Category: Top Dog

We recently signed up to be a foster family for rescue dogs. Unexpectedly, our first fosters were two puppies (from the same litter). While we've had dogs in the past, we have never had two puppies at one time. We did not receive as much information/guidance as I had expected at the outset of this, and 5 weeks later I feel like we still have no idea what we're doing and I'm afraid we've already created bad habits (unintentionally).

Pups are both around 15 weeks (both female). Breed unknown, but they are on the smaller side.They are great going to the bathroom outside, but still have accidents inside if we're not on top of their outside schedule. One puppy is getting better at letting us know she needs out. We use high value treats with potty training.

They are both very attached to me. They play very hard with each other. Biting/rough play with their humans is an issue, as well as excitability. They lose their minds at feeding time, when they are let out of the crate, etc. They are crate trained and do great with the crate.

I get overwhelmed really easily, and have found this a difficult experience. Do you have any tips so that my family and I can course correct and help teach these pups better manners? I want to set them up for success in their forever home as best I can.

We got our now 7 month old pup in early February. She was somewhat potty trained per the rescue but with some routine they thought she’d get there quick. She had a tumultuous early life without structure. She generally does well now but had a couple accidents this week. Her main cue is going to the door but unfortunately she also just loves going outside to sniff and observe the world. She goes to the door and acts like she has to potty because she knows we’ll take her. In the morning it’s especially annoying because she doesn’t poop right away when she wakes up, so we take her out most times and hope for a poop (and get nothing). Anyone have a method for how to avoid rewarding “I wanna go outside and I know you’ll take me” versus listening when she may have to actually go? lol

I have a 4 month lab retriever mix that I adopted. Absolutely gem of a dog hardly gives us any trouble. He is crate trained and doing pretty well. We have been able to leave our house for about 4 hours without any issues. We were thinking of possibly keeping him out of crate while we are out. Is this a good idea?

I found a 6 month – 1 year old ish puppy on the side of the highway in rural missouri. The shelter's full so I'm taking care of it for a couple weeks. I leave him on my deck when I'm away and overnight, so he doesn't piss and shit all over my house. I know your not supposed to leave a puppy alone for more than a couple hours, but I need to make money presumably so I dont starve and die. How long can I realistically leave him alone for on my deck. It takes me an hour to drive into town for context. Am I just fucked?

Edit: The shelter is aware of how ill-equipped I am

Supplys: bowls, doghouse from previous owner

I have a friendly neighbor, but I can’t expect that much from him. He’s not a babysitter

We’ve had my golden retriever pup since she was 8 weeks. She’s now 6 months.

She’s been crate trained since the beginning (it was roughhhhh) but we got her there. She still gets one solid nap a day (sometimes two) and sleeps through the night in her crate. And she goes in her crate up to 3 hours if we leave the house.

She has extreme FOMO though, if she hears us she wants out, even during naps. We put on white noise and stuff and she’s basically just come to know she can’t come out and needs to sleep. When we leave the house she doesn’t make a peep (we have a camera so we know)

We’ve tried leaving her out of her crate for naps to see if she would sleep on her own but she doesn’t. She barely even lays down for periods of time lol.

My questions are:

Are we causing this by only having her sleep in the crate ? How many of you let your puppies sleep in bed with you?

My fear is going backwards on crate training. I don’t want her to get excited that she gets to sleep in our bed and then when we need to leave during the day her be like wait ? The crate? I hate this thing that’s right no way am I going in it!

I know every dog is different. I would just like to hear some other experiences.

I have an 11 week old Chiweenie female puppy "Teeny." Currently I’m still fostering her last 2 sisters (same breed, age. Duh.)

They’re usually in the big bathroom we have upstairs because our older herding dogs who normally remain downstairs, are still getting used to them. The puppies beds, blankets, food/water, toys and pee pads are in the bathroom. I’m aware they should probably start going outside in the backyard now and I plan on getting them used to it, but it’s hard because of my schedule and having to train all 3 of them to let me know when they need to pee. All 3 of them cannot be downstairs 24/7 with our older dogs yet. (Not that they don’t go downstairs ever)

Anyway, there’s a plastic gate between the doorway of the bathroom we always have up so they don’t run around the bedroom and start getting under the bed (they would not be able to get out). All of them keep chewing the plastic of the gate and now there’s a small hole in it… I’m not sure how to go about training them out of that through redirection. They ARE smart, especially Teeny. Poppy, her sister, is more hyper and takes slightly longer to calm down + learn. I don’t want to constantly give them treats for redirection, and teething toys only work for so long before they go back to chewing at the gate. This is a problem with their pee pads too.

I’ve thought about teaching them "stop" and doing my best to further discipline that command so they really understand it‘s implication. But I don’t know if they would grow out of this chewing after enough time of giving that verbal command? It’s also just a little stressful for me as I’m the sole caretaker of them, and my family cannot/does not help depending on the relative. We can’t hire an in-person dog trainer either

I have a female spayed 4 month old chihuahua-Shih Tzu-pug mix. We have 2 cats, 10 and 12 years old. The less friendly cat has clearly drawn boundaries but the other one – a fat orange floof – seems to just allow the puppy to do bitey face. He will yowl and complain but still lets the dog jump on him. I thought over the past two months he’d get the picture that he needs to have some kind of boundary but he just seems to give up. How do I get the dog to figure out that biting and trying to drag him around requires HIM to stop her? He goes as far as laying on his back and letting her bite… it doesn’t seem great but I also don’t know how to deter her if he doesn’t define his boundary with his front claws. She is relentless with him. Any advice? We have a trainer and puppy k and the only thing that I’ve gotten her to stop with is saying “treat” so she comes to me instead. But then she will just go back to tormenting the cat right afterward.

Does your dog turn his head when he hears an odd noise? Does your dog bury their food with your pants? This is the thread to ask why.

Please keep this thread to non-medical issues only.

I found Oso running the streets in Hyde Park and was able to wrangle him and bring him home. His owner moved and just let him go. 🤬 I am now fostering him and helping him find his forever family!

Oso is a 4-year-old Amstaff mix with the biggest heart you’ve ever seen. He wants nothing more than to love you — and everyone he meets. Seriously, this dog is a hug waiting to happen.

Here’s what makes him special:

✅ Gets along great with other dogs

✅ Wonderful with kids — young ones and teens alike

✅ Loves chasing a ball and playing with my dogs in the backyard

✅ Crate trained

✅ Knows many commands — he’s eager to please

[View photos & videos of Oso here.] (https://imgur.com/gallery/meet-oso-he-s-looking-his-forever-home-LHcH3VX)

Oso is currently listed through Austin Animal Services. [You can view his official listing here.](https://adopt.adopets.com/pet/e47a10c9-12af-4597-ac61-51959f6f570e)

I’d love to arrange a meet and greet so you can see his sweet personality for yourself.

Feel free to send me a DM or you can email me at: AdoptOsoATX@gmail.com

He deserves a home that will love him as much as he’ll love you. 🧡

I’ve noticed something weird with my black Lab… she seems unusually fascinated by birds, especially vultures circling overhead. Is this just a fluke, or do black Labs actually have a stronger urge to chase scavengers than other breeds?

Would love to hear your experiences, theories, or even funny stories. Bonus points if your Lab has ever actually tried to “greet” a vulture!