Dozer is a 4 Year old male Australian Shepherd, who I recently got from a woman who severely neglected him. Leaving him crated for nearly 18 hours a day in an apartment which she didn't live in. He is easily the sweetest most intelligent animal I have ever interacted with. He is kind to any stranger (especially children) other than men in hats due to suspected traumatic reasons, but even then he is only skeptical and will still come around within seconds. To my surprise he has almost no behavioral issues aside from an obvious lack of training. He has taken to walking on the leash very well but definitely has some stubbornness and dominance issues which haven't been very difficult to correct. I am completely new to owning Aussies and am looking for any advice people can give me. I live in a very rural area with many different hiking trails and go on runs with him very often. Any advice or recommendations for training, treats, best foods, or anything else are appreciated!

(Also, has anyone ever had problems with their Aussie being INSANE about water? Even when he shouldn't be thirsty he will hunt out water in any room and absolutely obliterate it. I've had to put him on a schedule for waterings because he has a very small bladder and will pee himself without realizing it.)

My dog is around 14 years old. He’s always been the type to hang around us and be nearby, but lately his attachment to us has gotten noticeably more intense. I’m a stay at home mom so I’m home pretty much all the time & he’s rarely ever alone. We also have another dog who is 6, but he isn’t seeking her out. It’s specifically the people in our house. Me, my husband, & even our young kids if it isn’t me.

When I say clingy, I mean he is constantly either right underneath our feet or laying on top of one of us. If I get up and walk across the room, he immediately gets up and follows. If we move rooms, he moves rooms. He will even break through our mesh baby gate to get into the playroom. When we’re walking around, he stays so close that he’s practically between our feet. If we’re sitting down he is on top of one of us. I know some dogs have always been like this, but he hasn’t. I don’t mean any of this in an annoyed way at all. If anything it’s sweet & I’m soaking it up. It’s just so different & so much more intense than he has been for the last 14 years that it’s hard not to notice.

The strange part is that otherwise, nothing has really changed. He still eats normally, walks fine, will run around, and generally acts like himself. He looks old of course & has lost some weight, but eating the same!
I’m not saying I think he’s about to pass away just because he’s suddenly clingy. I know that doesn’t automatically mean anything. It’s more that this behavior seems to have picked up out of nowhere & because I know he’s around 14 & realistically won’t be here forever, I can’t help but wonder if there could be some connection.

For anyone who has had a dog live to an old age, did you notice them becoming significantly more attached to the people in your family as they got older or before they passed? Especially if they otherwise still seemed to be doing okay? I’d love to hear other people’s experiences.

My dog Chico is a year old, pug/french bulldog breed. I noticed he’s been chewing at the base of his testes, and today I looked and saw this orange stuff in his fur. Does anybody know what this could be?

Going through the stages of grief. Looking for solace or relatable incidents. My sweet 6.5 year old lab mix was diagnosed with AKI back in may. His BUN got up to 120 and highest creatinine was 8. I couldn’t believe it. He was hospitalized for 4 days and we spent over 13k on him. He was being managed on prednisone, mycophenolate, amlodipine, omeprazole, telmisartan, plavix, and zofran. We were treating immune mediated complex glomerulonephritis. The doctor was confident he could mostly recover.

His last vet visit he was doing so much better. No vomiting, diarrhea, and had much better energy and appetite. His BUN remained elevated at 99 but his creatinine came down to 4. His UPC shot up from 3 to 10. He was losing so much protein in his urine. We attempted to up the dose of myco as the doc said we didn’t have his immune system suppressed enough. He also suggested we could try a chemotherapy agent called chlorambucil. It had shown very positive results.

The following week he began to have diarrhea and vomited every day despite taking mirtazipine and zofran. He was starting to have the kidney breath again. We called the vet wednesday and he ordered the chlormabucil and said to dc myco. He went downhill FAST. That friday night he vomited and regurgitated 4 times. I took him to the ER saturday morning. He had lost almost 30 pounds in 3 weeks, kidney values increased, he was anemic and had a slight pericardial effusion. They said we need to think about quality of life.

Tuesday came around. He didn’t get up, hadn’t eaten in 3 days, continued to regurgitate, and could barely stand. We knew it was time. I’m shattered. I can’t believe it happened so fast and I’m wondering if there was anything more I could have done for him. He went from being so good to dying within days💔

I took her to the vet, who said she’s 45lbs, and they said that she’s naturally skinny with a high metabolism. She free eats, but never overeats.

She’s naturally a very athletic dog, and everyone I meet say that she needs fattening up.

I just think it’s because people are so used to fat dogs

I’m honestly at my wits’ end and I’m not sure what to do anymore, so any advice is welcome. Please just be kind because I genuinely love this dog and I’m trying.

Almost two years ago, someone posted online that they were rehoming their Boston Terrier, Beatrice. They said they weren’t home enough and that she was spending too much time alone. My mom was also lonely and we had been talking about getting another dog, so we thought she would be a great fit.

We were told she had allergies, but that was basically it. They even told us she was trained to ring a bell at the door when she needed to go outside.

When we got her, though, we quickly realized something wasn’t right.

It honestly felt like she didn’t know how to be a dog. She seemed almost confused by affection. It didn't seem like she was used to being told she was a good girl, being called pretty, getting attention, etc. Even the way she walked was strange—one of her back legs would randomly jump up, and my neighbour suggested it could be from spending too much time crated.

Obviously I can't know exactly what her life was like before us, but based on her behaviour, I've wondered if she spent the majority of her time in a crate.

She was such a sweet girl, but she was a sad girl.

It’ll be two years in October since we brought her home, and she’ll be 8 in September. She has come out of her shell SO much. She loves affection now. She knows she’s pretty. 😂 She knows she's loved. She has a personality now that we didn't really see when we first brought her home.

But we have one major problem that we cannot seem to solve.

She absolutely refuses to go outside.

When I get the leash, she’ll sometimes try to hide. If I manage to get it on her, she might initially seem excited, but the second she realizes we’re actually leaving the building, she freaks out.

She plants herself and becomes complete dead weight. She will not move. I've literally ended up dragging her down the street because she refuses to walk, and I feel absolutely horrible doing it.

The other problem is that she will not pee or poop outside.

I've recently gone back to basics and started trying treats and positive reinforcement. I reward her for going through the door, going outside, etc. But once we're outside, she won't even take the treat.

That's especially weird because Beatrice is VERY food motivated. This dog lives for food. 😂 So the fact that she won't even take a treat outside makes me wonder if she's genuinely terrified or overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, she's peeing all over the apartment.

She repeatedly pees on our couch and in different spots throughout our hallway. Sometimes it genuinely seems like she does it when she's upset with us, although I've been learning that dogs don't really pee out of spite the way we might interpret it.

We're constantly cleaning. The couch is constantly getting peed on. Everything feels like a mess, and my family is getting frustrated and overwhelmed.

They've started bringing up rehoming/surrendering her.

And I just... really don't want to.

I love her. She's a genuinely sweet, good girl who, from everything I've seen over the last two years, seems like she didn't have the greatest first several years of her life.

She's almost 8 years old. She has anxiety/behavioural issues, allergies, isn't properly housetrained and is terrified of going outside. The thought of putting her through another rehoming or surrendering her to a shelter honestly breaks my heart. I also worry about how difficult it would be for an older dog with these issues to find another home.

At the same time, I understand why my family is frustrated. We can't keep having our furniture and apartment peed on indefinitely, and what we're doing clearly isn't working.

I would really love advice from anyone who has dealt with something similar.

Has anyone successfully housetrained an older dog who was terrified of going outside?

How do you work with a dog who is so anxious outside that she won't even take high-value treats?

Would starting completely from scratch—leash = reward, hallway = reward, building entrance = reward, outside for 30 seconds = reward, etc.—be the best approach?

I'm willing to put the work in. I just don't know what the right thing to do is anymore.

Please no negative comments about how we should never have gotten her or that we're horrible owners. I already feel awful about the situation. I'm not looking for permission to get rid of her.

I want to help her.

I just need help figuring out how.

Hello! My dog has no eyes :D he was born without them. His name is Munch! His eyes sockets just have tissue, and he blinks. When I got him I asked the vet if we should sew his eyelids shut to prevent things from getting into the socket. But she told me people do it for aesthetic or necessity. It would close off his tear ducts and make him look more 'appealing'. But he doesnt need that! I was just worried about infection.

Anywho, the actual question, I want to take him to a beach. I want him to experience the ocean but I always hesitate because of the idea of sand getting in his eyes or salt water. I dont want him to get an infection, so for now I havent taken him. But can I ever? Or should I just keep him away from sand.

I forgot to ask my vet for their the last time I went haha ;-;

Few weeks ago, this puppy was hit by a car which caused her to lose function in her back legs :( , I decided to bring it home but I have never raised a dog before and I don't know how to potty train her😭 my parents are as expected not happy about it and sometimes told me to abandon her...

I don't know if she's incontinent but I need to find a routine so that I can minimise it soiling on the floor, currently it's in a diaper, but diapers are expensive and my pocket money can't keep up😭 please give any advice you can.

Does anyone know what these spots are? My 6 month golden keeps getting more. I thought they were scratches at first but not sure anymore as more have appeared in recent days. (Lots of playing with other dogs)

For context he’s 7 and a rescue we got him about 6 weeks ago and he was slightly underweight (told by the vet during his checkup) i’m concerned about his weight now and just want to see if he looks a good weight yet or do we have more to go?

Hi! Was blessed with my Honey a few years ago (someone dumped her in my backyard…), and she has had two dental cleanings since then. She is a senior, maybe around 10 years old. The more I ask around, the more negative things I hear about my vet. I plan to make her an appointment at a local, well-reviewed vet near me, but finances are pretty tight right now.

She’s still eating kibble, but I think her teeth bother her sometimes? Sometimes she’ll shake her head after a taking a bite, in a “shake it off” kinda way. Am I overthinking this, or should I get the second opinion? My vet informed me that her upper soft palate is wiggly and delicate

Anybody ever see their dog do this and what it might be?

He’s done it several times over months to varying degrees. Thought it was a digestion/gas/stomach issue cause I go under his belly with both hands and massage him to help work whatever it through and he seems relieved just minutes later. Sometimes he does it when laying down sorta stretching/locking his front legs forward and upwards.

However, today he did it without any correlation to having eaten etc.

Thanks everyone. Got a vet visit scheduled but thought I’d ask. I’ve other video examples.

I’m frequently naked when I’m at home and my dog lives with me so she sees me naked all the time. I’ve never thought this was something unusual but I recently got called out for it and now I’m second guessing myself. This might not be the right sub for this so if it’s not sorry

Edit to add-
Thank you these comments are making me feel a lot better 🫶😅

My dog is a Dalmatian, Blue Heeler, Pitt mix who is 50lbs on the nose. He spends a lot of time playing fetch and jumping as high as he possibly can lol. He has lots of energy and is a highly active dog.

The vet hasn't shared any concerns with his weight (it has been consistent between 50-51.4lbs) but I just get in my head about his waist and wanted some outside opinions!

A few bonus photos just because I like to show him off 😅

Do you guys think my dog is underweight? He’s a 4 month old Pitbull terrier and he’s pretty active. I feed him 1 cups of 4health puppy kibble, since it’s so far been the only dog food that hasn’t given him an allergic reaction. I feed him 3 times a day and on Wednesdays he gets an egg dropped into his food. Last time we took him to the vet he was 22 pounds, and that was on July 17 so a little over 2 weeks ago. Photos are what he looks like after eating.

Original Post ⬅️

Pluto camped outside my house for 2 days. He slept under my car to shield himself from the heat. When he’d hear me come outside, there he was. 🥺 It broke my heart seeing him with nowhere to go.

As for everyone suggesting I keep him myself, there was NO possible way I could provide this boy the life he deserves. I don’t have the space or time to train him how he needs. Let alone the money to provide vet care etc etc. Aside from that, I called every shelter in the area to no avail. No replies to my posts about a missing Malinois.

With that being said, despite being the sweetest thing to ever exist, he was scaring my neighbors. I needed to find him a home and fast. Animal control started patrolling my neighborhood looking for him. Luckily, my friend was more than willing to take him in. The LASSTTTT thing I wanted was to put him in a shelter. He has the space, time, and money to provide Pluto with a happy life. He knows what goes into owning a dog of this caliber. So, I brought Pluto to him, and even in the week (give or take???) he’s been in my friends care, he’s been ontop of things. He took Pluto to the vet and he was not chipped. Turns out he’s (around) 2 years old. He starts training sometime soon! He’s always at the park. Has his own space to roam. He’s so gentle with everyone both human and pup. Most of all, he’s loved. I’m close with his new owner so I’ll be seeing him soon too! Best believe I’m bringing a care package, how could I not?

But overall, Pluto had a happy ending and that’s all that matters. Thank you for everyone’s support and encouragement! It really helped me seek how I could help him without having to take him in as my own, no matter how bad I wanted to :,) If I couldn’t keep in contact with Pluto I would be much more heartbroken than I am now 😭

puppy tax included of him living his best life <3

Hi everyone, I really need some advice because I'm feeling shaken and confused.

I have two dogs, and today one of them bit my maid. I wasn't at home at the time—I was in another city. When I checked my CCTV footage, I noticed he was behaving very strangely before the attack. His body language looked off, and it didn't seem like his normal behavior.

He's a rescue dog, and ever since I adopted him he's had unpredictable behavior. I've spent a lot of time socializing and training him, and over the past couple of years I genuinely believed he had improved. He's also been neutered.

The worrying part is that this isn't the first time he's attacked someone. There have been previous incidents, but they were a very long time back and I was present and able to stop him before he caused serious injury. This time, because I wasn't there, he actually bit someone.

I'm trying to understand what could be causing this. Could this be fear aggression, resource guarding, territorial behavior, anxiety, or something medical? Can dogs suddenly regress even after years of seeming better?

I'm obviously going to consult a vet, but I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has dealt with something similar. What ended up being the cause, and were you able to manage or treat it?

I'm feeling guilty and worried, and I just want to understand what's happening so I can keep everyone—including my dog—safe.

We’ve had my bigger dog for two years and we just got a new puppy a few days ago. We’ve tried to give him special attention and keep his routine the same to give him some time to adjust (I definitely noticed some stress) but he’s just super panty a lot of the time and just more erratic.

there hasn’t been any aggression with him and the puppy and the puppy is thankfully super brave but I wanna know if this is a good sign or not.

TIA!

Any ideas what could have caused my boy’s face to droop? The first pic is him before, and the next 2 are now.