Category: Top Dog

Where I live, the winters are not typically cold enough to freeze lakes and canals, but this winter it's been a bit colder than usual so some large bodies of water have completely frozen over. However, the air hasn't stayed cold long enough for the ice to become sufficiently thick to allow people to safely walk or skate on it. Under these circumstances, it's not advised for people or dogs to walk on the ice, due to serious risk of drowning if the ice breaks.

I was on a walk recently and my dog walked on a frozen canal for a few seconds (I quickly put a stop to it). Luckily the ice didn't crack at all, so no harm done. But it got me thinking. What if the ice did break and my dog got trapped in a deep canal or lake? Should I attempt to rescue her, risking my own life, or helplessly watch as they potentially drown right in front of me?

My heart says attempt a rescue, but my brain says don't risk it.

I've talked to a couple people about this and opinion is mixed. Of course dogs shouldn't be allowed to get themselves into such dangerous situations in the first place, but suppose it happened and your dog fell through the ice, and there was no life ring or any other rescue equipment. What would you do?

My dog is weird sometimes, but this behavior was out of place as he had never done it before. Normally he, while he has a ton of personality, stays to his set of behaviors and does what he likes to do, doesn’t go out of his own norm. But, this time he farted, sniffed where he farted, and then went to lay on top of the couch. (he never does that). It sounds like im trying to humorous (while it is very funny, im genuinely curious ) but he also NEVER (not once in his entire life) goes to lay on top of the couch. I picked him up and moved him because it’s not safe there, but, why did he even do that?

Hello, wise dog owners. I have a potentially dumb question, but isn’t that what Internet is for?

I’m looking into getting a 5 month old moyen poodle puppy and I am training for a trail race. Starting spring I will be taking 1.5-2h trips drives (one way) for my long runs in a nicer area almost every weekend. So, I understand that 8-9 month old puppy is nowhere near old enough to run 20+km with me. However I also do not want to leave him home alone for so long and miss out on all the excitement.

I was thinking to alternate between the dog walk and jogging with him in the backpack. Is it a bad idea? Has anyone any experience?

I also looked at dog strollers, it would obviously be easier for me to jog with, but they are pricy and I do not always know what kind of terrain I’m walking myself into.

Thanks for advice!

(I hope I flared this right). Husband and I were talking recently how in our city and nearby cities don’t have indoor dog parks or sniff spots where dogs can play and smell when it’s raining outside and owners need help with burning dog energy. We live in Tennessee so weather varies day to day in the fall and winter (today it was in the like 60s and Sunday it will be in the 30s).

In your city/state do they exist? I’ve seen some dog training tv shows where they take the owners to a building with like agility stuff and dogs can be off leash.

We have talked about buying a warehouse and making a business or something for it but it’s a fever dream.

I adopted a rescued dog in summer. He is a small/medium dog. When he came the first weeks he slept a lot. I thought it was him getting used to his new life. But now it’s been 6 months and he really sleeps a lot.

We live in an apartment, so I try to compensate with his walks being 1 hour before me going to work and 1 hour in the afternoon. On summer we used to go on walks on the weekends for 3 hours and so. But now that winter is here and is super cold, we cut it short.

He does play a little in the evening I throw things and he chases them. But mainly sleeping. I’m worry that he’s bored or that he isn’t happy. He plays with his toys sometimes but once we are back home he goes to bed and can sleep hours just moving positions.

He is the first pet that I’m taking care all by myself and my second dog in my whole life. I love him so much I just want to make sure he’s happy.

Hello, my dog Gracie is a midsize dog assumed to be an English pointer mix (pound puppy). She has shortish hair. It feels like no matter how much I brush her or try to shake her out her hair is just pure confetti. Embarrassing to take her out and someone’s pant leg leaves whiter than before. Any tips?

we’re going away for a weekend (friday morning through monday around 12pm). i’m asking my cousin to watch our two dogs. she’s a senior in highschool and would be staying overnight every night. she’s free to come and go, the dogs are okay left alone for up to 5 hours.

i also planned on sending her a text a few days prior and asking what she likes to eat to stock the fridge.

she’s watched them for a couple hours a night before, but never overnight for multiple days. we have no clue how much to pay her.

any advice?

I‘ve seen the video on instagram, I know that these tiny dog collars using a small Fidlock V buckle exist! but where can I buy them? I live in Canada and my reactive dog needs this kind of collar.

thanks for your precious help!

kim

Apologies if this is not allowed, I read through the guide and did not see anything related to other animals.

I have a 6yr old Chiweenie. She has lived with other dogs her entire life but recently came to college with me. She has always been somewhat nasty to other dogs, and we believe it is because of a doggy daycare she was in as a puppy. None of our other dogs are like this, but she gets very driven and aggressive. She will bark and whine at other animals (never on a leash, only in the yard).

My college roommate has a cat and I am not sure about the best way to approach them living together. I am team never leaving them alone together, but that is a bridge we will cross later. However, here is where it stands:

They have not met in-person

They have swapped scents and each others toys are left out. They go in and out of their respective rooms every 4 hours. Neither one cares for the others smell or things. Both animals sniff if and then walk off to do other things.

However, when the cat and dog have seen each other (they can see each other when the dog goes potty outside if the cat is in the window), the cat hisses at the dog and the dog begins whining and barking. We separate this behavior immediately and redirect.

They have begun eating meals underneath the door. The dog is apprehensive but will finish. The cat will not finish her food and runs off until the dog is gone. We plan to remain at this step until the cat and dog are both ok.

In the last few days the dog has barked underneath the door once and I immediately reprimanded the behavior and redirected her to doing something else.

Our next steps are to have them eat through the glass patio door, then have the dog meet the cat while leashed and held, and then have the dog loose but with the leash dragging. We are planning on taking 1+ weeks per step.

But, with the dogs aforementioned behavior, is this a lost cause? She has never met a cat, will chase raccoons and squirrels, and any animal that’s been introduced before this has been a puppy. The cat is 1 and a stray, so she has undoubtedly met dogs before, and she is also a bit mean. She will push other cats into corners and force them to play with her.

Any advice is greatly appreciated as I do not want them to get a damaged relationship. They definitely haven’t started on the best foot but I don’t believe it’s been catastrophic so far.

Adopted a wonderful approx 1 year old heeler mix about a month ago. She's super sweet, sleeps in a crate, isn't mouthy, learns commands quickly (sit, paw, high five), etc. A very good girl. However, we moved on to learning "lay down" and every time I say the words and bring my hand to the ground with a treat in it, she gets super upset & pees. I stopped saying the word and started going down on all fours with the treat and not letting her have it until she also laid down (a tip from a friend with dog training experience). We did they daily for a week and all was going well. She was laying down consistently without issue. Tonight she did a great job signaling to go outside & immediately pooping so I brought her in and was giving her a reward. Bone in hand, I had her sit, high five, then I got down on all fours but not thinking said "lay down" and she peed again. Any thoughts on what we're dealing with here?

TLDR: recently rescued female pees every time owner tries to teach "lay down". Otherwise quick to learn other commands and is completely housebroken.