Category: Top Dog

I’m looking into getting my first dog and after a lot of research decided on a Cockapoo. Does anyone have any suggestions where to look? I’m located in Philadelphia.

I am staying away from puppy mills and do not want to spend $3000 for a dog either.

Thanks!!

My seven month old puppy is going through a phase where he will only sleep in two scenarios:

1. When I’m not home. He doesn’t have separation anxiety- no whining/crying when I’m gone and settles into his bed quickly and takes a nap until I get back.
2. He is on top of me. Whenever I’m home, even when he’s tired after a play date or long walk, he will not settle to take a nap unless he can curl up on my stomach or in my lap. I love a cuddle, but his nap time is also a great opportunity for me to do some chores, work, focus on hobbies. But if I get up, he’s awake and restless again.

I’m looking for advice on how to train him out of this. I don’t know if it’s an attachment thing (he’s definitely a Velcro puppy) or what, but I just want him to be safe and healthy and emotionally cared for. Thanks!

I don’t know if he’s already become reactive or if it’s normal. He’s a 12 week old GSD. His dog experiences are the following: 1. Last weekend a playdate with friend’s large senior dog. He barked at her for two minutes or so on and off at the beginning while sniffing her before engaging in playing with her. Had a great time. 2. Weekly puppy class. There’s no free play but we are nearby 4-5 other puppies for an hour. He will bark at them at times on and off during the class, mainly if they lunge towards him for some reason or we get too close (like within 5 feet). But he’s easily pulled away and then focuses back on me and will settle for long periods during the class.

Today we did some intentional dog exposure where I took him to a high traffic dog area. We sat in my trunk and watched people with their dogs. If a dog was 20-30 feet away, he watched calmly/intently. HOWEVER if any dog got within 10 feet of our car, he would lose his mind. Barking like crazy until the dog left that radius. I gave him lots of treats during this session (like 15 minutes total).

Is he reactive already? Is he under socialized? I’m really scared of having him be unable to tolerate dogs and I just don’t know if this is normal puppy behavior or a deeper issue already.

I found a generic notice on my door warning about being fined or my dogs being evicted if I dont pick up their poop.

I always, always, always pick up after them if they poop where people walk.

If they poop in the bushes I do not.

How do I handle this? Do I ask if this is directed at me specifically or if its just a generic reminder for everyone? Do I ask why its on my door and who its coming from, do I ask id there was a complaint directly toward me? Do I ask for proof that I havent picked up?

Today on my way home, I found a dog with a head injury and bleeding heavily. I took it to a nearby vet, and only left after the vet said it wasn't serious. I sincerely hope that such incidents will happen less often

My overall goal is to be a trainer in the future but right now I don't have access to a mentor, in person course/academy, or even a starter job with animals (live middle of nowhere). I was wondering if doing an online course to get an accreditation would be a decent starting point to then get some kind of assistant job once I'm able to move, or take on a few private clients for super cheap to get some experience?

If this isn't a terrible idea, what courses have good reputations and actually mean something?

Hi all- my 10 month old/ 66lb (something) puppy is a chewer!! So I’m looking for sources of maybe wholesale antlers. He goes thru bully sticks like they’re nothing… and I don’t want to give him plastic or too much wood… any suggestions?

I need to vent. I have an adorable 4 month old puppy who is half lab and half rat terrier. Being half terrier, she's very smart but very stubborn, so I'm training her early. Potty training has been a success after 3 weeks! That said, she still needs work on a leash. It's difficult to keep her focused when half the people I walk across don't ask to pet her and walk right up to her. At 9pm, I had a group of college boys come up behind me and crouch down to pet my puppy without asking. It startled me as I didn't know what they were doing at first, so I turned around and gave them a bad look. When I realized they were petting the dog I told them they needed to ask me first and to not come up behind a woman they don't know. I didn't know what they were trying to do at first. They got angry with me and called me a b*tch, and kept trying to call the dog to get her excited even as I was walking away from them. They followed me about a block, then gave up. I don't think my response was unreasonable. I've noticed people, particularly young men, get VERY aggressive with me when I ask them to ask me first. What have you guys done about this?

Our older dog is small but she seems to be getting really annoyed with the puppy pawing at her and jumping and using puppy teeth. She ended up snipping at her from far away a few days ago and then last night she snipped at the puppy. Just not sure how to proceed, the older dog is not aggressive I think she’s just trying to tell the puppy to knock it off. I’ve seen a few places say that it’s how dogs reach each other, others say to try and keep puppy away till they’re not biting everything. Just looking for opinions or advice or what’s worked for you guys! Anything helps

Puppy is about 10/11 weeks, older dog is around 10 and have had her for 7 years.