I know he isn’t a puppy, but have you looked into beginner obedience class? It’s very good for dogs socially as well a owners for basic training help and how to get started. I highly recommend it. It’s not too expensive (talk to your vet for references and local trainers) and it is money WELL spent. Best if luck!!

It sounds like an emergency and you really need to find a vet asap.

Puppy class would be another great way to start a good training regimin. It’s so important to start with loving, consistent training from the very beginning. Best of luck with your pup!

You may also want to look into a basic puppy obedience class. It is a great idea for multiple reasons…socialization, training of basic manners, bonding, etc. I highly recommend it. Best of luck with your new puppy!!

We have a male GSD and then rescued a make lab shepherd mix. After a short introduction period, They are best buds for more than 6 years now. I think your expectations and your introduction have a lot to do with the outcome, as well as of course the temperament of the dogs. There are a lot of great books on introducing a new pet to your home. Good luck.

Thank you. It is almost gone this morning, so I guess it was just a bite or scratch of some sort. I’m still watching it and will bring him in if it changes again.

We have a German shepherd who was in a similar state when we got him. Our vet recommended a trainer/behaviorist. It took TIME, and honestly I really believe in our case, the rescue of a second dog who is just a ‘happy dog” lab mix, helped immensely with the German shepherds recovery. So the first 6 months seemed an endless maze of new issues popping up. Our trainer was wonderful and kept reminding us to be patient, consistent, loving and firm. With the help of our vet office (shout out to JVC) and our trainer, we have the best dogs in the entire world now and I wouldn’t change trade them for anything in the world. Good luck to you!!

We give our boys cold baby carrots, and canned or fresh bits of pumpkin as training treats. They absolutely live it, and I worry less about them getting fat from treats.?

First and foremost, I would make a vet appointment. Just to make sure there is nothing really wrong internally with your cat. I understand there is a cost, but it is important. If you really feel strongly that it is the shed remnants causing it, perhaps finding a better place to store them would help? Also, if you could try to keep her litter box area clean and free from other debris (I know my garage is full of all kinds of tools, bikes, and who knows what else gets stored in there) as well as making sure to change her litter regularly and keep her box cleaned, this may help out. Our routine is to go into the basement each morning where the litter box is and empty it out first thing. It has gotten so that now after time, our cat routinely goes in the morning around 6:30 and we clean it out shortly after. Every Sunday we change the litter and clean out the box. In all fairness, cleaning the litter box out each day is the least that should be done. Honestly, would you want to use a toilet that hasn’t been flushed? Me either. Good luck!

Our dogs have a lovely pen, that we do use. They go in it when the weather is nice, when we aren’t home. It does have a nice platform with a doghouse on top in case the weather changes before one of us can get home to them. It’s about 30 X 20, with a 6 foot high fence, and their house is 2 feet off of the ground- platform about 5X9 and the house on it about 3X9. (And if they want to be out when we are home but not outside with them during hunting season, we put them in there for safety.) If it is bad weather, they stay inside with me, or in our finished basement if I am working. I’m fortunate that I do not work full time and my mother also now lives with us, and can assist in caring for the boys on days that I do work. All told, the dogs are probably on their own about 3 or 4 hours each day Monday thru Friday. We make sure to follow our routine no matter the weather or how we feel. Morning walk, breakfast, afternoon walk, play, evening walk dinner. This is followed even if they have been outside playing with the kids all day- walks in my opinion are crucial. Anyway, what I guess I am saying is, a pen or kennel, in my opinion, is a good PART of your dog’s life, but should not be their entire life. They are part of your family/pack, and should be cared for accordingly. Good and proper training will make your dog a fantastic family member that will respect your home and your family. Please try to pursuade your husband to reconsider his thoughts on keeping the dog outside all of the time while you are at work…especially during bad weather. It doesn’t sound like a life where it would be part of your family, and pets should be.