Category: Top Dog

So for starters, I’m curious what EXACTLY defines reactivity. When googled it states that, “reactivity is an intense, emotional response often times shown through lunging, barking or growling. These reactions are often due to fear, anxiety or frustration. Reactivity is separate from aggression as aggression is an intent to cause harm.”

Let’s also keep in mind that that the definition of “lunging” is typically used within the context of attacking. So with keeping that in mind it wouldn’t appear that reactivity (lunging, barking and growling) really separates itself from aggression in any meaningful way.

Now let’s relate this to puppies.. would a puppy on a walk that gets excited when it sees other dogs or people be considered reactivity? To me a puppy getting excited by dogs and people just seems like it is something that would inherently be part of a puppies playful, loving and curious nature. Would most of you consider a puppy wanting to pull, getting excited or struggling to focus because of playful excitement to be reactivity or would you not?

Lastly, if you do consider a puppies excitement to be a form of reactivity what are the best ways to start addressing it. If you do NOT view it as a form of reactivity do you believe that it is simply common for puppies to display these excitements and that they will naturally grow out of them?

I have a 2013 Ford fiesta and 4 large dogs with the weather changing the car is a mud bath!

Any recommendations for boot liners and seat covers I want one I can just have the seats folded all the time and it covers it all as I pretty much just use it as a dog van?

Any help appreciated!

Has anyone had the puppy blues? I just feel like I’m going to cry. Our puppy is very cute, we both think so. But I’ve been having this feeling in the back of my mind “was this a good choice?…” “can I actually do this….” “Is it too late?” The last few days have been hard mentally for me and I’m worried I’m going to put that on the puppy. I’ve just been in the constant state of anxiety and I’m trying very hard to just breathe it out and calm down. I’ve barely eaten. I feel physically sick.

I just feel like I don’t know what I’m doing…. Is there anything I can do? I just need some words of wisdom or advice, they would be greatly appreciated!

Our 4.5 month old golden is in a sensitive stage or minor fear period now that she's teething.

I first noticed it started when she was suddenly afraid of the broom, rather than chasing it around and barking at it/trying to play with it. Then, a soccer ball that we kick around outside for her to chase suddenly became very very scary, and she is conflicted about chasing it (bc fun) and running away from it (bc scary).

On her walk 2 days ago, she wanted to turn around and go home after a very short time in a park she loves going to, and then a garbage truck came through and she lost her goddamn mind, when in the past they made her nervous, but always a level of nervousness she could handle and work through. I was starting to become suspicious by this point.

The final nail in the coffin for me figuring out it was a sensitive period is I planned to take her on a short hike yesterday, and we got maybe 50 yards into the hike before she decided she had enough and started moving back to the car. She kept looking at a bridge (~1 mile away) that had traffic moving across it. But traffic is one of the things I worked hard at desensitizing her to in her socialization period, since we live in a busy suburban area & I wanted her to be able to deal. She's been so good with loud traffic up until this point (although shes still not a fan of tractor trailers).

She's still very excited to see others dogs and people, and she's still excited to start her walks but I feel like her overwhelm/fear threshold has been moved back about a mile.

I'm not sure where to go from here; should I keep her inside to prevent her from being exposed to something that can make the fear permanent or should I just take steps back in socialization and go back to sitting in the trunk of the car at parks/parking lots and let her get reaccustomed to the sounds of the world in a safe and familiar environment? We have a group training class tonight but I'm not sure I'm even comfortable taking her because I don't want her to struggle in class or in dog-heavy environments in the future if she gets overwhelmed. There are a few dogs in the class that overstimulate me with their behavior/barking, and I don't have her supersonic hearing or smell.

Hi everyone! I recently became a dog mom to a Cowboy Corgi (Corgi × Blue Heeler mix). She’s about 9 weeks old now, and I love her so much — but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure if I’m doing things “right.”

I’ve always lived in a busy household where dog care was shared between multiple people. This time I really want to be her person. I want to build a strong bond with her and lay good foundations, especially because I plan to move out next year and she’ll be coming with me.

She’s already doing great with potty training and is pretty comfortable in her crate — she grew up on a farm, so that part came naturally. What I’m struggling with are:

Nipping/herding behavior — I know it’s in her DNA, but I want to gently train her out of it. (In the way best for HER breed)

Keeping her stimulated and engaged, especially when outside time is limited.

Figuring out the best ways to bond with her so she feels secure with me.

I’m trying to follow online advice and keep her busy, but sometimes I feel like I’m failing or not giving her what she needs. I just want to do right by her and help her grow into a well-adjusted, confident dog.

Any training tips, bonding ideas, or personal experiences with Cowboy Corgis/Heelers would be really appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I own a toy poodle currently 8,5 months old. He suddenly starts acting awful. He started whining in his crate at 4am. Me thinking he had to potty I took him out. He just sat there and did nothing. He never did this before and would sleep from 10pm till 8am. He also started whining at 7am again.

He also completely distroyed one of my decorative pillows yesterday. He was never a destructive pup.

Is this part of their teen stage or is this something else? I’m lost honestly because I thought he might’ve been ready to sleep on the couch instead of his crate. But I think I won’t do that for now…

I got my golden retriever puppy a few days ago, and I was excited for him and did tons of research before. My family has always had dogs of all ages literally since I was born. I always had responsibilities with them and loved every single one of the many throughout the years.

I had first thought about getting my own dog during college, but delayed for many reasons including making sure it was something I actually wanted and to make sure I had more time away from classes to give them attention. I did research on breeders, training, toys, tools; I tried to make sure I was as well prepared as physically and mentally possible before I committed to this. I found a reputable breeder, got prepared with all my toys and other helpful items, and then committed to getting him two months ago. Overall it had been a three year process of preparing for him.

He has since come home with me for the past three where im the only one. I feel absolutely horrible because everything he is doing is normal puppy stuff. He hasn't done anything wrong. He is very good and just needs lots of attention and enrichment.

I can't shake the feeling that ive made an absolutely massive mistake with him. He is doing well but I can't get myself to think anything but that im failing and failing him. I am hammering myself every day because how can I feel this way after doing so much preparing? I've done more looking into puppy blues and most everything is saying that this will pass, but it could take anywhere between days and months.

Coincidentally what wasn't part of my preparation with him is im starting a new job in a different city next week. I had a support system in my current location I could lean on to help take care of him when overwhelmed but that is going away. Im going to have to spend more time at work since im learning the new position. I had other things come up too that require my attention in the new city. This on the near horizon absolutely kills me too because it is a wrench in all the preparation I made for him.

I feel ashamed to even be thinking about removing or returning him, especially after only having him a couple days. And especially because he has basically been a saint. Im at a loss for what to do.

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I feel so lost. I've cried nonstop since last night and ive made myself sick over this.

I am flying with my dog for the first time. He is an 19 lbs chihuahua beagle mix. The airline dog carrier requirements are 17" L x 8" W x 13". My dog can turn around and lay down but it is a soft carrier so he is pushing against the sides to do so. He has JUST enough room to lay down, no extra space at all. I think he gets scared in tight spaces as he seemed a little uneasy. I have never had a dog previously or flown with a dog so I am just not sure if this is too small.

I'm currently deciding on my next breed, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is among the smaller options I'm looking at.

My family's Old English Sheepdog passed away a couple of months ago, so I do have some background with pastoral breeds, but this will be the first dog of my own.

I'm especially curious about how trainable Corgis are. From what I understand, they share the pastoral tendency to be both sensitive and wilful. I'm really interested in training, and though I don't need a dog that's exceptionally biddable, I do want one that actually has fun with it. I'm keen to explore dog sports (as long as the dog enjoys them) such as rally and scent-work. But ultimately, my dog will be a companion, not a competition dog.

Speaking of sensitivity, how sensitive do Corgis tend to be? Our last dog was quite reactive to certain sounds and stimuli, so it's not something I'm unfamiliar with. I've heard Corgis can be very vocal. What strategies do you use to let them be expressive while keeping it from becoming excessive?

Finally, I wanted to ask about energy levels. Despite their short legs, I'm assuming they're quite active because of their herding background. How much daily exercise is generally needed, and what outlets do you use to channel their energy?

Looking to get my dog a tractive tracker- he is 65lbs, 9 months and still growing. I’m debating the Dog 6 vs dog XL. Aside from the size and battery life, which one is recommended?