Category: Top Dog

So our 24 week old puppy was sleeping in a covered crate that’s just big enough for her to enter and stand and turn around in until Monday. When we leave the house she had been placed in a larger crate in the living room for a maximum of 2-3 hours with no issue. We decided to have her sleep at night in the bigger crate and covered it as well. First few nights were fine. Then a couple of nights ago we decided to remove the cover because she kept pulling it inside of her crate. Yesterday morning she pooped in the larger crate. And then she pooped in the crate again this morning. She’s never done this before. She doesn’t pee. Just poops. The poop is solid, so I don’t think she’s sick. Is this a fear response? Is the larger crate plus removing the blanket too much? Is she waking up and realizing like, “Oh, sh*t, my crate is uncovered lemme poop out this fear!” I think she has serious anxiety issues overall so that would make sense but I’m not sure.

is anyone else’s dog very attached to their very specific leash/ harness? my dog has had the same one since he was about 1.5 yrs old and is now almost 11, so the harness is starting to get a bit worn out, dirty, etc. I tried replacing it for about 6 months with a new harness but he just didn’t get the same level of excited before walks when I brought out that harness compared to his old one. He recently accidentally found his old harness and got so absolutely excited over it – has anyone else experienced this? should i just keep using the old harness since he seems set on that one? both harnesses appear to be the same in terms of fit, comfort level, etc. it’s not a big deal, I just think he may be being a bit dramatic over this lol

I have a gsd mix who is about 6 months old. We do lots of physical activity (long walks, empty dog parks, playdates with other dogs, etc). We also go on long sniffing excursions, use lick mats, food puzzles, kongs, and bones, but I’m wondering if yall have any ideas for mental stimulation that doesn’t involve food! I feel like the only ways I can keep her mentally stimulated is food-focused, which I worry isn’t the healthiest. Any help is appreciated!

It’s like he’s a completely different dog. He’s just over six months old. And the vet told me that his balls had dropped. And maybe a week after that he just started acting unruly. It is bringing me to tears. This is not his personality. Nothing has changed in our home, it’s all exactly the same. He won’t use the restroom outside, he will hold it even when kenneled so I assume he didn’t need to go. Then he will use the restroom inside both pee and poop. He has been chewing up my shoes which he has never done before. He started getting my vape and chewing it up, not I carry it everywhere with me. He is just such a different dog now. And I’m wondering how long this will last?

Hi everyone, i'm turning to you for advice on how to prevent my 10-month-old Westie from becoming a resource and people guarding dog. Since he came home, I've socialized him with different situations (sounds, people, other dogs, children), and I don't have any problems at home because he's the only pet. My sister lives in a house with a yard and has two intact dogs, one 5 years old and the other 3 years old. Since he was little, I've taken my puppy to my sister's house so he could get used to sharing with them. I thought they were adapted to living together when we visited. The problem arises when the 3-year-old dog (a small Yorkshire terrier) comes to my apartment and my puppy becomes a resource and people guarder. He's not yet neutered, as I was told we could perform the operation after he turns one. For now, the few times he comes (when my sister is traveling) we keep them separated by a fence, but I'd like for them to be able to live together in the future without fighting. I'm looking for a behavioral therapist to help me handle this in the best way possible, but I'd like to know if you've been through similar situations and how you've addressed them. Please excuse any typos; English isn't my native language.

I’ve got a four month old golden puppy. He’s getting his last series of shots on Monday, so we’ve still got two weeks to go until I can walk him around the neighborhood. We’ve reached a point where he’s bored and I’m tired and I need help for at least these next two weeks.

When he is inside, he has almost NO interest in his toys. If I’m lucky, he will play with them for five solid minutes. He’d rather lunge at my face or go for myself than the toy I’m trying to get him to play with. Chews can hold his attention a little longer, but he tires of them as well. Outside is better, but he’d rather chew a stick than chase a ball (although he’s slowly coming around to fetch). Throw a ball in the house? No interest. Try a stuffed Kong? No interest. Bento ball? No interest. If he has to work for his food, it may as well be non-existent. Treats in a towel? No interest. Puzzles? Gives up almost immediately. Never met a dog with this belief and it’s throwing me lol

Any ideas for enrichment/entertainment?

I thought we had the potty training cracked, but we had an accident today in the kitchen. 😭😭😭 I caught him in the act, I brought him outside and he finished and I gave him a treat. The accident counter restarts today, hopefully it’s longer next time.

11 week old Bernese pup