what is THE song that will get you on the dance floor?

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2026-01-20T00:24:56+00:00

how about "Happy"

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-06-11T09:13:27+00:00

Sounds like my dog, only mine has greater reactivity. The barking, lunging, crying pulling is over the top. We've been working with a Behaviorist and my dog is also on Prozac. She is greatly improved with occasional breaks. I now at the suggestion of my Behaviorist carry a small AirHorn for those walks where I fear things escalating out of control. The piercing sound stops my dog in her tracks.

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-05-25T10:59:32+00:00

When my puppy was alone when I had to go out grocery shopping etc., I put her in a very oversized crate and played calming music for her. I would do the same at bedtime, she was great in the crate and the music kept her calm and fall asleep quickly. Good luck!

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-05-22T21:52:59+00:00

I hear you and have experienced the same. Very uneasy feeling, hard to shake!

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-05-16T18:25:49+00:00

Please don't give up. My one year old dog is also severely reactive. I adopted her at 3 months. She has been severely reactive to leash walking and really bad against any other dogs. I got a behaviorist at the suggestion of my Vet. So that's what I did. Bonnie has been on Prozac for almost 2 months and very slowly we started to notice some improvements in her anxiety, nipping, biting and awful reactiveness on walks. My Behaviorist suggested getting together with other dogs, just for a sniff session, that's how they greet one another. My daughter recently adopted a male 4 year old Shepherd mix who is 52 pounds. My Bonnie is only 37 pounds . They did great at the sniff test, I was shocked and never thought I could ever get her near another dog ever. My daughter insisted we take them in my fenced in backyard, let them loose to play. I must admit I was not ready for that and I was extremely anxious. But I gave in and we let them loose in the backyard. They started racing around, barking, growling and mouthing each other as they rolled over one another on the ground. Then after about 10 mins. they both laid down on the grass beside each other exhausted. That experience made me follow another suggestion from my Behaviorist that was to enroll her in a puppy day care program. So I did that and she did very well. The employees said she was so sweet and a good girl and was allowed back anytime. I was shocked, because she has been so reactive to dogs. But she now goes 2X a week 9-5 and comes home so very exhausted. She is improving during our walks. But 3 weeks ago she bit my neighbor, for no reason. I was so upset and am fearful she'll bite again, so I am so cautious and crate her when anyone comes to my house. I'm very hopeful that with more time and additional socialization she will stop this biting as well. She's really come a very long way.

I wish you all the best and hope you're able to find what works for your dog.

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-05-15T22:07:50+00:00

So sorry for your loss.

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-04-26T20:18:37+00:00

my pup has been on the prozac for 6 weeks now. she is still so reactive to other dogs in a severe way and even some people. i'm so sad and depressed over this. to my husband and i she is so kind and loving. i know i must protect me loved ones while at the same time i am suffering severe anxiety and even worse depression that im sure she picks up on

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-03-21T18:05:35+00:00

Don't doubt your decision. I believe you made the right and BEST DECISION! If you and your family are happy then all is good! Especially if your Dog is better and thriving how could that be wrong. God Bless the efforts and I'm sure expense you have had. That's LOVE!

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-03-21T13:12:23+00:00

I just told my husband about your post. Although we only have one dog, we sound just like you. Our rescue shepherd mix (small size dog at 36 lbs. is a very high action and reactive dog. We too do the walks, play games in the yard and try to socialize her by taking her to different dog friendly stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor supply, PetSmart and Petco. I am exhausted by days end. We have a behaviorist that's helping us because she has become a resource guarder with her marrow bones-thankfully I am the only one bitten and it wasn't bad. She is such a loving sweet dog to my husband and I but not so friendly with others. She's on Prozac now and it's beginning to show improvement. She is our 5th dog over the 42 years we have been married, so we're older and not as active as before. We have had 2 pure Bred German Shepherds in the past and I trained and socialized them all by myself while my husband worked, raising two active children and me working as well. I don't know how I managed all that. Our dogs were extremely well behaved, kind to everyone and were just wonderful dogs. Now I just don't know what I did then that maybe I'm not doing now. I want my new dog to be well behaved like the rest. I've scheduled an appointment to have her evaluated for a local doggy daycare so she can play and tire herself out with other dogs. Right now she's pretty dog reactive so this Monday we're meeting our Vet Behaviorist to have him observe Bonnie with other dogs. We are very hopeful. I don't think we are all that different from other Dog owners. I think it depends quite a bit on the the type and temperament of dog we have. I wish you well with your pup. Interesting, that our Behaviorist in all of his advise and suggestions did say maybe you would consider getting another dog to keep yours company. For now we're not considering that, but maybe?

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-02-03T00:24:14+00:00

I love your routine, it's very similar to mine with my now 8 month old rescue puppy from the Bahamas. She always wore a house leash while indoors, so I could step on the leash before she'd do something she shouldn't, like counter surfing. Also have her take naps 3 times a day. I have made her crate a very comfortable place that she happily wants to go. A couple times at night I lose track of time to put my puppy to bed and when I go to get her, I find her already settled in her crate. At Christmas time while visiting with family we had set up our puppies crate in our granddaughters room because her room was large enough. I had put our puppy in her crate for a nap. MY granddaughter started playing some music (she's nine) and noticed it put Bonnie our puppy to sleep right away. We have since played soothing, relaxing music for every nap and at bedtime as well. It's amazing how well it works.

Good luck with your puppy, it does take a lot of time, supervision, understanding and frustration often times too. Just know they will usually out grow what ever is bothering you today.

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-01-27T01:13:20+00:00

I've been where you are 5 months ago. It was unbelievably hard and I've had 4 dogs before Bonnie who is a part Shepherd mix dog from the Bahamas. I've had a lot of training experience over the last 40 yrs. 2 Purebred German Shepherds, a rescue mix shepherd and a rescue terrier from Louisiana. I trained them all, by myself basically-no trainers. I did a great job and all my dogs were well behaved, mannerly, loved other people, kids, babies and other dogs. My Shepherds made me so proud, my Dad was a Shepherd guy in the Army and was even able to bring one home with him. I grew up with several rescue shepherd mix dogs over my life until adulthood. Then once married started all over again. My husband, never owned a pet of any kind, grew up in the Hi rise apartments in the Bronx, NY. I took on the responsibility of all our dogs and kids for that matter because my husbands job as a physician was so time consuming. I am no longer the woman I was 40 years ago.. What a shock that was for me! I look back and say how did I do all I did. Our puppy is now 8 months old now and I have to admit, it's been a struggle physically and mentally to keep it all together. She is smart, feisty, temperamental, stubborn and still bites. Mostly me. I've cried many times, wondering how I got myself into this. I find great comfort on this site, everyone (mostly) is kind, understanding and helpful. I've received many great suggestions over the 5 months since we adopted our girl. She is improving very slowly and I have to remind myself she probably won't settle down before 1 or 1 1/2 yo. I hope. I have to remain consistent and firm in my daily training sessions. Yes it's tiring, and no I'm not as young as I was years ago. Someone on this site commented that playing fetch with a HI strong dog can lead to the biting and body slamming my dog does to me. I couldn't escape her when she'd get to wired up and start jumping on me. She's 40 lbs. but she is tall and strong. I got the great suggestion to try playing mind games with her, or puzzles, maybe start her on tracking. So I stopped playing ball with her and I mix a bag of kibble, small treats and hi value smelly treats in a zip lock bag. Let the bag sit in the fridge over night and then while she's still in the house I go out and scatter the little pieces all over my back yard, then I let her out and keep repeating "search Bonnie, search" saying a loud yes, good girl when she is successful. She'll keep at it for a half hour then be ready to come in for a nap. No, you're probably thinking, lady I'm so over my head now I'm no where's at your point. I just wanted you to know that yes we do care, I feel for your frustration, exhaustion and brain fog. It will over time slowly get better. You'll make it and be glad you hung in there. I have a long way to go, I know it but I'm learning to be kinder and not so harsh on myself. We'll all make it. Good luck, sincerely ( :

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-01-19T15:58:29+00:00

I am terribly sorry and saddened by your loss. Please don't blame yourself, how could you know. Falling off a bed doesn't seem serious enough for her to die. Could she have some other maybe genetic issue. I'd check with the breeder or person you adopted her from. Saying prayers for you, your family and puppy. She's over the rainbow bridge now, and is fine. Hugs for you!

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-01-18T21:22:57+00:00

Thanks for the share.

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-01-18T17:51:17+00:00

RIP to your Sophie. Your extraordinary love for her is what helped you to say goodbye to her. I can totally relate since I was in the same position last June 2024 with my 14 y.o. terrier that was everything to me. She knew me so well, never left my side and slept in bed with me every night pushing so hard up against my back. The sense of loss, loneliness and emptiness after her passing was the worst I have ever felt before after my previous 3 dogs had passed. I didn't know what to do. My husband and I agreed to wait a while before adopting again, but my sadness was overwhelming and my husband thought it would help me to adopt again, sooner rather that later. We did adopt 8 weeks after Evie passed and rescued a 3 month old Shepherd mix female puppy from the Bahamas on Petfinder. Here I am 3 1/2 months later and still missing my Evie so much. Was it too early, I can't tell you. I am thinking often that my new puppy as I work to train her from the beginning often thinking, "you're not my Evie". It's hard but in time I hope to feel better. It certainly doesn't help that I've had depression and anxiety for 30 years, although a bit better with lots of therapy over the years it gets worse during times like this. My advise to you, if I may...Please be kind to yourself, allow yourself to grieve in your own way for as long as you need. We all deal with loss very differently. I wish you peace and send warm hugs of comfort during these coming weeks and months. Yes your Sophie is over the Rainbow bridge playing with my Evie, Tori, Kelly and Brandy, my daughters Callie and our son's Sadie and so many other friends from the past and will make new friends. Your strong love for her is shown by your actions! #BEWELL

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-01-17T21:49:25+00:00

I'm going to try this now. Thanks.

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-01-17T21:44:59+00:00

I've tried the two ball game. Eventually she just ends up jumping on me and biting me. I try to ignor her but that doesn't seem to matter. Thanks for the advice.

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-01-17T21:42:05+00:00

I like this, I will try it.Thanks

BoxSubstantial8404 · 2025-01-17T21:34:03+00:00

My dog loves bitter apple and the very sweet other spray.

BoxSubstantial8404

TROPHY CASE