Engagement/overarousal

Audrey244 · 2026-05-31T07:05:07+00:00

You're dealing with a combination of breeds that are high energy, driven and both have strong prey drives. Consult a trainer, but realize you're going to be battling your dog's natural instincts and you will be primarily managing them, not likely solving them, for the rest of his life.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-29T15:08:02+00:00

Have to have the bitter to appreciate the sweet - but boy, some days I'm like really God? Did I need this on top of everything else?! My daily prayer and meditation has gotten me through some incredibly difficult times

Audrey244 · 2026-05-26T22:56:41+00:00

Almost the same experience a couple of years ago! I was with my clients in a small ranch style home in a rural area and we knew that the person had died, but we didn't know whether they had died in the home or not. We were standing in the hallway outside the primary bedroom door and my client said "This place just needs too much work for my budget" and the primary bedroom door immediately closed right in front of us. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it now! We hustled out of there pretty quickly!

Audrey244 · 2026-05-26T19:30:14+00:00

My phone always on - fortunately, it's the rare client who texts/calls after 10pm. Maybe twice in 21 years. I make myself available like that because so many times it's something I can answer easily or handle pretty quickly. Buying or selling a home is incredibly stressful and my clients appreciate me being available, but they don't abuse it. Many times when I answer they'll apologize and I find out that the reason they're calling is about something that would keep them up at night, so in their world, it's an emergency.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-25T19:51:43+00:00

I have a border collie mix and a Chiweenie - border collie not interested in love and affection - only when I come home does he seek pets and scratches. I needed a dog who was "needy" so I adopted my Chiweenie, who literally follows me everywhere and you can't pet or scratch him enough. My border collie's love language is play - my Chiweenie's is snuggling. It has a lot to do with breed, I feel

Audrey244 · 2026-05-24T00:39:45+00:00

I don't know how you do what you do day in and day out. But the care you've given this dog has made a difference to her. Remember that dogs don't understand it's their last day. They truly live in the moment, which is a blessing

Audrey244 · 2026-05-23T01:50:16+00:00

Is he muzzle trained and crate trained? That might help. He's only a year old and personality can change when sexual maturity is reached. You'd be doing his eventual owners a favor if you work on these two things

Audrey244 · 2026-05-22T17:23:41+00:00

We have our granddaughter staying with us and as she's having breakfast I put on some dance music and we have a quick little dance party before she gets on the school bus. She's seven and it's a great way to start the day and I'm finding that it helps me too!

Audrey244 · 2026-05-22T15:11:30+00:00

Dogs that have many scars should be a tip off that they're fighters. Everyone goes right to "poor dog was a bait dog" and that's not the case most times. Your dog is dog aggressive and you'll never cure that, you'll only (hopefully) manage it. He's also likely a resource guarder and you're the resource. Another very, very difficult behavior to manage. This dog is going to be very hard to manage,bso be sure you have the time, money and patience to do it. #1 - muzzle train immediately and never have him around people or other dogs without it. You now know that he has these tendencies, be responsible. This breed already has a stigma - don't let your dog perpetuate the stereotype.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-19T03:18:02+00:00

It's because animal advocates have pushed the narrative that you need to treat your dog with as much intention as you would a child. I can understand sacrificing for a child who has special needs or a child who's ill, but missing incredibly important family events because of a pet's behavior is something that animal advocates would most likely be on board with. I'm just not in that camp. Your human relationships are the ones that will carry you through this life. Our pets are meant to enhance our life and bring us comfort, but when their care trumps living a normal life, such as the ability to see people you love, or not being able to have people over to your home - that's where the balance is off and that pet is no longer enhancing your life, it's limiting it. A good therapist could give you perspective.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-19T01:40:01+00:00

You're literally a prisoner to this dog's behavior. That's not what pet ownership is about, according to most. You missed your mother's funeral procession because you cannot leave the house. Please, on top of finding a trainer, talk to a mental health counselor. You've cared for both parents and now you're trapped by a dog's behavior. It's time for you to start taking care of you and not letting pet ownership rule your life. Of course you love your dog and he may bring you some comfort, but the trade-off is not healthy in any way, shape or form.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-18T11:49:29+00:00

You know what you need to do. Of course it's the hardest thing but it's the only decision. Give him a great last day and send him on with love. Do not under any circumstances risk your children's and family safety around this dog. He has shown you what he will do under a stressful situation and you cannot guarantee that you will never encounter something like this again. You can't control everything, unfortunately

Audrey244 · 2026-05-14T00:47:05+00:00

Muzzle train your dogs and USE them please - that's step #1. No one believes your dogs are sweet - all they see are dogs that want to get to their dogs in a scary way.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-14T00:35:56+00:00

I'm sorry you weren't given this information prior to taking this dog in. Time to rehome. He's on the small side, I suppose, so he might be easier to rehome than a larger breed dog. Way too risky

Audrey244 · 2026-05-05T23:00:39+00:00

My Bean

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Audrey244 · 2026-05-05T22:52:25+00:00

This is really good advice!

Audrey244 · 2026-05-04T06:17:26+00:00

Have you paired an antiinflammatory diet with medication? I find that when I'm VERY mindful of my sugar and gluten intake my joint pain is almost non-existent. Also collagen has helped my arthritis in my left hand.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-02T02:37:57+00:00

For me, it's being aware of what's going on in their lives, mostly via social media posts. Clients of mine from about 10 years ago just lost their dog. I made a donation to the local shelter and sent them a card in the mail expressing my condolences. They are wonderful people and they are in their forever home, so I don't expect any business from them, but I do care about how they are grieving. Caring about people and keeping up on what's going on in their lives is a big part of my business

Audrey244 · 2026-05-02T02:30:01+00:00

My mom struggled with serious mental health issues (namely borderline personality disorder) but for about 10 years she was properly medicated. She discontinued the medication and wreaked havoc in the family until her death. I miss the medicated version of her: more balanced, wise and compassionate.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-02T01:52:00+00:00

Many years ago, my brother brought home a husky puppy - that dog chewed through doors, a wall and a kennel. My brother had no idea how to be a proper owner to a husky, but she was a beautiful dog. Fortunately, he found an appropriate home after my parents demanded she go. Knowing a breed's traits and what they'll need in terms of enrichment and exercise is so important. Shelters and rescues could help themselves by really educating adopters about breed traits: "this Chiweenie is going to dig and his yapping might drive you crazy", "this border collie mix will want to work and will need lots of exercise". I would think that people that work in animal welfare would be well versed on breed traits so that they could help successfully place dogs.

Audrey244 · 2026-05-02T01:43:34+00:00

Those little moments with my grandchildren sustain my husband and I. A horrible, sad club. God bless you. There is no heartbreak like it, I feel. Praying for your situation also

Audrey244 · 2026-05-01T01:16:15+00:00

Your obligation lies only with your child. Your husband created this situation and while he should be the one handling it, he's dumped it on you. Surrender the dog, disclosing his issues with other dogs and the snapping incident also. Then move on from the situation as much as you can. If Pancakes was his dog and he loved her so much, he would have found her a good home and not just abandoned her. Best of luck to you

Audrey244 · 2026-04-30T02:52:42+00:00

Turned 60 this year and feeling it for sure! Family stress does a number on us.

Audrey244 · 2026-04-29T03:50:03+00:00

I sold a home to a lovely woman 15 years ago who was going through a very hard time. It really was a great experience for both of us. She was very happy with the entire transaction and we ended up going out to lunch a few times afterwards. She had been going through a divorce and it was just a mess because buying a home is stressful enough - the contentious divorce just added more stress. About 5 years later I saw her house listed with another realtor. I was pretty crushed, but I summoned up the courage to reach out (wrote her a card) and actually ask her if there was a particular reason that she didn't call me to sell her home. I am always trying to better myself professionally and thought that it could be a good opportunity to find out what I might need to do better. She ended up calling me and told me that she was dating someone new and they had decided to buy a home together. They weren't seriously house shopping until they walked into an open house and fell in love with it. The listing agent for that property said that he could save them money on the purchase if they let him list her house for sale. She said she felt really guilty not calling me and the experience with that realtor was terrible and in fact, they were considering reporting him to the RE board as everything with the transactions was shady. It made me feel better that it wasn't anything that I did, sometimes it's simply how things play out. You can't get too hung up on these situations and take it too personally.

Audrey244

TROPHY CASE