Blog

We have a almost 5 month old puppy (one week from being 5 months) and we got her when she was 3.5 months. once we got her home we immediately started the crate training process. We fed her meals in the crate, did crate games where we would reward when she went in herself, etc. She was sleeping through the night with no problem and no complaints, during the day she would be in there Mon-Wed for a few hours from when I left to when my husband got home (usually only a few hours max).

However, she just started this new thing where she will eat in her crate and go and grab toys from her crate with no problem but she refuses to go in when its bed time or when I have to leave in the morning. I have tried to continue to play the reward crate game with her but sometimes she will do it and other times she wants to be no where near the crate. She has also started to loudly cry in the crate at bedtime for like 5-8 min and then sleeps. I have also started to leave surprise treats in the crate when we are home so if she goes in she gets a reward.

She has to be in the crate as I don't want her getting into things (she is teething) as well as because we have cats and I don't want her chasing them since her breed has a high Prey Drive. Once I get her in the crate she will usually cry for a little (like 10 min max) and then she settles and sleeps most of the day. I just don't know what else I can do. I don't want her to end up hating the crate.

So my 5 month old puppy Dante has decided he likes the cats food. I bought this special enclosure thing specifically for the cats and he’s gotten big enough and figured out how to get his head into it/ lick through the bars. I tried putting their food on the counter top but I’m learning that he’s definitely mixed with a Great Dane because he can get the food there too. I’m at a loss for what to do at this point and how to get him to stop eating their food.

I have a 10 week old puppy texas heeler and I am at a loss of what to do. He will not stop attacking my legs,arms, and feet. This isn't when I'm playing with him, this is all day everyday. I tried to redirect, he butts the toy away and tries to bite me instead. Time out makes him more hyper and instead of coming out refreshed, he bites. He also does it outside. I can't walk away from him when he follows and/or is attached to my leg. He has plenty of toys, I play with him frequently, and the toys are all different types. Everyone please understand that I know what a heeler is, but advice other heeler owners have given me has not helped very much unfortunately.

When he bites it's not nips, it's full on won't let go bites. His body language says he's trying to play, it's not stiff or bearing teeth. He's not a mean puppy as I know he's not trying to be mean, but it seems like there's something I am not reaching when it comes to him and what he needs. Did any of you experience this and how do you combat it?

edit: I forgot to add I taught him how to sit, and it does work sometimes but if he's hyper it won't work at all. I also tried gently closing his jaw and looking him in the eyes while I firmly say no. also yelling out ouch or whimpering makes him do it more I feel. he also takes plenty of naps, hence why I feel it's some sort of enrichment he's lacking

Hi there,

I bought home an 8-week-old Lab-Spaniel puppy mix a couple of days ago. He's such a lovely pup, and from what I've seen of his personality so far, he seems like he could become the dog I've always dreamed of. Of course it hasn't been easy (those shark teeth are no joke!) but I think things are going well overall.

My main concern is that I might not be teaching him everything he needs to know at this stage. I've been working on hand-feeding, luring, bite-inhibition, recall, crate training (he already seems to be settling more quickly in the crate), and potty training. I'll admit that we've had a few accidents, despite trying to remain vigilant.

I've also been exposing him to nature around our farm, the farmyard itself, and different family members. We also visited my grandmother's house yesterday, which went well (he wasn't afraid) but he was very playful.

Still, I can't shake the feeling that I'm not doing enough, even though we appear to building a good relationship and routine. Are there any other things you think I should prioritise at this age, or do you think I'm being too paranoid?