Category: Top Dog

Our girl is 2 but still very puppy like – normal for a flat coat! We are having a little parent guilt and are not sure if we are playing with her enough per day. She a 30+ walk (mostly off leash) in the morning and usually sees a dog friend for a quick romp! Then a leash walk for lunch, and the another longer walk in the evening or a run/off leash walk. On top of that, we will sometimes do some play during the day, and usually after dinner she gets a good 10-15 of either play or training. Try to intersperse training throughout the day and she gets two Kong snacks a day. Our problem is she does get pretty demand barking and insistent for attention during the 6-7:30pm witching hour….. so we are feeling like maybe she does need more play?

Our Goldendoodle puppy is 17 weeks old; we’ve had her since 8 weeks old. We live rurally, and therefore taking her out and about (beyond our road) to socialise is a bit more difficult.

She’s good in the car (was scared / anxious at first but has gotten consistently better each trip) and pretty bomb-proof at home. However, I noticed on our walk today – meeting several different leashed dogs and people – that she’s vary wary and unsure of meeting other dogs specifically. She seems to want to, but then runs and hides behind me. (All the dogs she tried to meet were very calm and well behaved). When we encountered one of those dogs for the second time (we looped in opposite directions) she was quite a bit more confident, albeit still shy, and ended up just getting pats from the other dogs owner. She does seem interested, just uses me as a safety measure. (Investigate and retreat, repeatedly).

I’ve only ever raised one other dog myself from a puppy; he’s a golden retriever (still with us, but not up to big outings anymore in his senior years). Senior dog has never met a dog he doesn’t like (he’s met some that don’t like him, and always accepted that easily) so this is new to me.

I’ve noticed her personality in general is much more cautious at first than my senior dog ever was – but with everything else she’s been exposed to, she just needs a little time to acclimatise and then she’s good. Should I assume this is the same and just keep doing as we are?

We adopted our dog Henry from a reputable rescue last March, at about 1.5 guesstimated age. He’s very comfortable with us now; he definitely has a preference for me since I’m home more, and he’s clingy and likes to lay on me or rest his head, cuddle, etc. (which I enjoy). He fears his crate a bit still (it’s a process) and doesn’t like car rides when the car stops or slows (he panics, and my guess is trauma?).

Anyways, he’s a happy boy, but he makes a lot of noises. After we first got him he made like wookie noises when we pet him or cuddled him, which doesn’t happen so much anymore. He doesn’t really bark, but he makes like low, guttural (not growling) noises, such as when I move him or give him pets or affection, and sometimes just in random situations. This is while awake, but also asleep. I believe he’s just a communicative dog; they all sound a bit different so I’m almost positive I know how he feels. But am I missing something? I’ve never experienced this in my lifetime of growing up with or owning dogs.

And he’s about 15lbs, long tri-color fur. I think he’s a mix between a schnauzer and australian shepherd, but we don’t know. He is UTD on shots, fixed, and healthy.

Throwing a tarp over a patch of the yard before the snow and pulling it off after the snow gives the critters a place to toilet without dragging their nethers in the snow.

We currently have a foot of snow and it’s still coming down. My 15 week old Italian Greyhound Puppy (about 6 lbs) is officially on strike and is postponing all progress we have made on the housebreaking until the foreseeable future. We even shoveled a little path for her, but she has decided to pass on that opportunity. That is all.

Hey Y'all! I'm bringing home a new Golden Retriever puppy in the next few months and this will be my first puppy on my own and as an adult. I am hoping to do everything right for it and was wondering what y'all reccomend for traveling in the car. I definitely want a ruffland or gunner kennel down the road when the dog is fully grown but I didn't want to buy an adult sized kennel at this point if it isn't considered safe for a young pup. Should I buy a small ruffland and upgrade over time? Should I do a crash tested harness until they are big enough for a crate? I drive a 2010 Ford Escape for size referencing. TIA!

⁠Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

Not my first dog yes I have experience training

1. ⁠Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?

Reputable breeder

1. ⁠Describe your ideal dog.

Lower shedding medium grooming good hiking partner quirky and slightly stubborn I like that in dogs also can be independent for a few hours

1. ⁠What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

Mini schnauzer and mini or small standard poodles because I like their looks and I use to have a mini schnauzer but would like more input on their personalities

1. ⁠What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

Basic training maybe a little bit of real

1. ⁠Do you want to compete with your dog

in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

No

7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

As much as needed

8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

1-2 hrs I plan on walks fetch off leash runs in a closed area

9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

15 minutes a day

Personal Preferences

10) What size dog are you looking for?

15-45lb

11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

Shedding lower barking I don’t mind and lower slobber

12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?

Not that important

Dog Personality and Behavior

I like quirky funny dogs that have a mind of their own

13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

A bit of both

14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

Either

15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?

Standoffish but not aggressive

16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

Yes

17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

Yes

Lifestyle

18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?

2-3 hrs at most

19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?

Family will help with training and socialization

20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?

No

21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

Yes

22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

Rent no breed restriction weight limit is 90

23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

America

24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

It can get around 80s f summers and 20 f

My dog has been an absolute menace tonight, he was barking a ton, and when we got in bed he tried to eat my necklace off the side table! Now that I’m laying down, he’s perfectly chill and cuddly. Does anyone else’s dog get poorly behaved at bedtime?!

We have a 7 year old bichon who was rehomed to us 11 days ago. On day 4 he started following us around. He'd lay by my feet all the time. But the last 2 days (days 10 and 11 with us), he is very aloof. He sits under the bathroom sink all day and doesn't come out. He is, however, eating, drinking, pooping, peeing, and sleeping. Is this normal behavior for a re-homed dog on day 11?

I'm researching breeds for a future dog and I'm interested in a Spinone. They seem to have a great blend of being able to hike and play, without being as hyper as some other dogs I've been looking at. I don't hunt but I'm an active guy and would like a dog that I can take out with me. I was also looking at an Irish Setter, Old English Sheepdog or a Korthals/Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

Does anyone have experience owning a Spinone?