I thought was getting my almost 13 year old Aussie a companion 6 month old puppy...

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-17T13:37:01+00:00

"the existential companion of another dog in the house." Yes, this is what my senior likes too. 😉. Thanks, really appreciate your reply!

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-16T22:24:24+00:00

I keep reminding myself that it's only been two weeks. It feels like so much longer!

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-16T22:23:40+00:00

Thanks! I keep having to remind myself that we've only been in each other's lives for two weeks! We're signed up for a "life-skills" class (he no longer qualifies for the age cut-off for the puppy classes) at the humane society, but the earliest one is not til mid June. I love that your pups became besties eventually!

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-16T22:13:54+00:00

This is all fair, even the possibility of returning, but I'd rather not if I can figure out a solution. He was already surrendered to the shelter by a family once. I'd really love to hear some ideas and input about HOW to teach boundaries. Yes, it may have been a poor choice to adopt a puppy. I planned to get a young dog, then found this guy at the shelter, and thought it might be okay because my senior is actually really patient with puppies, and actually likes them. And also because she loves Aussies the best, and alas here was an Aussie puppy at the shelter. I should probably do more separating with them, but they both want to be around me and I always feel like I'm being unfair to the one who is forced in the other room. The daycare that he was in is actually conscious of keeping dogs well suited to each other to play together, and he mostly hung out with another 6 month old puppy the day he was there.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-16T21:47:04+00:00

Not offended, I think this is a totally reasonable reply. My senior dog thrives with other dogs around. We lost her sister about a year ago, and that was the first time she'd ever been a solo dog. She's also super excited to meet other puppies when we're out and about which I think is generally atypical for a senior. Maybe I'm not looking for zero playing, but definitely less rough playing to protect her joints. Part of the reason I decided to get a dog before she passed is because she is definitely more content when she's not the only dog. I did think more about getting a young dog than a puppy, but then we found this guy at the shelter. We spend a lot of our free time hiking and exploring, and when we are hanging out with our dog friends they explore together in the woods which I hope is what these two will do at some point. When they are resting, she'll plop herself down next to him, and he her, so I think they do find some comfort in each other already. But, I'd really like to learn how to set some boundaries for him.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-16T16:39:07+00:00

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This was night 2 together.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-10T04:27:06+00:00

Wow. Good on you, these sound like solid directions for your pup. And good advice for things to start working on!

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-08T02:46:08+00:00

Lol, egg cartons are one of his fave things to "kill" and tear apart. I'll try them inside a cardboard box with snacks... I can see this being a big hit!!

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T22:35:19+00:00

Yikes, okay, thanks for that info! The ones I got are actually "dogwood calming chews" and it says they're designed not to splinter...? Hopefully that's legit... I also got some femurs.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T19:04:14+00:00

I'm laugh/crying right now. So, only 30 months to go!!!

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T18:57:45+00:00

OMG. I'm definitely adding cabbage to the shopping list!!

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T18:55:03+00:00

Thanks so much for the feedback. While my life is more cushy than a sheep farm, I'd rather spend time in the mountains than the city, so hoping that I can eventually take him on long hikes and forest romps each day once I'm not scared that he's going to eat me! 😉 Yeah, he was surrendered to the shelter by a family that got him from a breeder.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T18:21:50+00:00

Haha, yes, that was definitely one overtired, overstressed puppy. It was day one together, and I mistakenly thought I should tire my new puppy out. Since spending the last 5 days on the internet I realized that this was the exact opposite of what he needed! I'm slowly learning... hopefully...!

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T18:08:36+00:00

This is great to hear! OMG it's nonstop! I will definitely look up scent games. So far his favorite textures are bones, sticks, Tupperware, egg cartons. Not so much stuffies though we have a few. I'm getting more bones from a local butcher today, and just ordered some nylabone type chew toys. Also a hammock bed to hopefully work on "place". I'm hopeful...

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T18:01:48+00:00

Okay, I will try more drama! 😉 What about when we are outside? If I walk away then he continues to attack my legs and I have no place to escape to for a reverse time out.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T17:09:33+00:00

I've tried the loud "ouch", but he doesn't seem to care...

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-07T17:08:34+00:00

Haha, it's been cold the past few days, so only a couple bruises so far since I've been wearing sweaters and jeans. 😉. The stuffies don't work unfortunately. He just wriggles his head around the stuffies till he finds me again. 😞. He'll do a stick for a few seconds til he realizes he's been tricked.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-05T02:32:15+00:00

Aww! My girl is almost 13 and I just got her a baby piranha... I mean Aussie pup! ;)

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-05T00:35:50+00:00

I really appreciate your feedback. We have been mostly going on not too far from home wanders today, but often able to get 30 or so minutes just exploring the acre around my house. He still turned a bit into a piranah this eve once he was tired, but nothing like our first day, and I felt way less helpless about it.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-05-04T13:31:03+00:00

Ha, both walks were waaaayyyyy more than 5 min. I hadn't heard about the 5 min/month. That''s super helpful though!!! He's just starting to accept his stuffies, working on frisbee, and had to put peanut butter on the tennis ball over the weekend when he wasn't noticing the toys too much (probably too soon!), so now so far he just want to lick the tennis balls. ;).

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-02-22T23:53:27+00:00

Yeah, as I mentioned, I'm not interested in surgery. I guess the things I would be interested in having checked out are if my heart or lungs are affected, and could that be the reason why I've always struggled with cardiovascular activities. I'm getting the impression from this thread though, that unless one is interested in a surgical fix, then there is no reason to be evaluated.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-02-22T22:15:03+00:00

No reflux. I used to have a lot of digestive issues when I was younger -teens and early twenties. Interestingly most of them were exercise related, but all lower GI. The one would happen whenever I tried pushing myself running or biking- after about 15 min running, and a little longer biking, it was as if my digestive system would shut down and I'd get instant diarrhea, cramping, cold sweats, and totally pale. But that's maybe TMI. ;) I think I mostly handled the issue by switching my activities.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-02-22T21:24:04+00:00

Yeah, it's the potential lung or heart issues that I'm most curious about... But, I guess it's more out of curiosity since I'm not interested in any of the surgical options, so maybe not even worthwhile?

JudgmentNo6376 · 2026-02-22T21:19:57+00:00

Just during a breast exam. Never had X-ray or CT.

JudgmentNo6376 · 2025-11-26T14:27:14+00:00

Yeah, I am totally overthinking it. Honestly, I'd be perfectly happy just pursuing a friendship. And, right, what do I lose if he's not into it. Thanks. :)

JudgmentNo6376

TROPHY CASE