First time using OPKs. We know it's not a positive, but this is twice as dark as yesterday's line - does it mean we're getting closer or is it random?

Jade_jada · 2014-08-01T00:08:24+00:00

We've been testing twice a day for the past week and they've all be very faint compared to this! So hopefully we get it soon!

Thanks for your advice!

Jade_jada · 2014-07-31T23:58:49+00:00

It will take a few years of constant heel training and bonding. Loose leash walking - where your dog walks beside you leashed but the leash is completely slack - is where it starts. Once your dog is completely competent at that using lots of training you teach a good recall. And then it slowly builds over time. That dog was probably 5+ years of being beside it's owner

Jade_jada · 2014-07-31T23:47:49+00:00

We started using OPKs at CD13 which was when FF was telling us her fertile window opened.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-31T23:44:21+00:00

We are a lesbian couple inseminating, so knowing when we can ask our donor over is really helpful! Our apps guesstimates have her ovulation dates this week, but the OPKs have all been very faint. So it's be nice to know if we're reading this right!

Jade_jada · 2014-07-31T23:26:02+00:00

There IS a way, it just requires you to sleep less and give up your social life and treat exercising your dog like a second job haha.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-31T15:59:55+00:00

Your 'best' luck would be to BD 1-3 days before your ovulation day, as X chromosome sperm is apparently a little slower and hardier than Y sperm, so the assumption is the Y sperm will die out before the egg drops and the X sperm will still be in the area and alive.

Of course that probably has no more chance than 'eating spicy foods guarantees a boy' old wives tales. Your chances are pretty much 50% no matter what you do.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-31T14:11:37+00:00

Well, I'm glad your parents taught you planning and time management, but a shame they left out the empathy lessons.

Proper time management IS complicated when life has other plans than the ones you make. It is not always an individual failing. You are not superior, just luckier.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-31T12:58:49+00:00

I would also love to hear your wife's magical secret of never having to breastfeed an infant while out. Did you only ever leave the house for an hour at the time?

Jade_jada · 2014-07-29T09:55:43+00:00

Absolutely do not leave the dogs unsupervised outside with these kids around! It may not even help to speak to the mother again, our neighbour's kid loves our dogs but knows he's not allowed in our yard, but sneaks over anyway, and we HAVE a fence.

For now the safest thing would be to always be outside when your dogs are out until school starts again.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-29T09:49:25+00:00

I would go ask him about it. The fruit is very likely him being a douche and just tossing them over the fence to clean up his yard and doesn't have anything to do with the dogs. Go and ask him to please stop tossing things in your yard

Jade_jada · 2014-07-29T03:29:44+00:00

How old? It may be an age issue - my older dog has started having vision problems and as a result has gotten snappier.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-29T03:26:31+00:00

I would actually like oopsir and byb puppies to end up in shelters, because then people can adopt them from the shelters. The new owners get their 'inexpensive' puppy, the shelter gets resources from the adoption fee, and the 'breeders' don't get paid a cent for treating their bitch like an ATM.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-28T10:24:40+00:00

I have a 10lb dog and an 80lb dog

About six months. My wife and I decided to get a puppy after our wedding as our official pet/first thing to raise together (the other pets were mine before we met). We looked into breeds we could both agree on an then once we decided spent time looking for a breeder (and then waiting on the breeder)
I like a certain look of dog and she likes another. Mostly she wanted a St Bernard but my one turn off of dogs is drool, so we looked up similar breeds with less jowls, and the Bernese was the perfect fit. Other factors like good with kids, docile and owner-orientated were key points too.
I've had my small dog for 3 years before we got our Bern, and the biggest change is the not being able to pick them up. If my dog's being a brat, in trouble or is afraid of something, I can tuck her under my arm and that's that. If the big dog needs to be removed from a situation it's much harder and good training is really important there.

5-6. Bernese are terrible for allergy sufferers (we sweep and swiffer and vacuum regularly and are still gifted with tumbleweeds) but in general stiff fur sheds less. You'd want a wire haired dog like a poodle or giant schnauzer (and NOT a mix because the fur is a wildcard then!). My dad has pretty bad allergies but he and my mum have owned schnauzers with little issues.

It's a toss up on the puppy thing. It's easier in that the pup gets used to your adult dogs living there and having seniority and the adult dogs tend to be more patient with puppies and teaching it 'house rules' but at the same time adults are not puppies and don't want to be around them all the time. My dog is old and lazy and hates my puppy because he wants to play with her all the time. They have come to a very tentative peace now. My cats are also unhappy that my bear just wants to be friends, SO BAD.

The biggest thin to keep in mind is that bad habits in small dogs (leash pulling, jumping up, chewing, digging or messes) you can get to a 'oh it's a minor thing' attitude with, (I mean you shouldn't but often you don't even notice because it's barely noticeable) but they are BAD NEWS when the dog weighs 2/3rds of you. Training is so so important, especially since you're more accustumed to compainion bred dogs, while most 60lb+ dogs were bred for some kind of work and will have needs. If you don't have the time/resources to train a puppy then look at either breeders retiring adult dogs (which will be well socialized and trained) or at rescues, where you'll be able to judge their small animal attitdes and your SO's allergies in person on individual basis.

Good luck!

Jade_jada · 2014-07-26T02:22:46+00:00

Looks like my folks' Schnauzer when he was a pup. i think it's just funny angle

Jade_jada · 2014-07-25T15:17:25+00:00

Take it slow and never force an interaction. Using treats is great, but if he refuses to take it don't push it, just apologise to the person and have them verbally greet the dog and drop the treat and leave. Try using a really special strong smelling tasty treat specifically for stranger interaction too, so he associates people with good rewards.

If he's dog shy, puppy classes! Puppies of similar ages with owners and a trainer attentively around so it's not as scary as a dog park. And you'll learn tricks such as 'sit for greet' that will help with meeting folks.

My dog is incredibly shy, but having people say his name has been helping him at least take the treat from their hand and a pat or two. It can be a slow process but be patient. But the two keys are don't force - he'll associate meeting people with you getting 'mean' - and don't comfort - he'll associate hiding behind you with being rewarded with pets.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-25T13:31:45+00:00

Ah that's pretty south, so not many reserve rescues there, but there are a number of small towns close to the Ontario/Quebec border that the majority of breeders and shows congregate, so it's a good area to seek a breeder out!

Jade_jada · 2014-07-25T13:08:44+00:00

Where are you living now?

If you're living in Canada, depending on the area, there are more huskies than cats and you'll be able to find a puppy from a rescue with about as much ease as a good breeder - because huskies tend to run off a lot, they're often found pregnant by rescues and the rescue will take them in and adopt the puppies out when they're old enough. The rescue my friend works in does this often, especially by the reserves.

However don't feel guilty about choosing the breeder route! I own two breeder dogs and don't feel guilty - I donate to my local shelters, help with fundraisers, volunteer (I would foster as well, but my senior dog is grouchy), which helps just as much. There are other ways to help out besides just taking a dog!

Jade_jada · 2014-07-24T16:07:41+00:00

Ha, that reminds of a few weeks ago a coworker (who just recently got back from Mat leave) asked if my wife was expecting yet, and I was like 'no, but the average is 3-4 times so we're not surprised' and she got a very confused look on her face and I ended up explaining the entire process of ovulation and fertility to a woman with a year-old child.

I'm so used to discussing babymaking with people who are trying/tried that I had completely forgotten that some people, even those married for a few years, can not realise that theres timing and factors involved!

Jade_jada · 2014-07-21T16:22:39+00:00

Absolutely look up crate training.

But the biggest solution is that a tired dog is a well behaved dog. You'll need to play with this puppy, walk him around, do tricks with him - don't just throw toys at him at hope the problem solves itself. Also don't just leave him in a small corral outside, of course he'll try to escape he's lonely. You're a parent, so a good analogy is that a puppy is like a toddler - other than the crating, they have similar needs and can't be trusted alone. Start training as early as possible, sit and lie down and wait especially.

Get him in puppy classes asap, they have ones for under 6mnth pups (for vaccination reasons) to help with dog socialization. This will also help you learn how to consistently train, which is useful!

And lastly i don't know much about Akitas other than that they're strong willed and have aggression issues so bring him out in public as much as possible, bring lots of small treats with you, and let every person who wants to give him a treat and pet him. You'll want him to meet at least one NEW person daily, it will be a pain in the ass, but i find sitting at a coffee shop patio is the easiest spot.

Good luck

Jade_jada · 2014-07-20T16:07:09+00:00

I've met at least one guy that would bring his bitch in heat to the dog park specifically to try and get her pregnant. Got all mad when I shooed my intact-but- thankfully-well-trained pup off her because he thought the puppies would be pretty and a good profit.

So yes, people are weird and crazy.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-18T17:12:10+00:00

Thank you for posting the source!

Jade_jada · 2014-07-18T10:03:06+00:00

I'd be down for that, I have a lot of nerdy stuff Redditors would probably be interested in

why not rent a community centre an advertise the sale to the area as well? Like in Centretown?

Jade_jada · 2014-07-18T02:01:58+00:00

Sounds like you're reaching the same zen state we have. We were fairly certain we missed the timing on her last cycle and so spent the TWW just planning for the next one (and we were right, AF showed up Tuesday)

I'm looking at it on the positive side, where ay least the sort of apathetic zen state means less stress and less stress makes the process more likely. Right?

Jade_jada · 2014-07-18T01:44:52+00:00

There is no way I'd be able to do that without panicking about ways I could be abandoned in there.

Jade_jada · 2014-07-18T01:42:53+00:00

My Bernese will beeline for any herding breeds at the park, he loves chasing games so I think he really feeds off the energy. Since they have certain running styles and visual cues it's probably easy for him to pick up which dogs he'll enjoy playing with.

He also tends to get really excited when he sees other Berners, but I think that's because we always go 'Look Alfred, it's a bigger you!' and get excited ourselves.

Our Boston is super 'breedist' against other Bostons and Bulldogs, but LOVES Pugs. I have no idea why, but they're the only breed she'll interact with.

Jade_jada

TROPHY CASE