into pieces before prying it up. Cut the new threshold to fit with a circular saw if necessary. Allow it to dry. This will prevent the threshold from cracking as you drive in the new nails.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Remove the door casings on either side of the doorway. Insert the end of a pry bar behind the casings and gently tug them free. Use a circular saw to cut the threshold into three pieces. Cut the rest of the way through the threshold with a handsaw for control. Insert a pry bar beneath each section of the threshold and pull it free. Measure the length of the door sill and ensure that the new threshold is of equal size. Slide the new threshold into place to ensure that it fits. Paint the new threshold with a water and UV proof stain to help protect it from the elements. Slide the new threshold back into place. Drill pilot holes into the threshold that are slightly smaller than the finish nails that will hold it in place. Hammer in the finish nails to hold the threshold in place. Fill the nail holes with wood putty. Reattach the casings on either side of the doorway. Hammer the finish nails back into place to reinstall the casings.