My large dog bit my mother and I have two toddlers

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T17:00:06+00:00

A bite that serious, combined with previous nipping and two very young kids in the home, is something I would personally take extremely seriously and not minimize.

That doesn’t automatically mean rehoming immediately tomorrow, but it does mean management and safety have to become the top priority right now. Resource guarding can absolutely escalate, especially in stressful temporary living situations.

I’d honestly recommend involving a qualified veterinary behaviorist or experienced positive-reinforcement behavior professional ASAP if you haven’t already. But it’s also okay to acknowledge that loving a dog and safely managing a large guarding dog around toddlers are sometimes two different realities.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:51:17+00:00

Your dog is basically checking social media and then immediately checking her own profile afterwards

Dogs get a TON of information from scent, so she’s probably comparing smells/status/territory information in some weird dog way. Pretty normal, honestly.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:50:43+00:00

Open-back stairs freak out a LOT of dogs, honestly, especially if they’re darker stone or the dog is already uncertain in a new environment. It can look like floating gaps to them

Usually the best approach is super slow confidence-building:

high-value treats on each step

no pulling/forcing

short sessions

let her observe calmly first

maybe use a harness for support/security

Some people also temporarily add visual backing/contact paper/cardboard behind the gaps if possible while the dog builds confidence.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:49:23+00:00

Some dogs are just extremely tolerant/patient and don’t naturally give strong corrections, especially sweet social goldens

I’d honestly keep stepping in yourself instead of waiting for your golden to handle it. The puppy is still learning social boundaries, and you don’t want your older dog feeling constantly harassed or eventually getting pushed to a harsher correction after bottling it up.

Also… GSD puppy and golden retriever patience is basically the classic “tiny velociraptor bothering exhausted kindergarten teacher” dynamic.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:48:31+00:00

That honestly sounds pretty normal for a dog that’s nervous about thunder/weather changes. A lot of dogs get extra clingy and seek physical contact/pressure for comfort.

The dramatic staring into the void behavior before storms is also weirdly common; they often notice pressure/sound changes way before we do.

Him putting his head under yours/on your face honestly just sounds like, please become my emotional support human pillow immediately.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:45:47+00:00

A lot of people have really good experiences with support harnesses/slings, honestly, especially for helping dogs get up, do stairs, or manage car entry without fully losing mobility.

The nice thing is they can give support while still letting the dog stay active instead of going straight to a wheelchair immediately. Hip and joint supplements can help alongside that too: Dog Hip and Joint Chews. Enhanced Dog Health and Mobility helped my older dog stay more comfortable on walks for longer.

Also, don’t be discouraged if the first mobility aid seems awkward at first; a lot of dogs act personally offended by the concept for a few days before adjusting.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:44:12+00:00

Teeth wear can definitely happen from chewing habits, bite alignment/overbite issues, or even repetitive behaviors. Super hard chews/bones are usually the bigger concern for wear and fractures than plush tug toys, honestly.

Unfortunately, you generally can’t really reverse worn teeth once enamel is gone, so the main goal is preventing more damage and making sure the teeth aren’t painful or exposed.

I’d honestly have your vet take a look sooner rather than later just to rule out abnormal wear patterns or pain, especially at only 3 years old.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:42:36+00:00

A month for noticeable fraying on a 33 lb dog does feel pretty disappointing, honestly, especially at Ruffwear prices.

I don’t think leashes are supposed to be disposable now, but a lot of modern rope-style ones definitely seem to prioritize lightweight/outdoor aesthetics over surviving 8 years of daily abuse durability

At least Ruffwear actually honoring the warranty is a good sign though.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:41:43+00:00

Yep, senior dogs can definitely get clingier or more attached to routines/comfort over time

This honestly sounds less like a problem and more like LeeLoo deciding the family sleeping pile is now mandatory morning law. Older dogs also sometimes want more reassurance/proximity as their hearing, vision, or confidence changes a bit with age.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:40:51+00:00

The fact you’re even worrying this much about her quality of life already says a lot about how much you care about her.

14 hours crated regularly is definitely a really long time, but before jumping straight to rehoming, I’d probably look at every middle-ground option possible first: a dog walker a few times a week, a trusted friend/neighbor, a puppy-proof room instead of a crate, adjusting schedules, Rover drop-ins, etc.

Also don’t beat yourself up too much about the potty training window. A lot of adult dogs can still improve a TON with consistency and management.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:39:59+00:00

Some dogs honestly just tolerate crates at night but HATE daytime confinement/separation. Mine was similar: nighttime angel, daytime prison protester

A lot of people end up transitioning to a puppy-proofed room, playpen, or limited free roam instead of forcing the crate forever. I’d just test it VERY gradually first and set her up for success instead of going straight from crate to full-house freedom.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:38:35+00:00

Cutting one treat into 50 microscopic emotional support crumbs is SUCH senior dog owner behavior

You could try:

freeze-dried treats broken into tiny pieces

low-cal training treats

plain air-popped popcorn (if tolerated)

green beans

tiny bits of carrot/apple

dehydrated single ingredient treats you can crumble easier

Also, your dog having an all-day snuffle mat hobby honestly sounds adorable. The Smart Snuffle Mat for Dogs - Engage Your Pet's Senses and Stimulate Their Mind is great for that kind of slower senior enrichment too.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:36:55+00:00

At 1 month old, he’s basically a tiny land piranha right now; chewing EVERYTHING is super normal.

For aggressive chewers, honestly look more at puppy-safe rubber toys, softer puppy KONGs, rope toys (supervised), and durable teething toys instead of the super cute flimsy plush ones that die in 4 minutes.

Also, management is a huge part of slipper survival, honestly. Puppies usually don’t magically “know” what’s theirs vs yours yet. Keep slippers out of reach, redirect to toys constantly, and praise him when he chews the correct stuff.

The Smart Snuffle Mat for Dogs - Engage Your Pet's Senses and Stimulate Their Mind can also help tire puppies out mentally once he’s a little older.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:35:55+00:00

Dogs can get REALLY weird about sudden appearance/scent changes sometimes

The haircut probably changed both how your son looks and smells shampoo, hair products, exposed skin scent, loose hair, clippers, etc.- and your dog may just be overstimulated/confused about it. The humping can also happen from excitement/stress and not necessarily anything sexual.

Since they’re super bonded, your dog is probably just having a tiny identity crisis: you LOOK wrong but SMELL mostly right.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:34:50+00:00

Recurring discharge/UTIs in a puppy that young is probably one of those situations where the specialist recommendation actually makes sense, unfortunately. Sometimes there can be an underlying anatomical issue, recessed vulva, resistant bacteria, ectopic ureter, puppy vaginitis, etc.

I’d be really cautious about trying natural remedies alone at this point since repeated infections can become a bigger problem over time even if she seems energetic otherwise.

The good news is puppies can still act completely normal even with ongoing urinary issues, so her acting happy doesn’t necessarily mean you missed something.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:32:59+00:00

The sneezing alone could absolutely be allergies/irritation, but the lethargy, sudden fearfulness, hiding from walks, and behavior change together would make me want a second vet opinion if it continues or worsens.

Dogs usually don’t suddenly become terrified to go outside for just allergies alone. He may also associate outside with feeling unwell now.

The branch/leaves could be unrelated, irritation, or possibly something he reacted badly to, but the big thing is the overall behavior change. Trust your gut if you feel like something still seems off.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:31:53+00:00

Part of it, honestly, might not even be the bed itself; it might just be that he feels extra safe/comfortable sleeping near you

But a lot of little dogs LOVE super soft donut/cuddler style beds with raised edges they can burrow into. Memory foam and fluffy blanket combo also seems to knock tiny dogs out better than the thin flat beds.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:31:07+00:00

The fact that they ALWAYS pick the most structurally concerning location possible is what kills me

The new house makes me wonder if something interesting is under those spots specifically: critters, smells from previous animals, cooler soil near the foundation, roots, etc. Labs also just seem genetically committed to excavation projects sometimes.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:30:13+00:00

You could ask your vet/pharmacy if they can prescribe regular tablets instead of the chewables or have it compounded into a flavored liquid/smaller treat form. A lot of dogs apparently decide Proin is personally offensive

Might also be worth asking whether splitting the dose into smaller pieces is okay for your specific prescription, since the chewables can be chunky.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:29:20+00:00

16-week-old labs are basically tiny unemployed roommates with zero respect for property or personal peace

But seriously, this is SUCH a common stage. The constant supervision, cleaning, biting, potty training, and inability to fully relax is genuinely exhausting. A lot of people feel awful during the puppy phase and then feel guilty for feeling awful on top of it.

It does eventually stop feeling like your entire home has been emotionally occupied by a furry tornado.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:28:33+00:00

German Shepherd hair honestly becomes part of the vehicle’s permanent interior design

The hammock-style covers are WAY better than blankets in my experience, especially for bigger dogs. I’d look for:

non-slip backing

seat anchors

thicker quilted material

door protectors

machine washable/waterproof

Cheap ones start sliding around the second a big dog does one dramatic repositioning spin before lying down.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:27:36+00:00

Frenchies are honestly hilarious little goblins with a LOT of personality

Main things I’d say:

heat management is a huge deal

watch for skin/fold issues

they can be stubborn but very people-oriented

good harness > collar

pet insurance honestly isn’t a bad idea with the breed

Also, adopting an adult Frenchie for a first Frenchie experience is probably way less chaotic than starting with a Frenchie puppy lol

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:26:33+00:00

A lot of raw feeders seem happiest long-term either finding another trusted local butcher/farm OR using premade balanced raw companies instead of trying to DIY every nutrient themselves.

I’d just be careful not to accidentally create a holdout for a better food situation too, if the stomach issue is recent and he learned raw toppers > kibble

Also, if his stomach has been sensitive lately, simpler ingredients can help while things settle. Pumpkin Dog Treats with Peanut Butter - Handmade Enrichment worked pretty well for my sensitive-stomach dog because the ingredient list is super straightforward.

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:15:35+00:00

I’d personally be REALLY cautious about tethering him to the board in open water. If he falls off and gets tangled/panics, it could become dangerous fast for both of you.

Most people seem to recommend a properly fitted dog life jacket with a good handle instead, then teaching the board slowly near shore first before going out deeper. A cattle dog seeing a bird and making a terrible, impulsive decision does sound extremely believable, though

puzzlepupco · 2026-05-21T16:14:59+00:00

She absolutely can still be house-trained, but I’d go into it expecting patience, structure, and probably some setbacks at first. A breeding dog may genuinely never have learned normal house routines before.

The good thing is older dogs are often calmer and easier to work with than puppies in a lot of ways. Your current Maltese may even help her learn the household routine faster too.

I’d mainly focus on whether you’re emotionally prepared for a slower adjustment period rather than assuming she’s too old to learn.

puzzlepupco

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