Category: Top Dog

My girlfriend and I got a puppy a little over 5 days ago, he was super sweet when we met him and he still is sweet but it’s just a lot. My girlfriend doesn’t know if she can do it anymore because she feels like he’s just not even listening and we have no time to do anything anymore and she’s worried it’s always gonna be like that. He bites some parts of our couch and carpet but just isn’t as treat motivated as all of the other dogs I’ve seen in training videos.He also has just been completely stopping when we try and take him out to go to the bathroom and won’t move until we practically drag him. He also keeps barking at dogs but we are hoping it’s just cause he’s scared. I told my girlfriend that she comes first but I don’t want to have to rehome him but if she says she can’t do it anymore we might have too. He is super sweet and just loves to lay on you but when he’s not doing that he’s biting the couch or whining for attention even though all we did was get up to go to the bathroom or walk away. Any tips to maybe help or advice?

We have a Staffordshire bull terror (terrier) who will be 23 weeks old on Friday. She has always slept through the night since we got her at just over 12 weeks old and we get up at 6.50 as i have to get up then anyway to start the morningroutinefor school for my kids. We are in the UK and our clocks went back an hour on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Ever since she keeps waking us up between 4.30 and 5am. We have tried to get her to go back to sleep but it's just not happening. I have been staying up later to see if that helps but it's not she still has endless energy and wants to pull my hair and use me as a trampoline until I get up. She goes out to do her business, has her breakfast and goes back to sleep on the sofa!🤦🏼‍♀️🤣 she sleeps in bed with us so not much we can think to do. We have tried putting her a bed in our room on the floor but she just jumps straight back up and we dont mind sharing with her anyway but the option is there if she wants it. Anyway sorry for the ramble and any help with getting her to sleep a bit longer are very welcome!

I have a 3 month old puppy which has been with me for one and a half months. Everytime I try to leave the house he cries and yells and barks. He follows me everywhere in the house and repeats the same patterns with my sister, for example if she leaves the house he goes to the door and cries and cries until I pick him up. He doesn’t even nap if it isn’t next to me. I’ve tried ignoring him but he whines for more than 15 minutes and I just give up. Please help me what am I doing wrong?? Is this normal for his age does it get better? How can I help him be more independent? I’m out of work right now and am able to spend almost the whole day with him and just leave when my sister comes home but when I’m back to work he will be alone (not completely cause I have two cats) and I’m worried he won’t be able to handle it. I feel like the worst dog mom ever like I’m doing everything wrong…

My dog, Rico, has only ever done this when we had other dogs in the house.

First we had Lola and Rico, and he got along with her, playing with her, laying with her, but when it came to food, toys, and treats, he went into, what we call, "Flavor-Saver Mode."

Lola was very food-driven and would always eat as fast as possible, and Rico wouldn't touch his food until he knew she had finished her bowl, just so he could then eat it as slowly as possible in front of her while she barked at him.

He'd do the same with toys, grabbing a toy she had or knew she wanted, only to not play with it and just lay there while she barked at him because he had the toy she wanted.

After Lola was no longer with us, he did grieve for a while and he stopped doing this, eating at a normal pace, taking his treats normally, and playing with his toys instead of just hoarding them.

We got a new dog recently, Bandit, and Rico is back in Flavor-Savor Mode and, what we think anyway, is intentionally trying to bait Bandit into fighting so he has an excuse to snap or yelp.

He's eating slow and staring the other dog down, he intentionally positions himself in such a way that Bandit (who is bigger) accidentally steps on his tail so he can turn around and snap at him

And just now, Bandit was laying down, minding his business, and Rico came over with his toy, set it down in front of him, then started growling because Bandit was too close to his toy

YOU walked over to HIM, sir 🤨 you can't get mad that he's over here

It very much feels like jealously and like when older kids try to get their younger siblings in trouble

But he also did these things with Lola, and we had her before we got Rico

And he's not a violent dog, he's super sweet and well behaved, I just think he likes to be the victim so he gets extra attention. He never attacks Bandit, he doesn't bare his teeth, he doesn't whale-eye at him, he doesn't stress lick his lips, his hackles are never raised. He's even tried to play with him genuinely a couple times (Bandit doesn't know how to play), and he'll snuggle up next to him sometimes

Rico just also likes to try to get Bandit in trouble and bait him into starting something.

Is he just a jerk or is there a reason he does all this?

Hi all, I need help. I'm a first time dog owner, and I'm not willing to lower my standards of a clean smelling home. So I'm here for some advice.

I have a pug puppy, he's 4 months old. Do puppies usually smell bad and eventually gets better?

I have tiled floors throughout the home, no carpets. I do have an air purifier running by his room and also a robot cleaner to clean the house daily. I work from from, so the windows are also always open as well. However, his room still smells.

Do y'all have any tips to keep the odour under control?

Hi everyone! My girlfriend recently got a 4 month old cavalier king charles spaniel. We’ve only had him for 3 days so everyone is very much still settling in and learning the new routines. He also was living with his litter mates and mom until a few days ago so of course it makes sense that he’s clingy and wants to be held 24/7. He’s mostly fine in the playpen if someone is nearby but about 15 seconds into being alone the barking and whining starts.

I guess I’m mostly wondering how I should set everyone up for success, especially with crate training. The longest he’ll need to be alone for eventually is 3 hours but right now that seems like an eternity to build up to. I’m worried about contributing to his separation anxiety and don’t know how to make his crate/playpen a fun and safe space.

Unfortunately we haven’t yet found any treat that he loves, he doesn’t seem to be very food motivated at all (maybe he’s just in shock though and that will change)?? So many strategies around crate training involve treats, lick mats, feeding their meals in crates, and all of those seem to be so ineffective for him at this point.

Apologies for seeming so stressed so early on- I know it’s a big adjustment for all of us. I definitely have some puppy blues but hopefully with time it will get easier.

I have a doctors note for a ESA animal that was for my dog who now is passed away. I will be moving in April or close to April. I know dog rescues or shelters use to call your landlord to make sure the property allowed animals. If I have a ESA letter, do they still have to contact my future landlord? I don’t know my landlord won’t allow pets, but I have severe anxiety and I swear my brain thinks about and focuses on every existing problem that could come about. Thanks in advance.