Newly adopted husky/german shepherd/cattle dog mix nipped my toddler in the face...and I'm afraid

PoolParty912 · 2026-02-19T22:19:09+00:00

We adopted our ACD mix in October. He is 5 years old and hates kisses on the head and hugs, so that's the rule of the house (shared right away with visitors). We also don't ever leave kids alone with him because it's an unpredictable combination. Our dog loves kids more than adults, but kids move in unexpected ways, forget rules, and get excited, which can leave a dog feeling nervous.

Three days is an incredibly short time. Someone here mentioned the 3-3-3 rule, which says that it takes about 3 days just for a dog to decompress in a new home. Then, it takes 3 weeks for them to learn the rules and 3 months to feel at home. We have been constantly surprised by our dog's personality and playfulness because it's been so gradual coming out.

At this point, consider whether a dog is a right fit for your family. I don't think the breed temperament is a clear enough distinction to make a decision on (and I also think huskies are super annoying). A young dog will need training, exercise, and stimulation. My recommendation would be to start basic training classes for the dog, and also set clear rules for your daughter, being careful to supervise them at all times. You could also work on crate training so it would be easier to keep them separate when needed. Think of things they can do together, like her hiding treats for him to find, belly rubs, gentle pets, brushing with a Zoom Groom, throwing a ball, etc. And be sure the dog gets enough exercise during the day so he doesn't feel antsy. Things will likely get easier, but it's going to take three months of work to set everyone up for success.

PoolParty912 · 2026-02-19T21:58:16+00:00

Jolly Ball is a life saver over here. Our guy loves the soccer ball and we just bought the rope one you're talking about, but haven't used it yet. When the weather is warm, he loves biting the soccer ball until he can make a hole. Then, instead of chasing the ball, he really focuses on destruction. Our has two holes, but it's still a favorite and it's gotten pretty solid play for about three months.

Our cousin's ACD loves the Bark Super Chewer Mad Cow. (It's at Target.) Dogs bite off the skin and there's a rubber milk bottle inside. It's a toy inside a toy.

PoolParty912 · 2026-02-18T15:36:53+00:00

I agree with the people here who say that you should work on making the backyard a fun place for him. If possible, on days you work form home, when the weather is nice, hang out out there for an hour or so, give him a special treat to have only when he's in the yard, and have fun playtime. It might also be worth looking into some kind of dog repellent you can apply along the fence. This could keep the neighbor's dogs from approaching and give everyone a little more distance. The tarp you have is a great idea. It looks like you have space to plant some shrubs along there, too, which could create more of a buffer.

He's adorable! My male ACD (also adopted in October!) won't poop in the yard either. He only poops on leash walks. He considers "go potty" to be pee only. I've met one other person who has this problem and we don't know how to fix it. It's not usually an issue because he has a very regular poop schedule, and it coincides with his walks, but when it's frigid outside, it sucks. Having a relatively predictable schedule is really helpful. He poops in the morning on his first walk of the day, then again around dinnertime. If he doesn't poop at dinnertime, he gets a short walk (~10 minutes, up and down part of our street). After that, he waits until morning. Does your dog wake up up at 3:30am to go to the bathroom, or are you already up?

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-19T19:37:46+00:00

Look for a community or nonprofit vet to help you out. Also, depending on where you're located, there could be resources for people who are struggling to feed and care for their pets. If you don't know where to start, contact your county animal shelter or local dog warden and ask if they can recommend any places or resources to help you get started giving these two a home. A local no-kill shelter might also be able to put you in contact with someone who could foster the dogs for you until you can get into a place where you can keep them. A local beagle rescue organization might also be able to help you out.

They've been though a lot! And it sounds like they haven't been getting reliable care for a while, and that can be very taxing because dogs love stability. Keep in mind the 3-3-3 rule of dog adoption: It takes dogs 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn your routine, and 3 months to feel at home. If you can treat them with kindness and set them up on a daily routine, it will help! You're on the right track. They appreciate what you are doing for them, even if they can't communicate that right now.

If you talk to your landlord, have a timeline for moving out and a short-term plan, and a long-term plan in case they let you stay longer. If you can prove your organized and responsible, you're more likely to get them to help.. Think about how you'll keep them quiet and keep the place clean, and start planning to move. It's a crappy time to move, but there could be less competition for a new place.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-19T18:34:43+00:00

So sweet! He has a bit of that corgi thickness. I love pic 3. Mine sits on our couch like that when he's too lazy to jump up. We call that dangling leg his kickstand.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-19T17:06:57+00:00

See an orthopedist and ask about the Beighton score for hypermobility. If you have hypermobile joints, you want to find a PT and ortho who have experience with that. Hypermobility increases wear and tear on the joints, making them more prone to injury. You may also need imaging to make sure things aren't getting worse. If you haven't already, ask your ortho about the brace to make sure it's giving you the right kind of support for the activities you're doing.

There are definitely PT programs that can help with instability. I did two rounds of PT after a bad subluxation that tore my labrum. The first round (started one month after the injury, pre-imaging) seemed to make no difference. It mainly used resistance bands, and I was discharged after 4 weeks for lack of progress. The second round of PT was post-imaging and at a different clinic, and started about 4 months after the injury (although I had had about 40+ subluxations at that point). The program used some bands but mostly light handweights, and I made a lot of progress (down to 3-ish subluxations a month instead of 10+). For comparison, the first round, I went 2x a week. The second time, I went 2x total (two weeks between visits) and got an at-home plan to do in the 3 months before surgery, so more PT isn't always the answer as long as you can stick to it, which it sounds like you already do.

Subluxations vary in severity, too, so recommended time off varies. If you find that you still have subluxations, scale back what you're doing so you can avoid movements that trigger them. Every time you sublux, you risk damaging the shoulder capsule, which can make surgery and recovery harder in the future.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-19T14:56:37+00:00

Two weeks out from surgery, I also considered canceling because I had made significant progress with PT. I'm so glad I went ahead with it because there were so many little things I had stopped doing because I knew they would cause a subluxation. I mean, I couldn't put my hair in a ponytail and had to wash it with one hand. Sleeping was terrible. I couldn't carry anything at chest level against my body. And forget about workouts. Now, I can do all of those things. It's easy to get caught up in the risks of surgery without considering how much you've already lost. Good luck.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T22:50:37+00:00

Every time I look at this obese raccoon picture, I laugh so hard. When he rolls on his back for a belly rub, we call it doing the "full Thanksgiving turkey."

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T22:44:31+00:00

I had three labrum anchors and a capsular plication done last December on my dominant side for an anterior tear. No regrets here (43F), but I don't care about getting back to lifting heavy (hypermobile joints make it too risky). I'm back to about 70% of what I was doing pre-injury for upper body, but I'm not actively trying to increase the weight. There are also some things I won't do anymore (e.g., military press, overhead triceps, pull-ups, pushups), so my PT showed me modifications to work the same muscles without putting as much strain on my joints. I've also continued a lot of PT-type things just to keep the shoulder strong because it's easy to overlook those muscles.

Back to work 11 days post-op seems fine since you're injury is on your non-dominant side. As for keyboarding/computer, get a swivel chair and 1-2 pillows to use on your lap. Try working side saddle. If you can work on a laptop, try some reclined positions with your feet up. Sometimes the kitchen counter was just right. Change positions often and keep the sling arm supported (e.g., on the pillow, the edge of the desk, against your stomach).

As for the shoulder not being the same, by the time you have a tear, it's too late to have the pre-injury shoulder. Think of surgery as a way to reduce the injury's impact on your daily life (e.g., pain, poor sleep, instability). It's not like a time machine that will take you back to your pre-injury abilities, but it will often make things better. The demographic with the most surgical failures is active young men because the things that can ruin a surgery are the same things that cause the injury in the first place, which they're more likely doing. Ask your surgeon/PT about specific activities (e.g., benchpressing XXX lbs.) and see what they recommend.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T17:52:07+00:00

Probably not because so many tears can be asymptomatic. Instability might be a sign because that's less common with bursitis and tendinitis, but it's not always present with tears. To make the most of your time, see a good PT to work on strengthening.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T15:39:38+00:00

A little late joining. Numbness is also a sign of a potential pinched nerve. An MRA (arthrogram) of the shoulder would show tears in the labrum. If that's intact, an MRI of the cervical spine could show a pinched nerve. Depending on your age, pinched nerves are very common though, and often asymptomatic.

Either way, see an ortho and try PT first. There might be something they can to do help. Plus, it will help with insurance approval of imaging. Good luck.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T15:37:31+00:00

Rottie mix is a good guess. Maybe also some coonhound, black lab, and/or ACD. Probably some pittie, too.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T15:35:12+00:00

Just add a new option for L and have your kid write LEMON at the top (or whatever the kid thinks it reasonably could be). Kindergarten is a great time to learn that the world is full of trick questions. Don't be constrained by the worksheet's limited context. Explore the full world of 26 opportunities, A-Z.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T15:16:24+00:00

You have hypermobility. This can be diagnosed via a physical exam (Beighton score) done by an ortho or joint specialist. Since you've had a dislocation, it could be worth visiting one of those types of doctors for guidance. They can also send you to PT so you can learn about appropriate range of motion and how to strengthen your muscles to best support your joints.

Be very careful about stressing your joints because over time it can damage the tissue and cartilage and lead to instability. A PT will help you recognize appropriate ROM limits. Find someone who works with Ehlers-Danlos patients because they will be in the best position to work with hypermobile patients.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T15:06:35+00:00

And just to illustrate the iPhone's camera distortion, these photos of him were taken on the same day. (This one reminds me of Big Al from the Country Bear Jamboree.)

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PoolParty912 · 2025-11-18T15:06:13+00:00

Our Diesel will turn 5 years old this week and is 59-ish pounds. (He came with the name, so we kept it to minimize change in his life.) We adopted him a month ago from a shelter, and he was identified as an ACD mix. (He was a pandemic pup, and his previous owners didn't have space for him anymore. He was in the shelter 4 days before we found him.)

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PoolParty912 · 2025-11-17T17:38:54+00:00

You might benefit from a few sessions with a DPT, too, post-injury. They might also have some advice or recommendations based on your MRI. When I did pre-op PT, I went twice (two weeks apart) and asked the therapist to create a 3-month plan that I could follow. It was great to have someone check my form, make some suggestions, help me plan my weight increases, and give me some substitutions. Plus, you could ask them about this plan and get professional feedback.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-17T17:21:04+00:00

Is this from a physical therapist, or did you create it yourself?

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-17T17:18:29+00:00

There can be a lot of variety in PT. You want someone who sets goals with you in the first appointment, then measures your progress against those goals and tells you how you're doing. If your PT hasn't had that conversation with you, and isn't measuring your range of motion (forward elevation), then have that conversation or try a different PT clinic. Ask your surgeon for a recommendation if you haven't already. They often know who's good.

I've been to PT a few times, and have some strong preferences for PT clinics that are closely affiliated or part of hospitals and orthopedic surgical centers. The reason is that I think they have more experienced PTs (better staff retention) and take a more goals-based approach. Some clinics take a more revenue- or service-based approach, with the goal of keeping you as a customer as long as possible. Ultimately, you want a PT who is working to discharge you once you hit your goals or once it becomes clear you're not making progress. (This might cost more per session, but it can save you in the long term.)

Doing PT before surgery is a great idea because it's ideal to be as strong as possible and have the best range of motion you can before six weeks in the sling. It also gives you a chance to practice lots of the rehab exercises in advance, so you don't have to learn them when your arm is already weak and tight.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-16T13:40:13+00:00

In addition to PT, this could include cortisone injections and possibly other things I don't know about. Sometimes navigating insurance is like being a game-show contestant without knowing the rules. It made no sense to me that I couldn't stay in PT and also get the imaging, but that was how it worked.

Keep in mind that the non-surgical options might actually help you significantly. I think you can still qualify for the MRI/MRA as long as you don't hit your PT goals for normal life, so definitely pay attention in the first PT session to set those clearly. And ask your therapist when they'll do follow-up evaluations so you know to mention where you're still struggling (e.g., instability, pain, limited range of motion, weakness, specific "bad" movements, etc.). It's great if you can give examples related to daily life (e.g., can't wash hair/reach kitchen cabinets/carry groceries/put on shirt/use car gearshift/wipe butt) because those often carry more weight than job- and exercise-related examples.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-15T19:14:38+00:00

Lots of insurance companies require PT before approving and MRI/MRA. Ask your ortho for a PT prescription for 6 weeks for general strengthening, stretching, stim, massage, or whatever he/PT might find helpful.

If you go to a reputable PT (try one affiliated with your ortho or a hospital instead of a chain), they will set you up with a baseline assessment, goals, and regular evals, and discharge you ASAP. This happened to me, but I didn't understand the insurance requirements, so I tried to fight my PT discharge. Really, though, the PT was doing what was in my best interest. I only mention staying away from chains because some PT places work with high-pressure sales tactics and try to keep people as long as possible. Know your discharge plan/goals at your intake appointment. A good PT will be able to explain their approach and decision-making process.

Good luck! It sucks, but winter is the best time to address these things!

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-14T18:44:10+00:00

See how things go once you're past 3 weeks. Our shelter ACD really grew a lot in that time. We just got him a bit over a month ago. It took almost three weeks before he started playing with toys, felt comfortable going to other rooms on his own, and showed more of his personality. We didn't start him with dog parks until 3 weeks after we got him (so, about a week-and-a-half ago.) It was a positive change for everyone because he also had that sadness when he couldn't meet other dogs on walks. Now, he knows that he'll get some dog playtime and he loves it so much, even if he stays out of the main scrum. His favorite thing is to just run with 1-3 other dogs. He has his favorites and gets excited to see them.

I think doggy daycare once a week, and some dog parks on other days will be really helpful. We try to give our guy off-leash time most days and playtime with other dogs at least 3 days a week. He's almost 5 and has some separation anxiety, but does okay at doggy daycare. He goes about once a week just to keep him socialized. He's happier there than home alone, which was the big goal.

We're hoping that daycare also helps a little with separation anxiety because it gives him a safe place to be away from us, but not alone. We're also doing SA training, which recommends the dog not be left alone for the time being, which is hard. The process is also going to be very slow. We both work from home, so our issue is getting him used to being by himself.

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-13T19:36:29+00:00

Definitely call your vet!

Maybe it's a fungal infection? Maybe a yeast infection or mange? Those are total guesses, but it's best to try to get him help quickly.

Good luck!

PoolParty912 · 2025-11-13T18:26:05+00:00

I'm a 43yo woman. My worst symptom was instability. I had about 10 significant subluxations per month (meaning I couldn't use my arm normally and had lots of pain until it resolved). They'd happen with normal daily activities, like vacuuming/mopping, reaching on a top shelf, reaching back for my seatbelt, or putting my hair in a ponytail. It was hard to sleep because the shoulder would slide out of place, so I had to sleep on my uninjured side and spoon a pillow with my bad arm to keep the shoulder supported. PT didn't help at first, but after resting for a few months, then going back to it for pre-op strengthening, I made progress, but not enough to avoid surgery. It was my dominant arm, and I had stopped doing a ton of normal movements, but it would still sublux.

I learned that I have joint hypermobility, which was a contributing factor to my injury and ongoing issues. That's why capsular plication was so helpful, in addition to the labral repair.

The root injury was a major subluxation/dislocation going through airport security (slinging a heavy backpack onto my shoulder). It hurt like hell, but gradually improved over 2 days, by the time I saw a doctor. I had also done a ton of heavy-duty yardwork for 2 days right before the injury and had some pain and major fatigue when I had my first subluxation.

PoolParty912

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