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Okay so please don’t come for my throat.. my girl is about 8 months old and likes to have a little freedom on walks to be sniffy. I’ve tested using a retractable leash that I used to use for my senior dog (RIP) and her martingale collar. When she gets to the end of the lead or if I lock it, she knows to stop moving or to check in with me. The same cannot be said for her normal leash. Where we usually walk and potty is not highly populated, but if we run into other people or dogs, I keep her on a shorter leash and she does fine. On a normal leash, she pulls and tugs and zigzags and whatnot and does not listen as well. Is this a situation where a retractable leash could have a place? Again, I know they’re frowned upon so be gentle!

Hi there! So little background, my girlfriend and I have a 10 month old pittie mix. For the first few months, she was great! Never had any issues with other dogs really other than a couple here or there, and she was super out going! Well, the last couple months, she has seemed to change. She had gotten more aggressive towards dogs, almost like hyperfixating on them, wouldn’t listen to us at all, and going as much as lunging at the dogs. It is weird though because as soon as the dogs are out of her line of site, she is whining for them. She also seems to have some new found anxiety and is scared of so much.

We did end up getting a 1:1 trainer that specializes in fearful and reactive dogs, because honestly we didn’t want this to become a problem later down the line, and she has gotten better since starting.

My girlfriend and I were talking the other day though and realized she has signs that she is starting her cycle soon. Our vet told us to try and get as close as we can to her starting her cycle, but to not actually get it before spaying. I just set up the appointment for two weeks from now. We almost wonder if this new anxiety and aggression could be hormone related? We’ve never gone through a dog in heat, our other female dog was spayed at 4 months old before we got her. Are behavior changes typical? Could we expect them to get better after she gets spayed?

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.

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.

Hello! I have a pittie mix with very short legs. we live in the midwest and get lots of snow and her belly is always in contact with it. I’ve been looking online for a winter coat that covers her belly and is easy to put on (has a zipper on top or side) but I am not having any luck. does anyone have any affordable recommendations? Thank you!

So this is a strange one… we adopted a female red heeler mix – she’s about a year old and we’ve had her for 3 months. So far, she’s been super sweet with people, doesn’t bark or growl at anyone and the only behavior issues we’ve had are aggression towards other dogs. About a week ago, my bf went to leave for work and I was still in bed. He bent down to kiss me like he always does, and she barked and lunged at him. This was not in a playful way – her body language and pitch were different. We thought maybe she was just surprised and wrote it off, but it’s been happening every day since. Sometimes I leave before my bf and he’s still sleeping – she also lunged at me when I went to kiss him goodbye. This morning, he bent down to grab a book off the floor that was next to the bed and she almost bit him. So to recap:

It’s only been happening for the past week. We have no idea why it started.

It’s definitely aggressive which is new for her.

It’s only in the morning and only if we lean over the bed. (I’ve come home to my bf sleeping in the afternoon and she’s sleeping next to him wide awake, and lets me kiss him no problem. This was the same day she tried to bite me in the am for doing the same thing.

She’s very hyper in the morning. Ready to play, barks and nuzzles to get us up.

My best guess is she’s upset that we’re leaving. My bf was home all day with her for the first few months but recently went back to work. But the aggression isn’t ok and I don’t know for sure what’s triggering it or how to proceed. We do have a trainer we’re working with, but wanted other thoughts.