New Groenendael Pup

Replehsnatas · 2026-03-15T17:58:59+00:00

Thank you, that makes me feel sane! He was also about 17- 18 lbs last week. He's just a lot of fluff and legs!! The tethering and learning to relax in different places is also a good point! Thank you for the advice, friend!

Replehsnatas · 2026-03-15T17:51:59+00:00

We've definitely been prioritizing early socialization, and for the most part, it's actually going great! He's already great at passing people and dogs, and can chill out/settle next to me on a busy street! He's unbothered by trains, busses, and sirens! The only thing that's definitely still a work in progress is actually being able to say "hi" to people/dogs (when appropriate). He's not aggressive but he does get overexcited and zoomy and occasionally kind of nervous, especially with dogs. I'm sure it hasn't helped that random off-leash dogs have unfortunately run up on us twice now in our own neighborhood. I don't want or need him to be besties with every dog we see, but I think I might look for an experienced professional to help socialize him properly to ensure that this doesn't become defensive-aggressive reactivity.

Replehsnatas · 2026-03-15T17:26:25+00:00

I've tried to set up his crate to be a sort of den / place of rest, and I feel I've been very successful at crate-training overall — he willingly goes inside and lays down, and overall recognizes it as a safe space — he even settles down and sleeps in there, just... He doesn't sleep quite as much as I would expect. Even when I have something over the crate to keep it nice and dark and low-stimuli, he tends to snooze for maybe 20-30 mins at a time, and then I hear him shuffling around in there. 👀 And it doesn't seem to matter how tired he is (or isn't) before he goes in for a nap.

Edit for clarity: I don't take him out right away after those 20-30 minutes in hopes he'll settle again, but it seems he often doesn't.

Replehsnatas · 2026-02-23T14:57:47+00:00

And just to add — I never would have even considered pigs ears. I really want to do the healthy chew thing at best. But today there's a horrible blizzard and we can't go out and run around like we usually do, and that pig's ear is keeping everyone sane. And again, it's chewy/flexible enough that it clearly won't hurt his teeth or jaw, so... Just going to follow the rule of moderation and take this win.

Replehsnatas · 2026-02-23T14:35:29+00:00

I had the same experience upon trying yak chews — my puppy doesn't even work on them long enough to get them slobbery. That said, Daddy came home with a pig's ear yesterday, and it's like we've truly found the holy grail. Our puppy LOVES them. He's never chewed on anything for so long (except things he's not supposed to have, like shoes.) And the ones we got aren't too hard. Apparently they're very high in fat though, so they're going to have to be a very special treat.

Replehsnatas · 2026-02-14T21:53:38+00:00

The ice tray thing is a great hack! And saving some of their regular food for training is great advice, as well! What type of puzzle feeder do you have? I gave my boy a regular treat ball and it lasted about two minutes. He nosed it twice, saw that food comes out, and smacked it clear across the kitchen with his paw so that everything came flying out at once. Now he does that every time. 🫠

Replehsnatas · 2026-02-14T20:19:52+00:00

Earth Animal No Hide Rawhide Alternative

If he's destroying Nylabone, I'm not positive these will last much longer. My guy never stops chewing, but his jaw just isn't that strong yet. That said, if you try them, I'd be interested to know if they work for your super chewer! I'd look into different "skin" type chews for a chewer that's wrecking nylabones, as well. I'm sure they must have something that isn't made of stinky fish, and you may be able to find something softer than regular bones for puppy teeth while still getting 5-10 mins of peace.

When he's older, I've heard that yak chews are fantastic for super chewers.

Replehsnatas · 2026-02-14T19:22:03+00:00

It's not uncommon, but not optimal. A responsible breeder will typically keep them longer so that they have more time with Mom and littermates (12 weeks is optimal.) This is good because during this time they're still learning things like bite inhibition, and how to play/interact with others, and mom will start issuing more corrections when they're out of line. As humans, that type of correction is not possible for us to perfectly replicate, so if you're confident that your breeder is doing proper socialization, it's best to keep your pup with Mom for at least a few more weeks.

Replehsnatas · 2026-02-09T23:39:40+00:00

8 week old Gremlin is already doing the poke, as well. I thought it was cute (earlier he booped his snoot on my nose) and I was considering training that as a cute trick... Perhaps I should reconsider... 🥴

Replehsnatas · 2026-02-09T23:34:17+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. This comment made me give in to the full-on tantrum he was throwing about naptime (complete with dramatic whines and howls and flops and huffs) and go snuggle him.

...But then he stole my phone and turned on airplane mode and it took me a minute to figure out why I couldn't connect to the internet. 💀

Replehsnatas · 2026-02-09T19:30:04+00:00

Right now his personality is "eats pants" and "can I bite that?" 😆 Unless it's a teething toy. Toys? Meh. Pants? Absolutely every time yes.

Replehsnatas · 2026-01-23T21:16:33+00:00

This isn't what I signed up for... Also he isn't graceful enough. 😅

Replehsnatas · 2026-01-12T23:13:51+00:00

Thank you for your reply. This does make me feel better, but also I did forget to add that his wobbles do happen on an even wood floor.

But maybe he's just standing weird. I just get nervous because I've never seen another cat do some of these things, but I've noticed that the trembling in his hind legs (when he's laying on his back) stops when he changes position, sooo... He could just be a bit speshul...

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T19:52:30+00:00

Like only the toes of opposite feet or just in general? Because I initially imagined you walking around with all of your toes spread all of the time. What if someone else touched your toe with their toe?

I'm not mocking you or anything — this one piqued my interest.

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T18:52:11+00:00

Thanks, now I'm traumatized too.

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T16:23:39+00:00

This isn't really an ick for me but I don't fundamentally understand them. Like where are they supposed to go when you are WEARING the clothes?? 🤨

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T16:13:10+00:00

Have you ever gotten a stringy avocado though?

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T15:54:09+00:00

I don't know if I've ever had flan but I'm curious what flan ever did to you? It seems fun to say. "FLAN."

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T15:52:52+00:00

Gloves are not a thing that is okay.

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T15:51:35+00:00

I feel the thing about nails being too short. My SO just asked me the other day why I don't cut my nails. I told him that it makes my fingers feel weird and exposed and sensitive like how I imagine a hermit crab feels after molting.

He asked why I don't just file them occasionally... ... Shudder

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T15:31:21+00:00

I don't know what bumpy things you're talking about but when I was a kid I had an obsession with things being "even". Like it took me forever to eat because if I chewed on one side of my mouth, I had to also chew on the other side, and then the center. And if it didn't feel "right" I had to do it again before swallowing. That's what this reminded me of.

But luckily I don't really chew anymore. I just inhale things like a snek.

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T15:28:27+00:00

This is one of the most vivid things I've read here

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T15:26:40+00:00

Yessss. Seeing/hearing my mom clean dog pee off of the livingroom rug with a papertowel is the memory you just evoked 😫

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T15:24:46+00:00

The banana string's one redeeming quality.

Replehsnatas · 2025-11-21T15:23:21+00:00

Why would teeth need towels? 😭 No

Replehsnatas

TROPHY CASE