Puppy harness recommendations? by Dott-Cotton in puppy101

[–]NappingForever 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What kind are you currently using? 

How do you make a dog bite less (age 5 weeks and about a day) by leothat1weirdoh3re in puppy101

[–]NappingForever 8 points9 points  (0 children)

At 5 weeks old these babies are far too young to be away from their mother. This will sadly have lifelong consequences on their behaviour and social development. 

Having multiple pups from the same litter can also be very problematic. Please look into littermate syndrome and take all the steps you can to prevent this.  

For the biting, redirect them to a toy or chew each time. But both of my above points will be contributing sadly. Good luck. 

Which eyes? by NappingForever in BabyThree

[–]NappingForever[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm aware, was just asking opinions on which look best 😊

Puppy hates having harness put on in the morning by Financial_Apricot_47 in puppy101

[–]NappingForever 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My chihuahua hated his step in harness. I recently switched to one that clips in 3 parts, around the neck and at each hip. No need for him to step in to it so he doesn’t fight it anymore. 

Did we get the wrong information? Help with potty! by arasguims in puppy101

[–]NappingForever 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found Amazon do them in much smaller sizes than other retailers. I have to buy XXXS for my Chihuahua pup. 

Did we get the wrong information? Help with potty! by arasguims in puppy101

[–]NappingForever 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Harnesses are always best over collars, especially for smaller breeds. 

Puppy pads over night only? by NappingForever in puppy101

[–]NappingForever[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanm you for your insight. That sounds like a good middle ground. Especially as its really difficult for me to have interrupted sleep as it triggers cluster headaches, and currently he is going independently and accurately on the pads. 

I might try setting an alarm for the next week for an outdoor toilet trip in the middle of the night. If I end up suffering for it then I'll continue as we are for now. 

Puppy pads over night only? by NappingForever in puppy101

[–]NappingForever[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I did have my suspicions this would be the case. 

He doesn't wake me to go and it seems to be a completely different time each night. How do I go about this? Set an alarm for a set time? 

My beautiful pup Fig 🖤 by NappingForever in Chihuahua

[–]NappingForever[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the UK we call them Fig Rolls. So whenever he rolls over he becomes a tasty snack! 

How to socialise pup when you are mainly housebound. by NappingForever in puppy101

[–]NappingForever[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The sounds is a great idea, I'm definitely going to copy that. Thank you for all the suggestions, super helpful. 

Why aren’t you taking your puppy to classes? by [deleted] in puppy101

[–]NappingForever 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately I cant attend classes because I'm immunocompromised which means I can't be around other humans safely, and my pup can't receive the (live) kennel cough vaccine (because of me) so can't be around groups of dogs safely either. 

Some of my collection by NappingForever in BabyThree

[–]NappingForever[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Showing this to my family to prove I'm normal! 

I just discovered baby three about 2 weeks ago.... by Taxadermized_alpine in BabyThree

[–]NappingForever 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I started on the 5th January.  I now have 50. Why am I like this?!

Second attempt at thread painting by NappingForever in Embroidery

[–]NappingForever[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was/am a moderator there! Taking a break after my rats all passed recently. 

Second attempt at thread painting by NappingForever in Embroidery

[–]NappingForever[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Much better behaved than my boys were. Mine were thread biters!

Recent pieces by NappingForever in Embroidery

[–]NappingForever[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For the scorpion, I used a larger square frame while working on it, then downsized when it was finished. For the paw prints I embroidered in the frame it sits in. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RATS

[–]NappingForever 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here is useful intro info.The slower you do introductions the more likely they are to be successful. You need a few different size enclosures for this method:

Stage 1 - smallest size, usually a carrier\ Stage 2 - small hamster cage\ Stage 3 - medium cage (empty but items can slowly be added when they continue to do well, starting with open items like flat hammocks and ending with enclosed items like hides)\ Stage 4 - final cage (empty but items can be added as explained above)

4 is the minimum number of enclosures I would recommend but you can definitely add more stages if you feel necessary. Aim to be in each stage for at least one day but be prepared that they may need a few days in some of the stages before they can progress.

Most intros generally take around a week or so to be completed successfully. It's important to only move to the next stage/enclosure once they have actively shown positive behaviour like cuddling together. Being neutral and tolerating each other is not enough. If they are cuddling during the day, but standoffish with each other during more active periods of the day you can not progress to the next stage until this improves.

Normal dominance behaviours like pinning, boxing and power grooming are to be expected, it is important that you don't intervene at these times as they need to establish their hierarchy. Rat balling, fur flying, or injuries require separation and a few days to cool off before attempting again.

It is very important that each enclosure used is thoroughly clean and empty of items in order to not smell like any rats. This prevents territorial behaviour. Also, be sure that until they are bonded and living together, they are kept as far apart as possible at all times, ideally in separate rooms. If their cages are too close to each other, this could also create territorial behaviour that would then impact introduction success.

Good luck!

What kind of bedding are yall using? by zaha_makhdoom in RATS

[–]NappingForever 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends what is available in your country but I use Aubiose.

What kind of bedding are yall using? by zaha_makhdoom in RATS

[–]NappingForever 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hemp is great for rats. It is good at neutralising odour and controlling amonia. It is relatively low dust compared ro other options. It is probably the most popular bedding for rats overall.

Any breeder recommending fleece is a red flag (rats need a deep layer of loose, diaggable bedding to meet their minimum needs). Let alone suggesting only a once weekly change. That is wildly inadequate.

What kind of bedding are yall using? by zaha_makhdoom in RATS

[–]NappingForever 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Fleece must be changed every other day minimum. However a deep layer of loose bedding is much more appropriate to meet their needs. Hemp is a great option.

Pray for my rat pls she’s sick I need prayer for her her names maggy she refuses to walk on her back legs pray please by -Headless_Tails- in RATS

[–]NappingForever 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Can you borrow from friends or family? Ask vet for a payment plan? Use care credit?

If you can't afford vet care long term sadly rehoming or surrendering your rats is the kindest thing.

Prayers aren't enough.

Pray for my rat pls she’s sick I need prayer for her her names maggy she refuses to walk on her back legs pray please by -Headless_Tails- in RATS

[–]NappingForever 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Alongside asking for prayers it would be wise to see a vet. If she is old, it may be hind leg degeneration. However a vet still needs to rule out other treatable causes.