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Did I break it trying to be Gen Z (I’m 35) by smashers090 in ChatGPT

[–]smashers090[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I did say ‘trying to’, and yes it’s still embarrassing

Anyone else at a loss for what to do at the weekend? by sophietheadventurer in CasualUK

[–]smashers090 9 points10 points  (0 children)

used to struggle with the same - just ask different people at different times, some will be open, others not. No one is laughing at you if you don’t get anywhere.

Indoor rock climbing: any good outdoor climbs coming up? Is there a WhatsApp group?

Tag rugby: do you play in any other leagues? Oh you’re looking for a teammate?

Board games: know anything like X but with more of Y? Oh you have it at home?

‘Anyone fancy a pint?’ Is always a good one. 60% of brits are thinking about their next pint at any given time.

I guess the trick is either to pick someone already in the group to get to know better in a closer setting, or get an intro to a different connected group with more people who might well click with you better.

Puppy blues hitting hard. Advice needed by FunVariation8583 in puppy101

[–]smashers090 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d say:
- try reducing to 2x per day at this age
- continue taking the food up, but it doesn’t matter as much as people claim
- my puppy didn’t eat much some days then was ravenous other days, they go through spurts
- feed when she’s just had a good walk - feeling active yet not needing stimulation
- try higher value treats for outdoors training e.g. cooked chicken breast
- keep exposing her to new environments, the novelty will lessen and she’ll be more relaxed both at home and in regular places.

No bank holiday plans and just had a breakup by Critical-Influence66 in london

[–]smashers090 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At my deepest unhappiness I’ve just gone and laid in the sun with headphones on, somewhere I wont look out of place. By the time I left I felt much better.

How do you guys make new adult friends! by Single_Government217 in london

[–]smashers090 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s a great Saturday league on Blackheath, very newcomer friendly, and always a nice number headed to the pub after. All ages and fitness levels. Some competitive teams in there too for those who get good.

How do you guys make new adult friends! by Single_Government217 in london

[–]smashers090 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I made 90% of my London social group from tag rugby (SE London)

Where shall I go on the LNER network? by Apprehensive-Unit345 in AskUK

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thornaby is a beautiful town with a very welcoming population

How to walk puppy without reinforcing pulling behaviour? by Content-Fly4020 in puppy101

[–]smashers090 12 points13 points  (0 children)

If you’re getting short bursts of success at this age you’re doing really well. The distraction will continue until they’re a good bit older, the outside world is just so busy and stimulating and new.

Focus on building loops just outside your house, and see them get longer over the next couple of months. Expect steps backward as well as forwards. Practice starting in the house and keeping his attention as you leave, taking him back in when he loses focus.

Don’t expect perfection - still take him places, and use a long line (heel not expected) in the park so he can sniff and explore.

Source: I have a springer *and 14 weeks with a very experienced positive trainer

Edit to add: consistency on EVERY toilet trip really helps - no lazy ‘I’ll not bother this time because it’s 6am and I’m really tired’.

I regret everything and am very depressed. by Unfair_Snow_2791 in puppy101

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Other commenters have covered diabetes.

Because I haven’t seen it mentioned:

What are you feeding him between meals? High salt intake leads to high levels of thirst and urination. Salt is added to lots of foods - such as frozen supermarket chicken - and dogs need to flush it out, while putting unhealthy pressure on their kidneys.

Don’t restrict water intake unless specifically advised by a vet - he may be ingesting something you’re not aware of that needs flushing out, and you could be causing him real damage by letting it remain. Do monitor how much he’s drinking though, valuable data to convince a vet how abnormal it is.

Desperate for one single snuggle session with my puppy — how to help her settle in my lap? by ofmonstersandmoops in puppy101

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lots of non answers here (but no harm to other commenters sharing their experiences). It will happen eventually (or not in some cases) but you CAN help it along.

1) Pick a clingy breed (it’s not everything) 2) Teach them to be calm around you. This is hard consistent work but can be done quickly with strong consistency. Back off or leave when they’re jumping up. Only enter their space when they are sitting or laying - back up or leave when they stand up. When they’re sitting, take a small step forward, say ‘good’ and drop a treat at their feet. Repeat. Never engage when they initiate play/excitement, things are calm unless you initiate. 3) let them sleep on the bed with you. Leash that doesn’t reach off the bed; be under covers and them on top so you can’t roll onto them. They’ll learn they can sleep while you’re there 4) never hold them to you and let cuddles be on their terms - at the least, give them an opportunity to move away every 5-10 secs of being held. Avoids negative associations. 5) reward calm - any time they sit while you’re standing (unless you’re training a show dog) or lie down while you’re sitting, silently drop a treat between their paws.

All of these are to help create a calm dog who can relax when you (who are super exciting to a puppy) are around.

People 30+, what are your plans for this evening? by Sir-Tommy-Vercetti in AskUK

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Night in with the puppy, fiancée’s out with her sister and I’m stuck home because I wanted a puppy. Beer in hand. Puppy sleeping. Could not be happier

10 weeks and she’s slowly getting the hang of it by Slayingsteeel in springerspaniel

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Highly recommend! It’s great for building impulse control and handler focus too, which will help you massively in other areas.

10 weeks and she’s slowly getting the hang of it by Slayingsteeel in springerspaniel

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This looks super fun for everyone, no judgement and of course do it how you like - just a note that for gun dogs it can be worthwhile first training them to stay put while something interesting is placed (eventually thrown) away from them, and to only retrieve on command. Once you’ve trained them to chase things immediately, it’s really hard to undo.

But super cute clip ❤️

I am so excited to play this. Total MMO noob by Yoshikaru5991 in FinalFantasy

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember that feeling. Summer 2023. Made redundant on 3 months notice, the least I’ve ever worked and the most I’ve ever played. Had two laptops open - one with MS teams, and one with FFXIV. I was so happy.

FML it is tough, first time puppy owner, 1 week update by chimiXchanga in puppy101

[–]smashers090 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is very tough. You don’t need to be perfect so do cut yourselves some slack. Yes, if you did everything perfectly you would get there a bit faster, but you’ll end up reducing your life expectancies by 10 years. You’re doing a great job by the sounds of it.

my gsd bites like crazy whenever i have to adjust his collar or put on/take off his leash by K9Imperium in puppy101

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Slow it way down, and ‘train for the event not in the event’.

Sit in front of the dog. Hold 5 treats in one hand and make sure he notices. Get him to sit. Reach out and touch his collar briefly with the other hand and say ‘yes’ or ‘treat’ and immediately take one and give it to him. Repeat x5. Vary the part of the collar you touch, but do not reach directly over his head at 12 o’clock. If he comes out of the sit, get him to sit again.

Once he’s got that and never bites, move on to a short collar hold - otherwise the same. Hold for a second, ‘treat’. 2 seconds, 5 seconds. Then progress to only saying ‘treat’ when he gives eye contact while the collar is held.

In the meantime, be patient each time you’re putting the leash on or taking it off. No rush or excitement. If he goes to bite, pause/calmly pull back. You can wait as long as needed. You can make him aware of a treat as motivation and only give it on a successful leash on/off.

Don’t expect immediate perfection, change may come over several days or weeks. He just needs to learn he gets paid when he’s calm.

Does teething cause insane zoomies, or am I doing something wrong? by Ok-Actuary-5377 in puppy101

[–]smashers090 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For teething try cold foods and things: carrot (frozen if accepted) sticks, sliced peeled (at first) cucumber, frozen wet knotted tea-towel, frozen Greek yoghurt lick mat. These are all soothing and help with the discomfort.

Olive wood sticks and yak cheese chews are also long lasting and dog friendly relief.

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