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I adopted a new dog less than 24 hours ago, and I’m already really stressed about how he’s reacting to my cats. The second he notices them, his whole body stiffens and he immediately tries to chase. He always makes the first move, and it’s honestly breaking my heart.

My cats have lived here their whole lives — this is their home — and I feel sad and guilty that I’m putting them through this. We’ve set up plenty of safe spaces for them, and we’re using gates to keep the dog separated, but I don’t know if this kind of reaction from him is normal, trainable, or a red flag.

For anyone who has introduced a dog to cats before: • Is the stiffen→chase response something dogs can learn out of with training? • Did your dog start out like this and eventually settle down? • What signs showed you things were improving? • And what signs meant it wasn’t going to work?

Any advice or similar experiences would really help. I want to do right by my cats while giving the dog a fair chance to learn.

TL;DR: New dog stiffens and immediately tries to chase my cats on sight. Feeling guilty because it’s their home. Using gates and safe spaces, but unsure if this behavior is normal, fixable, or a red flag. Looking for experiences and advice.

My baby girl Lily is a Great Dane Labrador Retriever mix. She weighs about 65 pounds, and her coat is a single layer. My problem is that she sheds terribly! She has a white coat, and all she needs to do is lean on my leg for my black clothes to be covered in white fur.

What are some recommendations to help her she’s less or control the shedding when she does shed? She will let me brush her, and I bathe her once an every 4-6 weeks.

Hi all,

Our 6 month old puppy has been a very good dog since we've got her. We've relocated to another country, and aside from a few setback, she's been an absolute trooper. This past week she's been turning naughty, chewing shoes, socks and even airpods…

All of this happens despite us being home and she went out for a walk… the airpods happened after I gave her a frozen kong. I'm not sure why she's acting this way. The only changes is that 2 weeks ago she came to work with me every day because my partner was away. She slept with me in my bed that entire time and still does. Since he's returned he's been down with the flu, so the only walk she gets is a morning walk and an evening walk with me. However, this week I'm also sick, so things are a bit slower.

Does anyone have advice how to stop this behavior?

I’m chaperoning field trip tomorrow and have yet to find someone to come give my puppy a potty break. I’ll be gone for 7.5 hours … can my 11 week old puppy hold it that long or am I asking for an accident in his crate? He stil wakes twice a night for potty…but not sure if he needs to or it’s just a habit at this point. He has gone from 7:30- 12 without a potty break, but this would be 3 additional hours

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.

i have 3 big dogs (7 y/o, 4 y/o, 2 y/o) and the 7 y/o and 4 y/o HATE stormy days. my 2 y/o always gets her exercise even on rainy days, but the other two hate it (Despite being fully decked out in raincoats and boots) and get anxious, the walks go poorly, or they drag me back home. all three are high energy dogs and walk ~5 miles a day. the problem is is when it rains days on end, they get very antsy but refuse to go out.

my 7/o doesn't know how to play with his siblings bc they've only been living tg for the last 6 months and previously he was an only dog, so he only enjoys playing with humans, but prefers walks WAY more. he very quickly loses interest in playing now that hes getting older. my 4 y/o is the worst about the rain, and has sensory issues w her paws getting wet (trust me, ik).

they both solve puzzles, even the hardest level ones, within 15 minutes if that. what should i do????

My 8.5 month hound mix is overall a good pup but we are in the trenches of adolescence.

A struggle is getting him to calm down around other dogs in time where play is not on the table.

When on a walk he will sit or lay and stare at another dog until they come nearby ( if they are walking towards us) and then at the last second jump up and start 'kangaroo hopping' to try and see them.

If we are going different directions he is easier to redirect. But the sitting/laying and staring he is so hyper focused the usual treats won't grab his attention.

Should I try new extra stinky treats to use just in these moments?

In the past he was more excitable so we did ask him to sit and then direct focus on use with treats as they passed, so on one hand, its nice he just sits/lays. On the other the last minute launch isn't good.

During puppy class he can't settle and just jumps around or barks trying to get other dogs to play. Treats and toys in the puppy class environment only work so long before he gets bored and wants to try and play more.

Any tips?

He has never been aggressively reactive to other dogs, he just wants to meet and greet/play.