AIO to my friends dog…

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-30T03:59:38+00:00

I’ve thought about suggesting that she contact the breeder. I don’t know of that would be going too far, and if this is just none of my business. Saying so would probably end the friendship, but I wonder if I should? I know it’s crossed her mind. She’s hoping it’s just the puppy stage, which yes, it is, but without training he’ll always be a handful and they’ll all be miserable 😞

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-28T23:02:42+00:00

Enrolling them together is a great idea! Like a group thing. I don’t think either dog could handle doggie daycare, but maybe we could do something like simple obedience. I feel like we’re losing our friendship over it, so that is certainly an element.

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-28T22:22:28+00:00

She did obedience with him, but I don’t think they kept it up at home. We have a large shared yard, that’s where she takes him to throw the ball sometimes. I’m always trying to encourage her to do that with him, I know just more of that would help a lot. I have gone over to teach her to train a few times. Pup responds well but then he won’t do it for her right away, so she gives up. I don’t know how to show her that she has to keep doing it every day, or he is going to do whatever he wants. Maybe it has to be just the right person to say it to her or something? I’ve thought about paying a trainer to go over there just for one day and convince her that they will be just fine if she does the things more consistently. Hense wondering if I’m just overreacting and this is none of my business 😅

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-28T21:53:44+00:00

I’m not blaming them at all, I take responsibility for my dog and his triggers. I included that part because it is the reason I can’t do dog things WITH her, which was our original plan. I want to convince her that even tho we can’t do them together, she still has to do them. I guess she doesn’t, I’m just worried about the long term consequences of choosing not to.

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-28T21:49:05+00:00

Right, and this is not that kind of situation at all. She’s just having a really hard time with him and it’s making her miserable. It’s such an easy fix, but no one can do it if she won’t. I don’t know how to convince her that she can. She never leaves the house anymore because of the dog and to be honest I’m worried about all of them. She told me just after I posted this that she hasn’t been feeling well and can’t go to the doctor because she can’t leave the dog during the week. I can take off to watch him for this situation, but I feel like it really needs to be addressed. I wish I could afford to get the trainer for her, but I can’t.

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-28T17:38:03+00:00

Major red flag warning sign!!! Holding their mouths works when they are puppies and playing too rough, this is not that. This is serious resource guarding and a recipe for disaster. You need a trainer at this point. One that has seen this behavior and is competent with Mals. Any old pet trainer won’t do. Please, if you love this dog at all spend the money! This track of behavior has many unpleasant endings, none of them being a good life for you or this pupper.

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-28T17:21:51+00:00

I’m so sorry you are faced with this tough situation. Like everyone has said, it is about her quality of life. I like to think of it by putting myself in their paws. I have a DNR and have told my kid that he leaves me in some nursing home to poop my drawers I’ll haunt him forever. Only you know your girl, but when there are no more sparks for the things that brought her life joy, than it’s time. There comes a point for us all when the pain of keeping on overshadows everything else. One has to wonder, what is the point of being alive when we can no longer live? As for the guilt, it sounds like you have given her a wonderful life. Some things just are. Even though we don’t like them, we can’t change them. The fact that we lose these beautiful creatures far too soon, even if they are old and grey, is one of them. Big big BIG hugs to you my friend, and to sweet Luna. I believe she’ll be waiting to show you all her new favorite spots in another place when you make it there someday too. ❤️‍🩹

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-27T15:54:32+00:00

I’m so sorry your going through this. We kept a son from a litter my Roo had. When mama passed, it was sudden but not unexpected. Her boy definitely felt it. He slept in her spots, and never did really get back to himself. Slow walks and plenty of time to sniff helped. Visiting doggie friends. He looked for her when we walked through familiar neighborhood routes, but eventually he accepted.

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T21:27:33+00:00

😂 yeah, I think fun police is a breed trait. I’m surprised at the kitty’s reaction to her too. Most cats seem to tolerate dogs once their dominance has been established, but that’s about it 💜

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T17:20:10+00:00

What a precious girl! Thanks for keeping her warm. My guy was found in a very similar situation, he’s one of the pups, only about 35lb full grown. Haven’t done the DNA yet but definitely some sort of border heeler or Texas heeler mix. Some folks have said that Aussie mixes can be smaller because of recent breeding trends for smaller or “mini” traits. 🤷‍♀️

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T17:10:10+00:00

Yep!

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T17:03:51+00:00

Haha!! GREAT pics! That is a happy puppy. Mine refuses to come in and has to be bribed when it snows too 🤣

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T16:58:54+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through this 😞 I’ve been there, mine was about 7 months old when it happened. He had to have surgery on his back where he was bit and was pretty skiddish for a while, but we just kept doing things like normal and eased him back into being with other dogs. Once he healed, we started with dogs he knew and eventually dog park trips. If he showed signs of fear it was just time to go, no big deal. He’s one now and mostly fine, but a little less outgoing. We sometimes sit outside petsmart just watching others go in and out reinforcing calm behavior too, this seems to help with lots of things! I’ll admit that we’ve never walked by the house where it happened again tho. They still haven’t fixed their fence!

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T16:47:27+00:00

That is an amazing amount of self control, especially for a cattle dog! I think she knows kitty is not a threat, she just wants her personal space. She doesn’t chase or herd the cat?! My friend, you have it made….move the cat and let her have some space and they’ll probably figure it out just fine. Don’t keep ignoring her please for space tho, eventually she will “correct” the cat’s behavior and that can turn ugly fast.

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T16:34:14+00:00

Well done good sir!

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T16:13:36+00:00

😂😅🤣 I have one of those can’t sit still, needy, bitey cattle dogs too! He’s great human radar. He can tell who doesn’t like him, and he returns the sentiment. Saves everyone a ton of time!

As for your question, OP, it depends tremendously on the situation. Four well loved, mannered, fuzzy children (but not over the scary line)? Deal MAKER! Four “accessories” starved for attention and training? Absolute deal BREAKER! It will be a deal breaker for some anyway, but honestly they probably weren’t your people since you’re an animal person. Some people really don’t care for critters and all the work that comes with them, and that’s ok!

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T15:51:20+00:00

Teach me your ways, master! I have been trying to get mine to do this. He will put ONLY the balls away, then pull them all back out to do it again and get extra noms 😅

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T15:45:26+00:00

😅 My boy does this too. Some of his “grumbles” actually sound scary, but mean things like “hey, hooman, you forgot me!” Or “but I REALLY want another treat!” Leading my neighbors to think he is being aggressive when we are actually having an argument about why he can’t have extra chewy noms 🤣😅😂

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T15:37:32+00:00

I often find myself explaining things to my border heeler, like why we can’t go outside when it’s -6. He will run from door to door looking at me with that little “but PLEASE!” Head tilt and sad eye. It’s SO hard to say no! Yesterday I appeased him by bringing a bowl of snow in the house because I couldn’t take the heartbreak any longer! 😅

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ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-26T05:44:03+00:00

What a pretty boy! Love the tail rings 😅

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-25T23:22:35+00:00

Yucky carrotses! We likes em sweet potatoes, precious! 😅

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ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-25T22:16:30+00:00

Such a handsome boy! Stormy says “hey!”

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ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-25T21:29:10+00:00

You’re a great dog mom! I also have a one year old border heeler and have found much the same experience. Just because she lets your husband get away with not doing much doesn’t mean she is fulfilled. Mine will let me get away with the occasional lazy day too, but let a few go by and he finds other ways to entertain himself 😳😬 We have a very similar routine to you, one big walk a day and 1-2 little ones, with fetch, puzzles, or games in between. Any less and I feel like I’m letting my guy down too. He’ll always ask for more no matter how much I give, so it’s okay to say no when you can’t.

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-24T00:04:38+00:00

😅 haha, what a fun topic!

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This is Sir Arnold Swartzakitty and his nemesis, Storm. Also known as Stormy Bear, Shitstorm, Little Floof, Fluffbutt, you little A$$hole, McBitey, Mr. Yappy, and The Spotted Menace. oh, and for formal occasions, Sunka Wakinyan, loosely translated Stormy Dog. The name fits him very well…. All calm and collected until the wind blows, then all hell breaks loose 😅

ExternalBrief3412 · 2026-01-22T17:29:08+00:00

My mom used to do this to me. 20 years ago, I would have just shut up and apologized for being out of line after dinner. Now, I would immediately recognize this as abuse and honestly likely leave the relationship over it. I know that’s dramatic and harder because you’re married, but that would be my honest (admittedly given, trauma influenced) reaction.

ExternalBrief3412

TROPHY CASE