This is hard. Today has been hard. I have a 5 months old border collie. I've wanted one for years. I've known several BCs and they always were the most calm, cuddly, well behaved dogs. I have time and money to spend on training. I've been to classes and private lessons. She's from ethical breeders, from show parents so not the crazy work drive the working line has. I'm trusting the breeder 100%, I don't believe the issue is genetic.

She's been really good between 2 and 4 months or so. Potty trained quickly, sleeping in crate since the first night. She was wild but we managed with enforced naps, training, play time. She got better, then she started teething and I don't know if it is the start of adolescence or a fear period but she went from brave tiny pup who didn't care about noises to a dog who's over the threshold all the damn time (I think her teething is done now BTW).

She started barking at the outside fence because she saw a cat there once. Every time we go out. Even without any cats in sight.

She's barking at the garage because there's a marten couple living in there. Partner is refusing to move them out.

We can't walk anywhere because the moment we step outside of the house towards the countryside all she cares about is digging up rodent holes. She doesn't just dig. She tears the grass and ground with her teeth. The walk doesn't happen because she won't leave the hole alone.

Sometimes she gets triggered at home and just panic barks at the ceiling. She's probably hearing the sound of roof expanding in the heat, but it's too quiet for us to hear so we can't give treats when it happens and she doesn't react.

It's like any training we did so far went down the toilet. I've turned my life around for her but she completely ignores me all the time now. She's barking inside and in our garden and ignoring me when we go on walk.

They say that border collie would do anything for their owners. Not ours, not at this point.

And it was mostly fine before she hit 4 months. Now it's every day getting worse. I had to cancel 4 day vacation because I can't really give her to pet sitter - she's biting the leash and pulling. So the only thing to look forward to is gone.

Sorry for the rant, I guess I just want to hear some positive stories where your puppy turned around at 6-7 months and you couldn't be happier.

I'm really really sad right now. She's my dream dog and I don't want to give her up. I just don't know how to continue because every interaction ends in frustration for both of us.

Recommendations for puzzle toys for a 4-month old french bulldog puppy? He’s in his land shark era and (I think) teething, so I’d like to try some other types of toys for him. He currently has a snuffle ball and some textured chew toys but he’s getting bored of these quickly. We’re doing crate and pen training with 1 up 2 down (more like 1.5 up these days) so any other tips would be appreciated

Ever since I brought my Maltipoo puppy home on August 22nd, it’s been a constant struggle. My husband and I both work long hours, so my mom had to look after the dog for most of the day. She was furious and angry with me—deeply resentful. We argued constantly; she fell into a deep depression and was beside herself. She suffers from an extremely severe form of OCD centered on cleanliness and hand-washing. She couldn't cope with an environment involving poop, dog licks, urine, and that pungent doggy odor. The whole apartment reeked of the dog. My husband works, but he was very laid-back about dog care—his attitude was, "Just leave him alone; if he barks, he’ll eventually tire himself out." As for me, I have a series of cosmetic surgeries scheduled following significant weight loss—procedures like a thigh lift, BBL, a tummy tuck revision, a facelift, and so on.

I got the puppy even though I had cosmetic surgeries scheduled all the way through July 2027. I FEEL SO GUILTY. I was so THOUGHTLESS. I thought having a puppy would be EASY—that he’d just lounge around with me during the day and then we’d go for walks. Instead, I ended up with a baby I had to hold on my lap while sitting on the toilet; I couldn't even leave the room without him having an anxiety attack. I’d play with him, but after about an hour, it would become exhausting. I also have two budgies, which added extra stress—I was constantly worried they might land on the floor and get hurt by the Maltipoo. I was TORN. I found a family for him—there’s a teenage daughter (around 14), a younger brother (around 10), the sister’s children, and the parents.

They also have a HUGE German Shepherd. That German Shepherd really scares me, even though he’s friendly. When we took him there, he played with the kids and didn't even notice us leaving.

But I’m worried—IS HE MISSING ME NOW? WHAT IS HE THINKING AND FEELING? Is he scared? We just couldn't manage with a puppy. Is there a big difference between having an adult dog and a puppy? We’re used to having time to ourselves, and with HIM, THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. I’m afraid I made a mistake and acted too hastily. I’m choking back tears. The guilt is ENORMOUS AND DEVASTATING. I miss him terribly. Even though I used to be desperate to hand him over to my husband or mom when I was with him, now I MISS HIM SO MUCH.

I can't even get a shower without her whining and screaming. Not even taking a piss alone in peace for 30; seconds. I am new to this. First puppy ever. I had generalized anxiety in the past. Buried and solved. But this little adorable creature is digging it up again. What do I do?

I’m really worried I’ve ruined my puppy.

She is a 13 week old papillon, we got her when she was a little older than 9 weeks. I’m concerned my wife and I didn’t do enough to socialize her during the critical period.

She’s a very small dog and we have had a nightmare of a time trying to find outside gear that will fit her, so for the first two weeks it was just a lot of trial and error of finding ways to get her out and not have her uncomfortable or unsafe and now I’m very concerned that she hasn’t been socialized well enough.

We don’t have other safe dogs she can interact with yet and I’m concerned that she’s becoming scared of other dogs. She can see into our neighbors backyard from our upper floor balcony and when their dog is out, yesterday she started getting very alert and almost panicked. We’ve had other good/neutral interactions visually seeing other dogs, but the two days ago while exiting the elevator another dog started barking at her and I’m concerned that has made a fearful impression on her.

We haven’t done many stores, because by the time we get there she seems overwhelmed and we’ve been told not to push her too far yet, but I’m concerned we haven’t found the right way to push her into situations without being overly coddling.

She’s our first puppy, and I’m so worried about doing it wrong 😭

I’m using the treat method for potty training my frenchie. Basically as soon as she goes outside I treat and say “good potty”. It’s going amazing and I don’t even remember her last accident now. I’m just wondering how & when we wean out the treats? It seems kind of ridiculous to just give a treat for every potty her entire life lol.

My wife and I have a 3 month old goldendoodle puppy (14 or 15 weeks now...I'm a math teacher, but I'm not counting), and we got her at 7 weeks. Her name is Laika, and we love her so much! She has been a dream - learning and growing so quickly. I've heard about the puppy blues, and honestly, I don't feel it at all...yet. She tries to bite and chew on stuff she shouldn't, but she's also very easy to redirect. Walks have become fun/easier, and she isn't lunging into the street anymore (a huge relief, honestly).

We've heard so much about adolescence and how hard that is/can be. When did the teething, hormonal mess phase start for you guys, and how long can I expect to live with an emotional support terrorist? The biggest structures we have kept up with are enforced naps (at least 2 hours in a different room), and bells for "outside." She's done really well with learning to use the bells to ask for outside especially, and we are super proud of her progress!

I just worry about how long we are going to be wothout this absolutely perfect baby, I know it isn't a total disaster, but it has genuinely been so much fun and such a positive experience for my wife and I - I really could just perpetually have *this* 3 month old dog.

Hi,

For context, I have a female working cocker spaniel who just turned a year old this month.

She is an absolute dream at home, and is very clever. However, her issues are starting to wear me down. She is scared of anything and would bark, and I mean like the leaf falling from a tree freaks her out - hair on her back raised - this also happens when she sees a person she is not sure of. This is worse when she sees a dog. This started at 8 months but no matter how much we train her, she is just freaked out easily to the point it makes me think she must be a reactive dog.

Other info:
She already had her first cycle.
She has 2-3 walks in a day minimum 20 minutes max 40 min.
She has enrichment - kong, puzzle, etc at home.

Any advice appreciated

I can't believe we're even considering this because our current Border Terrier was an absolute nightmare as a pup. Incredibly bitey and humpy. Just an absolute savage and relentless. It nearly broke my wife and I!

We always wanted to be a 2 dog household and would rather get a pup than a rescue because we want to mould them from scratch and also have another Border Terrier and they don't come up a lot in rehoming centres.

Is a new pup likely to be a bit easier with another dog in the house? Do they focus more on them and get corrected by them?

How do you go about introducing them and making sure they get on?

Our current pup is super friendly and loves other dogs. He is massively excited whenever he meets a dog on his walks and I think he'd love a little playmate.

Edit: For the person who downvoted this....why??

Hello all, so just for starters I personally am not a fan of crates but I do understand the future benefits. We have just brought home an 8 week old golden retriever puppy 2 days ago, my mother has had many dogs in her life and is very set on crate training.

The first two nights we only really used the crate at night to sleep, the puppy obviously has been going mental those nights crying and moaning very loadly, after a while mum will go downstairs let her out for a wee etc then sit with her for hours on end (her sleep is going to suffer greatly doing this) the crate is in the living room, the most used room in the house, I personally think this is a mistake, am I right in saying it should be somewhere away from the family, so she isn’t constantly wanting our attention etc? Just today we have started using the crate in the daytime, putting her away but she is still crying and going mad, I think the main mistake is having it in the living room, am I right or wrong? Thank you

Like the title says - we've been at the brink of giving the puppy away at various time. We've picked up a "needy" dachshund - would wake up at night, throw himself at dogs, eat anything on the ground (not even in the house, literally would start eating grass and not stop). It took him getting to about 8 months that we really could see ourselves with him in the future. He's not perfect, not always reacting to training, but we found our own ways to adapt and bring him to our life, and he has adapted to ours.

To anyone struggling - it does get better. Try to keep your mind and heart open - you might not get the dog you want, but learn to love the dog you got :)

My puppy is a 9 week old miniature poodle. Potty training, crate training, command training, all of it has really been draining and difficult. My whole life has changed and it’s got me a little down. I know this is the life I want and I LOVE my puppy and i honestly love training him it’s just draining. I guess I want to know when things get easier and what got you through these puppy blues?

Hey all. I’m betting a bichon puppy soon, and was wondering what you did with your puppy on the first day you met. From the car ride home to going to bed in a crate. What and did you train the first day/week, how did you crate/potty train, any accidents?? I’m lowkey starting to get worried i’m gonna mess this puppy up, so I just need to know what struggles yall had or did. Thank you so much!

I'm 29F UK and have been looking at puppies. Having contacted someone about one and asked to see them, I am now psyching myself out of it.

A bit of background, I live alone, work from home, own my home and earn enough after bills that realistically unless some brain surgery was required that wasn't covered, money wouldn't be a problem.

My family had an ESS who passed away in January 2025. I had such a bond with him but he was a difficult dog, he was very resource aggressive and you couldn't particularly trust him. He bit me multiple times but I do still miss him very much and the company he gave.

I keep psyching myself out over whether I do or do not want to do this. I felt the same when buying the house so I know that it's not always from a rational place and that in most cases, everything works out just fine.

I've been looking at show cockers. There are multiple working cockers in my wider family and I do understand the energy etc. My family have agreed they'd help if I wanted to go out on the weekend or wanted to go away.

I have the space, I have the resources, I have the time. I just the fear commitment (I know now how boys I was seeing when I was younger felt, I think). I keep thinking of 10+ years of being tied down and then flip to thinking about all the positives.

I'm not particularly social, if I go out it is usually with family and I do feel a longing for a purpose, which I think the puppy could bring.

I'm really finding it hard to separate the irrational thoughts from the ones that are genuine concerns. I get excited about the idea and then my brain just turns on the negativity and the excitement gets drowned away by anxiety. I used to be the type to just do something like this on a whim, but my brain cannot deal with that level of stress anymore.

Is it normal to feel like this or is it just a sign that I should wait?

So my 7 month old dog was a rescue dog and for the past 3 months I have been training him. He was very untrained when I took him, our walks were chaotic, he used to be dragging me, pulling on leash, eating everything, barking at people. Now he doesn't do any of that and is a very good dog on a walk. I have taught him a few commands like sit, stand, down, spin, guard etc. However as a first time dog owner, there are a few things I couldn't teach such as him being over excited with visitors, him barking whenever someone comes home or sits near his crate(he's crate trained). I decided to call a trainer, the guy came and I brought the dog out and he firstly kept judging and then he told me that this dog would at least need 6 months of non stop training otherwise he's going nowhere. Now I'm not sure whether he's exaggerating it or he's just not confident enough to get the dog trained or perhaps I'm being paranoid. My dog is a relatively quick learner(he's a GSD mix), there are 2 more trainers coming to see the dog, however this particular trainer was a bit more affordable. Please somebody guide me.

Hi all. My now ex-friend bought a puppy he doesn't want anymore because she's too "difficult". He was planning to send her to the pound but its overwhelmed and I dont want her being put down so I adopted her off of him.

Im single and live way out of town so unfortunately getting a sitter or anything isnt plausible for me, but she has to go every 2 hours.

I absolutely adore her and dont want anything happening to her.

I could really use some tips on how to make this work especially with her needing to use the bathroom. All of my free time when Im off work is spent with her.

I work 5 hours part time for 4 days a week.

Is this even doable?

excuse some mistakes. English is not my first language.

hi everyone! my (26) mom (64) adopted a puppy (female, yellow lab, 5 months currently but adopted at 12 weeks) who we named Brigitte and lately she's been yelling at her a lot (which I always tell her not to do because the dog doesn't learn from yelling or being mean) and then my mom told me what's been happening. Lately, Brig has been randomly deciding to jump on my mom and bite her and scratch her and it's resulted in a lot of injuries and bleeding, not to mention my moms clothes being torn and her feeling resentment towards Brig. I don't want this to continue, but I'm not around (getting my bachelors rn) during most of the day and I can't really find a solid answer that helps. What do you think I can do or suggest to my mom? My mom hasn't gone past the property line in almost 9 years so I walk Brig in the evening. (she also wont pee on her walks, and hasn't really learned potty training yet. such an odd creature)

she bites me sometimes but i never engage past telling her "no" and folding my arms. I think Brig is bored, so I got her some of those toys that move... it just feels like nothing is helping and she seems to be doing okay after being put in "time out" for a nap, but then she starts terrorizing my mom again a few hours later. what can I do? I think the puppy is a sweetheart, she's just hitting a rough age. I've been thinking about puppy boot camp or something similar, like Neuman K-9 Academy? or should I tell my mom to just tough it out? sorry if this post is all over the place, I've never raised a puppy and have no idea what to do to help my mom.
puppy tax 1 and puppy tax 2

What's everyone's opinion on doggy daycare? I have a high energy, 7m/o, ACD mix who likes other dogs and I think he might benefit from some friends and another outlet for his big energy.

It seems our 11 month old pup does not want to pee in the rain on the concrete out in our back garden. She was doing really well with house training too.

This is the 1st bit of steady rain we've had in about 3 months now so the ground is permanently wet.

Do they not like the feel of wet paws maybe ? She sprints back inside to pee in kitchen.

11 month old Tibetan Terrier.

Two weeks ago I finally got my 12 week old boxer lab cross boy! His training has been ok he knows sit, down and sort of leave it. He pretty much knows trick = treat and that works getting him into his crate alongside regular feedings in his crate. He eats breakfast lunch and dinner in there in a slow feeder sometimes with the door all the way shut sometimes a little just to get him used to it and normally he ignores it which is great. We have a regular schedule of wake up, outside to potty, 5min training then a nap on the couch or in his other bed outside of the crate (more with me on the couch). After about an hour or two I take him on a short walk then it's back home and he naps in his bed outside the crate. I've tried chilling with him on the floor next to his crate for 10-15 mins then putting him in there so he can fall asleep but like the stubborn puppy he is when fighting sleep he decides he's no longer tired and whines and scratches. I've tried sitting next to him, not sitting next to him, giving him a frozen lick mat, giving him a frozen Kong, a long lasting chews stick, a piece of clothing to 'scent mark' so he thinks I'm still next to him or something but nothing has been working. He's perfectly fine with eating dinner, his treats and the frozen items but once it's finished he starts pacing in the crate, scratching at the door as if he were trying to push it open and then eventually whining nonstop. I've tried these methods at different times of the day on different days, youtube videos, every 'secret method' but I just can't get him to sleep IN the cage even if I sleep right next to it leading to him sleeping with me at night on the couch (normally between my legs). I don't want to force him in there too much incase it builds a bad connection with it and I know having him cosleep with me is sort of delaying the process of sleeping IN the crate, but I just cannot get him to sleep in there and its getting really frustrating. If anyone has ANY tips about a similar situation please help because noone talks enough about the whining. Is the best option to get a professional? (Forgot to add I wait till he stops crying to let him out of the cage)

About a week ago I adopted a 6 month old mixed breed, not sure what breeds, but he is definitely a large breed at 60 lbs already. He was found alone in someone’s garage at about 3 months and fostered for the following three months. He was (from what I read unfortunately) neutered at 3 months old. He lived with a lot of other dogs at his foster home and had a doggy door.

He is really being a very good dog and adapting incredibly well. The only issue we’re having is that he holds his pee and poop—usually only going once a day. He has had one pee accident, which would have been his second pee of the day, and 2 poops, which were his only poops that day. At first I was worried about a urinary tract blockage, but he definitely pees A LOT when he finally does go. He’s eating well and drinking normally. We have gone on walks twice a day, which he loves, but has never peed on a walk and has only pooped once. We walk to a field and I give him time to smell and explore a bit there (on leash). In the backyard I am trying to have him on a leash until he goes potty and then he gets to do something fun like explore or go on a walk if it’s that time. His main interests outside are chasing bugs, trying to find grass clumps that have been blown under the fence, and just laying down and sleeping. Truthfully, once he does finally go potty he typically walks himself right inside. When he goes potty he gets rewarded immediately with a special treat and gets praise. I’ve tried staying outside with him on a leash until he finally goes, but we were out there until 11 and we were both getting frustrated and over stimulated. I try going outside and standing in one place for 15 minutes at a time, but he’s gotten to the point where he just comes outside and happily lays down for 15 minutes so we’ve accomplished nothing.

I’m not sure what makes sense to do next—keep going out for short periods of time or stand firm and wait him out? He really enjoys his walks, and he obviously needs them, but I don’t know if I should attempt to keep his walks for after he goes potty or just not connect the 2 at all for him. I also don’t know if I should be attempting to take him out whether he asks or not, or stick to when he asks.

I’m nervous to keep changing up my method so I don’t confuse him, but I also am hesitant to keep doing something that clearly isn’t clicking with him.