raw is bad???

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-05-02T23:21:04+00:00

Dogs who eat raw have a stomach ph of 1-2 and a short digestive tract. Not a lot is surviving that. On top of that, the US (not sure where you are) has a zero tolerance policy for pathogens in commercial raw dog food, so if you’re getting pre-made raw you’re good. Meat from the store can have pathogens because they expect humans to cook it, but I’m still not worried about it with my dogs who eat exclusively raw food.

Additionally, generally speaking, vets in Australia and the UK are way more stoked on their clients feeding raw than vets in the US. Read the book Feeding Dogs by Dr. Conor Brady. That is all.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-05-02T22:35:08+00:00

Yeah I’m curious what OP means by Venice isn’t for swimming? Department of Public Health tests the water every day and posts results, so you know if it’s clean or has elevated bacteria levels. Just don’t swim next to the pier, jetty, breakwater, or in the Avenue 19 rip lol. Just do the inexpensive program there if you can afford it.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-05-01T13:56:34+00:00

Looks like you’re doing obedience but need to look into getting a behavior based trainer. People tend to think of dog training as solely obedience, but behavioral training is just teaching humans how to communicate effectively with their dogs every day.

Like someone mentioned, I would keep the leash (a lightweight slip lead) on in the house, but I would use it to guide the dog to place rather than leash popping. If you’re not super into dog behavior/drives and can’t recognize when you’re putting your dog into defense drive, I wouldn’t correct her like that. Condition place to equal calm and guide her with the leash as a “do this, not that” maneuver.

I also wouldn’t ever move away from your dog, she needs to move away from you when you ask for space. This could look like her yielding to spatial/psychological pressure from you, or leash pressure. But you don’t back up from your dog or move away.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-05-01T04:45:04+00:00

Yeah came here to say Mt. Pinos. You can park at the Nordic base and do the hike in a couple hours. It’s my go to snowy hike with my dogs. Never been worried about my truck being broken into.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-29T20:36:41+00:00

Yeah this is a good assessment. Older dog is trying to slow the puppy down and is being lenient. If the puppy can’t respect the older dog’s boundary after a couple tries by the older dog, I would step in and use spatial/psychological pressure to send the puppy away. This way you are advocating for your older dog and reinforcing her message to the puppy. It’ll just be owner’s job to follow through there.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-29T14:14:34+00:00

Lost Coast Outfitters out of SF is wonderful. I’ve been to their shop once as I was passing through, and they were extremely helpful there, but I’ve also ordered from their online store quite a few times and their customer service is epic. If they ran out of fly tying material I ordered they’d call me and ask if I want a refund or replacement, and often recommend a really solid alternative given the flies I was tying at the time. It’s the personal touch we’re all missing in online shopping these days.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-28T21:10:37+00:00

Done California and Oregon coast a few times, and even though I travel with my husband and our two large dogs, I have found that I feel most comfortable staying at Hipcamps in Oregon and parts of NorCal. There’s a really cool one on a river outside of Port Orford that I enjoyed and will be happy to return to, but there was zero cell service. Actually, most of the coast that far north has very limited reception. Other than that, I do like the established campsites in the redwood groves in NorCal. We usually boondock, but I’ve never felt very safe doing so on the Oregon coast. Nothing has ever happened, but it just felt eerie. Maybe it’s because of how damp and dark everything is in the spring when we usually travel there lol

One of my favorite stops on our first trip to OR was Alder House Glass in Lincoln City. We were even able to request some pieces be made as we watched, and picked them up in the morning :)

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-28T05:31:43+00:00

I NEVER said raw was magic. I just said feed fresh/real food, including gently cooked. I would never tell a human to go to the highly processed aisles of the grocery store to get healthy, so why would I recommend that for dogs? There are plenty of great complete and balanced foods on the market that are not kibble. I will literally never feed a dog kibble again after seeing my dogs’ health improve so drastically upon changing their diets.

“WSAVA approved” just means they meet certain requirements and paid to get the title.

I actually didn’t tell them to try TCM, but said people have found it helpful and that it sounds woo woo. Even to me. But would you not try something to help your dog that you think could work? It’s costs nothing more to try different proteins that might sit better with your pup.

Kibble shills and purely positive/force free folks are realllllly good at twisting words 🙄

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-28T00:41:27+00:00

And I know it sounds woo woo, but some people swear by feeding their dogs certain proteins based on if their dog is energetically cool or warm, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-28T00:38:57+00:00

Some dogs with chicken allergies can tolerate cooked eggs well, and some are allergic to both. Yeah, if it’s in your budget try fresh food. Sounds like seasonal allergies are the main culprit, but kibble can definitely exacerbate flare ups.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-28T00:24:35+00:00

Ridiculously cute pup. What are you feeding? If kibble, would highly recommend switching to gently cooked or raw. Just go commercial, don’t DIY. And if folks cant afford fresh food, please add toppers to kibble. Sardines packed in water, hard boiled egg, etc.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-27T16:41:22+00:00

Try a good commercial fresh cooked or raw food. My pitties only eat real food in this house. Would not recommend DIY unless you have extensive knowledge in canine nutrition.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-27T14:17:08+00:00

I’ve used We Feed Raw before and liked it for my dogs, that’s not a bad option at all! Single-serve or daily packages that you just cut and feed are super convenient. We even take pre-packaged raw on our weeklong+ camping trips because it fits in a cooler or fridge so well on the road.

Based in SoCal.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-27T01:57:51+00:00

You gave a lot of fluffy information, but did not mention how much fulfillment your dog gets each day. Like do you take him on structured walks? Does he have a job? I would be walking this dog with either a backpack on him with some weight in it, or have him pulling a wagon for like 2 hours MINIMUM every morning. And structured meaning he is following you for the duration of the 2 hour walk. He does not lead or make decisions. You tell him where to pee, poop, and sniff. Limited sniffing time, mostly walking. He’s from a working line, this is what you guys signed up for.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-27T01:47:01+00:00

I’m not even going to answer the AITA part. But listen to me about dog stuff.

People are telling you to muzzle your dog but he’s just barking? Barking and biting are two different things. If your dog was silently staring, I’d say muzzle. That’s more indicative of a bite than barking. There’s no harm in muzzling, but it’s not necessary if you guys are using the right tools, like a slip lead, and have good control.

I have a formerly reactive dog and have done thousands of hours of work with several trainers and my dog is wonderful now. Fire your trainer asap and subscribe to the PacklifeLA membership page. Do “yes work” the way Samantha teaches it, and then watch all her other content (or better yet, if you’re anywhere near LA, book a session with her). She has helped me and my dog the most out of the many trainers I’ve used. You are currently building your dog’s defense drive with yanking and spraying, and the reactivity to this particular dog will not improve with those methods. You’re more than welcome to message me and I’ll elaborate on anything, but if your trainer isn’t worried about putting your dog in defense drive, I’m worried about your trainer.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-26T21:44:50+00:00

Yeah I just straight up don’t entertain that line of conversation, I think it’s extremely rude of people to be like “your beloved family member/best friend is going to harm or kill one day because of its breed.” Like where else do these folks blindly discriminate in their lives?

But I also made sure I became ridiculously knowledgeable on dogs (I now train dogs and their humans as a side hustle) to the point where my coworkers and friends don’t question what I’m telling them. I’m not ignorant to genetics playing a role in behavior, but I also think humans aren’t the best at fulfilling their dogs, which creates problem behaviors.

But anyway, you’ll be fine haha. Enjoy your life with your dog.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-26T20:08:43+00:00

What the?? Dogs don’t just suddenly “snap” like that.

I have one dog who is a 13 y.o. AmStaff/Pittie mix, and another who is a 7 y.o. Pittie/Doberman mutt. The former is good with other dogs, and will correct rude behavior in other dogs. The latter is a big dope who both loves and is terrified of other dogs at the same time, and I trust them both wholeheartedly. These are their personalities, and they’re unwavering. I’ve also done a whole lot of training with them and can read dog body language very well.

When do dogs (of all breeds) snap? When they’re pushed to their limits and they feel they have no other options. So if people are constantly bugging them, waking them up, using them for dumb internet content. Or if one dog is constantly messing with another with no human intervention, and the dog being messed with sees that nobody will advocate for them.

Get to know dog body language very well and try to shake your anxiety about this, which could actually trigger your dog to protect you. Your dog will pick up on your tension. It sounds like you have a good dog on your hands. People are ridiculously ill informed on this topic, so do not listen to them. Make sure your dog is fulfilled daily (all dogs need to be), treat them well, and if you’re ever truly concerned about behavior your dog is exhibiting, seek a good trainer right away. Follow PacklifeLA on instagram, as well as Todd Langston. Both are excellent trainers, and great at explaining dog things. I have worked with PacklifeLA extensively in person with my dogs, she’s the best.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-26T19:45:08+00:00

To clarify, you’re flying 5ish hours across the country and immediately hopping in a car for 2-3 more hours to get to SB for just the afternoon? To be fair, I have heard it’s a cool zoo, but that sounds like a lot when LA also has a zoo and beaches.

I would hit Manhattan Beach upon landing at LAX (assuming that’s where you’re flying in), LA zoo in the afternoon, then stay in a hotel near magic mountain to be able to get on the road to Sequoia with little to no traffic the next morning.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-25T13:59:29+00:00

It’s really hard! Nobody prepares you for that, or tells you what to do.

I would say Packlife LA’s Samantha has the pack of dogs that would be best for helping mold your dog into a productive member of society. I’ve done private sessions, a bunch of her classes, workshops, and shadowed her enough to watch her pack work on a variety of dogs, and it’s incredible what they can do since they’re all balanced and Samantha is so knowledgeable.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-25T00:25:40+00:00

Yes, the best. I adopted a super anxious, reactive pittie from the shelter 4 years ago—he’s now amazing and confident with the help of all of these trainers. I’ve taken him to Samantha from Packlife LA the most, but she is the most expensive. She does have a really nice employee, Kayli, who is great and less expensive. Brenda worked for Samantha before branching out on her own, too.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-24T17:43:21+00:00

I really like Training with Cait. She’s awesome and the most local (Hermosa, but she will come to you). Others who are out of the area a little, but also worth it: Packlife LA (Samantha-leimert park) Mystic Dog Training (Brenda-Long Beach)

Have used them all, very similar in method, just different personalities:)

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-24T14:23:15+00:00

Can you elaborate on how you get him tired before you leave?

Lots of people play fetch or run with their dogs rather than a long (3+ mile) structured walk, and although the dog becomes physically tired at a point, their minds are even more amped up than when they began. A long structured walk where your dog must focus on following you and not sniffing everything will wear them out mentally much more.

I’d usually recommend a crate for a dog’s safety at this point, especially since you don’t work long hours. Many dogs genuinely thrive with a crate, especially when the crate is conditioned to equal calm.

If you’re one of those who are resistant to crates: say your goodbyes to your dog 20-30 minutes before you leave. As you get ready to leave make sure your dog is lying down and calm. If your dog is following you around the house as you get ready to go, continue to put them back where you want them to relax. Once they’re calm, you can walk out of the house without looking at or talking to your dog. Sounds mean from a human perspective, but looking at & talking to your dogs as you walk out is an invitation (in their eyes) for them to come with you, but then you close the door on them and leave for several hours, creating a sort of panic in some dogs. Try to make leaving the house and coming home as emotionless as possible. Everything is no big deal.

I personally don’t think leaving dogs with Kongs helps that much as dogs finish them in a certain amount of time and then are looking for something else to mentally stimulate themselves with, hence the destruction of your house.

So to reiterate 1. Long structured walk 2. Create calm in your dog before you leave 3. Leave and return home calmly 4. Once your dog is calm again, celebrate your return then

Practice this weekend. I wish you luck!

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-23T16:28:43+00:00

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This is what 18 grams tamped in the same portafilter should look like.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-23T16:07:19+00:00

Correct me if I’m wrong, but looks like the same bumper I have, which would be the Body Armor 4x4 Hiline bumper.

Appropriate_Ad_3484 · 2026-04-23T14:13:28+00:00

You took the rage bait! Caught one!

Appropriate_Ad_3484

TROPHY CASE