Category: Top Dog

My rescue very much followed the 3-3-3 rule and we are in month 4 now.

I‘m curious how your (senior) dogs developed after they settled in and which stages you witnessed.

Mine is testing boundaries and getting more stubborn now.

He’s also becoming a little less clingy and more independent.

hey, I currently have a six month old puppy and was wondering if anyone’s in the Columbia Maryland area that would want to meet up and do pack walks through any of the parks I think it would be really beneficial for my puppy and help with socialization and desensitization with other dogs

So lately it’s been a more intense issue. I have a dog, 6 year old border collie blue heeler mix. His names Remy. Never was this an issue up until a couple of months ago. He has stolen and buried important medication which I only found recently when digging in and leveling out my backyard. he steals clothing, or really anything that he can when you’re not paying attention and either buried it or takes it outside into the mud. He has toys, we give him things to do. Not sure where this behavior came from. tips are appreciated. Thank you. He’s a dork and I love him but stealing clothing and medication is a big issue.

I’ve noticed that every sock I leave out mysteriously disappears… shoes, pants, underwear remain untouched, but the socks vanish without a trace.

What’s remarkable is the precision: it’s exclusively my socks, and he carries them around with an expression that suggests he genuinely believes this behavior is entirely justified.

I’m curious, owners experience this kind of selective obsession, or is my dog simply an unparalleled sock connoisseur?

I’m looking for some advice on a situation involving multiple dogs in a shared household.

I rent a room from a couple in their mid 50's who have three small dogs: a Yorkie, a Mini Schnauzer, and a Mini Schnauzer × Mini Poodle mix. I have a Labrador who is 19 months old. She’s fully grown but small for a Lab at about 49 lbs — still much larger than the other dogs, which are around 7 lbs each, except the mix who is about 25 lbs (and honestly should probably be closer to 15–17 lbs).

Before moving in, I made it clear that free-feeding wouldn’t work because my Lab would eat any food left out and gain weight. The owner agreed, but since I moved in he’s frequently complained about having to make “concessions,” even though feeding dogs on a schedule feels like pretty basic dog ownership to me.

One issue is how he feeds his dogs — he literally throws food directly onto the hardwood floor instead of using bowls. The dogs used to free-feed, which I suspect is why the poodle mix is significantly overweight. I’ve tried gently suggesting alternatives, including measured portions and bowls (which also seem more hygienic since the floors already collect dust and dog hair). I even calculated appropriate feeding amounts, but he isn’t interested in changing anything. His wife has also tried suggesting walks and structured feeding, but he doesn’t listen. His wife has tried to convince him too as I walk my dog twice a day but he won't listen, he says he doesn't want his dogs going on walks and "sniffing other dogs poop".

Behaviorally, the biggest problem is barking and charging at my dog. The two smaller dogs bark at everything and will sometimes chase my Lab outside though the dog door. They can be surprisingly aggressive toward her. My dog is extremely gentle and never retaliates — she usually tries to initiate play with a play bow or hopping movements, especially with the poodle mix. When they play, the mix gets very vocal but shows relaxed body language (tail up, not tucked), so I interpret that as excitement rather than fear. He always tries to frame my dog as the problem too when he does nothing. Anything he tries to get them to stop barking does kind of work but then he just forgets and doesn't follow through.

What worries me is that although the small dogs are tiny, their teeth are still sharp. If they caught my dog’s ear or escalated, someone could get hurt. If these same behaviors came from larger dogs, I think there would already have been a serious incident.

For context, I’ve put a lot of effort into training my dog. She is 19 months old so she’s still young but knows 15+ commands, doesn’t bark indoors except at appropriate things like someone knocking, and is consistently calm and non-aggressive with the other dogs even when they rush her.

Another important detail: the barking and charging behavior only happens when the husband is home. When it’s just me, or me and his wife, the dogs are calm and don’t behave aggressively toward my dog at all. I work four 10-hour shifts each week, and on my days off the difference in their behavior is very noticeable when he is not here.

I’m staying here mainly because the house has a dog door, which has been difficult to find in rentals that allow another dog.

So my question is:

Is there anything I can realistically do to help reduce the barking and charging behavior toward my dog when the owner is present, even though I’m not the one handling or training those dogs? I can only do so much as I'm not the owner and need to respect boundaries.

I want everyone — dogs included — to coexist safely, but I’m not sure what options I have when I can’t control how the other dogs are managed.

Is it normal for my dog to seem jealous when I interact with other people or other dogs? I adopted him a few months ago, and since this is my first time having a dog, I’m not sure if this behavior is normal.

I’m curious! I named my girl Chiky because she’s so tiny and sweet. What about yours? Tell me her story! ✨

Can I hear any success stories of dogs who were or are a bit more on the submissive side than dominant – mostly noticeable in the fact that they’re still excited/submissive pees at 5 mo. old, otherwise the pup’s confidence is average – but still ended up being able to successfully and enjoyably do hobby obedience?

I am interested in training (beyond the obedience foundations first) things like a bark and hold, guard, growl, maybe scent work or rally. I do not want to do any bite work, and am also not looking to necessarily compete (and certainly not to any high level). Dog in question is a GSD, raised in a breeder’s home, driven more by handler attention and praise but a little on the softer side, not a high drive, bitey or dominant dog.

I am trying to evaluate this aspect of a particular dog and whether it’s the right fit for us (among other things I’m taking into consideration. My intention has been to hopefully end up with a dog who would be active family companion who is people-oriented, can live happily in a household with a smaller dog and a younger child, and is confident enough but not super high drive/high energy, but enough to dabble in hobby obedience like I mentioned above (I appreciate some scary dog privilege just in terms of people not being as likely to approach sometimes, like night walks).