Category: Top Dog

Rant:

My partner and I got Sansa a 4 month old Bernedoodle originally the plan was to bring this puppy for our older golden doodle who is a semi couch potato. So they could keep each-other company and go to adventures together.

We did it and now…. Its has been hell. So far she has been picking up on the potty training which is good but the crate barking and chewing is getting stress-full. Does it get better? What sucks too is that she still needs her last shots in order to start going to the park and potty training outside.

I understand she is a puppy and that its all new to her but many i just need motivation to keep going. I need to get all her stuff done in order to begin getting her accustomed to everything and begin leash training.

I will accept tips tho on stopping her from puppy biting my other dog. (My golden doodle for some reason does not seem growl or get bothered by it but I see sansa pulling really hard on her). Crate training, she barks so much when we put her there unless it’s night time.

I have a six month old Chihuahua which I have had since 10 weeks. The extra couple of weeks with the parents and the very attentive breeder did wonders for toilet training and we only had to reinforce use of the puppy pad when we got her via treats and praise. Since then she is very good at using the pad.

We are now attempting to transition to outside peeing and pooping. The peeing is going well. I am taking her outside every two hours and she usually goes within a few minutes of standing outside. She still has the pad available inside for the time being which she does still use.

However, in the whole time we have had her she has pooped outside once, and that was when she had a bit if a runny tummy. We praised her and gave treats on that occasion. But still the issue is that she will never poop outside. No matter how long we wait, how much we vocalise asking her to poop, she still just holds it until we get back inside.

I am wanting to move away from using the pad during the day at all, and she is only allowed to pee when she is outside (provided I can take her out every couple of hours) but this also means she has nowhere to poop. I fear taking the pad away and then telling her off if she poops on the floor might just lead to fear and trying to poop where we can't see her.

We don't have a garden so going outside does require us to leash her up and take her downstairs ourselves.

Any advice?

Title. Our boy is such a great listener. Sit. Touch. Down. Come (for the most part). Place. Go Home (crate). He’s on the money with these about 85% of the time. The latter few almost 100%.

On walks? Totally different dog. He’s a nut job if he sees our neighbors. He’s a nut job if he sees another dog. Won’t listen. He’s a YAPPER in general, but golly, on a walk? Forget about it. He’s on his hind legs jumping, barking, absolutely buck wild. It’s clearly excitement, or the desire to run over and interact, but it’s tremendously difficult to get him to settle down. In general his settling/regulation is a WIP, but on a walk it’s embarrassing, and it makes running into people a “here we go” situation.

My wife and I have been trying to reverse clicker train, click the moment he sees the distraction. It works maybe under 50% of the time.

I chalk up half of it to him being a field golden, and of course him being a puppy, but we’re really trying to work on his attention and distraction levels—it just flies out the window in walks.

What are good ways to approach improving on this during our walks? Any recommendations with clicker training, or trying to get him to settle/pay attention, or improve what we’ve built on? TIA!

Is it normal for the nail of a dew claw to just shed? My labs front dew claw look awkward last night I thought I was going to have to take her into the vet today but this morning it is a short nail and looks fine. I did find the old nail on the rug and it doesn't look broken. Thanks!

Where is everyone finding these off leash dog beaches?? I always see posts and videos of dogs running at the beach, but every dog beach I've ever been to has a strict 6' leash rule. Do I just live in an area without good dog beaches? Are people just ignoring the rules and never getting in trouble?? I have a high energy Astrialian Shepherd mix that would be thrilled to race at the beach and leap in the water, but he's tethered to me the whole time and it just turns into a very limited play session that doesn't wear him out

How do I stop Amber's pee killing a patch of grass every time she goes?

This must be a really common issue but so far I've not found anything that helps. I understand we could try to train her to go in a specific area of the grass, or even not on the grass, but she's so used to it that I'd rather not go down that route.

Are there any products, either grass related or maybe food related, that solve this issue? Or do we just live with a lawn that slowly dies until perhaps weeds take the place in the dead areas?

Which pet insurance is best for you? Are there any that may cover your dog's current treatment? Did your dog get injured during the waiting period and want to know if you're covered?

Here's the place to ask.

Do know we cannot help you here with medical concerns, and lying or not disclosing things to the insurance company is illegal so we don't allow that either.

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.

We are wanting to adopt a dog in the next few months. I was initially thinking a young adult so we have a better idea of their temperament, actively level, etc. however one rescue I spoke to suggested a puppy since we have young kids (ages 2 and 4). Thoughts, opinions, suggestions?

Edit: we’ve been approved by two rescues- one is foster based and the other is a kennel. I’m thinking we’ll be able to get more valuable insight on a home who has been fostered. Any opposing thoughts here?

My 30kg dog busted his harness today when he lunged after a cat. We've been buying this type of harness for a while now and usually replace them every ~2 years. This one is only about a year old, so it surprised me that it failed.

He’s a strong boy, so I’d love advice from people with stronger breeds (GSDs, bully breeds, etc.). What harnesses have held up well for you?