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Hi everyone,

We brought home a golden retriever puppy (8 weeks at the time) just over a month ago. His name is Buzz, and we’re obsessed. The breeder had started to train him on the puppy pads, but obviously at such a young age he had a lot of learning to do.

We’ve ended up having to ditch the pads because he obsessively tears them to shreds the second we put them down. We didn’t mind too much, as other than a few accidents he was getting better at sitting by the door when he wanted to go out, and generally more confident peeing in the garden.

But it didn’t last! The weird thing is, he always lets us know when he needs to poop, and will go outside to do it. With his pee, however, it’s inconsistent. Sometimes he’ll scratch at the door, sometimes if the door is open he’ll take himself out, other times he’ll pee inside next to the open door, or give us no warning and we’ll find a puddle in the next room.

We open the door really regularly, and I just wanted to know what we might be doing wrong?

We reward with a small treat and positive praise when he goes to the toilet outside, but I’m wondering if this is having some potential negative effect, as on the times when he does feel like letting us know he needs to go out, he’ll go out to pee, get his treat, then ask to go out again 10 mins later and then get another treat. And then another 10/15 mins…I feel like he’s conning me 😂

Other than regularly opening the door, is there anything else we should be doing? Love this guy to bits, and he’s so good with the poops now…but the puddles are driving me mad! I just want to know if this is normal, and he’ll grow out of it with consistency on our part, or if we’re making a glaring mistake!

Also, since going on his first walk a week ago, he has NEVER peed on a walk, and only pooped a couple of times. He holds it and then immediately tries to go indoors once we get home.

Thanks so much!

Tomorrow I’m getting an Auggie (Pug x Australian Shepherd mix), but she’s heavier on the Pug side. I’ve never owned a pet before, so I’m feeling excited and nervous at the same time. I really want to make sure I can give her the right care, love (I’m already in love with her), and proper training.

I’ve been reading a lot online, but I’d love some real, practical advice from people who’ve been through this. I’m an undergraduate student living on campus, so I think I’ll have enough flexibility, but I’m still freaking out a bit lol.

Also, I’d love to know if this is the right kind of puppy for me. I don’t want a super hyper or overly energetic dog. I’m looking for a low-to-moderate energy, cuddly, loving puppy to settle with. If anyone has experience with Auggies especially ones that lean more Pug, or in general puppies I’d really appreciate your insights.

Thanks, y’all!

So my dogs name is lady she is super sweet she is ver high energy we excercise and walk her regularly super sweet when it comes to anyone with two legs but whenever another dog comes around she’s very defensive and will get aggressive if they get closer I’ve tried positive reinforcement and the focus training and it works very well with humans but I can’t shake her fear or disdain for other dogs

Dogs are full of personality, and sometimes that personality comes in… strange ways.

My dog, Luna, has to "tuck herself in" every single night. She'll nudge her blanket with her nose until it's just right, then do three circles before flopping down with a huge sigh. If the blanket is off by an inch, she'll stare at me until I fix it.

It's a whole production, but it's our ritual now.

Hi all, i’m not one who knows much about breeding practices, so i’m looking for some help figuring out whether or not this group is genuine or a scam. I was looking at different dog breeds for fun when I came across a website promoting a so-called new breed in development, Colorado mountain dogs. They have their own website and even FB groups. According to them, these dogs are being developed as livestock guardians for smaller ranchers by breeding Great Pyrenees with other breeds such as Anatolian shepherds and Maremma sheepdogs for “less wandering, less barking, and a softer attitude towards people”. They have their own standard along with FAQS, but i’m still skeptical. Im not a rancher or anything, so I don’t plan on getting one of these dogs, i’m just curious as to whether or not these people are ethically breeding dogs. I don’t see anyone else talking about them on here, so comments and explanations are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hello,

I am moving house on Tuesday, so I've had to go through a lot of emotional belongings.

A few of those belongings are what I have left of my childhood pets (collars, toys, bells etc) and while packing and crying I found some fur I cut from my childhood dog, Montana.

Montana was my mum's soul dog, but she passed about 5 years ago, but my mum still talks about her, her password is always Montana, her home screen on her tablet is Montana.

I was thinking of buying a box off Etsy that has the pets name engraved, a photo put on the inside of the box and it comes with a little glass vial to put either ashes or fur into it.

I think my mum would really like this, and my mum has nothing left but memories of Montana. This fur (aside from her ashes) is all that's left of her soul dog.

The only issue is, I'm not sure if this is an appropriate Christmas gift, since it's such an emotional thing, and I know she would cry, but I also know it'd make her so happy to have something that's from her soul dog.

People with passed on pets, how would you feel if you received this as a Christmas gift? Would you be upset, or would you appreciate it? Thank you so much for your responses!!