Category: Top Dog

Ok, *please* hear me out this is very embarrassing and I don't mean to cause any discomfort, but I am hoping I am not the only person with this issue. So I have a lovely male dog "Cheeto" who I got during covid, he is also my first dog ever. He's a fixed Chiweenie/smallbreed mix rescue, 5 years old. We're a little co-dependant/clingy, and this is largely because not only was he adopted during covid but also had ringworm which is highly contagious and prevented his socializing with other dogs during the key phase of puppyhood. I'm working on his social anxiety and he has made some very big steps and I'm proud of him. He is overall a very good boy.

That's the backstory. The current issue I'm frustrated by just isn't in any training books that I've seen. The harsh reality is I live with him in a studio apartment. so he is forever in the same room as me and also my bed. There is a small connected kitchen area and a laundry/closet/bathroom which does have a closing door but is very small. There is no yard. For %90 of the time this causes no problems.

But, here's the thing. I'm currently single (F42) and I feel extremely weird having to attending to my "adult needs" in the same room as my dog (I wish it were otherwise, but I feel like I don't have a choice in the studio setup.) Those of you with children probably understand how a child interrupting you kills the spark pretty quickly. and those who have pets know that a curious nose sniffing around the bed or whines for attention during your "personal" time are not conducive to the "mood." In addition, I don't know how long I'll be living here, and if I don't address the issue now I'm afraid it will just be worse if I ever do have a partner with me in the bed.

So, sorry for the overshare, but how have others dealt with this? Especially those in a small spaces? How do you balance your dogs comfort it with your "adult activies?"

FYI, I do let him sleep in my bed with me. I don't know if that could be part of the issue, and if I ever have a live in partner we would probably need to change that arrangement (I'm kind of just praying I'm in a bigger place by the time that happens).

Update: Thank you everybody for the feedback. I'll be trying some different strategies with Cheeto but these ideas really helped! and funny to hear your stories about your experiences too. 🙂

hey im looking for a board of directors for my nonprofit org around sustainability and animal welfare. we work primarily with dogs and bettering their animal shelter experiences. we are looking for people who have some related expertise in that.

do you guys have any suggestions of anyone who has expertise on animal shelter related nonprofit or any experience running or being apart of organizations. or any advice on how to find them. we are looking for several board of members to join us, no matter what your primary focus is!

Hey all!

I’m adopting my first dog this upcoming week with my husband but am unsure of how big of a crate to get. Hes a texas heeler – Aussie x Blue heeler – and 2 years old so fully grown! I’m unsure on his exact weight or measurements but was hoping to get it before we get him, i forsure would rather go too big than too small!

Growing up my husband and I both had dogs but never crated any of them so were unsure how large to go, I obviously want him to be comfortable. The crate won’t be a long term thing, Just a few weeks at night until him and our cats are comfortable around eachother!

Here are the links to a few i’ve been looking at but ill take any advice on a good crate and a good size! We’re trying to stay around $150 for it since it will probably not be used much once everyone’s acclimated. Thanks so much! 🫶🏼

https://a.co/d/45E7qwM

https://a.co/d/2bOtSSU

https://a.co/d/3vSwNn9

I lost my golden retriever Bella last year, and I still talk to her sometimes when the house gets quiet.

I’ve been thinking about creating a little space for her something that’s more than just a box on a shelf.

Curious what others have done. Did you do anything creative or personal to keep their memory alive?

Photos, rituals, altars, tattoos? Would love to see or hear ideas. 🐾 ❤

I’ve been fostering this little female pomsky for about a month now. Not much is known about her life before she ended up at a rescue, just that her previous owner was older and passed away also that she may not be spayed.

She’s incredibly reactive towards other dogs when we go on walks. I’ve asked my rescue contacts for tips or advice and I got nothing so now I’m here.

She’s perfect on walks when we don’t come across other dogs. She listens, we have a routine where if I stop, she comes and sits at my legs and gets rewarded. Getting a bit better on the leash. I’m not sure if she got walked a lot before. When we come across other people walking their dogs, there’s nothing I can do. NOTHING. She gets so frantic and worked up I don’t even think she’s knows I’m there. She’s almost bitten me a couple times trying to hold her harness when this happens. I don’t know what to do. We avoid parks and go out at times when I think most people wouldn’t be out with their dogs just to avoid a trigger. If we do come across another dog on the same path, I will change directions or try another route to avoid. At this point treats aren’t distracting enough. What can I do?

My vet recommended a belly band for my furkid.

There are so many Belly Bands out there when I have looked online. Any recommendations for a very large incontinent English Setter Male (85lbs)?

I have read other posts on here about using human incontinence pads for refills instead of the ones for "dogs" because they are much more absorbent and more cost effective but never about the brands of belly bands that I can use them with.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated, including tips for large older dogs with incontinence.

We adopted a 2 yr old dog yesterday and she is settling in well (she is eating, pooping, sleeping, and in all the right places).

However … She just started to alarm bark at wind or whatever in the backyard right after we came in. This makes our other dog bark. He is a terrier, 11 yrs old, and it took a lot to make him less barky. So it's the sort of behavior that can escalate pretty fast.

I know there is the 3-3-3 rule and we are still in the first 3 days. But I'm also thinking that if there is wisdom in curbing the behavior I should do that

So … When you have a new rescue who has a very soft, submissive personality… Do you gently correct behavior like this or wait til the dog has unfolded a little more? She seems to respond to Ah-Ah-Ah as a sign to stop doing something (like approaching our older dog too quickly or in a way he could feel cornered).

I'm really asking, "do you nip behaviors in the bud or hang back to see how things unfold?"

I have four dogs (GSD, husky, lab, basset) that get a bath maybe once a month or two, depending on when they start feeling icky, as we live on a farm. I want to try out Bark2basics, but I noticed that many of their scents don’t come in a 16-oz bottle, and I’m not sure I want to buy a gallon just to dislike the scent or not even be able to smell it.

I was also leaning towards Funky Poodle, but I can’t get behind spending nearly $40 on a 16oz when I can spend the same amount on a gallon from Bark2basics.

I'm curious to know what everyone’s favorite scent is from them or possibly from other brands?

https://kick.com/kangjoel/clips/clip_01KDKTCDAF848BNQYJ01RBSD8D

I’m 16F and in Australia, and will be starting VCE this year. I already have a casual job with around 10-12 hours a week, 15-20 on the holidays. However, I’m saving up for travel and want to try some side gigs (and I don’t have the mental capacity to take on another part time job/ask for more hours due to ASD/ADHD).

Overall, I am inclined to go towards the ‘Yes’ route. However, if anybody here is a dog walker, could you provide some advice (both in favour of the idea and not?). If yes, what is an average amount to charge?