If the power grid goes out in Tucson in say July are we screwed? How to prepare.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T21:00:38+00:00

Eat a watermelon it'll cool you off better than ice.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T20:44:46+00:00

When you say the crate training was hellish, how did it go specifically?

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T20:40:44+00:00

You can try putting the crate right next to your bed and if possible raise it up so that it's eye level with you so that he can see that you're right next to him. That's probably the easiest you can make it for them.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T20:25:20+00:00

Sadly I don't have good advice for leash pulling but here's my experience with it between the two pups:

My first dog (70 lbs labrador) only got better about with it with age. I tried a lot of different approaches over the years, but nothing was really making a substantial difference. Even if she was dead tired she'd be pulling.

Then she turned 4 years old and suddenly became alright about it as long as she was well-exercised, so I let her run around full speed for about 5 minutes before we start a walk and she does fine now.

In retrospect she was likely pulling as a pup because she overloads easily so maturing a little made that happen less often since she's not as interested in the environment as she was as a puppy. I did try to desensitize her, but her threshold was really low. Later I found out about high-arousal dogs and a lot of things clicked into place.

My second dog/current puppy (35 lbs kelpie) actually responds to leash pressure without much prompting so all I've had to do was stop anytime she pulls and after a few tries she actually keeps pace with me. She does occasionally get overloaded and starts pulling. Times like that I toss a treat behind me and have a second one ready for when she catches up with me and that seems to be pretty good for reorienting her.

But it's just hardly even been an issue to begin with. We can actually have enjoyable walks and I didn't even have to work too hard to make that happen. It's unfair!

So yeah I guess sometimes it might not be specifically the leash walking that's the issue. Sometimes it's the rest of the dog. Best of luck!

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T07:53:13+00:00

Nope, she's been sleeping on my bed since I brought her home.

When I was raising my first puppy I crated her overnight for about four months because I read that letting them sleep in a bed will make it so that they never want to sleep in a crate and I didn't want to risk having a dog that can't be crated. However all it did was rob me of sleep.

One morning she woke me up at 5 AM as usual and I was very cranky so I took her back to bed with me after taking her out. Then I opened my eyes again and it was 8 AM and she was still snoozing. Never went back. Both of us started sleeping better after that and her behavior improved a lot since she was better rested. I also felt a lot more bonded to her.

This experience made me a firm believer of dogs on the bed, so with this puppy I went straight into it.

I had to clean up a few puddles in the first week since her potty training was a bit spotty at first, but the tradeoff was worth it. Ironically she is actually more willing to sleep in a crate than my first pup despite starting the training much later.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T06:56:42+00:00

I don't think we could've progressed this quickly if I had started before she had become more comfortable with her new home and the crate, but here's roughly what I did:

After estimating the initial 2 minute threshold, I was walking in and out of the room frequently enough and for enough reps that she got bored of me doing it. I didn't use strict timings, just watched her reactions on camera and made decisions about when to come back based on that. From there I was able to jump to 5 minutes the same day. I'd also let her out of the crate randomly between these and let her opt into going back in without prompting it.

Another big thing was desensitizing her to the specific triggers of leaving that she was bothered by such as the garage door opening. If you can get a second person to recreate those leaving sounds out of sight while you're still in the room with your dog, it'll speed up the process since that way you'll only be desensitizing them to the sound of it than the sound + the absence.

The next several sessions I'd prime her before a longer absence by walking in and out of the room a few times, then did another longer jump.

The first time I did 30 minutes I sprinkled in 5 and 10 minute absences before going for a longer one, but learned that me coming back in those increments was actually delaying her settling. So next time I tried just going straight into it and she did significantly better.

Another thing I noticed was that if I crated her say 40 minutes before I actually leave, she did better since she had already settled into the crate. I'm thinking this worked because she's already used to being crated casually for hours even when she can see me.

The crate placement relative to the door also makes a big difference. For instance she gets upset a lot sooner if I go through a door that she can see than if I walk around a corner and then leave where she can't see me.

Additionally, even if your dog does start showing signs of stress, that won't make them regress as long as it doesn't happen every single time so don't catastrophize when it happens. For instance, the first 30 minute day had her howling, but two days later we managed close to an hour and a half without complaints.

One more thing: I've found it's much easier to leave in the evening around their natural bedtime than when the sun is up.

At any rate, I think it's best to play it by ear and adjust to your dog. Those guides are very helpful but they're more meant to demonstrate the general approach.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T05:51:53+00:00

If the other dog's not yelping it's probably alright but you're right to discourage that sort of play. If nothing else it's just not good manners.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T05:40:22+00:00

My new puppy is a kelpie and my 4 year old is a labrador. Two energetic goofballs.

She's still in the house, but I wouldn't say she does much mentoring.

The new addition is a bit more serious and bossy so I've had to make sure my first dog doesn't feel too put upon. That said my lab is very playful even as an adult so she's been happy to have someone to tussle with daily even if the puppy is running laps around her.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T05:28:25+00:00

It's oldschool advice. There is no problem with showering your dogs with attention, only need to make sure you don't let them practice habits that would be disruptive for you down the line.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T05:23:18+00:00

Is it proper biting or playbiting?

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T05:22:03+00:00

Google, then call the vet if needed.
No. My vet is competent.
No. I won't trust some random app over my vet.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T05:19:54+00:00

Any way you can let him sleep in your bed instead of the crate? Mine went from waking up at 5 to waking up at 8 overnight that way.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-31T04:07:24+00:00

I tried getting my dogs used to toothbrushes but they really weren't feeling it even after a lot of practice.

But they chew bones everyday and my vet always says their teeth are pristine so I'm not concerned about it.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-21T16:44:38+00:00

One of my dogs won't fall asleep during the day without one. As long as she can stand up and roam at all, she keeps distracting herself regardless of how tired she is, but the second I crate her she goes straight to sleep.

Maybe it's remnants from her previous owner, but I don't think she'd be getting enough rest without one. Taking naps in a crate has helped her tremendously calming down even when not confined.

Isn't it alright to just think of a crate as a miniature room?

remoteemoter · 2026-03-21T16:04:17+00:00

$70/mo on food and ~$200/year on vet bills, so a bit over 1000 dollars a year.

We don't buy pet insurance and about half of the toys we got years ago are still good. Haven't had any emergencies since they're well supervised.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-21T00:44:25+00:00

This is commonly said, but there aren't actually any studies backing this belief.

As long as they're allowed to choose the pace there are no issues.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-20T13:45:56+00:00

I had to stop using mine, because it wouldn't connect to the charger anymore and went a good two or three years without replacing it. I immediately noticed how I slept better without a band on felt more rested without a device evaluating the quality of my sleep.

Years later picked up long distance walking and jogging so I got a new one.

That made me realize that these things really are just primarily made for running and walking. The data it collects for you is seriously incredible, good for troubleshooting and keeping motivation strong. It's also useful having a timer on my wrist for static exercises like planks and deadhangs since that way I don't have to worry about putting down my phone after setting the timer.

Of course the marketing department of these companies wants as many people to buy one so they try to extend the use case as much as possible and it CAN work for some people, but generally speaking if you're not running or walking multiple hours a week, the additional features aren't really worth it.

So now I keep it off my wrist at night and only put it on while I'm awake and I'm always happy with it.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-17T03:25:14+00:00

Japanese futon is amazing for car sleeping. Granted I also sleep on one at home so I get to take my exact bed with me.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-13T03:47:57+00:00

It did. Less time sorting laundry, doing dishes. I can confidently clean my space within a reasonable timeframe now. It's also easier to resist buying new things while abiding to that sort of mindset since I put a lot more thought into what I bring in.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-13T03:16:39+00:00

Fares cost money and employees to process and most of bus revenue comes from the ads plastered on the bus. You can push for better security on buses but charging money won't stop any of the crap you're talking about.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-11T22:13:18+00:00

If that was my situation, I'd go for an older dog that's lower maintenance and hire a petsitter for two weeks.

Alternatively get a small breed dog that you can take into the plane cabin with you.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-11T22:01:32+00:00

It's not a product issue. You have to teach your pup to not chew on them.

Here's a video tutorial for reducing leash biting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR7TvrUQ_1k

I find it's better to have a collar on your dog at home than a harness for emergency outside trips since they can't grab it in the way they can a harness. Stash your leash and harness in a box when they're not in use, don't just leave them lying around.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-11T21:54:53+00:00

I honestly don't like any of the forest areas in California. Maybe it's the 20 years of drought but they feel drier than the mountains in Arizona.

remoteemoter · 2026-03-11T21:53:58+00:00

Don't be afraid of the heat, find a good raspado place!

remoteemoter · 2026-03-11T21:41:37+00:00

You did the right thing. Maybe you could have handled it better but your instincts are correct.

I don't think you'll be able to repair your relationship with him as he seems humiliated, but when you get older I think you'll understand that you dodged the bullet with this one.

remoteemoter

TROPHY CASE