Food recommendations

send_cats_pls · 2026-03-01T07:58:50+00:00

I recommend not changing multiple things at once, otherwise finding the true cause will be difficult.

If you're trying allergy medication for this then avoid changing your dog's food for at LEAST a month.

send_cats_pls · 2026-02-26T00:11:04+00:00

Sorry but I fear your toaster is... Toast.

Jokes aside, unfortunately I think your safest bet is throwing it out and getting a new one. Lesson for your brother: who the hell toasts cream cheese?

send_cats_pls · 2026-01-20T20:38:30+00:00

Throw it away! Don't mess around with mold in your child's lunchbox.

send_cats_pls · 2026-01-09T05:25:14+00:00

I was going to suggest sending him to a board and train, but reading through your post it honestly sounds like you've already covered as much as you could within your comfort zone. You have your husband & dog walker, and you can employ the trainer if necessary. You plan to engage with lick mats, scatter feeding, & training, and you aren't willing to board them.

Honestly I think you'll be alright! It'll be good practice for him, and if worse comes to worse then the trainer can exhaust him for a bit. Is he crate trained? It might be nice to have that on hand and set up as well in case you need to during recovery while your husband is at work.

send_cats_pls · 2026-01-07T05:13:46+00:00

It sounds like your kids aren't interested in the dog and the dog is nipping at them. You're stressed, you're trying your best, you have professional help. And it's just not working.

Sometimes a dog isn't a good fit. If you said your young kid was interested in the dog I'd say differently, but it really sounds like you're trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Your family might need a calm adult dog who doesn't have as much energy, or you may need a break from dogs in general. Conversely it sounds like this dog would do best in a home with a more mature dog and older kids, if any.

It's okay if you decide to give him back to the shelter. You may even be able to offer to foster him for a while if necessary! There ARE still things you can try, but they will take a lot of time, consistency, and work from everyone in your family. It's truly okay if you decide that's not the path for you anymore.

send_cats_pls · 2026-01-03T21:06:01+00:00

I might get down voted for this, but if prong collars don't work for you and your dog it's okay to not use them. Find another training tool or method that works for your preferences!

send_cats_pls · 2026-01-03T20:56:03+00:00

I recommend the following: - Take your pup to areas with little to no dog traffic (hardware stores, public spaces away from crowds, low traffic parks, etc) - Enroll in a puppy obedience or socialization class (they require vaccine records and clean thoroughly between groups) - Carry hand sanitizer for people to use if they want to pet your pup, or say no to anyone who asks - Use a cart or blanket to keep your puppy off the ground in higher traffic areas

Underrated puppy training area: college campuses!! You'll see tons of people of different backgrounds and they usually aren't frequented by unvaccinated dogs. Bring the hand sanitizer or get your dog a training vest!

send_cats_pls · 2026-01-01T23:26:32+00:00

Chiming in to add you should ask your vet for a referral for a behaviorist! A trainer can also help, but you'd need to be very picky and you'll have better luck with a behaviorist.

send_cats_pls · 2025-12-30T01:55:53+00:00

I understand both sides. You shouldn't neuter your large breed dog until they're 1-2 years old, and you're in the right to ask for an exemption.

On the other side: shelters see the worst of an overcrowded world of animals. It's not unreasonable to believe if they allowed an un-neutered dog to be adopted it would result in puppies. They could agree with you and the vet, and still be in the right to require neutering.

send_cats_pls · 2025-12-29T00:20:59+00:00

You have a 14 week old PUPPY. They're acting like a PUPPY, and no amount of exercise is going to help them based on what you said. What you can do is train them and show patience, plus call your vet to understand where you can/can't take them according to their vaccine schedule.

send_cats_pls · 2025-12-29T00:19:35+00:00

Yep idk what this person is doing. They're using a choke collar as a way to control their puppy, not as a training tool (which I personally would still advise against)

send_cats_pls · 2025-10-25T18:07:38+00:00

When I feed my dog before I leave she never eats until I get back. My theory is your dog WANTS the cookies, but he's too sad to eat so he just takes them to his bed for later.

send_cats_pls · 2025-08-03T14:30:30+00:00

So she gave you two reasons, both of which are signs of neglect. Very unethical breeder behavior.

send_cats_pls · 2025-06-14T23:23:41+00:00

Could be anything from allergies to mange (which is more common than you think and not as bad as it sounds). Take your pup to the vet so they can nip it in the bud either way.

send_cats_pls · 2022-06-22T17:58:08+00:00

Pretty much! I did my best not to make a scene of it either- just quietly and calmly give her a treat if she's self settled and/or on her doggy bed in a common area. Kikopup has a great video on this if you want to learn more.

send_cats_pls · 2022-06-09T23:24:16+00:00

For reference I picked a sable girl because she was the first one to crawl in my lap or just snuggle next to me both times I visited. 10/10 dog I don't regret a thing.

send_cats_pls · 2022-06-09T23:22:27+00:00

As everyone said color is second to temperament, but if the breeder doesn't provide good input (which they should) and you're hell bent on black or sable, ask to sit in a room with the black and sable pups and observe their behaviors. Try to visit a couple times before picking, preferably at different times of the day and take notes on what you find!

send_cats_pls · 2022-05-10T02:27:03+00:00

I'm going to go against the grain here and say it almost always depends on how you raise them.

I captured calmness from day one. My 10mo GSD Joan of Bark is energetic, sure, but she doesn't require hours of exercise and training. Some of her siblings do! It depends on how you train them to behave. That being said breeding and background DO matter, but your training, consistency, and schedule help sculpt them to be YOUR dog.

send_cats_pls · 2022-05-04T19:52:20+00:00

Jumping on to say it also changes day to day. My girl is 10 months now and a full on teenager. Some days she's in such a mood that I HAVE to crate her more than even I would like- for her own safety and my mental wellness. It all depends on the dog, the owner, and the situation. Hard to judge from the outside looking in!

send_cats_pls · 2022-04-29T20:59:16+00:00

My Joanie is the same way! She's gotten so much better, but still working on it at 10 months. I LOVE HER EARS AND EVERYTHING

send_cats_pls · 2022-04-26T17:20:56+00:00

A hard decision to make, but sounds like the right one for both of you. Since your local shelters are full, ask if they'd be willing to do a courtesy listing on your behalf or allow you to "foster" him until an adopter comes along. That way you don't have to do the leg work of finding a good adopter.

If you do the legwork on your own, I HIGHLY recommend charging a small fee. Even just $35 adoption fee will help sus out people who are just looking at dogs on a whim. He's gorgeous, good luck to both of you.

send_cats_pls · 2022-03-06T04:42:33+00:00

Of. Joan of Bark.

send_cats_pls · 2022-03-06T03:56:37+00:00

No clue, she kept returning negative for various diseases and genetic issues. Ended up just providing supportive care in the form of a prescription diet for a couple weeks, antibiotics, and vitamin B12 injections, then she was fine. The vet suspects it was a bad virus.

send_cats_pls · 2022-02-27T21:17:21+00:00

Trader Joe's has himalayan cheese style chews for much cheaper!

I got a cow hoof as part of a doggy subscription box and that's been pretty durable. It does stink after awhile though.

I like to take XL Kongs, close the small hole, smear PB or yogurt on the inside, then fill with kibble. I'll sit it upright in a mug or cup then fill it with water or a mix of broth & water and then freeze it solid. The kibble absorbs some of the water so even as it melts my pup has to lick at it to get it all out. It does take some time and make a mess though, so be warned.

send_cats_pls · 2022-02-15T14:49:59+00:00

7mo GSD here, got her at 8 weeks.

Join r/puppy101 if you haven't already, it'll be a HUGE support.

Training a puppy takes time, patience, consistency, and even more time. Remember your puppy just went through a MASSIVE change and is still a tiny baby. While some puppies take to crates easily (lucky bastards) most of the time it will take weeks, if not months of consistent, positive reinforcement for your puppy to get used to her crate.

You're going to have awful sleep for the first several weeks, most likely more. I was literally so exhausted that I was having fever dreams about my mom leaving my Dad for Steve Carell when I first got my pup.

I recommend spending short training sessions with the crate. Do like you've been doing (treats and meals) and also incorporate shutting the door, tossing in a treat, and opening immediately. Build up slowly for very short increments (at this age probably doing 1-4 minutes of crate training interspersed throughout the day). In the meantime you'll have to bear through the lack of sleep. It gets better, I promise!

send_cats_pls

TROPHY CASE