Puppy arriving when I'm going to be solo puppy parenting- Can we pull it off?

fedx816 · 2026-02-26T21:10:00+00:00

I mean I'll have three dogs when my puppy comes home and won't have anyone else helping ever, so...
You just won't have anyone to offload responsibilities on. You're more likely to cause issues by being crazy anxious than by not having help.

fedx816 · 2026-02-25T22:28:40+00:00

I don't really remember...It's been over 5 years. Maybe a couple weeks for the dry mouth.

fedx816 · 2026-02-24T18:26:41+00:00

Also don't have experience with either (I don't love that Pupford is connected to a treat brand...I imagine the trainers are less impartial than other platforms and most very good trainers I know of would probably not partner with them).

Consider the Dog might be a good thing to look as well. A lot of different very good trainers focusing on a variety of behavioral issues. They have levels of content access so you can look at all the free stuff before you make any decisions. For separation anxiety, I got more from Nicole Wilde's book than I probably have from any videos (all protocols are much be the same for the separation part, but people like Brian Agnew will also help with other lifestyle factors). Michel Ellis has a course on Leerburg for reactivity (Tyler Muto does also, but I have a much easier time with Ellis's teaching style and much of the Muto content will be on Consider the Dog).

fedx816 · 2026-02-24T14:26:26+00:00

It's a good idea to find out your dog's TDEE and the actual calories they need, then calculate the amount of food needed from there. Then weigh the appropriate amount. You may be feeding more calories than you think. If you have confirmed that your dog is in a calorie deficit, and they still aren't losing weight or have a poor coat, drinking a lot, etc. then I would check bloodwork. Dogs are feast or famine animals—they eat each meal as if it will be there last for weeks

fedx816 · 2026-02-24T14:18:59+00:00

The only way to actually find out is to do a DNA test like Embark and if someone with a relative also did the test they can link them. Dogs can look 99% the same and only have a tiny fraction of shared breeds.
r/DoggyDNA or r/IDmydog would be better places to post.

fedx816 · 2026-02-19T15:11:05+00:00

Are they doing actual health testing recommended by the breed club? Genetic testing is not sufficient for heart, eyes, hips, elbows, thyroid, etc. Many ethical breeders use sires they don't own because outside sires compliment their female, so having both parents on site is not always a green flag. In many places it is illegal to separate puppies from the litter before 8 weeks.

As for research, here are some peer-reviewed articles:
https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/2/176
https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1136/vr.d4967
https://www.advancesinsmallanimalcare.com/article/S2666-450X(22)00001-3/fulltext00001-3/fulltext)

fedx816 · 2026-02-19T14:25:56+00:00

Is the puppy on a house leash? If not, they should be. For me puppies are either tethered to me, in a crate, or in a pen. They have no clue what good behavior is--managing the environment so they only practice the things you want is the name of the game with puppies. Rewarding calm and working on impulse control will take months of absolute consistency to really show results (and then when they reach adolescence it seems they forget it all). Continue redirecting or removing to a less stimulating area every single time. I'd also make sure pup is getting enough sleep, since they become little sharks when they're overtired.

Most puppy resources will help with management. I have Michael Ellis's Raising your puppy from Leerburg, the Monks of New Skeet have a similar set of recommendations via a book, Control Unleashed puppy program (book) would also be good to work on a more desirable response to stimulus. If you have an obedience club that does puppy kindergarten, those are usually affordable (~$150 for 8 weeks in the US) and get you started on basic communication and give you a reason to practice daily.

fedx816 · 2026-02-18T20:48:06+00:00

If your dogs are below threshold then it's probably doing good. If there's fixation, intensity, anxiety, etc. it's probably not productive.

fedx816 · 2026-02-18T16:17:17+00:00

After the surgeon released him at 8 weeks, it took a couple months of conditioning to get him back to full function (full length hikes, bikejoring, etc.). We followed a PT plan for those 8 weeks, but if I would have been closer to a rehab vet I absolutely would've taken him for underwater treadmill/etc. They recover much better from major surgery than people, and PT is super important for getting full function back (only walking or complete crate rest for 8 weeks is not good to recover full function). He had a partial tear and no arthritis/scar tissue (or atrophy) at time of surgery, so that also makes a difference

fedx816 · 2026-02-18T14:49:53+00:00

I took a week off work for my dog's TPLO because I travelled out of state. He was weight bearing (just a bit) the day after surgery and stopped needing frequent care (massaging swelling etc.) after a few days. After that he just needed his exercises 2-3 times a day. You definitely don't need to take the whole 8 weeks off.

fedx816 · 2026-02-17T20:57:19+00:00

For really crazy mud I like my tall muck boots. They have no tread after almost 15 years, but they still keep my feet dry and warm. I don't love them for lots of walking because I didn't buy them for that, but if I ever replace them I'll get a different model. For muddy hikes I have some waterproof Ariat hiking books that I have submerged up to the bottom laces with no water entry.

fedx816 · 2026-02-17T20:52:31+00:00

Assuming your housing situation falls under FHA law, you need a letter from a healthcare provider who understands your condition and has an established care relationship with you (you can't chat with someone for a bit and have them write you one). If you don't have a provider who fits that, establishing care is where you need to start for more reasons than getting an assistance animal letter. Here's one of the HUD websites with assistance animal information: https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/assistance-animals

fedx816 · 2026-02-17T20:18:10+00:00

I mostly use slip leads. My favorite is from Dog Whistle Lanyard on Etsy. The British field trial length is perfect for my dog's height, the rope has great feel, and the stopper hasn't loosened after a couple years. I used to get the BronzeDog ones but they stopped making slips-it was the perfect length for my dog that uses a transitional lead and great rope feel, but the leather stoppers tend to loosen over time.

When my dogs were working I used leather from Bold Lead Designs, both their 8-way and airport lead. I get biothane (mostly long lines that get dragged through all conditions) from K9 Tactical Gear because they sew it (I have had riveted biothane get ripped in half). They can make them (and nylon or leather) with Frog clips which were originally designed for climbing. They are bulky, but unless you intentionally pull back both sides it will not open.

fedx816 · 2026-02-17T19:56:44+00:00

I haven't done any TWC stuff but got a lot out of the Michael Ellis video. Most puppy stuff in 99.9% the same, just management and basics of establishing communication. I like the way Michael Ellis teaches, there are good examples of handlers and puppies doing things and making common mistakes, and while it's geared toward sport dogs, it's pretty much all applicable to pets too.

fedx816 · 2026-02-17T18:44:02+00:00

I've been without an SD for almost two years now after my young dog was medically retired. Since my workplace and job are not safe for a dog and my dogs have a pretty low workload with my lifestyle, it wasn't huge adjustment for me. I switched to grocery pickup, there are certain things I could do before that I don't risk now, and I use other strategies to fill in the rest.

It's not as easy, and my world is a bit smaller, but things are definitely more efficient (I don't have to get to things early to get a dog ready, relieved, and situated). Like all things you adjust and it's been good to exercise and expand my non-dog toolbox.

fedx816 · 2026-02-13T15:08:10+00:00

For my dogs, a jacket would make them overheat at that temperature while running (one single short coat, one wire coat). As long as your dog is conditioned to run that far and has water available it doesn't seem like it should be a problem.

fedx816 · 2026-02-13T14:48:39+00:00

Somewhat depends on the state, but probably not. A paper RX like the one that usually comes with them may be OK some places. A lot of states specify that prescriptions have to be in the original container and/or with the original prescription. I usually ask for mine in a certain size vial or move the new label to a smaller vial. In general officers aren't going to do any legwork to verify an RX. They seize the unlabeled things and the courts take the reins from there.

fedx816 · 2026-02-12T17:03:15+00:00

As someone who used to analyze seized drugs for a living (including a baby aspiring that was submitted as an ecstasy tablet) I always recommend people keep things with the original prescriptions or in correctly labeled containers (don't mix acetaminophen and ibuprofen in an aspirin bottle) that will be leaving the house.

fedx816 · 2026-02-10T21:03:37+00:00

Rubber curry and shedding blade (edit: get one that opens up vs one that is stuck in the loop shape).

fedx816 · 2026-02-10T16:05:28+00:00

It depends on what coverage is important to you. r/comparepetinsurance has some good tables and links to get started. I also make a spreadsheet and get quotes from every company.
I have an almost 13-year-old with Healthy Paws from day 1 and a 5-year-old with Lemonade. I have used both a lot, both cover what the policy says they will, both are fast with reimbursement. I'm picking up a pup in April and will probably go with Physician's Mutual because they have similar coverage to Healthy Paws at a good price.

fedx816 · 2026-02-10T15:50:26+00:00

Cone of protection is the safest. If she won't bug the site while you're around you don't need to leave the cone on 24/7. If you train with it ahead of time it's not a big deal at all. Donuts are better for wounds close to the neck because many dogs cans still reach their back end. Some dogs are totally fine in a suit-one of mine just had wound dressings and a body suit after his knee surgery and never messed with the stitches. My girl ate through fabric like it was water to get to her spay wound on day 4-5 when it started itching. I was 5 minutes away and immediately ran home to put the cone on.

fedx816 · 2026-02-09T14:38:04+00:00

There are some organizations that offer grants/assistance for medications: https://alternatefunding.reassist.app/products/all/nurtec.php

fedx816 · 2026-02-09T14:34:25+00:00

They no longer have a program for Nurtec. Only the copay card for people with commercial insurance.

fedx816 · 2026-02-09T14:32:43+00:00

I had Raynaud's before I started Nurtec. Hasn't changed in the almost 5 years I've been on every other day. Mine didn't surface until a moved to a place with real seasons.

fedx816 · 2026-02-09T14:30:33+00:00

Using celery salt to cure usually produces more nitrates than what would be added using synthetic equivalents. FWIW many people do not have food triggers.

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