Category: Top Dog

Hi all,

Picking up my mini goldendoodle on Valentine’s Day and she will be 7 weeks old to the day. When should I start paying for dog insurance since I’ve been told it doesn’t activate right away? Also, who’s used Lemonade pet insurance and can give me feedback, the good, the bad, & the ugly?

Torn on getting it in the first place. I guess I should call my vet that I am going with and crunch numbers with them on vaccinations and regular check up’s to see if it will be more costly to pay for insurance rather than out of pocket?

Ty.

I haven’t been able to take my puppy out for as much exercise due to it getting dark after work in the evening and also the cold and the snow. I still take him out quickly but only for maybe 20 minutes we used to exercise for at least an hour a day and that kept him pretty tired. I feel like he’s bored right now. He’s constantly barking at me to throw a toy with him while before, he was able to entertain himself.

We are going to schedule a few puppy play dates indoors so that will probably tire him

out. My previous dog was very food motivated and I could just put some kibble into a puzzle toy and that would entertain him, but this puppy isn’t really as interested in food except for maybe a Kong toy with peanut butter so I’m not sure of what else I can do to keep him entertained while the weather is so crappy

5 month old puppy is suddenly whining a bit when I'm home but in other rooms. His pen/crate is in a separate room which I've used for a 1 up / 2 down schedule and haven't had any issues he usually settles in 10 mins then sleeps for at least 1.5hrs and then would be calm alone in the pen until I let him out. On the "up" time I let him hang out with me in home office or living room so we're together.

Recently it seems like he's more anxious in there. He still settles quickly but only sleeps an hour, and then softly whimpers, nothing crazy just a little tiny whimper periodically signaling he's up basically.

Schedule has been a mess over the holidays so maybe he's just been getting too much attention/not enough alone time in recent weeks? But is 1 up / 2 down now too much sleep at this age should I reduce it a bit? He sleeps 10 hours over night and nap schedule takes him up to 18-19 hours total per day.

He seems ok if we leave the house for a bit for errands, just seems like he knows when we're home but in other rooms.

Any other tips to prevent regression here?

Hey! I’m looking to see if some of you have advice.

I got my puppy Lily at 10 weeks. She’s now 15 weeks(almost 4 months). Since the day she got here, i put her in a play pen with her bed, pads and toys. She learned to potty outside and in the pad when needed very early on. I recently went to a training session, and the trainer told me to switch to a crate, so she would hold her pee and poop in. It’s had worked really well.

BUT, she will happily spend time in her crate after long excercise sessions during the afternoon. But in the mornings, after i take she eats and goes potty. I put her in her crate while i make breakfast and get ready, but she goes CRAZY. I mean she won’t stop biting, whining and digging her bed. I’m confused because she didn’t do this when she was younger, and didn’t do it a week ago when we switched to a crate. Should i leave her in there until she gets used to it? Why doesn’t she like it in the morning? I let her run and play plenty before i put her in. immediately i take her out she just sits in my feel and falls asleep. Why won’t she do it in the crate. She’s used to being there it’s nothing new.

Another thing, anyone have some behavioral changes i should expect this that’s she’s getting older? I’m finding her more stubborn, not coming when i call her and trying to escape, even when ive been training her and she behaved very well before.

If anyone replies, thanks for the help!

Hello, I’m about at my wits end here with this dog. Me and my boyfriend got a puppy two weeks ago and the “playing” is getting way too aggressive. Nothing will get her to stop. Nothing. She goes for your face constantly instead of toys while snarling and growling, we’ve tried redirecting, more mental stimulation, time outs, etc.

The biting is not gentle in the slightest, she’s getting stronger and starting to do some damage. I’m just looking for any advice at all before this gets too out of hand. She’s a Bernese mountain dog so she’ll be quite big. If she’s doing this to her owners what would she do to a stranger? I can’t have that.

Over a year ago, I posted here about getting a puppy while I was still in college. Sorry to all the haters… but it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I truly hit the jackpot!

I ended up getting an eight-month-old male Golden Retriever. When I got him, he was still very much a puppy. He knew basic commands and was potty trained. He’s a pretty timid dog, so it took a few weeks for us to get used to each other. From then on, it’s been a dream! He’s the best dog I’ve ever had. Calm, great with children and the elderly, and very well socialized. He has lots of other dog and animal friends and is incredibly easy to train and so obedient!

After college, I started working a desk job from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. He gets over an hour-long walk before my workday and another hour-long walk at the end of the day, plus 30+ minutes during my lunch break. He also spends time at my family’s farm. He is extremely fit and very well exercised!

I just want to say that I’m so glad I trusted my own instincts. I knew I was going to be a good dog owner, and I’m so proud of myself for not listening to the negative comments. If I had, I would not have found my soul dog. He has been there for me during some really difficult times, and I am so grateful for him!

We have a 4 month old puppy, who is fully potty trained and rings the bells to go outside. Things are changing and he will need to be in his playpen for 8-9 hours.

The most he’s been in his playpen is 6 hours and he did hold his bladder. But I’m thinking 8-9 hours is way too long. Unfortunately, we are very rural and Rover doesn’t exist here.

I’m thinking of taping down a puppy pad for during the day…. But he’s not had a puppy pad before – unless it was at the shelter prior to 8 weeks old.

How will he know? Or will he know?

Hello! So I quit my job in the beginning of September and have been jobless since. I got my puppy Nov 8th and I've obviously been with him a lot. I've been applying to jobs and finally got an interview and I've been kind of anxious at the thought of returning to work and leaving my puppy at home 🙁 On top of that, I will be starting school in March (though most of my classes are online) I'm still just super anxious at how busy life is going to get and how to incorporate time for my puppy and how to make him feel as comfortable as possible being home alone for a couple hours. What are some things you do to keep your puppy comfortable / happy while you're gone ?

i’ve only had her since yesterday but i’m trying to get potty training in gear asap. (she’s 10 weeks old)

i’m trying to take her on no-nonsense “walks” where we stand in one spot so she doesn’t get distracted but it’s been unsuccessful so far. i’ve also tried putting her in spots where there’s dog poop and where i know dogs have peed but she hasn’t been interested. last thing i’ve also tried is 30 mins after food and water but again, doesn’t work.

should i be doing anything else or just repeat this until she goes? and is it possible it’s too cold (about 30°F) for her to want to go potty outside?