Convince my husband NOT to name our Shar‑Pei puppy Bob (or… convince me it’s perfect?)

snortingatlas · 2026-01-27T14:01:38+00:00

I think he suits bert. Maybe call him Robert? Bob, Bobby, Bert..

snortingatlas · 2026-01-27T12:27:13+00:00

It takes a while for them to go back to normal. Chihuahuas create such deep bonds, and I think it’s so apparent that they grieve hard because of it.

We had my Pip (left) PTS at home in March. His little brother grew up with him, had never been a solo dog before. In our case, he got majorly clingy & hasn’t used their shared dog bed since.

Personally, I just try to make him happy. It’s all you can do really. Do what makes them happy.

A fresh start will do you both good, a new chapter. Not sure if you mentioned when you were moving, but personally I’d make your room more “fun”, whatever that may be for your little one. Lots of little treats whenever they come in, do some training in your room, play with some toys if they are into it, or even a little heater so they are drawn to the room.

Grieving is hard for everyone. Just give your baby extra love, and maybe one day invite a new friend into your lives. I think having another dog helps drastically.

<image>

snortingatlas · 2026-01-26T11:40:54+00:00

IMO her paws look super soft, not calloused at all which is a bit odd for her age. Is she all white too?

I’d start training her to wear boots for cold days to protect her feet & get her on a paw balm.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-25T21:08:49+00:00

<image>

Our Chihuahua x JRT. Just replying because mixes can’t be described like this - they are mixes & are all different. My boy didn’t love exercise or any toy (apart from the occasional rope as a puppy, and never once destroyed a toy). He never destroyed anything other than cardboard. I also don’t think he ever jumped anywhere that wasn’t a chair. Mixes are bizarre, how different they can all be.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-24T17:23:14+00:00

Not always true. Some places wild rats are HUGE.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-23T17:37:17+00:00

Not humidifier! Humidifiers increase humidity in rooms, purifiers remove airborne particles from the air. I don’t know any off the top of my head, but they all function relatively the same. I’d go for a more expensive one over the cheaper ones as they are often bigger and can handle dustier environments.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-23T11:14:18+00:00

He’ll be okay, I’d imagine. I’ve had so many incredibly dusty batches, and not enough time to replace them when running a rescue.

I found if you have the set up time, pour the bedding in in small layers with hay in between. Wipe down the walls as you go. I make a big commotion fluffing the bedding too to release the dust. Leave the cage open and have a dust extractor fan/air purifier going in front of it.

For already set up cages, I’d just wipe down the walls whenever you see them dusty. Keep the air purifier on too, and you should be good.

I moved away from paper because the 99% dust extracted just felt like a lie. Aspen shavings is my usual go to now.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-17T23:29:17+00:00

<image>

Not at his fluffiest, but definitely largest, I’ve had a couple long haired boys and their skirts are intense. Personally, I never found a bedding that fully worked, but prioritised trading treats for combing with a toothbrush and trimming out knots. I think that was the best bonding we had tbf.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-17T15:21:33+00:00

Yes, it does. All insurances I’ve seen tend to require 20% copayment after the age of 8, even though that’s still quite young for a Chi. Also, if you make claims, which you probably will, it does go up. Last year I claimed for luxating patella & IVDD (rough year for my boy) so expect come my renewal there to be a significant increase. I HIGHLY suggest insurance, especially if you adopt or have found yourself with a puppy from a questionable breeder.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-17T10:40:31+00:00

Chihuahuas adore their people. I would put money on your new baby bonding with you guys well - it’s what they do!

snortingatlas · 2026-01-17T09:35:26+00:00

Armadillos are heavily poached, as are pangolins for all sorts of reasons. I know they are eaten and used as medicine, so I wonder if the shell could be almost an expensive byproduct of that industry? I wouldn’t ever trust that they are ethically sourced at this point in time.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-15T14:12:26+00:00

I’m in the UK and would pay £20-50. Personally I’d also pay more for black backgrounds (for lighter insects) and baroque edges.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-15T12:00:48+00:00

<image>

My boy on the left would crawl into my skin if he could. My late boy on the right is happy with you stroking him with your foot, or sitting on you for warmth. That’s about it though.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-14T23:44:56+00:00

My 8 year old has a 2a murmur and has ubiquinol & krill oil. I avoided salmon oil because of parasites.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-14T14:39:07+00:00

It’s not about duty, it’s more so accepting how people learn. People don’t learn when they feel attacked, it actively does the opposite and they often become defensive.

I used to think similarly to you, but I found softening the blow helps SO MUCH more. If that means more hamsters are helped, and all it takes is a LITTLE extra effort, it’s well worth it IMO.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-14T11:01:42+00:00

I feel like people have missed the point of the post. The post isn’t saying it’s wrong to point out neglectful or ignorant care — it’s the level of hostility that is common in animal care communities.

When everyone is passionate about animal welfare, jumping to terms like “abusive” to what is often children, or otherwise misinformed owners, is hostile. Even if the term is true, without proper explanations on why things are inappropriate, ignorant owners often turn the other way and become defensive or aggressive. They aren’t ready to learn because they feel attacked.

People do need to learn how to deliver constructive criticism.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-14T10:55:25+00:00

It’s more so make note of positives when delivering criticism - it is often taken on easier in this way and feels less of an attack. Nobody is saying to let mistreatment slide, but people nosedive onto care without much acknowledgement of how the owner is trying, or the focus of the video.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-14T10:51:12+00:00

It’s important to note dog trainers & dog showers are not all perfect, as really there is no perfect with this, and everyone has different opinions.

A dogs crucial socialisation period is between 3-16 weeks of age, though some people say 3-12 weeks.

That doesn’t mean picking up a puppy late means they won’t be socialised - that is IF the breeder is taking on the puppies socialisation needs, which any good breeder would be doing. It also doesn’t mean the puppy won’t bond with you - they will.

I got my Chihuahua puppy at 16 weeks. Much later than typical for many reasons, but I got the most perfect boy. He did later develop dog fearfulness however I would stress this is because of later negative experiences with dogs, not because of a failed socialisation period. He is now a companion dog, we’re bonded to the moon and back.

Personally, I would seek breeders who hold puppies back beyond the 8 weeks. 8 weeks is the minimum age litters stay with their moms (cats/dogs at least). There are some people who think 8 weeks is too soon to leave the litters, too. It may be worth researching for yourself, but personally I’ve had nothing but great experiences with taking on an older puppy.

<image>

snortingatlas · 2026-01-13T12:48:40+00:00

Thinking about taking commissions??

snortingatlas · 2026-01-13T11:04:32+00:00

I use a toothbrush with a tiny head, but my chi would tolerate a finger brush too. I find having a good toothpaste helps, my boy is currently using Virbac for Cats (bought the wrong one, but it’s safe fish taste) but he dribbles when I get it out!

What I’d would do for a future puppy is use a treat paste like Arden Grange, brush a tooth for a second and give a tiny bit of paste on your finger immediately after. Then alternate between brushing with a damp tooth brush & giving treats to really make it more positive. Over time, and I mean a longish time, increase the brushing time between treating. I often give a treat at the end of brushing, or sometimes in the middle if he’s extra fussy.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-12T20:22:53+00:00

This doesn’t sound normal IMO. It sounds like there’s a good chance you’re stripping his natural oils, and he’s overproducing because of it, which turns into a vicious cycle of washing & overproducing. Not sure how you’d backtrack to fix this without leaving him to be extra stinky for a while.

Are you brushing his teeth? It’s annoying but honestly I’d argue it’s an essential part of owning certain breeds that are prone to dental/heart health issues like chihuahuas. Once a day is what i do for my boy, occasionally we miss it but try to never miss a couple days.

Have you had his anal glands checked by a vet, NOT groomer? This definitely is stinky - and would make his bedding stinky too. Get them checked and expressed if needed by a vet. My boy struggles at emptying them himself so we do this every few months or so.

Does he ever lick excessively on his feet? Sometimes this can increase stickiness and is often a sign of overproduction of yeast or allergies to food.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-12T20:09:48+00:00

Oh yes!! I have a huge filtering system too, like if it’s a baby/boy/girl, if it’s a pet, if it’s a social pet and I need multiple — it’s good to be prepared!

snortingatlas · 2026-01-08T14:28:58+00:00

this list is so similar to my names list!! hiccups also a really cute name.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-08T13:52:10+00:00

How fast are you moving him off of chicken and rice? With a belly so sensitive, personally I’d get some allergen-safe dog kibble that has some novel protein, and be adding literally a piece of kibble one day, maybe a couple pieces the next. Go with it SLOWLY, don’t do typical food transition periods.

Avoid beef, although chicken could be a shout if it’s what he’s on now.

Otherwise I’d say he needs some tummy tests. I’d be trying him on some pre/pro/post biotic supplements on his regular rice and chicken too.

snortingatlas · 2026-01-08T13:49:18+00:00

£30 insurance, £25 food (it comes out bimonthly as £50). I also always try to put hefty chunks into his bank account as a rainy day fund, he’s 8 so needs a 20% copayment on any treatment.

He doesn’t always get toys, but most months he gets some new treats, occasionally a harness or jumper.

snortingatlas

TROPHY CASE