Category: Top Dog

I have a friend that has a large dog that likes to jump up on me every time I go over there.I don't like this as it scratches me and nearly pushes me over. I have tryed the knee up, and the turn your back to them trick but the dog starts niping at my arms legs and bottom. I have talked to my friend about it and they said there's nothing they can do about it. So I said how about can you put the leash on the dog when I get here. He said he can't be bothered doing that and if I don't like it don't come over…. Yes I know just don't go over there anymore. . . But it's not that simple unfortunately. Has anyone found a way to get a dog to stop jumping up without hitting them or hurting them in any way. Thank you for any help !!!!

Hi guys,

Weve done our extensive research!

So far our puppy now poops and pee outside. She is happy in her crate and left 1hr so we can do chores (wohooo!) at night there are occasional accidents she pees in her crate but to us it’s fine compared to last week when we got her when she would cry at 3am and ask to be let out of her crate for a week.

She can also “sit” “paw” when she goes back inside after pee and toilet so we can clean her paws (it’s very rainy in the UK at the moment)

She can also “sit” and “wait” for food…

Anyhoo, we need help in further training our baby. She doesn’t like treats! She is slowly transitioning to kibbles (atm she is eating puppy jelly food mixed with kibbles). She loves liver paté but the vet says not too much as it may give her upset stomach.

We want her to: 1. Go up the stairs to our balcony so she can toilet outside and reward her (at the moment we carry her bc she is so tiny, but I think she is now able to go up the stairs slowly) 2. Consistently recognise her name and “yes” and reward her 3. Slowly start recall

Thanks!!

Edit: our balcony is just 2 steps! She can go down by herself but we want her to go up independently as she is now expecting us to carry her, so we want her to be rewarded learning to go up 2 steps by herself

I have 2 Frenchies but my youngest is 7 months old and his fur is more like a cat. It sticks to everything! He's been shedding for almost 2 months now and I'm almost at my Breaking Point. I have to change my bedding every other day. My comforter and sheets are covered in hair as well as my furniture and my clothes. I brush them, use a shedding comb, I've tried a steam shedding brush….If anybody has some advice I would truly appreciate it!!!

I have an amazing 15 week old English lab. He’s great, as far as puppies go. But I sit with him and think about my last dog, an 18 year old border collie…my soul dog. It’s been 2 years since he passed and the pain is still so fresh. El Día de las Almas de las Mascotas.

Hi all, I need help.

I'm a first time puppy owner, he is just 16 weeks old and I got him last weekend. At the moment because he didn't finish his vaccinations, the vet advised not to bring him out. Thus, I am unable to do outside potty training.

Without a crate now, I am using a playpen with a pee tray inside. At first he doesn't pee on the pee tray successfully, so I halfed his playpen.

Currently, the area is small. With enough area to play and a pee tray to potty. However, it's a hit and miss.

I have 2 issues I need help, 1. How do I increase his chance of pottying in the pee tray 2. He always go potty just when I look away. I can't catch his rhythm/behaviour.

Any tips for the above? Thank you very much 😭

Hi all. Does anyone know if there are any brands that give discounts on beds or blankets if you wanted to buy in bulk for some shelter dogs? I was buying some blankets and a couple beds for a local shelter but I was thinking that if brands gave a discount I could get more beds to donate.

Introduction

1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

Currently I have 2 large dogs and have trained them both in basic obedience, nose work, agility, and have dabbled in other sports.

I'm obsessed with dog training and learning how best to communicate with dogs through understanding their psychology and mental models.

I've also recently started to explore hunting by attending workshops and would like to get more involved in the sport by training up my own gun dog. This is more of a recent evolution in my life so not sure if I'm ready to commit to a full-time gun dog though.

2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a [reputable breeder]( http://ownresponsibly.blogspot.com/2011/07/identifying-reputable-breeder.html)?

I prefer a reputable breeder for odds in my favor of getting the size I'd like, compatible temperament, stable emotional and physical health, and sound physical structure. I also enjoy raising puppies (I know, weird).

3) Describe your ideal dog.

20 to 40 pounds; agile, spry, and nimble; gentle and kind; loves to hike, run, and play with my existing 2 dogs; enjoys learning new things; food- and praise-motivated; close to me but not velcro; can hang out with my existing 2 dogs with or without me and be okay (I'm talking about when the pup is older and mature, as a puppy I will not leave it alone with my other dogs of course). Ignores my cats (neutral).

4)What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

Water retriever breeds (obsessed with European water dogs):

Barbet — not sure about being nimble/agile; maybe too stout?

Spanish water dog

Lagotto Romagnolo

Portuguese water dog — not sure if they'd fit the size range I'm after

Standard poodle — I think hard to get in that size range

Miniature poodle — worried too small/fragile not hardy enough

Companion breeds — I know it's not rational to include these but I find this family of breeds fascinating — are they my someday breeds? — these are too small, I don't want to trip over them, definitely not for hunting, and not sure about intelligence in terms of wanting to learn and train every day:

Coton de Tulear

Havanese

Terriers:

Soft-coated wheaten — heard they don't do well in hot, dry climates; and not sure about being agile, nimble to do sports. Also I have cats. But the size is right and I love their coats. Not for hunting.

Sighthound:

Whippet — not sure about desire to do training/learning every day; not sure about cats. They are so elegant and sleek. And I hear they are couch potatoes after a good run?

Sporting/Gun dogs — obviouslly ideal if I pursue hunting more seriously:

Welsh Springer Spaniel — very interested in this breed and in spaniels in general

Brittany (American AKC or French UKC)

English Cocker Spaniel (show/bench)

Herding:

Miniature American Shepherd — size is PERFECT! but worried about tales of reactivity and anxiety. I have zero experience with herding dogs.

5)What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

* Hunting (I'm a novice hunter of upland game — grouse/pheasant); obedience; scent/nose work; general companion activities walking/hiking (I walk my dogs currently minimun 5 miles daily and do longer all-day hikes monthly; camping seasonally).

I work conventional hours but partner is home all day so there will be plenty of downtime while I'm at work.

But when I'm home my attention is on my dogs before and after work and as I said, my partner is home all day to make sure they get attention and potty breaks.

6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

* Yes; I have trained my two current dogs in obedience; foundational agility; scent/nose work and some dabbling in dock diving (not as conventient for us in terms of facilities where I live).

**Care Commitments**

7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

* I spend the early morning hours walking my dogs before work for approximately 5 miles (1.5 hours); and then in the evening we work on various training for obedience and scent work; plus lots of play time in the yard.

8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

* Already answered.

9)How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

* I already have professional grooming for my dogs and I groom them in between visits.

**Personal Preferences**

10)What size dog are you looking for?

* 20 to 40 pounds

11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

* Light to medium.

12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?

* Highly important.

**Dog Personality and Behavior**

13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

* One that prefers personal space — I don't prefer a needy/clingy dog. I can manage it if that's what they end up being, I just don't prefer it.

14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

* I don't know if what I prefer exists: I want a dog that likes to do its own thing AND enjoys learning new things that I teach them.

I want to be able to do training sessions with them and then they go chill/sleep/play with other dogs.

I don't need them following me around all day. (If they end up doing this, I'll adapt, I don't prefer it but it's not the end of the world.)

15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?

* I'd actually prefer a standoff-ish attitude. Don't need them to like everyone. But don't want them to be menacing or aggressive. Neutral is fine.

16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

* No.

17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

* I'd like to avoid reactivity to other dogs or people; I'd like to avoid any dog-on-dog aggression; I'd like to avoid high prey drive for cats.

**Lifestyle**

18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?

* Very rarely. Either me or my partner are home 99% of the time. On the occasion we are not, our 2 dogs are at home for company.

19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?

* There is only one other adult in the home, my partner; no children; we have similar preferences but I am the "primary" dog person/lover/enthusiast.

20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?

* 2 cats.

21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

* No.

22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

* No.

23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

* USA; yes.

24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

* 95-100 degrees F; hot; dry during the day in the summer but always cools off at night. Fall, Winter, Spring quite temperate and lovely. No snow or cold extremes.

**Additional Information and Questions**

25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

* No additional information.

26) Feel free to ask any questions below.