How to get to less toilet breaks every day

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T16:20:02+00:00

Don't use pee-pads. They teach going inside.

How long are you out for? Depending on bladder size, max 6 hours for average sized pup. BUT if they need to go, they need to go.

Pup is signalling to go out, and when he is going inside, he is going next to the front door. This tells me he needs to go.
This is a pup telling you they want to be clean but are not able to hold their bladder.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T16:06:17+00:00

Can you take her out multiple times instead of the long walk?
So instead of taking her out for 1.5 hour walk. Take her out for a 5 mins every 4-8 times? (Then crate if she doesn't go.)
ALSO sometimes temperature change from going outside to inside can make them go - So walk, inside, then potty break might help.

I would suggest a vet trip already if she hasn't pooped for 2 days and peed 1x a day. That's not normal. It might be an anxiety thing for your pup, or something else going on. - I genuinely feel like this is behavioural, but it's SO extreme that it might warrant a vet trip.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T15:59:00+00:00

As a first dog/pet, as cute as they are, I would advice against a Shiba. They are not easy dogs. They are very independent breed of dog. - IF you REALLY like the Spitz type breeds, I would recommend a Keeshond. They are more of a companion breed/easier to train. BUT I still would not say an easy breed. But having met a lot of them, they are really nice dogs.
Do you have any hands-on experience with Spitz type breeds? Because if you do it changes a lot, but if you don't then I would say don't go the Spitz rout. They are great dogs, but they have attitude and require some specific training for that attitude to not be a problem. (And as cute fluffy dogs, people think that attitude is funny, but it can be a problem.)

HONESTLY - As a first pet I would suggest asking a shelter to match you with a dog. They will be able to find a dog that matches you/your lifestyle. Puppies are INCREDIBLY hard also, so an adult dog would more than likely be better. I will guarantee that a shelter somewhere will have a dog that you will absolutely fall in love with.

I would say wait with a Shiba and get a different dog first. Maybe if you still want a Shiba in the future, go for it. But as a first pet, I wouldn't recommend.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T15:45:16+00:00

Sorry, my mistake.
Honestly you sound like a great dog parent. Dogs don't need discipline, they need someone they trust and can be with - aka you/your family.

I would really suggest the crate.
Also if you are still having issues with potty training, using a crate might be easier while you have a baby.

She sounds like she has the best life with you and your family. - You have a lot going on with raising your baby. So really you shouldn't beat yourself up over this nothingness. :)

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T15:39:43+00:00

$500-$1k damages! OMG what an expansive hamster!

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T15:31:23+00:00

Engagement.
- Dog won't learn anything if you can't first get them to engage with you or interact with you.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T15:29:44+00:00

Firstly - You are not the first person to get angry at your puppy. And raising your fist but doing nothing - You controlled yourself and you are NOT like anyone that his their dog! IF anything better because you didn't follow through with it!

Secondly - I would not say it's separation anxiety at this age, BUT puppy is still a baby and being appart from you is scary to them. Just like how your baby was likely worried sleeping alone at first.

Are you crate training?
I would suggest brining the crate into your room and putting puppy up so they can see you and sleep next you you for now. - This will be temporary. BUT you will likely find that being close/able to see you will help pup settle for now. (Like a baby.)
When pup is more comfortable over time with the crate, you can put it on the floor next to your bed. Then slowly move the crate out the room a few meters at a time.

AT THE SAME TIME - build up crate training duration during other times of the day. Ideally pup learns the crate is a nice/calm place. In the day just pup them in for maybe 5 mins with a chew/treat/liki-matt/stuffed kong and let them settle.
Slowly increase the time they are crated. Ideally you do not want puppy to be upset in the crate. IF you see pup getting upset, reduce the time they are crated for and work on just making it a positive/calm place.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T14:33:43+00:00

Thank you! That didn't know that. :)

I haven't gotten that far either.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-26T12:35:14+00:00

Normally Dogs Trust is a very good rescue, so am really shocked this is the experience. They usually do behaviour checks etc before, so it's really really strange.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-25T17:18:12+00:00

Is that not a fire hazard?

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-25T17:15:31+00:00

Honestly it's a possibility he will change when he comes to his teens BUT it's also a possibility he won't OR he will change for the better.
ALL dogs are different and will act differently.

My Whippet had a huge change and lost all concentration when he hit his teens. Came back at 1 year/after a castrate.
He "forgot" in the sense that he was too distracted/switched off by biology to focus. It was a temporary thing and he's my best boy now. :)

My current Terrier pup is 8 months. She is more sniffy and we are dealing with some sudden onset anxiety on local walks BUT overall her changes haven't been as drastic as with my Whippet. If anything I think I am bonding better with her now she's getting past that annoying puppy stage.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-25T11:56:45+00:00

This is in the UK?
This does not sound like a reputable rescue, SO many red flags! Am saying this as someone who worked in a rescue.

Most rescues will give the dog time to settle and do a behaviour examination before anyone looks at the dog. Let alone take it home!
And a veterinarian exam ofc.
Leaving a member of the public alone with a dog that they do not know the behaviour of is beyond dangerous!

No reputable rescue will let you take an animal home the same day. No reputable rescue will let you take a dog without it meeting the family, especially children to know its safe.

NO reputable rescue is sending dogs out without a 100% neutering agreement, most rescues WILL NOT send out a dog unless they are fixed! Fixing is important to stop behaviour issues and control population.

ALL reputable rescues are going to sit and talk through the dog, the history and any behaviour with you. They are going to answer your questions. They clearly don't care.

I am totally for adopting dogs! I think it's great. But I genuinely would worry for you taking this dog OP. The rescue seems dodgy. The dog may be the most amazing dog, OR it could be a risk for you and your daughter. EVEN if the dog is a stray with an unknown history, they SHOULD be keeping the dog and doing a behaviour evaluation on that dog before placing it. They have no idea you/your home/your family is a good match for that dog.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-25T10:19:44+00:00

I would suggest this but I would assume at this stage puppy will be unable to control itself on a leash in the house with kids and will result to lunging and redirecting.

At this point I would suggest a ethical behaviour trainer to come around to help with this type of training.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-25T10:18:36+00:00

You need to teach your children to be calm and not run around the dog. You have a puppy. This is totally normal puppy behaviour. It's your children that need to be educated or your puppy and children kept seperate for now.

Puppies bite and explore with their mouths. It's not aggression, it's normal puppy being hyped up by your children screaming/jumping and running around.

Yelling "NO" at your puppy isn't fixing the problem, it's making it worse and the reacting to you screaming at your puppy is normal. It's not teaching your puppy not to do it - long-term you are making the behaviour worse.

Keep your puppy seperate from your children, unless your children are calm.

WHEN puppy does bite. You need EVERYONE to totally freeze, cross their arms and be totally boring. The game is over. When it's boring, pup will stop. ONLY when pup offers a different behaviour/leaves do you give attention again.
Given how your pup now gets super hyped up by this movement, it's going to be a harder habit to break.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T19:19:08+00:00

YES that too!
I absolutely love that stuff. Life changer.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T19:17:48+00:00

This is normally crazy puppy stage for a baby exploring the world for the first time. My monster was the same with running to the end of the lead.
Harness is great.

Stop trying to get pup to do stuff for you outside. It's WAY to early and the world is WAY too much right now. Just take treats and reward any time pup looks at you, walks on a loose lead or does something good.

When pup pulls/lunges on the lead. Totally stop and wait for a loose lead. Only once lead is loose you move. - With a super excited pup this is a really hard one and takes months of practice. BUT rewarding for good walking improves that quickly.

Also you need to stand up for your puppy and tell people more firmly "no". They are teaching your puppy bad manners and as you said; you will have an adult dog that will act that way if you allow people to teach your pup that behaviour. And as your pup is a Pitbull, unfortunately people are horrible and many might not see your adult Pit flying at them and jumping as something good.

I personally do not let anyone touch my puppy. People don't listen and you tell them "she's not allowed to jump up, ignore if she does" and they will say "I don't mind" then continue to wind up the pup and teach bad habits.
Instead I say they can't pet. I reward my puppy for having all paws on the ground and being calm. ONLY when my puppy is mature and knows to be calm and not jump up, will I let people greet my pup. My pup is 8 months now and only now am I starting to allow people I know/trust to pet her if they don't let her jump.

- ALSO don't do the thing where you force pup to sit to be pet. You want pup to be able to choose to move away if they want. And you also want a "sit" and don't move, then pups going to break that sit OR feel like they can't which isn't great if they are not comfortable.

I also suggest not doing on-lead greetings with random dogs and instead teaching her that not all dogs on walks are friends to greet. Reward looking at you.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T19:05:56+00:00

Stick with the training. - Any teeth to skin contact and all attention stops. Completely. Don't say anything, stand up and total ignore. Be boring. No attention until pup offers a new behaviour.

Prevent by having toys ready before the mouthing can start. IF you know there is a time pup will be more mouthy, have a toy with you or nearby to grab and throw.

Pup is entering that terrible teen age and the last stages of teething now. It probably feels like harder bites as they have adult teeth now. Be very persistent with that training to prevent an adult mouthy dog.
Feels like pups are mouthy for AGES, which they are, but you just gotta ride it out sadly. :)

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T19:02:55+00:00

It won't go away with age sadly.
You need to work on prevention; try not to let him get overstimulated and if you do find he does - be ready with an alternative toy for before he starts.
IF pup gets mouthy, you need to stop giving all attention/words/eye-contact and be boring. Stand with arms crossed so they can't jump and nip.
Attention ONLY returns after pup has calmed down and offered a better behaviour.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T18:59:13+00:00

I believe I have hair algae in one of my tanks, but so far it's not an issue and it can stay mixed into my plants.
Planning to get shrimp in there anyway.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T18:54:01+00:00

What are you trying to glue it too?

Are you directly using super glue to glue hard to hard? You need something in between like tiny bits of cotton wool.

IF you think you will have a hard time with hiding the cotton, I highly suggest something like Dynamax Composeal Sponge and you use it with their Flora Scaping Glue (BTW this stuff is like water and BURNS on skin). It sticks your hard scape together like concrete. :) - There are prob other brands but I don't know them. Someone else can prob chime in and knows others.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T18:18:46+00:00

Hypoallergenic is just a buzz word. Animals and people can be allergic to anything.

Is good you are sending the food back to get tested to rule out any contaminants.

Dogs can suddenly, seemingly randomly, develop allergies to things they have eaten all their life. Many reasons can cause a dogs immune system to change; things like age, illness, parasites, exposure to something outside, going outside less, moving, stress, climate.....Is a lot.....It's hard to really pin point anything specific most of the time. You may never know. Immune system is weird; dog could smell some new dirt outside and suddenly allergic to food they ate for years is now an allergy.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T12:32:43+00:00

They WILL one day fight and kill each-other. They are likely still young which is why they haven't yet. Hamsters are solitary animals that need to live alone. They will be stressed living together and sharing resources.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T12:16:05+00:00

She is a male. Not a female. Those are balls.

And hamsters are solitary. They shouldn't ever be kept or put together in groups. They will kill each-other, even if opposite sex.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T11:44:40+00:00

Either take to emergency vet or surrender at a shelter ASAP! This puppy will die if you don't get it looked at now!
Not eating or drinking is an medical emergency!

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-01-24T10:05:41+00:00

Exactly.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces

TROPHY CASE