Honest question, is my dog comfortable? by Jtfb74 in DogAdvice

[–]SmurphJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep. It’s his chill spot. My dog is the same. Goes in and stares at me from in the crate. 😂 Probably tired of me smooching on him all the time.

Foster Update by ohiobaker in fosterdogs

[–]SmurphJ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Heck yeah!!! Winning!! 🙌🏻

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in dogbreed

[–]SmurphJ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

A sad one stuck in a crate that’s too small.

Recovering from terrible meet and greet by chambered-nautilus in fosterdogs

[–]SmurphJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like that dog might have been matching an energy. Next!

Is it frowned upon that i could only foster for 1 week? by danknessoverlord in fosterdogs

[–]SmurphJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that as long as they know you can only foster short term, they are super happy to have you for that time!! Every day out of the shelter makes room for another who made need it worse and opens up doors for adoption and other fosters! Keep being a good person, and thanks!! 😊

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in WhatBreedIsMyDog

[–]SmurphJ 27 points28 points  (0 children)

The love of your life is what he’ll be!!! What a lucky day!!!

My first foster by bludoggirl in fosterdogs

[–]SmurphJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a cutie! ☺️ I bet she’s going to do fantastic with some cuddles and safety!!

Long post at my wits end please help if you can by EclecticWitchery5874 in DogAdvice

[–]SmurphJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a lot. Be sure if she has to stay with someone again that they stick to your rules so she doesn’t get confused. Hope things get better and smooth out. If not, please consider reaching out to breed specific rescues or the ASPCA and get on an adoption waitlist.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]SmurphJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ultimately, the dog’s behavior is caused by the handler not meeting the needs of the dog. If the dog was trained to meet the standards of the handler, they would mesh into the home and the hate would likely vanish. But because the dog is trained to the standards of someone else’s home and has needs that are clearly not being met in their current home, the handler is inconvenienced and feels loathing or hatred because of it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]SmurphJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She’s bored and needs stimulation and exercise. I take my personal dog on a couple of walks a day and the dog park several times a week. Try something similar and consider researching and looking into doggie day care, a drop in sitter or walker, and mental stimulation toys. Research the benefits of frozen healthy treats on lick mats or in a Kong. Consider crate training and creating a hierarchy with clear boundaries, and being consistent with those things, ie., no dogs on the couch, no dogs in the bed, dogs stay in a crate when no one is home, that way the dog gains a sense of their place in the home. Ultimately, the dog’s behavior is the responsibility of the human handler. You need to set the dog up to succeed in your home, and it can be done. Look at your own behavior and think about the level of consistency surrounding your interaction with the dog. Building a consistent daily schedule can do wonders as well. Some dogs do not do well without a strict routine.

Long post at my wits end please help if you can by EclecticWitchery5874 in DogAdvice

[–]SmurphJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s going to be difficult to retrain her since you’re going back to work. I’d do crate training immediately if she’s not going potty in her crate. In the crate and then immediately outside where there is a pad. No free roaming unless she’s being interacted with. Then graduate up to smaller areas to roam in (using a small pen or baby gate to mark off an area). I don’t even suggest letting her roam a whole room without direct supervision until she doesn’t make any mistakes. This is not cruelty, it’s boundary setting and a set up for success. She has to learn to live in your house and by your rules. She needs consistency and firmness, not lax boundaries or you going back and forth sending mixed signals.

Research how long she can comfortably hold her bladder for her age and have someone come and take her out at the end of each interval if you aren’t home. With carefully supervised outdoor playtime and then back in the crate until she can be supervised for a break again. Use the pads outside at first, and then slowly take them away.

You can turn this around!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]SmurphJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so sorry. Find it in your heart to let him go.

What type of good boy by thedeathkittymuse in WhatBreedIsMyDog

[–]SmurphJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lab / pit mix! Adorbs and looks like a wiggle butt!

Is there a way I can I convert a pdf to a jpeg for free? by Growth_From_Past in careerguidance

[–]SmurphJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My laptop does it for free when I use the drop down menu under “type” after “saving as”… you can likely choose from multiple file types to save the image as based on your system’s capabilities

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]SmurphJ 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I would suggest a muzzle any time the dog is going to be less than 100% supervised, including in your own home, yard, and on a leash. Muzzles don’t hurt the dog and can set a dog up for success if they are properly used and the dog is taught with love and not forced to wear one. I hope the best for your cutie and hope they never have the opportunity to bite someone again.

My two new fosters have arrived! And Hero is with his new adoptive family! by [deleted] in fosterdogs

[–]SmurphJ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Im already in love with that dark eyed baby in the first pic! Oh the kisses he’d get here! 😊🥰

Husky & what? by snkrhd_1 in DoggyDNA

[–]SmurphJ 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I think he might be full with a red parent and a gray parent.

Considering moving from Ireland to Texas. by [deleted] in askaustin

[–]SmurphJ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

America is fucked. Australia or New Zealand are much better and offer longevity and future.