Category: Top Dog

My puppys are only 2 weeks old and have had rough days mama wont pay much attention to them sometimes like see needs a break then they do rough for the day one day all pups lost 1.5 Oz then the all recovered and are doing fine but yesterday some didn't gain and one lost .5 Oz how can I make mama dog more interested in her pups im feeding her 6 cups of food 3x the normal 2 cups 3 times a day and water is always full for her would send pics of my notebook containing weights but it seems I cant send pics here

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…