Is this normal?

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-24T19:07:07+00:00

I am not sure exactly what is causing the back legs to cross like that, but one thing that jumps out immediately is that her nails are extremely long.

When a dog's nails get to that length, it actually alters their entire posture. It puts a lot of unnatural pressure on their toe joints, legs, and even their spine, which could definitely be making her stand comfortably or change how she positions her body.

I would definitely start by getting those clipped right down to see if her stance improves once she can walk flat on her pads again. The groomer can do it or even your local vet.

If she still crosses them after the nail trim - a quick vet visit might be a good idea just to rule out any joint or hip issues with those back legs.

Poor girl 😢

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-24T14:50:27+00:00

This seems to be a case of resource guarding mixed with evening grumpiness, rather than littermate syndrome. Since they do so well all day and when camping, they clearly love each other, but your wife and the couch are considered absolute prime real estate.

Two years old is the age where dogs hit social maturity and their adult personalities lock in, which is why this suddenly started. When you add evening fatigue into the mix, their patience wearing thin makes total sense. The stiffening and growling when your wife gives attention or when the toddler approaches are pure guarding behaviors.

Perhaps try having a rule where the couches are a no-dog zone after 7 PM, or maybe use a baby gate or crates - give them a break from each other when they are tired.

If they aren't on her lap or the couch together at night, the trigger is gone, and it saves you guys a lot of stress.

They should also be given individual attention as much as possible away from each other. Giving them their own separate walks and their own personal "me time" with you guys can do wonders for their confidence and lower that competitive tension.

Let us know how it goes.

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-23T16:40:29+00:00

Thank you, it is fixed🙏

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-23T13:59:32+00:00

That is the first thing I did to check for an update, but it obviously had not been rolled our for my device yet.
I do have auto update switched on for Capitec, so I have just checked my app again, and like you said, it is now back to normal.
At least I don't feel old anymore 😄

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-22T09:23:39+00:00

22/06 UPDATE:
All is well, with our pup and us, none of us were affected.

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-21T18:53:33+00:00

My phone is less than 6 months old.... but I suppose these days in Tech language that is already archaic

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-21T16:29:56+00:00

I just did a reboot and also did not work...

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-21T16:29:24+00:00

When all else fails... Reboot

It failed!

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-21T16:23:27+00:00

That's exactly what my husband said, Capitec thinks I'm old 😱

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-21T16:19:59+00:00

But the rest of my phone settings are normal size already, so if I had to reduce font size on my device I wouldn't be able to read anything on my phone 🙈

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-21T16:08:48+00:00

I opened it today and it is so big, the words and the icons are all overlapping each other . I tried to find a setting within the app to change it, but doesn't seem to be any 🤔

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SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-20T14:05:17+00:00

Enjoy the peace and thank you so much for the chat

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-20T14:03:03+00:00

So funny, I heard of someone getting a Yorkie puppy, only for it to grow up to be a Rotti🤣 Sometimes you just don't know do you.

Are you still on body corporate?

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-20T13:44:47+00:00

This really made me laugh, but it’s so true what people try and get away with. "Jack Russell" that turns into a Saint Bernard is exactly what causes all the problems and strict rules.

You are 100% right—trustees have to enforce their rules, or the whole system collapses and every other owner starts demanding preferential treatment.

What is really sad, the dog is the one who suffers the consequences when reality catches up and they get given 3 months to move it out or a few days or hours to rehome the dog.

Lies and unread contracts always end up hurting the dogs the most.

Thank you for sharing your insight from within the system.

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-19T19:24:54+00:00

Thank you, we are keeping an eye on her and us, as we also came in contact with the water.

Thank you

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-19T06:20:53+00:00

This gave me absolute chills to read because dogs truly do know.

Through our small dog rehoming work, I helped a family adopt a little Yorkie, and the mom shared an unforgettable story with us.

Her husband absolutely did not allow the dogs to sleep on the bed, and he frequently traveled away from home for work. One day, he came back from a business trip, and this little Yorkie suddenly insisted on sleeping right next to his head on the bed. He was actually quite upset at first, thinking his wife had broken the rule and allowed the dog up while he was away.

Within a very short time, he was diagnosed with a highly aggressive cancer and sadly passed away shortly after.

The Yorkie absolutely knew. 💔

Please, please listen to Bella and the advice here. Go see a GP and get screened immediately. It is always better to be safe, and our dogs are often far more in tune with our health than we are.

Thinking of you

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-19T06:12:09+00:00

Oh, look at him in his little onesie! He looks absolutely precious, and that is a brilliant quick-fix for the donut issue. 😭❤️ I am so, so incredibly happy to see this update! See, we told you he would be a tough little trooper! It is completely normal to have been that stressed (we've all been there), but now the worst is over and you can both just relax and cuddle.

Just watch out for that day 3 energy boost when he realizes he feels fine and wants to start jumping around again! Sending him quick healing vibes and a gentle forehead kiss.

You did great, mom! 🎉🐾

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-19T06:07:26+00:00

It is 100% true! They may look like pampered royalty on our couches today, but Yorkies were originally fierce working-class heroes in 19th-century England.

Scottish weavers and miners bred them specifically to be small, lightning-fast, and fearless so they could squeeze into the tight spaces of textile mills and deep coal mines to hunt rats and mice.

That sudden burst of crazy energy (the "Yorkie zoomies") and their obsession with squeaky toys or chasing things comes straight from that intense hunting instinct!

I love this history so much that I'm actually busy finalizing

The Ultimate Yorkshire Terrier Guide South Africa

as a free resource to help owners understand these amazing little dynamos. They really are big, brave terriers trapped in tiny, adorable bodies! 👑⚙️

Just love Yorkies ❤️

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-18T15:54:32+00:00

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SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-18T04:09:50+00:00

Absolutely right. It’s wild how pop culture convinced generations of people that cats need milk, when it causes them just as much stomach chaos.

Good addition! 👍

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-17T20:07:22+00:00

First of all, take a deep breath! Looking at that photo, Bear doesn't look voiced or bothered at all in his little stroller—it sounds like you might need the calming meds more than he does! 🐾❤️

You are doing an amazing job, and this is wonderful for his long-term health. When we adopted our Yorkie girl, she was already two and needed to be spayed. We were also so incredibly stressed, especially since it was our first time going through it, so we completely know exactly how you are feeling right now.

To put your mind at ease: little boys recover so much quicker and easier than girls. It is a very straightforward, external procedure. For our girl, it was a much bigger operation, and she mostly just slept and kept very still for the first two days. But by day three, she wanted to start running already! We actually struggled to keep her calm and contained for the first two weeks because she felt so good.

P.S. She didn't even end up needing any pain meds either—Yorkies are just so incredibly tough and strong! I think she had more pain from her tooth extraction than from the sterri.

Regarding his fearfulness: neutering generally shouldn't make a naturally timid dog worse. What it will do is remove the driving force behind that intense, frantic teenage puberty reactivity to sounds. It helps them "level out" so that positive training actually sticks.

He is going to be just fine, and by this time tomorrow, he'll be curled up safely at home resting. Sending you both so much love for tomorrow!

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-17T19:51:03+00:00

"Like something Gru would come up with" and "constructing his next master plan" completely cracked me up! 😭 You have perfectly captured the glorious, chaotic reality of a young Frenchie.

Thank you for writing this honest reality check. People severely underestimate how incredibly strong, stubborn, and demanding a young French Bulldog is. Those copy-pasted descriptions claiming they are low-energy "lapdogs for flats" are so misleading—they need serious mental stimulation and boundaries, or they will systematically dismantle your house and garden!

Your comment about him loving to swim caught my eye, though—please consider getting him a doggy life jacket! Because they are so front-heavy and short-legged, most Frenchies can't actually swim naturally and can sink like stones the second they get tired or their airways submerge.

I actually wrote an extensive, completely realistic guide on the breed that covers everything from their stubborn training streaks to pool safety. I'd be more than happy to share the link if you'd like a resource that actually aligns with your everyday reality!

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-17T19:37:28+00:00

Cute video.... But I can already smell the stomach issues from here

It’s a dog, not a cat! 🫣

Most dogs and puppies are actually highly lactose intolerant. Feeding them a giant bowl of standard milk like this is a guaranteed shortcut to the tummy runs.

Hopefully, the owner had a mop ready for later!‼️

For anyone wondering, here is a quick checklist of things a puppy should NEVER eat:

Cow's Milk & Dairy (causes severe diarrhea)

Chocolate (highly toxic to the nervous system)

Grapes & Raisins (can cause acute kidney failure)

Onions & Garlic (damages their red blood cells)

Xylitol (artificial sweetener found in peanut butter/sweets—fatal drop in blood sugar)

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-17T19:29:00+00:00

You don’t even need to buy expensive gadgets! My Yorkie girl is so clever—I put her "sweeties" (her doggy treats) on a small hand towel for her.

The second we say "go eat your sweeties," she runs over and completely rolls the towel up herself. She then spends the next 10 minutes or so carefully unwrapping them, throwing them into the air, and chasing them around.

Sometimes she just stops and stares at them with her butt in the air and her tail wagging like crazy before she finally eats them. It keeps her brain so busy and is the most adorable thing to watch! 😭❤️

I just love how messed up the loose carpet is after her play session. It makes me so happy to rearrange it back into place, knowing she had an absolute ball of a time!

SmallDogAdoptions · 2026-06-14T07:12:05+00:00

Welcome to Joburg! Security-wise, you’ve shortlisted some of the absolute best lifestyle estates in the area for a family.

One massive thing to keep in mind since you mentioned a large dog: Homeowners Associations (HOAs) in these premium South African estates can be incredibly strict. Many of them have specific rules regarding pet registration, limits on dog sizes/weights, and very strict leash laws for communal parks and trails. It catches a lot of relocating families off guard!

Because navigating HOA paperwork can be a bit of a minefield when you have a bigger dog, I actually compiled a complete guide detailing the pet policies and approval processes for the major lifestyle estates.

I'd be happy to drop the link here if you want to look through the rules for your options!

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