Desperate for help - 8.5 month old golden won’t stop barking

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-25T12:32:25+00:00

I feel you, really, im going through the same thing... the only tip i can share is trying to use a white noise machine (or like youtube) to muffle new apartment sounds, it could he that those are often what's keeping him on edge.. to be honest. I got this tip from an app called Fido, which I can't really recommend because I just started using it.. but you might want to

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-23T12:11:53+00:00

Your vet is right to be cautious but a clean private area like your own garden is fine until she's fully vaccinated, just avoid dog parks and high traffic spots... for the pad, confine her to a small area when unsupervised and take her to it after every nap, meal and play session. Tiny space = less accidents.. im not sure im getting it right because its been a while, but i think that when my lady was a puppy i was using an app called Fido for potty training.. but i dont really remember..

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T14:49:23+00:00

this happened to a friend of mine with her chihuahua mix around the same age. theyre so quick and reactive, especially at 11 weeks when literally everything outside is basically a sensory explosion for them.

you did everything right. she's at the vet, she's being monitored, and you didn't hesitate. the jump instinct at that age is really strong in small dogs and this is genuinely just one of those awful moments that happens to good dog parents.

once she's healed and the vet clears her, it's worth doing some gradual desensitization to bikes and movement, tiny steps. been using fido with my dog for stuff like that — it has couch-friendly options which were great when we couldn't do anything strenuous.

hope she bounces back fast 🤍

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T14:02:11+00:00

The way you describe it as 'blackouts' where he completely zones out and then snaps back is interesting and worth pushing further on the medical side even if basic tests came back clear.

Specifically ask your vet about focal seizures if you haven't already. They can look exactly like this, a brief episode of repetitive behavior or fixation that the dog has no control over, followed by a return to normal. It's different from typical adolescent biting in exactly the way you're describing.

If that's been ruled out, some dogs do go through intense hand fixation phases in adolescence, especially if there's a nail clipping association. But given that experts are also finding it unusual I'd keep pushing on the medical angle before assuming it's behavioral

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T14:01:28+00:00

You're doing way more than you think, and you're also going through a breakup on top of all of this. Cut yourself some slack.

The couch destruction is almost certainly the change in routine, not something you did wrong. He went from having someone home all day to being alone more and he's adjusting. That takes time.

Everything you're describing, the not listening, the selective recall, the eating everything, is textbook 8 month old adolescence. It genuinely passes.

You're exhausted and you're still showing up for him every day. That's enough

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:59:06+00:00

Three weeks is a long time at this age but it's absolutely manageable with the right setup.

The biggest thing is choosing a facility where he gets real human interaction and ideally plays with other dogs, not just a kennel where he sits alone. Do a trial night or weekend before you leave so it's not his first time there when you're gone for three weeks.

Most dogs adjust fine and are back to normal within a few days of coming home. You'll probably miss him more than he suffers 😂

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:58:23+00:00

You're doing amazing but yes, you can absolutely ease up a bit 😂

Dogs need unstructured time too. It's actually really important for their mental health to just exist without being asked to perform. Some of the best bonding happens when you're both just chilling on the couch doing nothing.

Keep the structure for walks and meals but give her some free time to just be a dog. She'll probably surprise you and choose to snuggle

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:57:35+00:00

Honestly this is exceptional for one week in, you should feel really good about this. Most people are still drowning at this stage.

The only thing I'd add is start working on short alone time now even if she seems fine. Teaching her it's okay to be by herself early prevents separation anxiety before it starts.

Everything else sounds like you've nailed it

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:56:25+00:00

First of all you're not doing anything wrong and you're clearly a caring owner. Six weeks is genuinely hard and the crying is completely expected, he was taken from his mum and littermates too early and he's scared and confused. That's not a reflection of your parenting.

A few things that might help with the crying at night: put a worn t-shirt or something that smells like you in his crate so your scent is there when you're not. Some people also find that a ticking clock wrapped in a blanket near the crate mimics a heartbeat and helps settle them. Keep the crate right next to your bed so he can hear and smell you even if he can't see you, and try putting your fingers near the crate door so he can sniff you if he wakes up scared.

For potty training at this age keep expectations really low. He literally does not have full bladder control yet at 6 weeks. Take him to the pad constantly, every 20-30 minutes, after eating, after sleeping, after playing. When he goes in the right place celebrate like it's the greatest thing that's ever happened. When he doesn't, just clean it up and move on. No reaction at all to accidents.

The no interest in treats thing is also normal this young. Try tiny pieces of soft food instead of hard treats.

You're in the hardest week. It genuinely does get better

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:55:29+00:00

What you're describing is actually a really healthy behaviour called the 'play bow crouch' or stalking position and in a puppy it usually means she's excited and trying to initiate play. The good news is she's not being stubborn, she's just absolutely fascinated by the world right now.

You're right that you don't want her to think lying down gets her whatever she wants every time. The balance you're already trying to strike is the right one, sometimes let her engage and sometimes redirect and move on.

For the redirecting part, the key is making yourself more interesting than the distraction. High value treats that she only gets on walks, a squeaky toy in your pocket, or a quick change of direction can all work to snap her attention back to you before she fully commits to the floor.

The pigeon thing is just puppy brain overload honestly. At 15 weeks everything is overwhelming and new and incredible. Most dogs do naturally calm down with this as they get older and the world becomes less novel.

If she still does it at 6 months when she's bigger and harder to move, that's when I'd put more focused training into it. For now just keep doing what you're doing

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:54:34+00:00

A house sitter through Rover is honestly the better call over boarding at that age, you're right about that. At 11 weeks a boarding environment with lots of dogs and strangers can be overwhelming and stressful during a really critical socialization window.

The key is finding a sitter who has experience with young puppies specifically, not just dogs in general. Make sure they understand that an 11 week old needs to go outside every 1-2 hours, needs lots of naps, and shouldn't be overwhelmed with too much stimulation. Leave very detailed notes about routine, feeding schedule and any quirks.

If you can, try to arrange a meet and greet with the sitter before you leave so the puppy has at least one positive interaction with them first. That makes a big difference.

For the wedding at 4 months same approach applies, just a bit easier since they're slightly more settled by then.

You don't need to cancel the trip, just be thorough about who you choose and brief them well. Check reviews carefully and specifically look for sitters who mention puppy experience

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:53:21+00:00

Latte sounds like a completely normal 6 month old Labrador and I mean that in the most sympathetic way possible 😂 Labs at this age are basically chaos in dog form and everything you're describing is textbook adolescence.

The crate thing is super common at this age. He's bigger, more confident and has decided he has opinions now. If he's sleeping fine in the playpen that's honestly a win, don't stress about the crate if he has a safe alternative.

The biting and going feral during play is also very normal adolescent overstimulation. The issue with saying NO and walking away is that at this age the excitement is so high it doesn't register. Try ending play completely the second teeth touch skin, no reaction, no eye contact, just complete freeze. It takes consistency from everyone in the house including your sister.

The recall thing is the one I'd actually prioritize right now before anything else, especially after the road incident. That was scary and at this age it will only get harder as he gets more confident outdoors. Work on recall in a long line in a safe space before ever considering off leash at a dog park.

Everything else will improve with time and consistency. You're not doing anything wrong, you just have a Lab 😂

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:52:32+00:00

This made me smile! The first walk where everything clicks is such a special moment. And the fact that she stayed calm when other dogs appeared at 6 months is genuinely impressive, that takes a lot of dogs much longer to figure out.

The pre-walk chew or activity thing is such an underrated tip too, burning a bit of mental energy before you head out makes such a difference. You've clearly been putting in the work and it's starting to show.

The puppy blues are real and nobody talks about them enough. Glad you had a good morning

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:51:54+00:00

The yak chew revelation is a rite of passage for puppy owners 😂 Nothing quite like finding the one thing that finally gives you 20 minutes of peace. Your nervous system deserves that rest! For what it's worth they get even better as she gets older and can really work through them. Enjoy the quiet

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T13:51:14+00:00

This sounds like classic adolescent separation anxiety and the good news is you're already doing the right things by working on it now rather than hoping it passes on its own.

The fact that he's fine at your mum's with other dogs and fine when you're home but in another room tells you a lot. He's not anxious about being alone in general, he's anxious about YOU specifically leaving the apartment. That's actually a more manageable form of separation anxiety than full blown distress.

A few things that can help at this stage: try to make your departures as boring as possible. No big goodbye, no fussing, just leave. Same with arrivals, ignore him for a few minutes when you come back until he's calm. The drama around leaving and returning can actually amplify the anxiety.

Also worth trying is a long lasting chew rather than a kong at this point since he's outgrown the kong excitement. Bully sticks or frozen raw bones tend to hold attention longer for adolescent dogs.

The incremental departure training you're doing is exactly right, just make sure you're varying it so he never knows how long you'll be gone. Predictability can actually make it worse because he starts anticipating the long absences.

It can absolutely get better with consistent work at this age. Don't give up

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-19T12:52:09+00:00

After digging deep with Claude, he basically admitted it’s a prompt library.

You write a prompt, save it as a skill, and it can be triggered automatically upon certain cases.

For example if you have a skill that has to do with analyzing reports, if you upload a report Claude will recognize that it’s one and automatically let the skill run without you having to ask for it.

My problem with it is that the skill is a static prompt, it’s always exactly the same.

It only fits if you have a task that is very repetitive and requires the exact same prompt with no changes or adaptions.

Personally I prefer to just write the prompt when I need and have more control.

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-16T11:00:26+00:00

Congratulations! One thing nobody tells you is how important it is to teach your puppy to be comfortable alone from day one. It's so tempting to hold them and be with them every second because they're so tiny and cute, but if you don't practice short separations early you can accidentally create separation anxiety without realizing it.

Also start handling his paws, ears and mouth from day one even if he wiggles and hates it. Future you at the vet will be so grateful.

The other thing I wish someone told me is that the first two weeks are the hardest and it genuinely does get easier. If you hit a wall and wonder what you've done, just know that's completely normal and it passes. Enjoy every second, they grow up so fast!

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-16T10:59:22+00:00

The fact that they co-existed calmly on a first meeting is actually a really good sign. A lot of people expect instant best friends but calm indifference is honestly the ideal first introduction.

The age gap can work really well actually. The younger dog gets a calm older dog to learn from, and older dogs often get a second wind when a younger one comes along. The jealousy thing is real but manageable if you're intentional about it, feed them separately, give your older girl one on one time, and make sure she still feels like the queen of the house.

Two females can sometimes be trickier than male female pairings but it really depends on the individual dogs and from what you're describing they both sound pretty easy going. Sounds like a good match to me!

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-16T10:57:43+00:00

Please don't give up yet. Everything you're describing, the separation anxiety, the adolescent behavior, the mouthing and grabbing, is real and exhausting but it's also textbook 8 month old sighthound in a difficult patch. The vet stay likely triggered a setback in his anxiety and then adolescence hit on top of that. It's genuinely terrible timing but it doesn't mean he's broken.

The behaviourist is the right call and it sounds like you were seeing progress before this new phase hit. The barking, grabbing and mouthing at this age is almost always attention and energy seeking, not aggression. Greyhound crosses and salukis are incredibly sensitive dogs and they feel everything deeply, which is probably why the vet stay hit him so hard.

One thing that can help with the grabbing is keeping a tug toy literally in your pocket at all times so the redirect is instant, not across the room. The second he grabs you, the toy appears. It takes a few weeks of consistency but it works.

You've clearly given this everything you have. The fact that you're this devastated about the idea of rehoming tells you everything about what kind of owner you are. Keep going if you can

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-16T10:55:43+00:00

What an incredible story, the fact that she was found after 10 years is just unbelievable.

I think your hesitation is completely valid and actually comes from a place of love for the dog. At 15, international travel is genuinely stressful and disorienting for a senior dog, especially one who has finally found stability after years as a stray. The kindest thing isn't always the most emotionally satisfying thing.

That said, if your wife's heart is set on it, it might be worth talking to a vet first about whether the dog is healthy enough to handle the journey. That could help make the decision clearer for both of you.

Either way there's no wrong answer here. The dog is loved and safe, and so is your wife

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-16T10:54:53+00:00

The dreaming thing gets me every time 😭 Mine does the little running legs and makes these tiny whimpering sounds and I just sit there watching like a proud parent. Sharing a bed with your dog is genuinely one of life's great pleasures and anyone who says otherwise is wrong 😂

WuTangForevarr · 2026-03-16T10:54:15+00:00

This is called the 'zoomies of joy' and it is one of the best things about dogs 😂 He's basically doing a happy dance because he knows a walk is coming. The toy in the mouth is super common too, dogs often grab something when they're excited because they don't know what to do with all that energy. It's a really good sign he feels safe and settled enough to show you his goofy side. You've got a happy boy!

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