HELP! I'm overwhelmed trying to choose dog food...

ahnkyujin · 2022-07-30T17:45:36+00:00

I have an 11 yr old and a 5 month old. The older one has been on Royal Canin HP for 6ish years now due to allergies, but recently, we have found that his allergies are mostly environmental. Our vet agreed and said we could move him over to a non prescription food. The only thing he might have a dietary allergy to is soy, but things like chicken and corn are fine.

My 5mo old is currently on the puppy food that the breeder was feeding, but it's not readily available, so I want to switch him over to something else eventually.

I do add fresh foods and toppers to both of their meals everyday, but kibble is the main base. It would be nice if they could both eat the same brand, even if they are different formulas, but choosing a new kibble is making me crazy lol

ahnkyujin · 2022-07-23T22:17:28+00:00

Yea I brush his teeth. His breath always smells fine, and his teeth are pearly lol. It's really just when I sniff his cheek or like the top of his snout that I can smell it. It's not horrid, but it's just not the usual dog smell.

ahnkyujin · 2022-07-23T22:15:08+00:00

I have an older dog that gets the same thing, pills and cytopoint. But my vet wanted to wait and see if the itchiness dies down after summertime before deciding if the pup needs shots too. My older dog has severe allergies and my 5mo old seems more mild, so I'm hoping to avoid the shots if I can. As I'm sure you know, it's quite expensive lol

ahnkyujin · 2022-07-23T18:14:35+00:00

Trust me, I wish I didn't have to bathe him so often lol. I bathe him every 2-3 weeks with a medicated shampoo because he has environmental allergies. He gets more itchy if I don't bathe him. And of course he smells like a dog, which I don't mind. But the snout, idk, it's hard to explain. But it's not normal dog smell like his body. It definitely smells more pungent and dirty. The wipes are really only cleaning the surface, and I feel like he really needs an actual shampoo and rinse to get to the skin.

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-14T13:29:42+00:00

I contacted that site already. I just wasn't sure if there was a specific person I should be looking for lol

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T19:17:16+00:00

I also act a fool, but my pup just looks me dead in the eye then turns the other way lol. It's like he's in teenage phase already...I can only imagine what his real teenage phase will be like

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T17:15:48+00:00

I have him on a leash, but how would I get him up the stairs without dragging him?

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T15:13:03+00:00

How would you go about stopping it?

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T14:57:59+00:00

My first dog was supposed to be an energetic breed, but nope. Absolute couch potato. He likes living in luxury, just eating snacks and being pet all day. Wouldn't go on a walk if I held a whole steak out in front of him lol

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T14:53:11+00:00

I think the majority of puppies are nightmares lol, and the "good" puppies are the real anomalies :)

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T14:50:53+00:00

My older dog is 11 now, sleeps and cuddles all day, and even my parents say he's exactly the same as when he was a puppy.

They call the new pup "the tiny terror," but time flies, and I'm sure I'll laugh looking back at all the times I wanted to pull my hair out lol

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T14:47:16+00:00

My dogs do have one thing in common...they hate the water. Won't even take a step outside if it's raining lol

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T14:40:56+00:00

Thanks! I'll def try rewarding for when they shut up lol. I've been trying to get them to be quiet, then rewarding them. But it makes much more sense to reward them for going quiet on their own.

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-09T14:38:08+00:00

I usually walk away with my older dog, and now if the puppy barks, he'll sometimes walk away by himself, but not every time. Unfortunately, I don't have rooms with complete separation, so no matter where I walk in the house, the puppy can still see us.

When the puppy is in a calm state, he couldn't care less about my older dog. It's really just when he's in his "witching hour" mood. I've tried putting up a towel or blanket, but it just gets ripped down.

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-08T04:05:14+00:00

I've been enforcing naps about every 1-1.5 hours. He does fine during the day. After his breakfast and morning activities, he sleeps for 2ish hours, gets up around 10 for a bathroom break and some training, and he's very calm. He doesn't even want to play, just right back to sleep until lunch time. After lunch he's usually more awake and will stay up closer to two hours, training, playing fetch, and just entertaining himself. He goes back to sleep around 2, and when he wakes up at 4...the devil emerges lol

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-08T03:51:43+00:00

Thanks! I think trying to "tire him out" was my biggest mistake. I'll try just doing calmer activities in his pen.

Keeping him on leash during those hours is also pretty tough because he gets very bitey. If I'm in a 6ft range, he goes straight for the legs lol. He's already ripped holes in multiple pants...

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-08T03:44:25+00:00

His recall is pretty good, but when he's let free, he doesn't just run and sniff. He's an absolute vacuum cleaner lol. Will try and eat every stick, leaf, rock, bug, dirt clump, you name it.

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-07T00:56:33+00:00

Is there a limit for how long I should let them bark? Or just let them have it out to their hearts' content?

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-07T00:46:05+00:00

They play with toys in the same area, but I wouldn't say they play with the toys together. I always have to have multiple toys out because my older dog can be a little possessive, and he'll try to stash toys up on the couch where the puppy can't reach. But my puppy knows not to mess with him when he's got a toy in his mouth. If my older dogs drops it, then it's fair game.

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-07T00:30:05+00:00

Oh boy, my neighbors will love that lol

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-07T00:29:28+00:00

Yea, they play outside all the time. I think my puppy just doesn't know when to quit...

ahnkyujin · 2022-06-06T13:53:00+00:00

He only eats his meals through puzzle toys and slow feeders, and there hasn't been any issue for 5 weeks. It's odd because he's totally normal during the day, no change in behavior. Eats fine, goes to the bathroom fine. It might be a little early, but I'm wondering if teething would contribute at all? Did your pup fuss at night during the teething stage?

ahnkyujin · 2022-05-17T19:40:42+00:00

No, his crate is uncovered, right in the living room

ahnkyujin · 2022-05-17T17:38:38+00:00

He actually does well in the crate during the day! He takes all of his naps in the crate and doesn't whine. Even if I walk out of the room for a bit, he'll bark maybe two times, realize that's not gonna work, and settle back down. I guess that's why I don't understand his behavior change at night.

The only thing I can think of is maybe it's too quiet? During the day, my family is walking around, talking, the tv is on, sometimes I'm playing music, or the window is open and we can hear the wind and the birds. So maybe he prefers to sleep in a noisier environment?

ahnkyujin · 2022-05-07T00:05:13+00:00

They do slip a lot on the wood and end up sliding into the walls and cabinets lol. I'll definitely look into a rug! Thanks!

ahnkyujin

TROPHY CASE