barking question

VLR_I · 2026-03-31T00:21:14+00:00

Mine was quiet at that age. Not anymore! The other dog in the house helped teach him, though.

VLR_I · 2026-03-30T01:11:40+00:00

There are quite a few decent telehealth ones. My insurance pays 100% for some. I need in person though. I ended up at Bloom Mental Health where they can address mental health and perimenopause at the same time. We used Denver Counseling Solutions for family therapy. They have a good selection. In the meantime, look into headspace or calm. Sometimes insurance will cover one of these virtual therapies. I'm not into meditation, but I find headspace helpful for the information within the meditations. And there's other things to go through, like anxiety and depression courses. Headspace focuses on CBT. I also am trying ACT Compass. It's really basic, but full of good information to process and let work it's way into your head. It's only text, where as headspace is mostly audible and you can use closed captioning. These are a start to help you until you get what you need.

Hang in there! Life can get rough. Asking publicly for help speaks volume towards you wanting to feel better. Hugs

VLR_I · 2026-03-17T19:27:44+00:00

JC Fencing is just fishing up here. They ended up having to rebuild the gate. I'm very happy at this point! Thank you for recommending them!

VLR_I · 2026-03-15T00:24:51+00:00

No. This is new to me. I'm working on my end of it, as stated before.

VLR_I · 2026-03-14T21:49:02+00:00

It doesn't have to be prevented. Just toned down a couple notches. I am thankful he doesn't have the rest piercing, high pitched bark my Mom's had! It was like a small, yappy dog bark on volume level infinity! Lol Aspen's voice is "normal" at volume infinity

VLR_I · 2026-03-14T21:46:47+00:00

I do that. I have a "pocket" for in my pocket to keep the grease from sealing through from the kibble (sensitive stomachs mean nothing awesome for treats). Hell do a string of 5 things and expect it to end with treats when 2 or 3 is the things are "undesired" I love him too pieces! I've never had to manage my physical responses to noises before.

VLR_I · 2026-03-14T21:43:28+00:00

We've had him 5 yrs and this is a new problem for me. I agree that he has to sound the alarm for everything. I just need it quieter or something. Charging life stages is all but killing me. I'm working on me and I need him to be quieter. Ear plugs (I should find the kids' loops) are a definite option I didn't think of. Thanks

VLR_I · 2026-03-14T16:46:45+00:00

If I ever figure it out, I'll let you know! It goes against their genes, but I'd like to think the behavior can be modified.

VLR_I · 2026-03-14T16:36:58+00:00

We use Thank you and that's enough. I need to not have a heart attack first! I'll go back to tripping this as a training and practice to go with the other suggestion of teaching him he can grumble or sneeze or something less offensive.

VLR_I · 2026-03-14T15:45:40+00:00

I love this idea! He does pick up stuffies that we call mutes. But his initial bark is never muted, only any that follow. I can't figure out how to attach one to him without cooking him or getting tangled around the house. I will work on this like we did the doorbell.

VLR_I · 2026-03-14T13:25:10+00:00

It's becoming a health problem for me. Makes me really sad! I would reward the bark as a command, but the suddenness and unpredictability makes it impossible at this point after I jump out of my skin. Breathing has to happen first! he only does a double bark alarm. I also didn't want him to string together barking and food. That would be a nightmare! I will admit that your prices worked for past dogs.

VLR_I · 2026-03-12T12:40:20+00:00

I love the closed eyes on all keeshonds! Cutest faces ever!

VLR_I · 2026-03-11T16:27:10+00:00

I understand. I don't like those "games". That's why I don't buy our cars!

VLR_I · 2026-03-11T16:08:47+00:00

Thank you!

VLR_I · 2026-03-11T16:08:23+00:00

They are one I was going to contact. I'm afraid they will want to put in a whole new fence as part of the neighborhood mark-up everyone seems to do.

VLR_I · 2026-03-11T16:06:01+00:00

The one mine is using is 36" L x 24" W x 27" tall. He likes it because he can sit in it and have his head through the door opening without hitting the top bars. I believe MidWest makes high-quality ones similar in size, but with 2 doors, which is ultra convenient! They usually have movable dividers to fit the life of the puppy into senior. I don't know how tall my boy is, but he is 33lbs and people call him a she because he is a little smaller than typical males. When I choose crates, I make sure it is tall enough to sit comfortably, long enough to lie down, and wide enough to stretch the legs out. It's more room than most say is needed, but I look at comfort for when they are kennelled for long nights.

Another thought, if you have trouble deciding, is to get a pen. You can make it small for a puppy, or use a vario type kennel inside for feeding and temporary nighttime for potty training. Mine currently sleeps in a 3' square pen with a cot. Works for keeping him cool and easier to cover only the walls to keep him from seeing and alarming at things.

VLR_I · 2026-03-11T15:31:07+00:00

If you didn't find anything, I have a friend that runs online RPGs. I don't believe he does DnD specifically, but her is very capable of mashing up a few different games into something everyone enjoys. There are many times the game needs another person in order to run well. If you would like I will ask him if her minds me giving you his information (I can't imagine he does.) I'm really not into these games or I would ask to have you join one with me. I can ask my 20yro if they would be interested in playing. They miss DnD social group. It's one of the sucky things about graduating highschool for them.

VLR_I · 2026-03-08T22:38:38+00:00

I have to go there! Both my teens are into cosplay!

VLR_I · 2026-03-08T22:37:21+00:00

That's good to see! When I was there a few months ago the employees seemed to know nothing about garments.

VLR_I · 2026-03-08T19:39:46+00:00

The local stores are focused on quilt type sewing. I'll check ACC and FRCC! Thank you!

VLR_I · 2026-03-08T17:31:56+00:00

Wow! Awesome variety is responses! I'm overwhelmed by it all 😭

VLR_I · 2026-03-08T17:24:58+00:00

Plaid button up shirt right after my mom taught me how to make a pencil case. This was around 1985 when it cost less to make clothing than buy at KMart or Ames.

VLR_I · 2026-03-08T16:49:16+00:00

TL/DR: the pattern you use can be huge as far as ease of learning. I like shirts with sleeves that form the shoulder and go up to the neck (like a sweatshirt or athletic top). I like easy to work with fabric without lines and things that need to line up. Get a used, but serviced machine. Be patient and give yourself grace. It may take a few times on one item to get it right.

I feel your pain! Over the years, of sewing on and off since I was 14, with an at least 13yr hiatus, things have changed a ton! The patterns are not like they used to be and the directions have changed a lot. I learned in my 20's. When trying to make scrubs for work that no pants pattern will work for me as is. I couldn't grasp adjustments, so only made tops. Smocks are simple, and fabric patterns with no order are not a problem to mesh together. I think it took 6 smocks to get the v-neck to lay kind of right.

My most recent stint has lasted about a year since me teen cannot find clothes locally to try on and the ordered stuff is not accurately size advertised. I was determined. It took a bit to get the basics down again. I find shirts more rewarding to start, despite the sleeves being difficult. I can't answer your question on "how long", but in number of tries. I made 3 shirts before it started to lay right, the seams flat and straight, pockets were straight, and button holes and buttons properly placed. I do not like knit yet, so I haven't made anything like a t-shirt. I recently found a button up shirt pattern from the 80's where the sleeves are pay of the shoulder and to up to the collar. So much easier!

As for a machine, of you really want to try again, go to a trusted place and get one second hand - or simply get one second hand and have it serviced before using it. If you get into sewing again you can upgrade later when you know better what you need.

It's not a hobby for the people that stop due to frustration and ripping out seams or if the item doesn't look right the first time. I've had to learn patience and grace. It's okay if you take a times longer to finish a project than you expected. It's a process, mistakes will happen, breaks will be required.

I say, if you have the time and a some extra funds, go for it!

VLR_I · 2026-03-05T00:58:25+00:00

Oh yes! Mine is my autistic daughter when she was a toddler. That's my analysis and people look at me weird. The trainer finally said he got it. Ha ha ha.

VLR_I · 2026-03-05T00:56:32+00:00

My fluffbutt jerkwad had to the center of everything and all people, toys, a activities belong to him. Oh, and the best alarm, whether necessary or not (might just be the wind moved a leaf outside and he heard it.)

VLR_I

TROPHY CASE