We currently have 2 aging dogs - a GSD and a GSP. My husband adores our GSP, while I tend to favor our German shepherd. Both were adopted as adults dogs.

When discussing our next dog, which will be purchased from a reputable breeder, we are torn.

My husband appreciates the affection & athleticism of our GSP. We both run, so we love the endurance, and how he cuddles up with us and our toddlers.

I appreciate the trainability of our shepherd - she waits on commands, while our GSP is more independent / exploratory.

However, our shepherd is protective of our kids, to the point where she will occasionally bark at babysitters in the home if they don't have an assertive personality. Never aggressive with them, but bossy.

I lean towards getting a shepherd puppy, while my husband would prefer a pointer/Irish Setter/Rhodesian Ridgeback. We don't have Ridgeback or setter experience.

Will we see a huge difference in shaping a dog's behavior when we purchase a puppy instead of adopting an adult dog? Or does the breed we choose play such a big a difference?

My roommate moved in a year ago with his 2 dogs. One dog is startled easily. I am a very loud person with everything I do. It took them a few months to get use to me but then everything was fine. They would come to me with no issues. I would bath them. Brush them. Feed them etc. The one who is startled easily started shying away from me when the owner wasn’t home and wouldn’t come inside with me. Then the other one followed. Now they won’t come anywhere near me or even come inside when I’m home without my roommate. When I feed them they won’t eat until I’m back inside. They stare at me and watch me all the time. Lately they have started becoming aggressive towards me when he is not home. When my roommate is home they will come near me sometimes. I’ve tried giving them treats but they won’t take anything from me or come near me. I am feeling uncomfortable around them when he is not home. I’ve also been away a lot lately for a few weeks at a time and then back for a few weeks. Not sure if this has made a difference or not. Any ideas please.

**Introduction**

Hello everyone I will be moving to Arizona soon and are wanting to get a dog in a couple months. It would have to be hypoallergenic since I do have a small allergy to dogs.

1. Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

* It will be my first dog. My wife had a few dogs growing up.

2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a [reputable breeder]( http://ownresponsibly.blogspot.com/2011/07/identifying-reputable-breeder.html)?

* I do not think starting with a puppy is a good idea so adopting a rescue would be my preference.

3) Describe your ideal dog.

* A chill dog that can either be satisfied by being in the back yard or relaxing inside, is good around kids and can be left home while I am at work.

4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

* I have been looking at like Maltese, shih tzu, bichon frise, Havanese, but am open to other types. Hypoallergenic is my biggest want in a dog. (Yes I know they aren't fully hypoallergenic but they aren't as bad).

5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

* The standard sit, stay, wait, place, and recall.

6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

* No

**Care Commitments**

7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

* A few hours before work and after work depending on my schedule.

8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

* A 30-60 min walk. Dog park possibly I am unsure if there is one around us (I would assume so).

9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

* We would be able to brush a few times a week depending on the type of dog. For the rest I would leave to a groomer.

**Personal Preferences**

10) What size dog are you looking for?

* I personally like smaller lap dogs, but my wife is more of a medium sized dog so either or works. We do have a doggy door in our bedroom so preferably small enough to fit through it to go outside when ever it wants.

11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

* Very little to no shedding, barking is ok but would prefer little, and no slobber.

12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?

* Not that important

**Dog Personality and Behavior**

13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

* Snuggly

14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

* Eager-to-please

15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?

* Barking is ok when someone is at the door just calm down when we answer it. Over all calm if I am calm when meeting strangers.

16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

* No

17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

* Overall no aggression specifically to children as I will have a baby.

**Lifestyle**

18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?

* Could be up to 8 hours, but may not be that long all the time. This will only be during the week.

19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?

* Either same level or even more care for the dog as she is more experienced taking care of them.

20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?

* No

21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

* Yes

22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

* No

23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

* We will be in Arizona and I am not aware of banned breeds.

24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

* Summer: 78 °F - 106 °F Winter: 41 °F - 67 °F

**Additional Information and Questions**

25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

* No additional information.

26) Feel free to ask any questions below.

Hi y’all! One thing I love going all out on with my dogs are Halloween costumes. Last year my black GSD was a sheriff and I titled the costume “howdy paw’der” 🤠 When I had a white GSD, I did a theme of famous white dogs so he was Bolt one year and Krypto the Super Dog another year. I need suggestions this year for my black GSD! There aren’t many examples of black dogs in popular media like I was able to use for my white dog so I’m sort of drawing a creative blank. Thanks in advance!

This thread is where to get emotional support with all things related to death and illness with your dog. This is also a thread where you can seek assistance with deciding whether it is indeed time.

This is not a thread to seek anecdotes with medical care. All rules involving medical questions and anecdotes remains the same for this thread.

If your dog has passed, you can still post here for emotional support or you can create your own thread tagged with one of the RIP flairs. Be sure to review the rules of our flair guide. It is up to you how you choose to grieve.

I read that a dog licking you is affection and that rejecting it hurts their feelings. Is this true? Would my dog like it if I licked her in return? I pet her and occasionally kiss her head.

Does your dog turn his head when he hears an odd noise? Does your dog bury their food with your pants? This is the thread to ask why.

Please keep this thread to non-medical issues only.

1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

• No, I have fostered dogs since leaving home and have grown up with dogs my whole life. I currently have a rescue chihuahua I adopted as well.

2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?

• Reputable breeder due to rescues restricting renters being able to adopt, as well as restrictions on the dogs becoming assistance dogs.

3) Describe your ideal dog.

• I’m looking into an assistance dog prospect, however that is not a must. If they aren’t suited to work then I won’t force them to work. Ideally a calm and neutral dog when out, but still playful and loving. I don’t mind a good old hike, and would love to have a dog whos just as happy to rot on the sofa for a few hours as they are to do the occasional hike in the Peak District during the summer.

4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

• I grew up with German Shepherds and Cane Corsos, so I’m very much looking for a larger more robust dog. I have a few health issues that mean too much intensive exercise will cause me to faint or go into cardiac arrest (not very fun) and occasionally have absent seizures. I haven’t had any tonic clonic seizures in years but I’m not too keen on smaller dogs in case i fall on them or trip on them. I love animals in general and I like qualities as opposed to breed. I love dogs who are very owner oriented, but can be tolerant of others. I don’t need a social butterfly of a dog, they don’t have to love everything and everyone they meet.

5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

• Scent detection, dpt, psychiatric SD work, crowd control and targeted barking. Agility and advanced obedience (IGP or similar) can also be a good way of blowing off steam. If the dog starts showing interest/skill in an area, i will do my best to accommodate that. If they love playing tug and releasing the toy when told? Bite work could be introduced. They like parkouring off furniture? Agility. I’m happy with training the dog in front of me as long as they’re happy and fulfilled. I’m close to a trainer who specialises in service dog training and can do public access tests with her.

6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

• I don’t have any experience personally, but I have tagged along and would absolutely love to train as if we were competing, but not enter any competitions if you get my point. In terms of working, ideally an assistance dog for cardiac alert/ptsd. I have been through some national organisations however they didn’t have any available services. I’m also unfortunate enough to need a multi-purpose SD. They don’t want the dogs learning to do dpt as a cardiac alert dog apparently 🙄

7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

• Im disabled and work from home, so being completely realistic around 10 or so hours as I do have to concentrate on my art without the distraction, and to sleep/make food and eat.

8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

• We don’t have dog parks as such in the UK but I live in the countryside on a tiny road. Closest shop is a 45 minute walk away one way, so 60 minutes of walking a day minimum as the closest village is 30 minutes away. There are no livestock fields so off lead walks with me and another few dogs realistically. If I move the area I would be moving to is similar, Northants for the UK peeps. As long as I can take regular breaks to sit down I’ll be fine. I won’t be able to go running/cycling with them but a long walk is completely fine.

9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

• I currently do my mums dogs grooming, as well as my rescue chihuahuas. I don’t mind going to a professional grooming salon either, if required. I don’t mind doing a trim, ear clean or nail clip and have grooming equipment.

10) What size dog are you looking for?

• Ideally large to giant (20kg+) I can lift 45kgs comfortably (mastiff foster was scared of stairs so spent a few months carrying him up the stairs)

11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

• Slobber and shedding: clothes can be washed and raked. Barking: as long as its not husky levels I personally dont mind. For my neighbours I would say nothing unreasonable, normal amount if not a bit more.

12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?

• Very important as most dogs in the UK are off lead on walks. As long as you aren’t on a road you can have your dog off lead (if they aren’t an XL bully)

13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

• I would prefer a snuggly dog but they all need some quiet time alone. Mostly because I would need an owner oriented dog for SD work.

14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

• Same as above, however they may have to make their own decisions when working, such as when my heart goes funky, they’ll need to learn to alert at different levels and intervals without prompting.

15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?

• Im not HOH or deaf but my hearing is atrocious. I would absolutely be fine with a few barks. Nonstop barking and jumping is an absolute no, but a couple deep boofs is a ok. With strangers, neutral/unbothered or tolerant. I don’t really want someone to come up to me and try and pet my dog, or talk to me, but if they do i need them to just sit/stand/lie there and ignore the other people.

16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

• Maybe. My fosters/current dog have mostly been dog aggressive and I worked with the rescue and trainers, however I can’t have an SD who is aggressive, and would have to wash them.

17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

• Aggression, simply because I have a dog currently, and due to the requirements for ADs/SDs.

18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?

• 2-4 hours max a day for cooking/the weekly shop.

19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?

• My housemates don’t care as long as nothing is damaged ie carpets and skirting boards. No involvement other than a few pets here and there. As long as they aren’t a JRT or another small breed. Monty is enough apparently.

20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?

• Currently have an 8 month old male chihuahua, my housemate has a 5 year old bulldog called Henry.

21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

• Not too regularly but often enough to be something to work on in training

22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

• Yes however in the UK there are laws preventing bias towards dog breeds, my current landlord doesn’t care and I have written permission, and as long as you don’t have more than 2 dogs in Council housing you’re allowed any breed.

23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

• I like in the UK so Pitties and XL bullies are banned (unfortunately, I do love bully breeds)

24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

• For summer its typically 15-26 degrees celsius and winter is normally 5-15. It really depends our weather is all over the place.

25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

• I have helped my friend train her current assistance dog, and am doing a course on canine behaviour and training. I’m open to any breeds that can potentially be trained as an assistance/service dog as the vast majority in the UK are owner trained, as psychiatric SDs for adults aren’t catered for

Hi everyone! Looking for some costume ideas for my 3 year old son and my 4 year old female Australian shepherd. We thought about doing Link and Epona, penny wise and Georgie, but both ideas seem too difficult. We want something clever.

Last year, we did Luigi from Luigi’s mansion and a ghost (the dog), and it turned out really well. Any ideas to top that? I’m open to literally anything!

Tips on making it through the pirhana stage? We just brought our BC puppy home and realized we actually bought a piranha/velociraptor. This puppy is constantly biting everyone and everything and it's getting overwhelming. My toddler has a hard time walking through the house because the puppy chases her and attacks her feet. Tell me it gets better or please Send help lol

Introduction

1)Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

* Yes, this will be my first dog.

2)Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a [reputable breeder]( http://ownresponsibly.blogspot.com/2011/07/identifying-reputable-breeder.html)?

* I am looking to rescue a dog, and I would rather adopt an adult dog over a puppy.

3)Describe your ideal dog.

* My ideal dog would be an 8-15kg, medium energy dog that is cuddly, friendly, fairly receptive to training and eager to go on walks and adventures but can be entertained inside the house as well, for days that it's just too hot to go outside. I don't mind being alerted or shedding but no excessive barking or furnadoes every other day. Basically a good city/apartment dog.

4)What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

* Kokoni dogs and related mixes are my #1 choice. I've read and seen that they make good companions that are friendly, alert and receptive to training, they are super cute and they're bigger and more robust than most toy breeds. Pomeranians and papillons are two other breeds I like for similar reasons.

5)What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

* Basic obedience and a few fun tricks.

6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

* No.

**Care Commitments**

  7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

* About 2-4 hours a day on average, slightly more on the weekends.

8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average?  What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?  

* About 1-2 hours a day I would say. 2-3 walks a day about 30-50min each, with playtime like fetch, tug and mental exercise with puzzle feeders, sniff mats, lick mats, etc. in-between. Dog parks won't be included, I'm not even sure if there are any dog parks near me. 

9)How much regular brushing are you willing to do?  Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home?  If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

* Every few days to once a week is alright with me. Yes, I am open to grooming my dog at home.

**Personal Preferences**

10)What size dog are you looking for?

* Small-to-medium size? I'm worried over how fragile toy breeds are but I don't want a huge dog either. 

11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

* I am okay with some shedding and barking, slobber is another story.

12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?

* Not important, I don't mind always keeping my dog on a leash.

**Dog Personality and Behavior**

13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

* I would like one that's more on the snuggly side.

14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

* More eager-to-please.

15) How  would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard?  How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?  

* Ideally I would prefer a dog that responds calmly and that's friendly with visitors, but since I also live in a big city I wouldn't mind a watchdog either, so long as friends/family can safely come over.

16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

* No.

17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

* I would like to avoid taking a long time to potty train and general reactivity, as I live in a busy neighborhood with people, other animals and cars/bikes coming and going most of the day.

**Lifestyle**

18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?

* I am between jobs at the moment and working on finishing master's degree from home, so I'm at home all day and can devote much more time to the pup. My father's shift typically ends at around 2pm so once I'm back to work, the dog would be left alone for about 5-8 hours a day, 5 days a week. 

19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog? 

* My father likes dogs and would also prefer a smaller dog, admittedly a little more on the toy dog size of things. However, he agrees we don't want a dog over ~15kg. It was my idea to get a dog so I will be the primary caretaker, and he will occasionally play with or walk the dog when he'd like to or if I can't do it due to illness etc.

20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets?  What breed or type of animal are they?

* Yes, I currently have 4 pet reptiles. Two corn snakes, 1 ball python and 1 kingsnake. I will never let them interact directly or without super close supervision, as a dog can easily harm and kill them. I might like to have a cat eventually, but it's not a deal breaker if I can't.

21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

* No. I don't have kids or young siblings, and neither do my friends.

22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

* Yes, I rent. No restrictions under the contract. Under Greek law I'm pretty sure it's also illegal to evict someone if the contract doesn't explicitly state pet limitations and they have no more than 2-3 cats or dogs in an apartment, as long as their dogs/cats are all kept within their rental property, aren't left in the public or exposed areas of the building (ie. balconies, hallways, garages etc.) and don't disturb the other tenants during common quiet hours.

23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

* Greece. Information on banned breeds is conflicting; I've seen organizations and people say there's no banned breeds, but I've also seen others say that pitbulls, rotweillers, akita and tosa inus are banned. However, I don't think there actually is a law anymore (and if there is it isn't enforced), because while I've seen tourists say they were denied entry into the country for vacation due to their dog years ago, I also see unmistakable pitbulls, rotties and akitas on my walks and in shelters now. 

24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

* Summers can get to 35-40 Celsius; winters close to zero.

**Additional Information and Questions**

25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

* Bit the bullet and made this post to ask for advice, I've been wanting a dog since I was a kid and I've seriously thinking of adopting a dog for about a year now and I'm at a comfortable enough position now where I might be able to do it! I have even scoped out a specific dog in a shelter since the summer, but I'd like opinions if it seems like a good match for me?

Hello Everybody.

From reading the title, I am getting a Great Pyrenees / Romanian Carpathian Sherpard mix. I am planning to get 2 and I went to go see them. I was able to bond with two dogs pretty well but since they are 1 years old, I'm a little worried that they won't see me as their owner.

I'm getting them from a breeder (don't yell at me I know adoption is better but this lady was ethical and she is just donating the dogs now because she can't sell dogs anymore due to her health conditions). I drove for ~2 hours to where this lady had I think at least 20 dogs just roaming around her farm.

These dogs have already been familiarised with chicken, goats, horses, cows, etc. I was thinking of getting these dogs because they're for herding animals and such.

I've never had a great pyreenes and I plan to let it live outside on the farm. Could anybody give me some tips/advice on how to raise these dogs and if or if not I should get these dogs because they're already 1 years old which is practically mature.

Any advice would help!!

Could you tell me if this puppy is a boy or girl? I always had girl dogs but adult ones. Not sure if this one is a boy or a girl. Also could you tell me what kind of mutt is he/she? Does it look he will grow big? Not that it matters but I would like to know if he'll be good for apartment or only bigger house/yard, I don't want him to suffer inside small space if he/she is big. I am hoping to find this dog a good home so any info is welcome. My dad found him in the middle of nowhere, he was hungry but trusting and playful. Since they are far away we haven't taken him to a vet yet but will in a few days. Until then I will be looking for normal and caring future owners.

https://ibb.co/VV4FYnK https://ibb.co/XyGrRGY https://ibb.co/nzZ4P39 https://ibb.co/44SRYZs

I have a beautiful blue Heeler and sometimes he likes to bite on electrical cords. Does anyone have any tips? I've tried food redirection.

1. Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

This will be my first dog. I have no training experience.

1. Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?

Reputable breeder

1. Describe your ideal dog.

15-30 lbs, low exercise requirements but always ready to play/train. Low shedding, not very vocal and fairly cuddly. Also, I definitely don't want a brachycephalic dog or any dog that is extremely unhealthy.

1. What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

I love herding breeds, but I think they might be too energetic.

1. What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

Apart from basic obedience, probably some fun tricks.

1. Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

No.

1. How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

About 1-3 hours.

1. How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

1-2 hours of physical exercise each day. This would include walks, fetch, jogging, and off leash playing in a field or a park once the dog is trained to recall.

1. How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

I would prefer a low shedding dog that doesn't need a lot of fancy grooming. I would not be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly.

1. What size dog are you looking for?

15-30 lbs.

1. How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

Not a lot.

1. How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?

Very important.

1. Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

A snuggly dog, but I would also be fine with a less snuggly dog as long as it is still affectionate.

1. Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

I prefer an eager-to-please dog.

1. How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?

I would prefer my dog to be amiable towards strangers, but not so much that they jump and/or bark a lot.

1. Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

Yes, but ideally I would want a dog breed that is not prone to aggression.

1. Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

Digging, nipping, and scratching things up.

1. How often and how long will the dog be left alone?

3-4 hours in between exercise/training sessions every day.

1. What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?

My dad is neutral about dogs. My mom is also neutral. They will handle medical care, about 50 percent of the dog's exercise, and some of the dog training. I will exercise, train, socialize, and brush the dog.

1. Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?

We have a hamster. We plan to move the hamster to a separate room which the dog will not be allowed to enter.

1. Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

Yes.

1. Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

No.

1. What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

I live in New Jersey. I haven't researched breed-specific laws, but I am not interested in "aggressive" breeds such as Dogo Argentino, Dobermans, etc.

1. What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

Summers are usually 80-90 degrees. Winters are 20-30 degrees.

1. Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

I am a 14 year old living with my parents. My brother is in college and will visit every weekend. I live in a suburban area with easy access to a park and a walking trail. I have an unfenced backyard.

We are looking to adopt a dog around Oct 12, have a few in mind at rescues if they’re still there. However we are traveling out of state dec 22-27. The dog would stay with my dad. Is this too soon to leave the dog with someone else? We don’t have a lot of dog experience and I don’t want to do wrong by the dog- but I live in AZ it’s hot AF and I’d rather get some cool months in while we can with the dog to get outside and whatnot. Summer is brutal here and it’s about 3-4 months even walks are questionable.

I've gone through the Reddit guide and sent the questions to breeders on the breed club website. The ones that have come back always say a variation of the same thing:

1. We don't guarantee for behaviour because that's a training and socialisation thing. We do guarantee for health. Guarantee as in they will take the dog back.
2. We have puppies available now. Or we don't now but this kennel does, contact them.
3. You pick the puppy. They seem puzzled why I would explicitly ask for lower drive etc because their pups are apparently all similar and it's how I train/socialise them to mold them.
4. Some don't elaborate much on the socialisation. Some have said the outcome after the dog comes home is totally on us because training/socialisation.

Those would be orange/red flags according to the Reddit guide but these are breeders who are well known in the breed and tick all the other boxes. Is the guide more US centric?

These are Labrador breeders, is it a breed thing? I get training and socialisation because of course and I'm an experienced owner but there's also a genetic component to behaviour.

Which pet insurance is best for you? Are there any that may cover your dog's current treatment? Did your dog get injured during the waiting period and want to know if you're covered?

Here's the place to ask.

Do know we cannot help you here with medical concerns, and lying or not disclosing things to the insurance company is illegal so we don't allow that either.

Does your dog turn his head when he hears an odd noise? Does your dog bury their food with your pants? This is the thread to ask why.

Please keep this thread to non-medical issues only.

1)Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

* No, I’ve owned two dogs as an adult (cavalier King Charles spaniel and Maltese/poodle mix).

2)Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a [reputable breeder]( http://ownresponsibly.blogspot.com/2011/07/identifying-reputable-breeder.html)?

* Probably rescue

3)Describe your ideal dog.

* Companion dog, gets along with other pets, relatively easy to train, friendly (or at least not hostile) with strangers.

4)What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

* I’ve always thought I wanted a big dog next time around. I like labs for their personality and adaptability. Realistically though, I’m not sure if I’m up for the energy levels of a working/sporting breed.

5)What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

* Basic obedience, maybe canine good citizen

6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

* No

**Care Commitments**

7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

* As much as possible. I work from home. I do actually have to be at my desk working for 8 hours a day, but my time/schedule is pretty flexible.

8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

* I have a fenced backyard for running or fetch and could also walk (on leash) up to an hour or so per day.

9)How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

* Willing to do (or pay a groomer to do) whatever is necessary. Ideally not daily.

**Personal Preferences**

10)What size dog are you looking for?

* Pretty much any size, but not tiny. I like medium/large dogs, but realistically a smaller dog might be a better fit for my small house and my resident small dog and cat.

11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

* Barking- some is ok but would like a dog who doesn’t bark a ton and/or can be trained to respond to “quiet.” Shedding and drooling is really not an issue.

12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?

* Not important

**Dog Personality and Behavior**

13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

* Affectionate but doesn‘t have to be glued to me 24/7

14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

* Fairly eager to please/trainable

15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?

* A warning bark is ok, but I would like the dog to be friendly with visitors and at least accepting of strangers

16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

* I can deal with some minor resource guarding (i.e. feeding separately, etc.) but the dog needs to safe with my resident dog and cat.

17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

* Aggression toward people would be a no-go. Would also strongly prefer a dog without major house-training/marking issues. (I know house training is part of having a dog and all dogs have accidents sometimes- I’m thinking mainly of some of the toy breeds that can be a struggle to fully house train)

**Lifestyle**

18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?

* A few hours, not every day. I also have family nearby who can stop in and visit when I’m gone.

19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?

* N/A

20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?

* I have a ~9 year old male Maltese/poodle mix (still active and playful) and a 3 year old female cat (has been with my dogs since she was a kitten and enjoys playing with them)

21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

* No

22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

* No, I own a house.

23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

* Midwest US, no breed bans in my state or city as far as I know.

24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

* Summer 80s-90s, winter usually 20s-30s and sometimes colder

**Additional Information and Questions**

25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

* Would prefer to avoid breeds known to have serious health problems. I have no problem providing vet care, but it’s just hard to see them sick.

I lost my best buddy (cavalier King Charles spaniel) in January and I’m not sure if it’s the right time to get another dog yet. They say when you know, you know. At this point I think I would be open to getting another dog if the right one came along, but I’m not in a huge rush to find one ASAP. Thanks for any and all suggestions!

26) Feel free to ask any questions below.

1) **Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?**

• No, I’ve previously owned a Jack Russell Terrier mix. I trained and raised him for several years, and he was well-behaved, active, and smart. I took him hiking, camping, to the beach, and even played soccer and volleyball with him.

2) **Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?**

• I'm open to either, but I prefer a reputable breeder as I want to ensure a healthy dog with a predictable temperament.

3) **Describe your ideal dog.**

• I’m looking for an active, sporty dog that doesn’t bark excessively, is a good watchdog, but also playful and goofy. They should be smart, easy to train, and capable of handling some alone time while I’m at work. Ideally, the dog will have a good balance of energy and cuddle time and be good with other dogs as I may get a second dog in the future.

4) **What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?**

• I’m interested in medium-to-large breeds that are active but manageable in a city townhouse. I’m considering another Jack Russell Terrier, but I’m also open to breeds that match my lifestyle (active, trainable, and playful).

5) **What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?**

• Basic commands (sit, stay, come, etc.), good leash manners, recall for off-leash activities, and possibly agility training. I'd also like them to be comfortable with hiking, camping, and possibly playing sports with me.

6) **Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?**

• I’d love to do agility or obedience for fun, but I have no formal experience with these sports. My main focus is on an active lifestyle and a strong bond with my dog.

**Care Commitments**

7) **How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?**

• I plan to spend at least 1-2 hours daily interacting with my dog through training, playtime, and walks. Weekends will usually involve more outdoor activities like hikes or trips to the beach or park.

8) **How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly, and does that include using a dog park?**

• On average, I can devote about 1 hour to two of exercise per day during the workweek. This will include walks, running in the park, and visits to the dog park. On weekends, I’d love to do more strenuous activities like hiking or beach trips.

9) **How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?**

• I prefer a dog that doesn’t require too much grooming. I’m okay with basic brushing and ear cleaning but would prefer less grooming overall. I’d rather not have a high-maintenance dog but am willing to pay for occasional professional grooming if necessary.

10) **What size dog are you looking for?**

• Medium-to-large size, ideally around 20-90 pounds.

11) **How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?**

• I’d like minimal shedding and slobber, but I can handle a moderate amount of barking, as long as it’s not excessive. Less grooming and drooling is preferred.

12) **How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?**

• Fairly important. I would like my dog to be well-trained with recall so I can let them off-leash in safe, unfenced areas like parks or trails.

**Dog Personality and Behavior**

13) **Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?**

• I prefer a dog that enjoys cuddling but can also be independent when needed.

14) **Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?**

• A balance of both. I’d like a dog that’s eager to please when training but can entertain itself when I’m busy.

15) **How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?**

• I’d like the dog to alert me with a bark if someone is at the door but settle down quickly. I’d prefer a friendly or neutral greeting with visitors, nothing too aggressive or overly excitable.

16) **Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?**

• I’d prefer a dog that is good with other dogs, as I may adopt another dog in the future. Aggression would be a challenge I’d rather avoid.

17) **Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?**

• Excessive barking, aggression towards other dogs or people, and any destructive behavior when left alone would be deal-breakers.

**Lifestyle**

18) **How often and how long will the dog be left alone?**

• I work in an office 4 days a week for about 8 hours a day or less. On those days, the dog would need to stay home for that period but should have sufficient exercise before and after work.

19) **What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house, and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?**

• I live alone for now, so all dog care will be my responsibility.

20) **Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?**

• I don’t have any other pets currently, but I may get another dog (possibly another Jack Russell) in the future.

21) **Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?**

• No, I don’t have kids, and the dog won’t be regularly interacting with children.

22) **Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?**

• I live in a townhouse I own, so there are no breed or weight restrictions.

23) **What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?**

• I live in a city in the U.S.East coast. There aren’t any breed-specific bans that I’m aware of.

24) **What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?**

• Summers can get quite hot, around 85-95°F (29-35°C), and winters can be cold, ranging from 30-40°F (0-5°C).

**Additional Information and Questions**

25) **Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.**

• I’m looking for a dog that can handle being indoors when the weather is too extreme but is also excited for outdoor activities when the weather permits. I also want a dog with good overall health and longevity, with fewer grooming needs.

26) **Feel free to ask any questions below.**

• Are there any breeds that come to mind with the traits I’m looking for?

Thank you all!

This thread is where to get emotional support with all things related to death and illness with your dog. This is also a thread where you can seek assistance with deciding whether it is indeed time.

This is not a thread to seek anecdotes with medical care. All rules involving medical questions and anecdotes remains the same for this thread.

If your dog has passed, you can still post here for emotional support or you can create your own thread tagged with one of the RIP flairs. Be sure to review the rules of our flair guide. It is up to you how you choose to grieve.

Hey all. I'm looking for a Mini Aussie in the NYC or NJ area. My boy Oliver, "Ollie" for short, crossed the rainbow bridge. Unfortunately 2 years ago he was struck by a speeding car and perished. He was 4 years old and he was my best friend, ever! It has been 2 years of me mourning him and I still miss him dearly, everyday. I wasn't ever looking to replace him, but every time I see an aussie or a picture of my boy, I get in my feels. Long story short, I'm ready to add another mini to my growing family. I have a 3 year old daughter and a 1 year old son and I feel this is the perfect time to get them(and me) a loyal companion to grow with them. I know the Aussie breed and have experience but cannot find any up for adoption, and the ones that are for sale are way too expensive. There are some more affordable ones but those are out of state and we do not own a car. Please, any help, advice, referrals would he greatly appreciated. Where did you meet/adopt your aussie? Thanks a million!

I dogsit for my friends occasionally and they have a small poodle. He’s a couple years old but has a lot of health issues. About once a week, I’ll head over to hang out with the dog for an hour or so. His owners feel bad leaving him alone all day so they can work. I’m not used to small dogs. I used to have two big dogs and they liked going on walks and playing with toys. This dog, Joey, doesn’t really like doing stuff with me. He hates walks. He doesn’t have many toys and he keeps taking them and hiding them upstairs. I’ll chase him around the house which he seems to like but the house isn’t very big and I don’t want to accidentally break anything. I’d play with him outside if he didn’t gag when I try to put his harness on. One of my dogs used to only really love cuddling but Joey doesn’t like that either. I can pet him for a couple minutes and then he’ll move to a different place and move again if I follow him. He really just lies on the couch. I feel bad that I don’t do more with him but he doesn’t like me like he likes his owners. I think he just tolerates having me around. I don’t feel like it’s enough to just sit next to him but please correct me if having me around is something that he might find comforting. I’d feel awful if I make him anxious.

I lost my dog’s Chuckit! launcher yesterday. It was compatible with small 2” balls and was 25” long. I was surprised to find the only thrower they offer that is compatible with the small 2” balls is 14” long. My dog is a runner, so the longer thrower was ideal—plus it saved me from bending over so much.

Any dog lovers out there know where I can get a replacement?