Category: Top Dog

So when I first got my puppy I was living with my mom at her house. We had access to a backyard and also trails by her house. He’s a mini dachshund so he had to potty every 30 minutes for months. He was doing so good he barely had any accidents inside and I was also consistent and on watch with him 24/7. He used a bell that hung low to the ground for him that he would ring when he had to go. But he would also just use it to go outside lol.

A little over a month ago, I had to move out for unfortunate reasons, and while I have been in the process my mom/sister have been watching him. Both of them are not reliable with potty training. But I’m taking him back in soon after I get my new apartment situated.

However, my new apartment had carpet, and my mom’s house was only hardwood flooring. So not only am I scared that he’s regressed in the potty training bc of my mom and sister but that the carpet will confuse him.

I just have so much anxiety about it because my mom’s dog has never been potty trained and I’ve heard dachshunds are really hard to potty train. I just feel intense anxiety about everything that’s going on all the time and it’s been making me feel like rehoming because my life has just turned upside down. But I don’t just want to give up.

I’m not sure exactly how I want to go about this. I’m gonna bring the bell to the apartment. My mom says he uses potty pads and that he’s probably only had 3 accidents since being there. But I never wanted him to use potty pads. Idk if I should bring them here or just cold turkey quit them. I can fence off the carpet areas. But how do I go about introducing carpet? Should I get belly bands or diapers? Or am I just overthinking.

EDIT: I also feel like I have to relearn his schedule or reintroduce my schedule because me and my mom have opposite schedules.

I’m in the beginning stages still but so far if you have a pullers get the front clipping harness and a shorter leash if you have a small pup it’s easier for control.

I have a new 9 week old pug baby and am looking for tips! She bites a lot! Ankles, hands, face just everything in her path. She also gets the zoomies like crazy and just cannot seem to calm down or get tired. I’ve never had a pug before…is this what they’re normally like as puppies?? How can I get her to be a little more calm.

I'm honestly just a really happy puppy owner right now like my heart is full every day, and I’ve been wanting to do something small and fun like matching pet and owner clothes not for anything serious, just because I’m enjoying this stage so much and it sounds like a cute little us thing.

I’m not trying to make it complicated at all though. My puppy is still in that bouncy, wiggly, playful mode, so I’m looking for the best and simplest way to match without turning it into a whole production. I keep wondering what actually works in real life: matching colors, matching patterns, a bandana situation vs a tiny shirt, or even just something subtle where we match without my pup having to wear much.

I’ve only tried a bandana so far and my pup was totally chill with it, so now I’m curious which ideas are better and more comfy for puppies, and what’s actually worth it vs what just ends up being annoying for them.

For anyone who’s done matching pet and owner clothes, what’s your go-to easy version that feels fun and not stressful? What worked better for your pup and what would you skip next time?

TIA!

I'm not stranger to puppies. Ive had many in my 35 years because I have fostered many + had quite a few who lived long, happy, lives.

We just got a new puppy who is part piranha. While I realize this is developmentally a stage, it's breaking the skin on my 3 year old. My 3 year old runs away when the puppy gets in a hyper/biting mood and the puppy literally clamps onto his calf or arm like a police k9 taking down a perp…. I've taught the 3 year old to say "no!" Loudly and try to get to the couch or somewhere away from the puppy.

He has plenty of chew toys and I always pick him up and try to give him one to distract him, but is there something better to do? My son's prek teacher called me because she was concerned about the scratches/bites on him 🙁 I feel bad. I'm doing my best to keep them separate and they're never alone with each other. He is starting to be scared of the puppy. He's used to being around adult dogs.

Any suggestions?

Update: I should've mentioned, I do use a baby gate. Puppy does tend to knock it over even when it's secure. We live in a 900 SQ foot house so an exercise pen may not work right now. We live on a 100 acre ranch and it's currently 2 degrees outside during the day. We play outside often if it gets about 10 degrees. I make sure to burn off puppy's energy.

People seem to be judging the fact that I got a puppy while I have a 3 year old, but it's because my husband moved out almost a year ago and took our family dog with him. 🙁 it's been devastating for my little boys (one is 8, the 3 year old is almost 4) I did it as a way to lift their spirits.

My puppy is 6 months old and I want to switch up the training treats I give him (I’ve been using Fruitables pumpkin and cranberry treats and wellness core chicken treats) but I don’t have an oven. Brands like pupford and zuke’s are expensive because of import prices (I don’t live in the US). What are some long-lasting, no-bake affordable training treats? I use shredded chicken and cheese sometimes as well but they dry out if left outside

I typically travel 4 days a month (in a row) for work. In general my pup (18 month corgi ) does well with it as she knows I always bring a toy back from my travels. She excitedly wags her tail and stares in anticipation at my suitcase waiting for the gift when I walk through the door.

Due to restructuring at work, I need to travel frequently in February/March. I’ll be gone 2 days, then back 1 week, gone 1 week, back 1 week, gone 1 week spanning from Feb 14th to March 14th.

She will still have her “dad”, but I’m BY FAR the favorite human as when I don’t travel, I work from home.

i just want reassurance that this busy month won’t “harm” her. She is definitely still coming into her own (self, personality, etc) and worry I might mess up something developmentally.

Is there anything I can do to provide her reassurance or prep her for this hectic month coming up.

To clarify, she doesn’t have separation anxiety but is happier when I’m home.

My puppy is 5.5 months for context and yeh shes teething HARD right now. Her biting inhibitions was pretty good 3-4 weeks ago and now it’s been pretty bad.

I pick up my puppy in a few weeks and I’m starting to feel anxiety and regret. I’m questioning if it’s the right time, am I prepared for this, and I have almost some sadness that I’m changing not only my life but my relationship dynamic by adding in a big responsibility like a dog. Is this normal to feel or should I take this as a sign to reconsider?

Hi everyone! I really, really need help! This is my first dog and I don’t know if her behavior is normal.

She is CONSTANTLY extremely energetic. I don’t know if this is due to over-stimulation or under-stimulation. Some suggest shes just tired which would make sense, but how do I make her sleep when we havent crate trained her since its illegal here. She also jumps and bites so much that she is literally panting when she “attacks.” She bites every time I try to pet her, especially toes and fingers. Every time I wake up, if she comes to greet me, she bites. She bites after sleeping all night. Almost no enrichment toy helps. We have tried a Kong, a lick mat, and a snuffle mat, but she doesn’t have enough concentration or interest in them. So please don’t suggest those. I have tried to teach nose work, but she doesn’t understand the idea yet.

I cannot calm the puppy down at all. Please be kind and help me. How can I help her calm down and stop biting CONSTANTLY? She is an eight-week-old female Shetland Sheepdog. She sleeps about 12 hours at night and has a dog friend weekly to play with.

The problem is that we cannot walk her yet because it is so cold here that even humans are freezing. The breeder said we shouldn’t take her outside because it’s still too cold. WHAT DO I DO???