Category: Top Dog

Hi all,

I have a 5kg 10y male that has been potty trained since puppyhood. Hes a small terrier mix (looks like Jack Russel mixed with maybe a wirey other terrier and maybe chihuahua?) He’s always been a nervous nelly and it isnt uncommon for him to have a little piddle when he’s extremely nervous or scared. However, about 3 weeks ago, he started having small pee “accidents” in a certain spot in our hallway. At first we thought “ok he was scared of something” or “we didn’t see his potty signs”, but it’s turned into a daily – 3x a day thing. Not a full pee, about 3” diameter and very yellow. We have been keeping an extra eye on him, putting him in his crate when we can’t monitor him (like going to the grocery store), but it still persists. He has even done it after we took a long walk (in which he peed and pooped).. Got home – ran upstairs and there was a yellow spot. He will do it after being outside to potty. He seems normal otherwise, no major life changes, no recent moves, no new food.. plays, eats, drinks fine.

I’m getting so frustrated! And I hate having to put him in his crate so often. At this point, I think it’s behavioral and habitual, but how do I break it? He just had some lab work done as he’s getting his teeth cleaned in 2 weeks, but I’m worried maybe it’s a UTI? I am definitely planning to ask his vet at his teeth cleaning. I didn’t bring it up at our pre-dental visit because it hadn’t quite declared itself as a habit.

Thank you all for the kind suggestions.

My dog is 3. Her owner is a close family member who does not take good care of her. I can only take her half the time. I cannot keep her indefinitely (i don’t live on my own). I have been paying for all her vet visits and recently, she’s been having a knee problem that needs surgery. It’s way too expensive for me, and insurances don’t cover it.

I have tried searching for a household that could adopt her, but i couldn’t find one. Giving her up to a dog shelter would be too hard. I honestly don’t know what to do. What would you have done?

my dog recently got a lot of his teeth pulled and is sad that he can’t squeak his favorite toy, are there any toys out there that are easy for senior dogs to squeak?

PS: Do NOT tell me that its time to say good bye or whatever. Not interested. Sorry not to sound passive aggressive or something its just if thats what you are gonna say please dont say anything ❤️

So for context, my baby is a 10 almost 11 year old Havanese, shih tzu and Pomeranian mix. I know now he is definitely a little senior dog. He has been slowing down a lot I've noticed but still has some energy. His whole 10 years old has been the time he really showed he is getting up there just with the way he acts. Not look-wise though, everyone says he is so healthy and my vet always says that everything is working perfectly. He does have some crystals in his urine that he is on the diet for and did have a slipped disc in the year which is recovered, but other than that he is perfectly healthy says the vets.

My baby still gets his energy kicks though and still loves his walks. He plays sometimes but for slightly less time, and he goes to sleep more often. He hates his new food for crystals but he still has an appetite cause when I gave him the c/d treats, he loves them. He still barks at strangers and he still runs and has zoomies when he gets into it. He just really slowed down this year. He was named a hyper name, Bolt, because he was such a hyper dog growing up, out-running everyone on his little legs and sprinting like a speed demon. He still knows all his tricks and he does so many things with or without treats. I play those puzzle games and a game called 'go smell' where he needs to go find the treats hidden around the house, he loves that. Fetch isnt hitting home as much these days but he still does it a little bit. He still loves to wrestle sometimes but not as much as before.

I guess my question is, with this clearly age related slow-down, should I be concerned? He can still live a very long time even with that, correct? I read on google like once the senior slow-down hits, they are roughly in the last quarter/ third of their life but thats not really true right? He lived 10 years and I need him to live another 10. Any tips you lovely vets, students etc. can give me to help my baby live a long time? What are the top things I need to know to help him live another 10? What is your experience with the dogs this phase of life?

Hello dog people

I am going to get a dog and I’m buying the dog equipment now. I notice there is a PLETHORA of dog-car equipment and I’d like some help deciding what to buy.

I will have to drive the dog 4hrs to bring her home. She’s a pretty big dog.

Once I’ve got her home, I imagine I’ll transport her in the car every few weeks.

I currently drive an old Honda Jazz (small square car, surprisingly roomy inside). I’ve been driving around with the back seat folded flat down because I’ve been moving big items of furniture in it. That got me thinking maybe I’ll just leave the backseats folded flat down, and put a waterproof mat down, and transport dog that way?

So – what’s the best option?

Leave the backseats folded flat down, or flip them up again? Harness plus seatbelt clip thing? Or one of those wire car dog fence things? Or something else?

I know it’s not a life changing decision but I figured if I’m buying new stuff anyway I might as well do it in a considered fashion.

Hi everyone. So for a bit of context I am a teenager who is working on training my 7 year old mini poodle mix. I have been obsessed with animals since a young age and currently I dream of having a border collie in the future. We got our current dog as a rescue when she was around two and she has never received any training. She is VERY toy motivated so recently I've just taught her a few tricks. I don't have a lot of time so it's mostly been in 10 minute sessions a few days a week when I get home from school. I haven't taught her much only sit, give me a paw , and lay down. I will usually play with her then in between throwing the toy I will have her do a trick.

Usually I will pick up her toy then tell her to do whatever it is then mark with 'yes' then throw the toy. She will do the tricks for a treat as well. Also very occasionally I will ask her to do a trick without any reward and most of the time she will do it. However I've noticed that if I am playing with her and I don't pick up the toy but I ask her to do a trick she doesn't do it. I usually am sitting on the floor. She will just stare at the toy and ignore me. But If I touch the toy or put my hand over it rather than just leaving on the floor she will listen. Any tips or suggestions on why this is happening and how to change? Thank you very much.

I noticed her reaction is to bark urgently. (Obviously I am not doing it since I noticed) It makes me wonder if the pitch bothers her ears.

The crackling logs the fireplace make him afraid and very unsettled and can't wait to leave the room (but won't leave alone – like he doesn't want to leave us). Wondering if a thundershirt or happy hoodie would help? The other dog is nonplussed.

Hello!

I’ve recently went and picked up my dog again after two years from my parents house (I’ve been in training and different schools in the military and couldn’t have home.) Since I’ve dropped him off he’s been diagnosed with colitis and also gained 20 pounds. I’m looking into getting him back into a healthy weight and eating right.

The vet has prescribed him Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Small Breed Dry Dog Food. I’ve purchased this food but he refuses to eat it. My parents were boiling tilapia, cooking rice, and combining this with the dry food and feeding him this. I think this is a huge part on why he has gained so much weight and had flare ups with colitis.

Any tips on how I can transition him back to the dry food which was prescribed to him?

Thanks for taking a look at this. I have a classic working german shepard. Like most GSDs he was a high energy puppy. My wife and I started taking him to the park in the morning to play frisbee (his most favorite thing) and then after work, more park and frisbee.

He just turned three and is somewhat starting to slow down and have slightly less energy. We would like to move away from needing to going to the park twice a day, rain, shine, snow… always park. If he doesn't go, or we are slightly behind schedule his anxiety gets high.

Can we do something to change this? Is it simply giving him a new job, doing both jobs for awhile and then phasing out the park? Can we de-job/de-program him?

I appreciate any and all help.