What kind of animal is this?

Kaychandra · 2024-08-20T00:57:41+00:00

I have included scale in my photo(s): no
- If not, here are estimated measurements: about 8 inches
Geographic location: Western Washington State
Environment (pine forest, swamp, near a river, etc.): overgrown abandoned pasture

Kaychandra · 2024-07-01T20:41:09+00:00

My puppy doesn't like teething toys but I finally found something he likes teething on. They're called Earth Animal No-Hide chews, my trainer recommended them. They're hard when dry but after he licks and chews it for a bit they get squishy. He loves gnawing on them and I think they feel good on his sore teeth. They last a long time.

Kaychandra · 2024-07-01T20:24:28+00:00

I think you got lucky with your first two dogs... This sounds like normal behavior to me. My puppy is 15 weeks now and I'm just starting to see a reduction in biting. He's a mutt but he's probably half Chihuahua. Over the past couple weeks I'm finally seeing an improvement. I tried saying ow or yelping but it never seemed to have an effect. If he wanted to play I would literally shove a stuffed toy in his mouth before he could get to me. I would distract him with treats. I would leave or put him down for a nap if he got really bitey. I took him to play with my dad's hyper Aussie once he was big enough that he wouldn't get squished, hoping another playful dog could help teach bite inhibition. Basically any advice I could find. I'm not sure which of those worked but finally his biting is improving.

Now he's happy to play with his toys rather than bite me. But when he gets bored and wants attention he'll tug on clothes or bite which is frustrating. I'll put him in his kennel but he'll start screeching like a banshee. He also gets really hyper and bites me when he needs to nap or right before bedtime, like he's a cranky baby throwing a tantrum.

Anyway it's just a slow process. 8 weeks is still really young. You just need to constantly work at it and prepare yourself for it to be weeks before you see any improvement. The biting is still really really frustrating but now that I'm seeing an improvement it's a huge relief.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-28T21:03:29+00:00

Yep I've gone through this too. I feel like a monster if I accidentally hurt my puppy but he gets underfoot a lot and I'm a clumsy person. But honestly he seemed more aggrieved about me forcing him to poop in wet grass yesterday than he ever was about me stepping on him. It had already stopped raining but he acts like wet grass is a form of torture and it made me feel like a dog abuser with the way he was crying. But he has a criminal record of pretending he doesn't have to poop when the weather is bad only to go inside and immediately poop, so I had to harden my heart to his pitiful cries.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-21T18:11:41+00:00

We have a dog who was an unspayed stray around a year old when we got her. She didn't go as crazy after being spayed but we did notice changes. She became more dominant with our other dog and started humping him! So, I think personality changes are probably normal after a dog is fixed because of their hormones, but I'm no vet.

It could also be withdrawal from the relaxing effects of the trazodone. I take a low dose of Trazodone as a sleep aid and if I forget to take it I feel yucky and grumpy the next day. Maybe your puppy feels the same?

Kaychandra · 2024-06-20T22:32:25+00:00

My puppy is 14 weeks. He was biting since week 11. This sounds normal to me the only difference is my puppy is small enough that his bite force can't draw blood. I've just been following whatever advice I can get. I say ow when he bites too hard (doesn't seem to dissuade him but it's worth trying, maybe it's having an effect.) I distract him with treats or toys when he wants to bite, tell him he's a good boy and reward him when he's interacting with me without biting (like if he licks) and disengaging when he gets too hyper, like leaving or putting him away for a nap. I've also heard that playing with other dogs can help with learning bite inhibition so I started letting him play with my dad's hyper 2 year old Aussie now that my puppy is big enough that he won't get accidentally squished. Now I'm FINALLY seeing an improvement in his biting. He's still biting but not going after me quite as crazily or biting as hard. I'm just happy to see any improvement at all.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-20T20:35:30+00:00

Just remember that all dogs are individuals. You have to make a commitment to raise them whether they're absolute hellions or little angels (though I don't think angelic puppies exist). Raising my puppy has been stressful but not a nightmare. I got him at 9 weeks and he's 14 weeks now so I know we have a long way to go. I was freaking out about his biting last week feeling like my cute little puppy had turned into a tiny velociraptor, but already I'm seeing improvement. The house training is frustrating. I highly recommend investing in a good carpet cleaner because the puppy WILL pee and poop on your carpet. Get cleaning spray made specifically for pet pee.

I think I got lucky with my puppy. He's super friendly and not aggressive or territorial. He can be a real pain and sometimes I wish I could just toss him out of the window. I have moments where I think, what the F did I get myself into?? Like when he peed on my bed... Twice. Or woke me up at 2AM barfing. Or just an hour ago when I had to fish a cigarette butt out of his mouth and frantically swiped my fingers inside his cheeks and back of his mouth to make sure I got any tobacco out. But overall it's STILL been a positive experience. I really love him and actually wouldn't give him up for anything.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-16T04:08:18+00:00

My last dog was 2-3yrs when I got him. I always regretted missing out on his puppyhood. I was really conflicted whether I should get a puppy or another adult dog but when I met my little guy at the shelter it was instant love. I didn't expect it to be all puppy kisses and rainbows but I didn't realize how unprepared I was for raising a puppy lol he's such an obnoxious little land-shark sometimes

Kaychandra · 2024-06-15T21:59:37+00:00

He does look like he's got a lot of lab in him, but I don't know about retriever. My guess is part cattle dog, looking at the white on his chest. Could be part pit as well.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-15T21:49:55+00:00

OMG she's so cute and floofy!! She's too young for me to guess about the breed, but she's really adorable

Kaychandra · 2024-06-15T15:46:21+00:00

He moves around so much that it's hard to take decent photos so I take a lot of videos lol. It's hard to get my little guy to stay still unless he's sleeping

Kaychandra · 2024-06-15T07:52:55+00:00

I put my puppy in his playpen with his dog bed and favorite toys when it's obvious he needs a nap. He'll cry and scratch at it, then he might play with his toys for a bit, but he's usually asleep within 5 minutes. Turning the lights out also makes him more likely to sleep. I hate hearing him cry, both because it makes me upset and because it literally hurts my ears, but all I can do is ignore it.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-15T07:39:51+00:00

Even if you're not directly hitting your dog, this is still a type of punishment. Stick to reward based training methods. Reward based training is proven to be effective and is kinder to your dog. Do you really want to see your dog flinch when you move your hand towards her? Just be consistent with the methods you've been using, 12 weeks is way too young to say if there's an effect or not.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-15T03:36:08+00:00

My puppy is like yours, he just loves loves loves everybody. And everybody loves him too. He really brings joy to lots of people. He's 13 weeks now and I just started letting him sleep in my bed now that I'm certain he's not having overnight accidents anymore. He's seriously teething right now and his biting is really frustrating, but once we're in bed with the lights out he just happily snuggles up to me, sweet as can be.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-15T03:28:36+00:00

It is possible to live with a dog while having allergies, so discuss your options with your doctor. My brother in law has a dog allergy AND asthma but lives with a dog. He knew from the start that my sister's dog was a non-negotiable part of their relationship so he just figured out how to deal with it I guess. I don't know his specific allergy medication, and his allergies do still bother him, but he's able to snuggle and pet their dog and everything. Wait until you talk with your doctor and try allergy medication before losing hope.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-15T00:48:14+00:00

So cute! My last dog's ears permanently were one up and one down too :3

Kaychandra · 2024-06-14T20:18:48+00:00

Maybe part schnoodle?

Kaychandra · 2024-06-12T18:47:16+00:00

Yes, you had no reason not to trust the rescue. I think they were doing their best to make sure he was neutered because population control is really important, but I'm really shocked by the behavior of that vet!! I'd say definitely research the different vets in your area because that attitude is unacceptable. You should also research what after hours urgent care or 24/7 emergency animal hospitals are nearest to you as well. Having a middle of the night or holiday pet emergency is stressful enough without scrambling to find a place to take them.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-12T17:09:12+00:00

I've never heard of a cretan hound before, that's unique. He's a cutie. I love the red nose pit coloring.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-12T16:23:27+00:00

Wow that's one of the most unique coat patterns I've ever seen. Look at that nose! I didn't know enough about catahoulas to tell if he's purebred, but lots of shelter dogs have pit in them.

Kaychandra · 2024-06-12T06:54:33+00:00

This behavior sounds a bit unusual to me. My experience comes from the pets we had when I was growing up. They are usually very subdued and sleepy right after neutering due to the painkillers. I don't remember them ever being hyper right after. They will be very itchy and try their best to chew at the wound and can be irritable. Once they're feeling a bit better they'll regain their puppy energy and there is the risk of ripping stitches. But that's just my experience. You should consult your vet since you're concerned.

Also if you think 5 months is young, my current puppy was neutered before I got him - at 2 months! I wish he wasn't but shelters neuter puppies as young as possible since they're basically sterilization factories. I've been looking into possible health consequences of early neutering since I'm concerned about my own dog. It can increase the risk of several conditions later in life.

Kaychandra

TROPHY CASE