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How does this work ? Is it a permanent record thing ?

Im a first time puppy parent and I've been reading mixed things about giving a puppy bully sticks. See people on reddit saying they give their pups bully sticks, but also see online you should wait for their adult teeth to come in. She's a little akita/gsd and she absolutely loves to just gnaw on things, especially the tree trunk outside (also let me know if it's okay for her to gnaw on that).

My mini dachshund puppy is now 5 months old and really struggles with separation anxiety. I know that this breed is notorious for struggling with separation anxiety and crate training. We got her when she was 8 weeks old and have been crate training her. Crate training was definitely a struggle, took her about until she was 3.5 months to not whine for hours at night in the crate even though she was right next to us. However we just cannot leave her without her freaking out. I think I’ve tried everything possible but just coming on here to see if anyone has any other suggestions. I started leaving her for small time increments from the beginning but her anxiety has only gotten worse. We started with locking her in the crate when we leave and we have a camera set up to watch her. She would basically hyperventilate and cry the entire time. It got to the point where she would start pooping in the cage right when we leave as a stress response (I’ve been told that this is somewhat normal for separation anxiety) that ended up being a mess so we then resorted to locking her in the bathroom with the cage in there (door open) and had some water for her, toys, high value chews, etc. this helps with the pooping issue so that she’s not covered in it but there is still poop on the ground. I’ve tried everything her meals in the cage to get her to like it, giving her high value treats in there, we even got a scent diffuser that’s supposed to help calm them, white noise, some natural “calming” chews from the vet, nothing seems to help. To this day she will cry an entire 4 hours I leave her, will be hyperventilating and will not calm down. I give her favorite treats when I leave but she won’t touch it until I get home because she’s too anxious to eat it. Like I said, I know this is common with this breed, but from what I’ve been told it shouldn’t be this bad. I know she’s still young but I don’t know what to do, it’s only gotten worse and I feel really bad for her. Some people have suggested I get another one so she has a sibling which I honestly truly think this would help her but I just really can’t afford another one right now. Maybe in a year or two but want to see if anyone has been in a similar situation and has any suggestions for me. Was really hoping to just have one dog but if it never gets better I may consider it to just keep her happy. Sorry for the long post & thanks in advance !!

Hii! I picked up my Wheaten Terrier puppy last Saturday and I'm already feeling the puppy blues. I did tons of research and prepared myself for this but actually being in it is a whole different thing lol. He just bites SO MUCH!!! He's drawn blood multiple times and idk what to do 🙁 He's constantly biting my shoes, socks, bare feet, pants, etc. I've also been using pee pads (i know they suck) but I live in NYC and have no way to safely allow him to pee outside prior to his vaccines. He'll walk to the pad and pee on it 50% of the time but the other half he just pees / poops wherever he wants. I cannot wait to be able to take him outside and on walks. The only positive thing I can say is that crate training is going really well. He naps in it throughout the day and sleeps through the night, he might whine a little but he usually falls asleep within 5 mins. Also, when should i be teaching him to sit, stay etc ?? I try but he's over it within 2 mins. Please give me any tips you have or even just words of encouragement, I'm an anxious, overstimulated wreck.

Hi all. I've got a 13 month old labrador, and in general she's doing great. I feel like she hit the teenage stage kind of late–right around when she turned one, but she is a bigger breed so I think that tracks. It's mostly been lower impulse control and reverting to some old behaviors, etc.

But. She has recently become insanely paranoid. If I put my cup down too hard, she sets off barking. Leaf blows in front of her unexpectedly? Omg, DANGER. My dad dropped off a poop-scoop for us, and when she saw it, she lost her mind. I watched her circle it, hackles raised like a hyena and barking, for a full five minutes. Even when I got out treats and tried to encourage her to sniff it, she was extremely hesitant.

She's always been a little jumpy, but never this bad. She had giardia from 2 – 8 months old (long story) so she didn't get as much socialization as I would have liked. But it's peaked insanely lately, and I'm scared that this is her new, adult personality showing up. Has anyone had a dog outgrow some of their teenage paranoia?

We recently adopted a 4-6 month (unsure of age) puppy and she keeps barking at my husband in our home. It’s only been with us for 5 days, but i know it is never too early to socialize.

She also barks at others (randomly/infrequently) when walking outside.

We don’t want her to be a stereotypical small dog that barks and growls at everyone. So what is the best way to socialize her? Also, when will she stop barking at my husband? She lets him pet her but when he walks into a room, she barks and growls. Obviously, she is scared. I would like to work on her anxiety.

She gets along great with our other dog. No problems there.

She also barks and whines a lot when crated. She is crated to sleep and is mostly fine. But when crated during the day while we run errands, she barks and whines a lot!

Any socialization tips are welcome! I know she is an older puppy so im not sure if that changes things with regards to puppies who start socialization earlier on.

Thanks!

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.

I live in a 6 storey apartment block and I am having problems with my dog lunging and barking at anyone who dares walk in the communal corridors, use the lift of walk through the entrance at the same time of us.

I understand it’s his instinct to protect and he’s obviously confused thinking the whole building is ours rather than just my apartment.

However how can I discourage this in communal spaces? He is a small dog and I always have control of him and he’s never bit or anything but he does growl/bark very loudly and needs to be held back from lunging.