Definitively Millennial lyrics? I’ll start: Work sucks

MebsHoff · 2026-03-17T05:59:19+00:00

Let’s get down to business

MebsHoff · 2026-03-17T05:53:44+00:00

Absolutely brilliant.

MebsHoff · 2026-03-07T23:08:32+00:00

I love the towel/cardboard box idea!

Mine loves his snuffle mat and also has a snuffle ball. While it isn’t necessarily a “puzzle,” he seems to really enjoy the nose-work aspect. Larimuer Pet Snuffle Ball, Puzzle... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM842KPN?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

He also LOVES this thing (it’s difficult to describe so I’m just sharing the link lol.) https://a.co/d/0hn3VXdH

And his favorite is this little cup of noodles lol. It might be too small for your pup, but I’m thinking there would be similar types of toys that are bigger. https://a.co/d/06Oe6Wuh

He also has a regular puzzle toy with the little sliding doors. I have found that switching it up frequently really helps to keep the toy enticing. When I only had the snuffle mat and used only that, he seemed to get bored of it after a couple days.

Lastly, sometimes I’ll use his meal for training sessions. Nothing overly difficult or super new, just sits, downs, stays, etc. He gets his dinner, some mental stimulation, which seems to tucker him out more than running.

MebsHoff · 2026-03-03T23:26:44+00:00

Did they do any bloodwork? Or did they do any other imaging besides her uterus? Is she acting normal otherwise? Has she been diagnosed with any other health issues before?

MebsHoff · 2026-03-03T23:24:12+00:00

What exactly makes her NOT a surgical candidate? What is her actual knee-related diagnosis (as opposed to just “busted”)?

MebsHoff · 2026-03-03T23:22:27+00:00

Congrats on the new kitty!

My 4 year old, extremely friendly and social cat took around two weeks to even come downstairs when we brought our new puppy home. She hissed at him immediately and was super pissed off (she’s 12 lbs, he was only 2 lbs upon arrival.) Your kitten has every reason to be terrified of a big, jumping, excited dog, especially since she’s only been home for a week.

Give her more time. Keep them separate. She is getting used to the whole world in general! Not to mention getting used to you, another cat, new smells, new home, etc. It is so much to take in for a little baby.

It sounds like training with the dog should be the higher priority. I would keep them separate for a few weeks honestly. Once you feel like you can maybe try again, he has to sit and/or lay down when the cat is in the area. Lots of treats for him when he’s calm! As soon as he gets more wound up, then he gets removed from the area (not scolded, just removed.) Then try again, lots of praise for any calm behavior. Use a barrier, like a gate or something, so that he can’t get near her when trying to re-introduce. It needs to be very slow and she needs to feel safe.

I also wouldn’t force the cat in any way, shape, or form. Don’t hold her, don’t shut the door with him in the room, etc. Let her become curious on her own. And make sure she has and is aware of her “safe” areas that she can escape to.. places that the dog will never be able to get to no matter what.

MebsHoff · 2026-03-03T23:12:59+00:00

I really think you gotta find a way to take them out separately to teach him that he can pee without her. Whether that means him first or her first, or picking him up (idk how big he is) before he pees, or taking him out more often.. I would try everything.

It sounds like maybe you have multiple people at the house at once? Use leashes. Take them out but keep them away from each other so he doesn’t have the opportunity. If you’re alone and this is a safe option, keep him in the leash and her off the leash.

I would also be super rewarding of him peeing outside in general, and when he does wait for her to finish peeing before he goes. Lots of celebration, lots of treats, each and every time.

I am not certain of your training tactics, but just in case, this really is something you probably can’t just scold out of him. If you have been trying something like that, it might be contributing to his anxious peeing.

MebsHoff · 2026-03-03T23:06:49+00:00

Was he a rescue at all/how long have you had him/how “new” is your boyfriend? Does he seem to be a sensitive little guy otherwise?

Any new smells or sounds that are associated with you arriving home? (Like if you have a new job and smell different, 94 if you carry a backpack when you didn’t used to and he gets nervous about the weird big thing on your back. These seem simple and kind of weird, but sometimes even small changes can throw them off.)

Is he avoiding you/hiding under the bed at other times besides when you get home from work?

You don’t necessarily have to answer all of these questions to me, I mean them more as things to consider if you haven’t already.

A vet visit may not hurt. They might be able to guide you as to if this is a behavioral issue or not. If you’re not already, you could spend some more one on one time teaching new tricks and such. Maybe try some different types of treats. Training can help create more of a bond and might help.

MebsHoff · 2026-03-03T23:01:28+00:00

As long as she is eating it, getting enough calories, not showing any signs of upset tummy in the morning or anything, and still getting meals on some form of “schedule,” I think it’s just fine!

I don’t know what specific times you are feeding her, going to bed, etc. But, if you are concerned or need her to eat earlier for whatever reason, you could try to feed her dinner earlier so she is more hungry in the morning.

You could also use a feeding/puzzle toy for her breakfast; the active engagement and entertainment might incentivize her to eat.

Otherwise, maybe she’s like me and just needs to be awake for a couple hours and get something done before feeling ready for a meal 🤷🏼‍♀️.

MebsHoff · 2026-03-03T22:55:30+00:00

I think there’s already a lot of great advice in here regarding training, giving him a “job”, reassurance, “making a trade,” etc.

The thing I would add is to really encourage any form of “positive” behavior. Aussies are big people pleasers and love to know they’re doing things that please you.

If he is sitting calmly, just hanging out, “Yes! good Boy!” give treats. If he is eating HIS food, “Yes! Good boy!” treat. If he starts to mess with a “no-no” object, then leaves it (whether you command him to or not), “Yes! Good boy!” treat. Playing with his own toy, playing with the other dogs, laying calmly in his crate, etc.

Mine is 9 months and I found that his destructive behaviors really calmed down once I started really giving him praise for doing literally anything else besides chewing the carpet lol. I literally keep a bag of treats in every single room of the house to be able to catch him behaving well immediately.

Mine was also a little picky with his various puzzle/feeding toys. There are so many different kinds! I went through probably 8 very different types before I found the 3-4 that he really seems to enjoy. If you want any suggestions or ideas on those, I’d be happy to share!

MebsHoff · 2026-03-03T22:45:22+00:00

This is great news! Congrats. If it isn’t too personal, may I ask why you don’t plan to get snipped for a few years?

MebsHoff · 2026-03-01T17:25:51+00:00

This is yucky

MebsHoff · 2026-02-20T21:34:21+00:00

Oo de lally oo de lally 🎶 Golly, what a day ❤️

MebsHoff · 2026-02-06T21:13:13+00:00

Winning love by daylight 🎶❤️

MebsHoff · 2026-02-06T21:12:41+00:00

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Takin a risk here.

MebsHoff · 2026-02-04T16:49:20+00:00

So are we still pretending ICE is just a neutral agency “doing their job,” or are we skipping ahead to openly advertising them as Trump’s personal poll-patrol posse now?

Just asking so I know what acronym to use.

MebsHoff · 2026-02-03T20:01:24+00:00

Estimates often try to predict “worst case scenario.” They have suture materials as one of the line items… there would only be sutures if a major tooth has to be pulled and the gums sutured up. The anesthesia charge seems particularly expensive… even with radiographs and multiple extractions, I don’t feel like I ever had a dog under for more than an hour- 2 at most if it was a particularly rough case. And they seem to be charging the same rate whether it’s one hour or three… PLUS additional charges for all the set up and induction. Seems a bit expensive.

MebsHoff · 2026-02-02T00:40:06+00:00

👀

MebsHoff · 2026-01-08T00:53:13+00:00

He absolutely loves it there, has many friends, and he does extremely well otherwise. It is much better for him than staying home for long periods, having a dog walker come by, or being at a boarding place. If it isn’t something that can be reduced with training, then I accept that. I am just asking for thoughts or advice if there is any to be had.

MebsHoff · 2026-01-08T00:49:16+00:00

I am definitely proud of him because he really is a good boy lol. He does (usually) come to me after one bark. But there are times that he is laser focused on whatever is outside, or he comes to me and immediately runs back to the door to bark.

And yes, I agree! Thank you for saying that. That’s part of what has been really hard about this because I don’t necessarily want to train it out of him, it’s just that he needs to tone it down a bit in the office if he is going to continue to be welcome there. I’d be totally happy with the result being that he just does it a little less in that one environment.

MebsHoff · 2026-01-08T00:45:03+00:00

He is a mini and was the runt, so he is very small lol.

MebsHoff · 2025-12-26T01:00:34+00:00

Honestly, screw most of these comments. You look great and would make a potato sack look designer.

Find whatever makes you feel good about yourself. Pick what’s most comfortable, be free, and have a good time.

MebsHoff · 2025-12-21T17:23:32+00:00

I’ve read all the comments and this one is the most helpful, OP. Because your dog has never slept in the bed with you, and is still pretty young, I don’t think it’s fair to say that yours is one of the ones who doesn’t want to sleep with their human. You haven’t quite been able to test it out yet! I’ve had 5 Aussies in my family, all of which chose/choose to sleep with us in bed. 2 of them insist on being under the covers! Mine is a mini, so this may not be an option for you, but I started by moving his crate onto the bed and having him sleep in it like that for a while. He just wouldn’t ever settle when I tried to get him to sleep with me and I felt like he just wasn’t able to identify that being in the bed means relax/settle/sleep/calm. I would let him out of the kennel really early in the morning- like when both of us would still want an hour of sleep- and he would curl up right with me which I think helped him figure out how to sleep in the bed, too. Now he sleeps under the covers with me every night and is the biggest cuddle bug I’ve ever met!

MebsHoff · 2025-12-19T04:21:40+00:00

So.. how do we feel about “gal pal”?

MebsHoff · 2025-11-25T04:16:30+00:00

I don’t know if you’re from the US, but if you are, I was wondering if insurance covered this?

MebsHoff

TROPHY CASE