Category: Top Dog

My Yorkie mix is a handful. I got training pads for accidents. I walk him every day, but he still has accidents sometimes. He refuses to use the pad and pees everywhere else. What can I do?

I have a 1.5 year-old labrador retriever that doesn't know how to play gently with other dogs. He isn't aggressive or anything, he just gets way too excited and starts to jump and trample on the other dogs, which has caused him to not be accepted at dog daycares. I even have to keep him and my 14 year-old dachshund separated most of the day because anytime he sees her he starts to run and jump and trample her and he doesn't understand that her snapping at him means that she doesn't want to be played with, he will just keep doing what he's doing and nothing that we do to try to correct it works. I can tell he means well, he doesn't bite or scratch or anything, he just gets too excited.

So cats keep coming inside our house through the doggy door. Sometimes we see our dog just chilling with cats through our CCTV so we know he's not much of a guard doge. Recently, we found a cat in our house again and we were shooing it and my dog suddenly started chasing it out. But no aggression it's like he's saying "Look at me I'm doing my job! I didn't let the cat in!" We both rolled our eyes because he only does that when we're at home.

Dog sports have always been something I’d love to pursue, and I hoped to with my current dog, a freshly one year old pembroke welsh corgi. I also think it could be very beneficial for him. However, he is not usually a fan of other dogs.

He is leash reactive and will try to run at other dogs, and growls in frustration when prevented. When he’s off leash he can be playful but it takes time for him to warm up. With more reserved dogs he can be pretty in their face, but when another dog is in his face he’s skittish.

I’m also wondering if he has the right temperament. He is very intelligent and motivated for training, but if he’s distracted it can be difficult. He does have one toy that he will ignore anything for, but for that reason it’s difficult to end playtime when that toy comes out so it’s not ideal for training. He’s been gaining confidence with age but still gets overstimulated in busy environments and can be hesitant with new things.

Would sports still be an option? I’m open to any and all, but I’m especially drawn to scent work, fastcat, agility, and herding. If so, would it be better to do a general obedience class first or straight to a sport specific class?

I don’t know if this is a problem? I have a 7yo German shepherd/Australian Shepherd. She will keep toys for at least 6 months. She plays with them, but not too rough. she’s very mindful of these toys and I feel like she has a connection with them?? I guess??

But she will lay there and essentially groom the toy for at least 20 minutes a day, that’s not counting when we’re not home. Why?

This is a behavior she has started exhibiting within the last 3 years, and I don’t understand it.

She’s also not social at all. Fireworks? Cool. Weiner dog? horrified. And that goes for any dog. She will bark at other dogs from a distance but if a dog approaches her she cowers in fear no matter the size.

For context she was adopted from a shelter at like 5 months old.

Should I intervene on the excess grooming of these toys, or should I just let her lick away? Thanks.

My senior Shih Tzu (18) is now urinating more frequently and is having accidents in the house. I plan to take her to the vet after the winter storm but any ideas for the meantime like limiting her water? I tried putting a diaper on her but didn’t have any success. Probably need to try again. I’m going through dog pads like crazy. Thanks in advance!

I am having one hell of a time getting booties or dog socks on my little munchkin. She fights me every step of the way. She also has bad arthritis so I have to be very careful with her legs. I've bought a few different kinds of dog booties/ socks and I am having no luck whatsoever. I'm just really concerned because the weather is going to be brutally cold, below zero this weekend so I'm trying to figure out the best way to protect her little tootsies. Any advice?

I am house/pet sitting for a family with 2 dogs. I have been their sitter for 3 years and stay at their house at least 3 weeks out of an average year. so the dogs know me pretty well..

Per the owners instructions.. The dogs may fight each other so they are kept separate. One of them is a big couch potato so he is fine when he’s indoors and he loves the snow so I can let him out in the fenced backyard for as long as he wants.

However the other dog barks constantly unless I am actively interacting with him.. He has to be crated when I leave, he will eat things and destroy furniture. He can’t go outside unless I watch him closely because he will eat things. He has a very high pitch echoing bark and barks the whole time in the yard, he and I also both get cold fast, so I try to make it quick.

When I am home and we are indoors he is kept in the kitchen and dining area so he can’t chew any fabrics. or fight the other dog. He is a sweet boy and wants to be near me; so I try to sit at the dining table on my computer as much as possible to be near him. He still barks A LOT. I can tell his behavior issues come from boredom and he seems stressed. He carry’s toys around but will not play fetch or tug of war or anything (if I try he seems very confused) They do not take him on walks and don’t even have a walking leash, there’s no side walks here and it’s a busy highway but I wish I could.

I tried hiding some kibble in his toy tire, which did entertain him, but he got it out quickly. The only treats they give him are milkbones. He gets tummy issues easily so I don’t want to give him anything new.

Any other suggestions? I feel bad for him. I am hesitant to buy him anything because I don’t want to make the owners feel bad but I would be open to it.

TL:DR. New rescue 3 y.o. Male velcro poodle mix peeing in/on my bed, can’t figure out if it is stress, or marking (one of my other dogs is possessive) and what to do about it. Not likely health related.

I adopted a 3 y.o. Male poodle mix three weeks ago. He was rescued 3 months ago, neutered, vaccinated, treated for HW, and brought north from TX. When he arrived, he was lethargic, not eating or drinking, coughing, had loose stools, and looked miserable. We went to the ER and he was kept overnight, IV fluids, X-ray, US, bloods, and EKG, nothing found. My regular vet later gave him an exam and sent us home with doxy and probiotics, and he improved rapidly.

He is very Velcro, so I let him sleep in the big bed, initially with no problems.

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a dried stain on my bed pillow. I thought it could be urine, but wasn’t sure. A week ago, he peed on the corner of the bedspread. Tonight, he peed on the comforter when I briefly left the room. I’m 95% certain it’s him, the others have never done this. He went outside 15 minutes earlier.

I know he needs some time to settle in, but I’ve never had this problem before and need to nip it in the bud. I have two other small dogs.

The male has no problem with the new guy. The female guards me, which has resulted in some friction, but it’s improving. They go out regularly throughout the day, and there are already pads in the house, which he uses occasionally.

I don’t want to do anything that might make the problem worse. I can keep the BR door closed when I’m not in it and watch him like a hawk. I can try to limit access to water late in the day. More exercise (winter here)? Licky mat and snuffle toys to reduce stress levels?

Any advice appreciated. Please be kind, I’m doing the best I can.

She is a rescue, one year old pitty mix, and such a good girl. She really is a well behaved dog, very calm and respectful inside the house. She has responded well to training by her foster parents (crate trained, potty trained, and can sit). I’ve been working with her on lay down and stay and that’s going good too. She’s quite smart.

I’m hoping to get some insight from y’all because she has a really hard time outside. She’s basically just a nervous wreck. When she hears any sort of noise in the general vicinity she freezes (especially other dogs), when cars pass she’s freaks, the poor thing is super stressed out. She does like to play fetch and stuff- I have a fenced in backyard that she does a bit better in. She’ll lock in for like 1 minute playing, then she’ll get distracted for 2. The main problem is that she completely stops listening when we go outside, just cannot get her attention. She’s not interested in treats at those times either. There was like no way to get her to walk without pulling today, I hate having to do that. Hopefully with some training and exposure, she can actually enjoy outside and learn to be a good walker. Let me know how to help my dog acclimate to the big scary world!!

Also any general advice welcome! I always dreamed of having a dog but I never grew up with pets or had one of my own so this is all new to me. I am lowkey a neat freak so I want to run a tight ship. Is it possible to have a dog and a really clean house lol ?