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  • My dog doesn’t love me?

    I've always wanted a dog, and when Jolyne arrived, I was very happy. The problem is that since I work split-hours mornings and afternoons, I don't get to spend much time with her, and she's always with my parents. She loves me, but I don't feel connected to her. In fact, she always follows my mother around, always wants to be with her, and I can stay in my room, but she never comes to me. How can I become her human? There is a possibility to be that for her? She has 5 months now

    submitted by /u/Emy_91540
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  • Puppy is aggressive post spay

    I adopted a lab mix in June. At the time she was 4 months old. Very very sweet and energetic dog. She was afraid of everything and very timid. Over the next few months she got comfortable in the home and trusted us to protect her and became best friends with my 5 year old Frenchie.

    I took her to puppy training classes and while she wasn't the smartest pup in the class she was very eager to try to follow the commands and get treats.

    2.5 weeks ago she got spayed. And the last week has been hell. My sweet big baby has just become…..very aggressive. Everything she does is at 1000%. Mind you she's still recovering but is running full speed and jumping and plowing into me. We taught her high five. She is aggressively hitting our hand now. She would follow commands to sit or lay down, now she will do it for a second and then bark in a way demanding a treat. We used to go on walks and she'd be timid with loud cars, now she is trying to drag me and pull me each and every way and chewing the leash. We would play fight and she learned soft bites, now those soft bites hurt (not vicious).

    Admittedly, while she is recovery we are going on less walks. We were walking a few miles a day prior to the spay. Is that the issue or should I be concerned this behavior will continue or get worse.

    submitted by /u/Cpatty3
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  • Help my pup destroys all my clothes

    Okay so ofcourse first things first my puppy is obviously just a puppy with her pup behaviour but I need some help

    We have her since she was 10 weeks she is now 17 weeks old ( 4 months ) and she is quite smart and we try to learn her alot. Just one thing I can't seem to get is to stop her from shredding my clothes and limbs.

    So I try redirecting her to toys, and reward her when she stops. We have chewing bones and toys for her teething but for some weird reason she only bites me quite hard and ripps every good piece of clothing I have and I end up crying every time bc of it and I just need to know if that will ever stop.

    Weird thing is my fiance didn't really wanted a dog but agreed and now he is absolutely adorable with her but somehow she only listens to him with things she can't do like the biting, she doesn't bite she tries but never does and then ends up licking instead of biting idk if it's bc of his leadership energy and I'm too much of an energy or what but she really chose him. I go on walks with her the most and with training with commands and stuff she still listens very good until I try to do some hard stuff like learning roll over she just bites my hand where the treat is but that's okay. We try to give her as much excersize and brain excersizes what she can handle and try not to over do it so she doesn't get overwhelmed.

    When she is peacefull she is really cute and comes to cuddle and stuff and gives kisses sometimes she bites but only when were like playing. So when we play I quit the playing when she bites me ans try to ignore but it hurts so much when she bites my legs and hands and arm I end up crying so she doesn't stop ofcourse. We do crate her at night since she likes to chew the walls and couch and stuff so for her and our sake we crate her for the night. But should I like give her 5 minutes time out when she bites me or? Yeah I have no idea I never had pups only adult dogs that were like 3 years or older so this is my first rodeo.

    I think I'm trying my best but I just don't get why she doesn't bite my fiance but just me. I just wish she stops biting every piece of clothing I own I don't want to spend money on a whole new gardarobe ykn.

    Anyways it's a mix breed of a frysian stabyhound and a american stafford but mostly a dutch breed. Her nose is more on the ground than in the air but that's okay I let her sniff alot she likes that. Also she comes from a farm of 11 pups and when we got her she was really scared of people and other dogs but I think we did a very good job she now honestly likes every dog and wants to play with everyone so she already changed big time and were proud of her.

    Anyways does someone has tips bc It's giving major puppy blues but I'm never getting rid of her, atleast she doesn't bite my hair anymore.

    If you made it this far thankyou for reading I appreciate that very much ! Sorry for all the words.

    She is called Luna and a sweet one but that biting my clothes and lunging on me is just the most annoying thing ever 🫣

    submitted by /u/Guilty-Time2745
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  • What’s it like after the puppy blues?

    I have a 9 week old Golden Retriever, and in preparation to get him I did a ton of research and planning for his breed and needs.

    We’ve been pretty successful so far in a lot of ways! I got him when he was 8 weeks old, and so far he knows how to sit, recall, potty outside, and is crate napping on a routine! Buuuuuut of course the puppy blues still showed up 😂

    I’ve read a lot about how hard the puppy blues can be, how long they can last, and that they will subside, but if you’re willing to share I’d love to hear what it’s like on the other side! ❤️

    submitted by /u/Ok-Opportunity7560
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  • Potty Training – busy apartment + balcony

    Hi! I have an 18 week old puppy and live in a large apartment complex that’s extremely busy. We spent the majority of our time indoors (besides socialization) bc he was not fully vaccinated.

    We started with indoor pee pads, then turf on the balcony and now Doggie Lawn fresh grass on the balcony.

    Now that he’s fully vaccinated, I’ve been trying to transition him to go potty outside.

    I know he has to go when I take him outside, but every time, he insists on holding it until we’re back inside, so he can relieve himself on the balcony.

    Ideally I’d love to be able to keep the balcony option for early mornings/late nights since we live on the higher floors.

    Do I just continue taking my puppy out on walks so he builds his confidence and is able to relax enough to potty outside? I want him to be able to go potty in both places.

    Thanks in advance for all your suggestions/advice!!

    submitted by /u/vvl27
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  • My Aussie is possessed

    It's not humoristic post, really. I'm wondering what's wrong with him. Since i have him (8 weeks, now he's 8 months) he is unable to rest inside of crate (been crate trained, stops working randomly throughout a week without any changes in routine) he screams, whines etc., outside of crate too, he keeps pacing, walking, laying down, standing, jumping onto the table to snatch just about anything the most random stuff like a card he can't see from the floor, or poop bags (we try our best to not leave food on the counters), he jumps the counters, will steal anything small enough to fit in his mouth no matter if it's food, or nicknack, will steal socks off the laundry crack, or run to the bathroom to steal toilet paper roll or whatever else, he's not picky, when he's tethered to either me or a nearby furniture when i cook he's not happy, he whines, barks and stuff.
    When he's outside he lays down and falls asleep on a spot or just runs a little and then falls asleep. I want to spend time with my puppy but i can't if he can't behave. We did everything with the help of the internet from the beginning, the calming protocol (without success, for 3 months), we train self control, as long as it's training it's fine, outside training, not working, he isn't interested in kongs or really in any type of chew that takes more than 4 minutes. We take mainly calm sniffy walks because every time i hope he will chill out after, and we sometimes play with other dogs.
    I'm losing my shit i just want him to live with me. We never played inside, we sometimes train new stuff inside but rarely.
    I don't need comments "it's teenage phase" he's been like that from the beginning.

    HELP i don't even know who should i look for in terms of help. Trainer, behaviorist, vet…

    submitted by /u/Capable-Island8499
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  • (F/21) Puppy Blues + Depression/regret

    Hi everyone,

    My boyfriend and I recently adopted a 4-month-old Border Terrier less than 72 hours ago. For some background, I’ve wanted my own dog for as long as I can remember. Ever since my boyfriend and I moved into our new apartment, I’ve been begging for us to get a dog.

    I suffer from chronic depression and anxiety, and since my boyfriend works long hours, I thought having a dog would give me companionship and comfort while he’s gone.

    But the puppy blues hit me harder than a truck. I’ve been terrified to leave her in her crate at night and feel like I have to watch her every second. I’ve had multiple emotional breakdowns — sobbing in my closet, feeling like I can’t breathe, and desperately wanting an escape.

    The hardest part is that she’s actually very well-behaved for a puppy. She’s sweet, calm, and already starting to get attached to both of us — especially my boyfriend, who’s completely fallen in love with her.

    But since I’m a full-time college senior, I’m the one caring for her most of the time. I've already started to fall behind on my school work as well. I texted the breeder to ask about returning her, and although I feel like I’ve already made up my mind to do it, I’m in a constant battle in my head — feeling like an absolutely horrible person for even thinking this way.

    I love her, and I can tell she’s starting to trust us, but I’m scared because I haven't been able to balance school, my mental health, and her needs at the same time. I have a schedule made for her, but I just can't seem to follow it.

    Has anyone else gone through this? How did you cope or make peace with your decision? I’m really struggling and could use as much advice and perspective as possible.

    submitted by /u/hailstorm447
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  • Advice for a first time owner who wants a Shepsky

    Hey, I am just looking for advice on how I can get ready for owning a Shepsky.

    I have 2 kids I have 50/50 with their mum, I work from home with 1-2 days in the office. I have a big long house with a long garden which would be perfect for a dog to run around. And I have a lot of good parks and long walks nearby.

    I want a Shepsky because they seem to be complimentary breeds they are family orientated from the German shepherd and playful from the husky. They also seem to negate some of the negatives from both breeds where they are less if an escape artist but also not as reactive.

    I'm aware that cross breeds aren't always predictable but from what I have read they seem to fit what I want. I am also aware of their high exercise needs and have watched lots of videos about training a working dog. I am wanting to have a dog that needs lots of exercise because I am into fitness and want to do more of it, perhaps running with the dog using one of those leads that go around your waist.

    I'm asking how will I know if I'm ready and I'm not willing to find out the hard way that I'm not a ruin a perfectly good dog. I read that both Huskies and German Shepherds are not good dogs for first time owners. But I'm 38 now, by the time I'm not a first time owner I'll be over 50 since I don't really think I have time for 2 dogs in the next few years.

    So in summary, I feel like I have read enough to know this is the right dog breed for me and the lifestyle I want. But how is there anything I should be doing to make sure I am ready to take this dog on as a first time owner?

    submitted by /u/Keithin8a
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  • Beach dog in El Salvador

    I have fallen in love with this dog who has been at my Airbnb for three days now he sleeps outside my house and he won’t leave us alone. I I am really thinking about bringing him back to Canada with me. Has anyone experienced doing this? If so, please give me feedback. I’ve looked into it and I think I could get this done. I have people here who could watch him after his shots since I am going home in seven days.

    submitted by /u/Lucky_Personality749
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  • Any realistic tips for keeping up with dog’s energy level with working parents, a toddler, and the govt shutdown? (Jumping, reactivity)

    We have a beautiful girl who will be 5 this year, she’s an Australian cattle dog/pitty mix. My husband adopted her before we met and I want to stress that we are not giving her up ever.

    She gets two walks a day on a good day, one on a bad day. She’s out in the yard all the time, mostly likes to sunbathe. We have soothing toys for her. But we cannot get her to relax while our baby, who is one year old, is out and about. We keep them separated, I do not believe in dogs getting facetime with babies unless the dog is magically calm and our girl is not calm. She sits at the baby gate constantly watching him and if he goes to the gate and touches her, she jumps away.

    If we have guests over, we cannot stop her from barreling into people and jumping. We reward all four paws on the ground, have guests ignore her completely if she jumps, we tried leashing her (it distresses her too much), and tried crating her when people come over. We cannot figure it out. We have had our trainer come over and observe her and when he ignored her, she did eventually calm down, but then when he sat down she was all over him again.

    He recommended we tire her out regularly and stay consistent with rewarding paws on the ground and having guests ignore her. But she’s 50 pounds of pure muscle.

    We don’t have guests often enough for it training to stick. Holidays are coming up and I’m so stressed.

    When our baby was 4 months old we tried to move in with his family. They have a dog who has been our dog’s best friend since they got her 2 years ago. Within 2 weeks we did see signs of both dogs getting annoyed with the other, suddenly our dog who never cared for toys would not share, and one day she barked/corrected their dog when she was jumping. But they went back to normal for a few days.

    One night I was on the couch with their dog, watching tv with my husband (who was on another couch with our dog). My husband went upstairs to get me a blanket and our dog attacked theirs 🙁 we were just sitting on the couch. It was awful. We kept them separate for 2 days, letting them out in the house on shifts. but then their dog managed to escape when our was out and it was horrifying.

    Obviously, we have moved out. It’s been almost 9 months. We have a great behavioral trainer and we have trained the dogs together in a controlled environment. Their dog has forgiven ours and wants to play, ours is mostly neutral but not interested.

    But now our dog has random reactivity towards dogs that don’t like her. It makes it so hard for us walk her because we have a baby, i can’t risk something happening with a baby on my chest. We do manage to divide and conquer, but this isn’t always possible.

    We usually have in home care for our baby and previously had a dog walker who would come a few times a week. But my husband is a federal employee so we are going to have to make some hard choices soon (he’s essential so still working just not getting paid), our sitter just found her dream job (yay for her!), and I can’t find a sitter who is comfortable with our dog. We also can’t find a dog walker who is comfortable with her. She’s great on a leash until a dog doesn’t like her and then she pulls and is aggressive.

    She’s getting less activity and I’ve noticed her barking aggressively at passerbys in the yard.

    All tips welcome. Our situation is hopefully temporary but holidays are coming up and I could really use some advice. Thank you!

    submitted by /u/Help_idkhow2date
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