My wife and I adopted a shepherd mix 2 months ago, who is now 7 months old. He is our first dog so we’re not quite sure if he’s getting too much or too little stimulation for his age.

A typical day for him starts around 5:30am with potty time and breakfast, followed by a 25 minute walk around 6:30-7. He then typically will relax until around 11a, which is when he gets some backyard time and a puzzle toy. Then it’s back to relaxing from maybe 1-3. Second walk of the day comes at 4 and is anywhere from 20-35 minutes, followed by dinner. He’s generally awake the rest of the day until 7/7:30, at which point he sleeps basically through the night (with just a potty break when we move into the bedroom around 9:30).

The problem is that like half of the days around 6:00a, 3:00p and 6:00p, he turns into quite the menace. Chewing on things he shouldn’t, getting a bit nippy, and constantly asking to go outside just to find/chew things he shouldn’t.

We do mix in training and play (which for him is mostly just chewing lol) and he’s only crated if we have to run errands since we work from home. However, if we miss a walk or if he doesn’t get his typical amount of nap time it tends to be worse.

I guess I’m just curious if this seems like enough exercise and stimulation or not enough? Should he be sleeping more or less throughout the day? Or do we just need to try mixing it up more (as much as we can at least with work considerations)?

So yesterday I got a puppy, I’ve been through all the welcome home training, positive introduction to crate, food, napping etc, he’s super comfortable with me follows me everywhere etc.

However, as soon as he cannot physically touch me he starts whining begging and throwing himself at whatever divider there is even if he can see me, I’ve tried doing the small amount of times away building up but no matter how short of a time he whines immediately, how can I fix this? He’ll need to eventually be left alone for a few hours while I do errands etc and it’s starting to give me pup blues when I’ve just gotten him.

My 8 month old lab/ staff puppy that I adopted 5 months agi has suddenly started aggressively biting and nipping at my arms and leash pulling every time we go for a walk, to the point of bleeding. I am so frustrated and lost at how I can counter this behaviour. i have tried ignoring him and turning my back but he doesn’t stop, he just ends up tearing my clothes and making me bleed. Another time I tried to grab him and say no when he was jumping, and it ended up in busting my lip in the process. Most of the time he is great, he listens to all the commands I have taught him, even has forced naps in his crate during the day, goes for walks twice a day, has plenty of toys to play with. I am hurt, physically and mentally, it always ends in me crying and bleeding. I am worried he is turning aggressive, worse that he is gonna stick to this behaviour and not change, I dont know how to get him ti calm down in such situations, please help! How do I let him know that he is hurting le, or that he needs to calm down and not bite or leash pull ?

leash pulling #biting

I've been wanting to adopt or get a Samoyed for the longest time, but I need to ask something before taking the step in the future. I live in Murcia, Spain that has warm climate most of the time and sometimes it can be unbearable since it's also humid.

I wanted to know if a Samoyed would be happy in these conditions, I need to know so I can get in my head that I can't have one unless I move to a colder place.

My dog has very black, opaque, and thick nails, and it stresses me out so much every time I try to clip them because I’m terrified of going too far. I’m thinking about switching to a nail grinder instead of clippers — does anyone have recommendations? Preferably something under $20 CAD.

hi everyone! I have a hound pup who loves sent games, destroying toys, and is very good at chewing up cardboard without swallowing it, which makes for very low cost fun!

I’ve been curious if anyone has any other ideas for how I can incorporate paper towel rolls different as toys and games that isn’t just putting kibble in it and folding up the ends (that lasts 5 seconds for him at this point). right now, I tend to put kibble in them, hold at the ends, and put it inside other cardboard boxes with toys on top of it etc, so it takes him more time to sniff around and find it.

any other ideas for mixing up things or leveling up difficulty?

Hey everyone! I’m trying my hardest to find this dog find a home. He’s been stuck at a clinic since March and he really is nice once he warms up to you. He is quickly misjudged because some people don’t know how to utilize his skills that he learned in training. It is super unfair to see such a playful, young dog totally disregarded and forgotten. He was originally found as a stray and he is healthy.

If this post isn’t allowed- I’m so sorry and I’ll delete

Please can anyone tell me why someone would buy themselves a bulldog? I just cannot imagine why someone would want that? Please enlighten me

Which pet insurance is best for you? Are there any that may cover your dog's current treatment? Did your dog get injured during the waiting period and want to know if you're covered?

Here's the place to ask.

Do know we cannot help you here with medical concerns, and lying or not disclosing things to the insurance company is illegal so we don't allow that either.

Does your dog turn his head when he hears an odd noise? Does your dog bury their food with your pants? This is the thread to ask why.

Please keep this thread to non-medical issues only.