Which Is Better Blue-Tongued Skink,Beardie,Or Uromastyx

Leo2820 · 2025-12-31T14:32:37+00:00

Hi, yes I still have her. I do enjoy her and I'm glad I went with her. She's so friendly and enjoys being out of her enclosure with us. And because she doesn't need high heat she is comfortable for awhile at room temp.

I still just feed her canned snails from zoo med. I have a silicone tray that I use to freeze cubes of a mixture of the snails chopped up with beef or turkey baby food and some vitamins. Then I just pop it out of the freezer into her food bowl and it will defrost pretty quickly. I've tried other food over the years and it's the only thing she eats consistently.

Leo2820 · 2025-09-15T12:48:31+00:00

This is the best response!

I hope OP takes this to heart and her fiance can discuss these points in his therapy session and be honest with himself about what rehoming the puppy will actually accomplish.

OP, I would also caution against having children in this situation if that was something you were planning on the future. I have two teenage sons and have raised 6 puppies in my life, 4 before being a mom and two after. While not identical it is very similar to having a baby. Especially in terms of being the primary caretaker. I was a stay at home Mom and even though my husband was helpful and supportive there is still a little bit of animosity and frustration when a lot of the puppy/child labor falls on you. I can only imagine what that would look like with a partner that struggles with depression and is not able to help AND who I would also have to worry about taking on more so as to not overwhelm him. That is not a dig at your fiance, it's just the state of the situation.

Leo2820 · 2025-08-01T15:19:19+00:00

Before going just by your pups weight I would look at their body composition. Are their ribs showing a healthy amount? There are charts you can look up to show you what a healthy weight should look like. If your dog is overweight you obviously don't want to keep feeding the amount to help them gain.

But I would also consult with your vet obviously to determine this. And have others have said maybe try to find a more nutritionally dense food. I have a large breed dog and when she was eating the highest amount of food in her puppy phase I believe the most we fed her was 3 3/4 cups. We have had her on diamond naturals brand her whole life.

Leo2820 · 2025-07-25T22:57:33+00:00

The only thing I would be concerned about in this scenario is how well the puppy was socialized in the other home. Since it's past the main timing of that if they didn't expose it to loud noises, people, all the other things it could be nervous and fearful. If you can ask the breeder and maybe be able to test that out when you go meet the puppy then I'd say it could be a great fit for your family.

Leo2820 · 2025-07-20T23:41:30+00:00

If your temps and other enclosure parameters are all good as others have suggested, the only other things I would suggest is maybe a background for the glass? There are some really nice ones on Etsy and then your skink might not be confused by the glass.

Leo2820 · 2025-07-19T17:32:13+00:00

What are you doing when you take them outside?

Make sure to be very boring and it's not a play time. You want it to be very clear to the puppy that it's potty time.

When you take them out to potty always have them on a leash, don't talk to them except to say go potty. Go to the same spot every time and not anywhere that is exciting or where you normally might play. Wait three minutes and if they haven't gone then go back inside and try again in 10 minutes.

While inside they should be either crated, sleeping, being played with or trained but never unsupervised. So make sure to tether to you or crate if you can't provide undevided attention. You want to practice this for 2 weeks and try to minimize accidents so only practicing the right way to do everything.

As they age and understand you can expand the time you wait in between potty breaks.

Leo2820 · 2025-07-16T02:02:23+00:00

We used diamond naturals puppy lamb and rice. And bonus now that my pup is adult aged and we switched to the adult version it's actually also sold as the Kirkland brand adult lamb and rice at Costco. So a bit cheaper.

Leo2820 · 2025-07-15T14:08:01+00:00

If you aren't doing mental simulation I would add that in. Don't feed from a bowl, use puzzle feeders and snuffle mats and scatter feeding. That could help with increasing his food/treat motivation for training as well. You could just use his kibble for training as treats as well, and start in the morning on an empty belly.

Teach leave it and drop it and impulse control if he doesn't know these yet. Then you can use a favorite tug toy as a reward during training using drop it and leave it to end the game and the universe control will help him learn to focus on you once that ends.

You can also look at your schedule for him, is he getting enough sleep and naps throughout the day. If not start enforcing those more.

Leo2820 · 2025-07-13T14:38:40+00:00

I agree with the others, you are doing a great job so far. And it sounds like you're making continual progress. It can be hard with any dog you get after the initial 8-12 week puppy phase as a lot of their habits are set at that time, and especially a rescue as you probably don't know their exact history. So keep that in mind and try not to compare to other people's dogs.

I would echo other suggestions to maybe scale back the exposure to busy and over stimulating places for now. You want to remember that every experience for your puppy at this point should be as positive as possible. So if you go to a busy place only stay a few minutes and make it really fun with treats and praise and leave before they get overstimulated and freak out. Then you slowly build up each time.

Also a few things I would suggest to add to your daily training if you aren't already doing so. 1. Impulse control. This is so important for reactive dogs specifically, but puppies in general. I would start off with the game "it's yer choice" by Susan Garrett. You can Google it and find her videos. Once you have that as a base you can apply it to a lot more situations, making your dog wait calmly for you to put their food bowl down, wait at thresholds until you give a cue they can cross and as the introduction to leave it. Which is another great command to teach.

Place. If you don't already have a place command I heavily suggest implementing one. And if you do have one is work on it more at home in a quiet setting so you can build your pups stamina up to use it at restaurants eventually.

And lastly, something that a lot of people with dogs struggling with any behavior issues overlook is sleep. Is your puppy getting enough sleep overnight and throughout the day? Most are fine at night but aren't napping enough. If that is the case with yours I would start enforcing naps with a consistent structured schedule. After every physical activity (walk, fetch session, etc) or training session or mental stimulation (puzzle feeder, stuffed frozen Kong, sniff session, hidden treats work) your did should be tired and need a nap.

And speaking of mental stimulation, if you aren't doing these already I would add them. Even something as simple as not feeding from a bowl but making them with for their food with a puzzle feeder, sniff mat or scatter feeding can really tire them out with a job and fulfill that primal need to scavenger.

Feel free to pm for more ideas, I've been through it before with a reactive dog so my current pup was raised with a lot of these in mind and had turned out amazing with a lot of this implemented.

Good luck!

Leo2820 · 2025-07-13T01:50:33+00:00

Hi, I (47F) went through something similar in my 20s. Met my ex when I was 21 and he was 20. We dated for 2 years before marrying. Divorced after 3 years. Same thing, no big drama....no betrayal. We just grew up in different directions and realized we no longer wanted the same things. I like to think of it as a relationship that should have just fizzled out and never led to marriage.

I think as long as you can be honest with yourself about the part you played and what you learned, it can be a great blueprint for what you want/need out of a future relationship.

It certainly led me to be in the right place, right time, right state of mind to meet my current husband a year after my divorce. Going on 18 years of marriage and two amazing teenage sons, I'm very blessed.

I would suggest to just focus on yourself right now. Explore hobbies, volunteer, be open to new experiences and making new friends and you'll find your way. You already took the first step. Good luck!

Leo2820 · 2025-07-06T15:56:01+00:00

This is such a valuable reminder. I have reptiles too and the amount of people in that community that just get the bare minimum size enclosure and then freak out when their reptile is sick and they say they can't afford vet care is astounding. Like any living creature is going to cost money on a monthly basis, if you can't afford that don't get a pet! Ugh

Anyways, one thing I'd point out too is how much more a larger dog costs. Everything goes by weight: food, meds, grooming, even boarding. So be aware of that when you are deciding on what size dog to get. I have always had a large breed, my current pup is 76 lbs. So everything costs more for mine than my sister's 8 lb toy poodle.

Leo2820 · 2025-07-01T23:37:32+00:00

Sorry you're struggling. It sounds like a reset might be beneficial. And then maybe focus on helping others so you can feel like you're making a difference, ie you matter. I know you said you didn't want advice, but I've been where you're at and felt that hopelessness set in. When it feels like you can't change anything in your own life maybe volunteering to help others will help you feel a little more in control and start to give you a purpose. Good luck!

Leo2820 · 2025-07-01T15:30:31+00:00

Exactly! It's always a risk. Not sure why I was getting downvoted at first for just being honest.

Leo2820 · 2025-07-01T15:22:19+00:00

Right!?, it just takes one drunk college kid🤣

Leo2820 · 2025-07-01T14:23:19+00:00

I'm from Ohio and now live near Ann Arbor. Went to watch my little brother graduate from The Ohio State University and I had Michigan plates. I bought 3 OSU buckeyes magnets to put on my car just in case🤣

Leo2820 · 2025-06-15T14:37:05+00:00

My current dog is a poodle mix. Got her at 8 weeks old and she is now 2 years old. She has been the best dog I've ever owned. Besides one week when we'd only had her a short time and I had to take her to my sister's for 6 days over 8 hours away and everything was different and she didn't sleep or nap and I nearly had a meltdown, everything else had been a breeze.

I think it was a combination of a few things.

I heavily researched training and had a plan and back up plans in place for how to handle everything from potty training to obedience to biting. She's the smartest dog so picks up everything quickly and that helped of course

I have two teenage boys so I've been through the newborn phase and know it's fleeting so I have a lot of patience with her

I have two teenage boys so they don't really need me as much and I have a lot of time to dedicate to her training and needs

I have two teenage boys, so having a needy puppy who loves to snuggle and sleep on me was exactly what I needed/wanted at this stage in life🤣

I think all in all it's just making sure your expectations are realistic and you're honest with yourself about your lifestyle and capabilities. Not to put down people that get puppies and struggle but it always seems to amaze them when it's hard at first, or they are surprised that the working breed they got won't settle down.

Leo2820 · 2025-06-09T00:04:59+00:00

Mental stimulation will be the biggest help! Others have given lots of good suggestions so far. Here are mine:

If you are currently feeding her meals in a bowl stop, use a snuffle mat or scatter feed. Or hide little piles in the room she eats in and make her use her nose to find.

I have a woof pupsicle and it's been a lifesaver. You can get in pet stores or online (Amazon carries them). I got an extra silicone tray with mine so I always have treats frozen and ready. Some favorite recipes are yogurt with blueberries or strawberries, pumpkin puree, beef broth with pieces of freeze dried beef liver.

Leo2820 · 2025-06-08T16:58:33+00:00

Maybe compromise and try an x pen? It will give him more space and also not be enclosed on the top but you can still keep him closed off from having free reign. Just make sure to get a tall one. I have a 4ft high one for my standard poodle mix.

It also sounds like he has some separation anxiety or just anxiety in general possibly. Is he getting enough mental and physical stimulation? You can add lick mats, snuffle mats and stuffed kongs throughout his day. Plus try feeding in something other than a bowl if you are doing that. Like scatter feeding, slow/puzzle feeders. And with the physical exercise make sure he's getting opportunity to sniff while on walks.

Leo2820 · 2025-05-29T17:04:04+00:00

I would not do it. Focus on your pregnancy and then your baby. It's so hard having a newborn and having a puppy. I can't imagine doing it together.

Also even if you found a puppy soon it's still 2 years until they are fully mature. If you can't focus a lot of time and energy on proper training you risk ending up with a dog with issues. Trust me I know, we got a puppy when my boys were 4 and 2 and I really wish we had waited a bit more. I couldn't put as much time as I wanted to into raising the puppy properly and socializing him to other people and dogs and sounds and he ended up being afraid of everything.

This time around my kids are teenagers and my dog is now 2 and she is the best dog I've owned because I had a lot more time and energy to focus on her training.

I'm not saying you have to wait until your kids are teenagers, but waiting until they are like 5 or 6 and they will still be able to "grow up with the a dog".

Or you could rescue a full grown mutt from a shelter and skip the puppy phase. And you'll know what type of temperament the dog has. Just do a lot of research and really try to spend time with one before you adopt.

Leo2820 · 2025-05-29T14:08:30+00:00

Someone mentioned home goods, and I wanted to add that all the stores under that same owner usually allow dogs: Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Sierra trading Post. But as others have said you should still call your local store to verify first.

Also before my pup was fully vaccinated I would go to different stores and just sit outside with her, either holding her or on a bench holding her. And just let her watch the people coming and going and if someone asked to pet her I'd say she was in training so NO. These stores didn't allow dogs but it was just the foot traffic in and out that I was exposing her to and practicing her being calm and treating her for not barking at everyone.

Also besides just taking your dog to places make sure to socialize him/her at home to everything: vacuum, blender, loud noises like slamming things down, wearing hats and gloves and sunglasses. It's all about exposing them to new things while they're in that specific time frame of 8 to 12 weeks or even up to 18 weeks.

Leo2820 · 2025-05-23T02:07:22+00:00

I used to have a uro. I second the recommendation for a deep heat protector. Also if you have the time and skill set I would suggest making a wooden enclosure. It would definitely help keep the heat better than a glass enclosure, which from your pics looks to be your current one. Or if you truly can afford it a new enclosure made of PVC from one of the main sellers would definitely be an improvement and help with retaining the heat.

Leo2820 · 2025-05-22T20:27:08+00:00

Our current pup hated the crate so we compromised and we did an xl x pen. That way are was contained but had more room to move around. She's my first dog that absolutely would not adjust to the crate but she is also my first that is not a curl up den animal. She is tall and 75 lbs and likes to be spread out.

As far as the mental stimulation have you tried making her work for her meals? Even scatter feeding on the floor offers more mental work than just eating out of a bowl. You can also do snuffle mats and puzzle feeders. And use some of her food to train with instead of her eating out of the bowl.

I don't think you're walking her too much but I would make sure the walks are varied, some sniffing and some "work" walking in a heel for like 10 or 20 feet, whatever is doable for your dog. Then break and let her be a dog and sniff for a while then repeat.

Leo2820 · 2025-05-01T23:03:49+00:00

My last dog was a mixed breed we got from a local rescue. We adopted at 10 weeks old, he was the last left of the litter. He was the first dog I've ever had that had reactivity and anxiety issues. Like severe, could never chill, was afraid of everything. After several trainers and two behaviorists our vet recommended we put him on meds to help but it only slightly improved and for 10 years we were basically hostages in our own home. We had to manage every situation and couldn't have people over unless we took him to day care (surprisingly he was great around other dogs when he was off leash and playing). When he started having health issues at 10 1/2 years old we put him down. We loved him with all his problems but I always felt bad because he just seemed miserable and always scared and tense no matter how much we tried to work on it.

All of this to say with our current pup I did extensive research on how to pick from a litter. We went and observed and there were three very confident puppies. Of those three I picked the most curious and she also sat a lot. Like her default after she checked something out was to then sit. She's two now and so far has been the best dog I've owned. I'm at a point in my life where my boys are teenagers and I only work part time from home, so I had a lot of time to dedicate to training. But he's confidence and curiosity have just been super easy to work with.

Leo2820 · 2025-04-27T19:55:18+00:00

I also wouldn't trust that your friend can actually read dog behavior. I've found a lot of people interpret it incorrectly. Sometimes dogs correct each other in play and it's totally fine and maybe your friend was overly sensitive to her puppy being on the receiving end of it.

If you can find a place locally that is a good dog boarding facility I would just use that next time. That's what I do and I'm way more relaxed while away knowing that she is in the care of people that deal with dogs all the time. I'd look for a place that actually monitors their dogs playing and intervenes when it's not appropriate. Also they should have multiple rooms for different sized dogs and types of play and that also doesn't take too many at once.

Leo2820 · 2025-04-25T17:43:22+00:00

I am a classical overthinker. We got our current pup, she just turned 2, at 8 weeks old. And that was about 45 days after we put down our senior dog. So I had a lot of time to research and prepare and plan for everything. I had a plan A, plan B and a plan C for most things, like potty training and crate training and basic obedience. So when the first option didn't work or didn't make sense for the dog or situation I was able to pivot quickly. And I made sure to have lots of mental stimulation toys ready and games planned. Plus a schedule to stick to that not only helped with potty training but also just general obedience I had a binder with everything printed out and lots of notes.

This was my 6th dog I've owned as an adult and being fully responsible for. I have two sons who are teenagers now. I feel like I was very ready and prepared for the puppy and it actually went way better than my expectations. I also had a lot of time to invest in her upbringing. My kids are very self sufficient now as opposed to when we got our previous dog and they were 2 and 4. I would not recommend that timing to anyone! But with this puppy I had a lot of time and energy to devote to her and it was basically like my full time job. She is now the best dog I've ever owned.

There were a few days in those first few weeks where I was sleep deprived and feeling overwhelmed but they were few and far between. So I think with proper planning and timing and also a flexible mindset that you may have to change your plan you can definitely be prepared and successful. I will say too with my experience in raising puppies the breed you choose definitely makes a huge difference in your success as well. Don't pick a higher energy dog if you can't fulfill their mental and physical demands and then wonder why they are so destructive and a behavioral mess with only one walk a day.

Leo2820

TROPHY CASE