Category: Top Dog

I’m trying to put my 12 week old Norwich terrier on a feeding schedule in hopes that this will help with potty training. I just got him from his breeders so I think there’s definitely an adjustment going on. Right now, when I put food in front of him (3x a day, 1/4 cup of kibble each time), he’ll sometimes just take a sniff and ignore it. He will then go back to it sporadically over a long period of time, at which point he will finally finish the serving. Then it starts all over again! At one point do I declare this mealtime “over” and empty the bowl, then serve his next meal a few hours later? At this current rate there’s basically food in his bowl 24/7 and I can never predict his potty times. Thanks!

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone had good experience training dogs out of chewing behaviors. I have a 9 month old mutt that will try to chew most things- blankets, towels, clothes, an old couch, etc. this is all when we are with her, she is rarely left alone, we have had her since she was 4 months old and she’s been doing this since we got her. I wouldn’t mind if she had a few of her own blankets and toys to destroy, the issues is that she chews and swallows these items, making me afraid that she is going to cause issues for herself. I want to redirect her to something else but I’m afraid whatever I redirect her to she will also attempt to eat. Anyone deal with something similar and have any strategies that were useful? Don’t want to punish her for a natural instinct, just want to keep her safe. Thank you!

Hello! We have a 6 month old puppy who loves nothing more than to gnaw on something. When he was teething, we got one of the large puppy Nylabones that was a HIT. He went to town and we would just occasionally trim any pieces that looked close to falling off. Since he got his adult teeth, we have tried all sorts of options, but he is uninterested in the safe ones or completely destroys them. I am aware that no chew is truly safe, we just want options that limit the potential teeth cracking or blockages, etc.

Here is a pic of some of the options we've tried so far (as well as puppy tax). Anyone have any suggestions based on what he seems to like?

1. Puppy Nylabone- The beloved. We got him a new one once he got his big boy teeth and he started ripping chunks off within minutes so it was immediately confiscated.
2. Moving ball- He LOVES this thing. He doesn't want it turned on, he just wants to sit and gnaw on it. Idk how long this will last, but so far, he hasn't broken any chunks off.
3. Deer Antler- He would go to town on this as long as we would let him. The problem is he immediately found a way to break pieces off. Also read a lot of warnings of dogs breaking teeth on them. Unsure if this is a safe option for a young dog.
4. Attempted rubber alternative for the blue ball- He hates it. Wants nothing to do with it. Tried putting treats in it, but he ate the treats and lost interest.
5. Playology Beef Flavored Crunch Bone- Not interested at all. Tried again with treats/peanut butter but he lost interest after the snack was gone.
6. Rubber bone- No interest
7. Puppy Teething Toy- Shockingly long lasting. Way too small for him at this point but he does love to chew on it.
8. Classic Kong- Again, only interested until the treats are gone.

Other things we've tried:

• Himalayan Yak Chews- Lasted about 3 minutes
• Bully Sticks- Lasted about 30 seconds
• Frozen Rags- Lasted for a while, but eventually uninterested.
• Ropes- These last a while but we have to dispose of them as soon as he starts breaking strings loose.
• Sticks- We actively try to prevent this, but he will absolutely DESTROY a stick if he finds it and then vomits up the pieces the next morning. Not fun and definitely to be avoided.

Thankful for any and all suggestions or warnings!

My pup is getting close to a year old and barks at other dogs and sometimes other people for attention not out of fear or aggression. We did a kinda workshop at our training facility which kinda helped me grasp things in my approach and it went down quite a bit after initially becoming a problem around 51/2-6 months.

At 11 months it seemed to return in full force though I’m revisiting and using the tools the trainer gave me which was redirection, practicing leave it, and me adding distance when it comes to dogs in the yard that I know will bark at her.

During her puppy socializing/desensitization I was sure to not let her meet dogs on leash nor was she pet by every stranger. I can count on my hand on the amount of strangers she met before 6 months and it’s less than a handful. I think I might have messed up and not did a good middle ground. As in a little under socialized to where she’s an “eager greeter” now. So my next approach is pretty much go to a different outdoor shopping center everyday with a little foot traffic and practice commands.

We go to a training facility and when talking to them about this specific issue they just said to keep having her come in to the group classes and that they won’t put a barrier up unless needed and see how she does. So far, she can do every thing even a “wait” command for the 20sec might react to a dog right after. Other dogs jumping movement seem to excite her the most. In a class with barriers she preforms everything just fine.

They do offer one on one training but don’t think she’d really benefit from because shes pretty biddable and confident willing try just about all equipment (agility, balancing boards, skateboard, a-frame, inflatable peanut,with her only struggling a little bit with the tunnel) and comfortable enough to be lured into a lot positions that would make teaching her tricks a breeze. But we haven’t focused too much on those because obviously want to get her manners (barking) under control. Because owner consistency and persistence is important they do encourage me to go to beginning agility and enrichment classes where she thrives as long as dogs are out of sight.

I think I’ve only posted before where I was venting about how when your pup barks when excited it denys a lot of people from seeing how great they are. Also the struggle with anxiety when it comes to trying to improve in that area while also feeling anxiety and just wanting to avoid the situations.

She’s a small dog so when I got her my goals where “no separation anxiety” something I failed my previous dog with and “no yappy little ankle biter” which is something he excelled at being nonchalant around other dogs, cat, even if they were barking their head off a foot a way. But I genuinely struggle to remember his early years, we went to a similar facility I think when he was a year or so and recall him needing barriers to. I can’t recall if it was over time but I think he just really took to the “leave it” command really well then I never had to tell him it about regarding dogs and he was highly food motivated with no pickiness. My current pup I still don’t have a treat she’ll ignore something completely for she has to get off at least a few barks.

She has a lot of energy, the type where I needed to enforce naps when watching another family members puppy. I don’t expect any sort of calm for a few years lol. And besides when leaving her a lone for a bit the idea of “tiring” her out doesn’t exists. Like I tire her a bit with the flirt pole, nice walk, and makes her we’ve done a little training, and a puzzle before putting her in crate when leaving for a few hours but in other situations it just means she might pause a little more and still want to play. I haven’t considered any calming medication and would only want to use it as a last resort after she reach full maturity because I enjoy her energy otherwise.

Sorry this got much longer than I meant so TLDR:

Anyways to get back to the question on topic I’ll say that I’m kinda torn in that part of me wants to solely focus on this problem, another want to see how well she’ll do in the training facility tiny agility program, or if she’d like FastCat, or learn tricks. I spend a lot at the training facility and enjoy it a lot. But pretty sure they don’t offer one on one training where a trainer come to my house or the trainer accompanies me somewhere like outside of a dog park or where a lot of dog traffic is that she’d react to so that’s be a separate cost and wouldn’t even know if it something you can expect results in like a month or something that will slowly progress as she mature and I might as well keep with the other activities.

my puppy who is turning 1 tomorrow broke his leg this morning. i was lifting him up when he squirmed out of my arms and landed very badly. i can’t forget how he was crying after and i immediately rushed him to the er vet. the xray showed that he had completely snapped his lower leg bone. we rushed to the nearest orthopedic surgeon which was 2 hrs away. his surgery went well but i just feel so much guilt for what i put him through.

if anyone could share their similar experience and how they dealt with the recovery process that would be much appreciated!

Let me start off by saying, please don’t come here saying “maybe you just aren’t ready for a puppy” blah blah blah. This post isn’t to bash puppyhood or anything about my dog directly. It’s just cathartic to get it out sometimes and to hear and be reminded that it does get better. Keeps me motivated.

With that out of the way, we have just adopted an absolutely precious and beautiful 4 month old, male miniature Australia shepherd. We just wrapped up our 2nd week of having him in our home (feels much longer and you’ll understand why). He’s truly an incredible dog. While his limited attention span isn’t allowing him to reach his full potential right now, I can already tell how smart he is. He’s already a joy to be around. However, he’s very much still a puppy and definitely behaves like one and I am the one most responsible for him.

Our home is a nuclear family. Dad works outside the home long hours, 2 kids go to school (1 part time pre k), and I am a stay at home mom. We figured now was the best time to get a dog since I won’t be returning to work for another year or so. This would allow me to be with him and raise him up to be more independent eventually.

Currently, it feels like he is a third toddler and wow am I exhausted… it’s been years since we’ve had a puppy and I’ve forgotten how difficult it is. Our last dog was a standard Australian shepherd and he was an angel of a dog but sadly passed 3 years ago. He died at the age of 12 so it’s been 15 years since I’ve owned a puppy.

Our biggest issue right now is biting and potty training. First, he does FANTASTIC in the crate. Sleeps through the night 8+ hours no accidents (blessing I know) but throughout the day and outside of his crate is another story.

I HAVE to take him out every 30 minutes OR LESS or he WILL potty in the house. One might not realize how difficult that it with children and other household duties. He definitely will go potty outside but I can’t seem to get him to signal me OR to hold it for much longer although he’s obviously capable.

In addition to that, sometimes I will take him out, he will pee, and I will give him an extra few minutes in case there’s more and nothing happens… so we go back in and boom, within a few minutes he’s peed somewhere.

I give him a treat every time he goes potty outside. I label the action “potty”, and give lots of enthusiasm when he’s finished. I read that his breed is an eager to please type of dog but mine doesn’t seem to care. While he’s friendly, and has endearing loving moments between his huge bursts of energy, he really doesn’t seem to care about what pleases us or not.

Lately, as I’ve noticed I evidently need to keep a better eye on him when he’s in the house or he will potty I’ve felt like I have had no choice but to crate him when cooking dinner, or bathing my children, etc. Today, I probably put him in his crate 5-6 times varying in length just because I knew I couldn’t be watching him as closely as he needs and that makes me feel terrible.

To add insult to injury, he’s teething so he constantly tugging at my kids clothing, has ripped holes before, or he grabs tightly onto their limbs and won’t let go. I first try to redirect by saying no and offering him a toy or bone. This only works some of the time but most often he’s right back to it in minutes. I crate him less for this behavior but at times I’ve found myself just overwhelmed and have put him in there to keep him from underfoot.

I know he’s only been with us 2 weeks. I KNOW it gets better. I just need to HEAR other peoples sob stories so I can get over it. And I’m always open to advice too because what the heck… I read that they should be completely trained from 4-6 months but it just doesn’t seem like that is right.

When my kids are away at school, I do find time to “train” him. So far he can sit, shake, or scratch door when I say “outside” although he hasn’t associated it with potty yet or if he has, he’s not alerting me. He doesn’t really come when called although I’m doing my best to teach him.

Thanks for listening to me ramble. Not really sure what to say from here other than it felt nice just spilling it. Our sweet puppy is a part of our family and we truly do love him. I just needed to put some words down. Appreciate your feedback.

Hi everyone!

I have an intact 10 month old Bernedoodle. Great dog overall but I just need to know if this is puppy behavior that will naturally correct with time OR if it’s something we need to train with a trainer? (I’ve never had a puppy before).

1) Chews on kids stuffed animals and our pillow/blankets in the living room 2) Still mouthy… puts his mouth on my hand when we doesn’t want to do something; nips playfully at the kids clothes/hair/feet… 3) Bites at my sweatshirt sleeves, mittens, etc. 4) chases leaves and rabbits 5) Barks at strangers

Thanks!