#how long does it take to potty train a dog
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dwobbitfromtheshire · 7 months ago
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Robin had just gotten out of Steve’s car and was walking towards the doors of Family Video when she heard it. A whimper like the sound of a baby crying.
"Did you hear that?" Robin asked.
"Is this another deaf joke?" Steve asked. "I told you they're only acceptable if they're funny. . .am I going to laugh at this one?"
"No, dingus, I think I heard a baby crying! Turn that thing up!" Robin exclaimed.
"I can't turn it up any louder than this, Robin, I'm not a radio or a drug sniffing - hold on, I think I hear something," Steve said.
They moved to the side of Family Video that wasn't attached to the side of another building. They followed the noise to the dumpster that clung to the wall. Tucked underneath was a crying black haired puppy next to their dead mother and sibling.
"Oh, no, Steve!" Robin exclaimed. "Hey, sweetheart, we're not going to hurt you. Steve, give me your jacket."
"Why does it have to be my jacket?" Steve asked.
"Because I'm rather attached to mine," Robin said.
Steve rolled his eyes but took off his jacket and picked up the puppy, wrapping it up. Robin took the bundle from his arms and walked towards the car.
"Where are you going?" Steve asked.
"We need to take - uh, her to the vet, Steve," Robin said.
"Okay, but Keith said that if we abandon the store again we're fired," Steve said.
"Fuck Keith," Robin scowled.
"Yeah, which I'm probably going to have to do if I want to keep our jobs," Steve said.
"We all have to make our sacrifices," Robin said. "Come on, take one for the team."
"It's Keith, Robin!" Steve scowled, and then his face softened. "Now, if it was Eddie on the other hand. . ."
"I don't want to hear about your fantasies of working underneath him," Robin said. "Which you should tell him, by the way."
"I'll tell Eddie when you tell Vickie," Steve said.
"I've told her already," Robin said.
"Really?" Steve asked, crossing his arms.
Robin stared at him, and he stared back. Robin cursed.
"Damn you, Harrington," Robin said.
The dog in her arms started crying louder and moving around, her cries growing more desperate.
"Yeah, okay, let's get her to the vet," Steve said.
Once they got her to the vet, the doctor gave her a proper check-up and deemed her healthy except for the fact that she was hungry. It was hard to tell what kind of breed she was. The vet guessed something of a yorkie poodle mix, and then he asked if they were keeping her. Robin stared at the small black haired beauty in her arms, and her heart melted as the puppy laid her head right up against her chest while Steve scratched behind her ears.
"Yeah, we're keeping her," Robin said, looking at Steve. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Steve grinned.
Later that evening, Steve and Robin stumbled into the door of their shared apartment. Robin held the dog while Steve carried loads of things that she needed. Well, it was really Steve’s apartment. He got it over the summer when he was kicked out by his parents, but Robin basically lived there, too.
"Okay, you know this means we're going to have to switch to different shifts so someone stays here," Robin said.
"Yeah, I figured that out," Steve said.
"I just want to make sure you were okay with it," Robin said as she cooed at the puppy.
"I think we can handle being away from each for a while," Steve said.
"I'm not sure if I can, though!" Robin exclaimed. "Can't we just bring our child to work?"
"Yeah, Keith let us off the hook today, but I doubt he'll let us bring the dog in the store," he said.
Robin got on the floor with a toy, showing the puppy how to play with it.
"Our other kids come into the store, and Keith doesn't say shit!" Robin exclaimed.
"Because our other kids aren't at risk at peeing on the floor," Steve said.
"How sure are you about that, Steve?" Robin asked.
"Very sure! Their actual parents had them potty trained a long time ago," Steve scoffed.
Steve got on the floor with Robin, flattening all the way out onto his stomach like she did. Steve smiled and shook the toy at the dog, laughing when she attacked it, her little tail wagging.
"You know with her big brown eyes and her dark hair, she kind of looks like. . .," Robin trailed off. "Eddie?"
"That's what I was thinking!" Steve grinned.
"Of course you were," Robin cooed at Steve and then turned to the dog. "Eddie?"
The dog looked at Robin curiously, then bounced over to her and attacked her nose with kisses.
"I think we found her name," Steve said.
"Oh, he's going to love that," Robin said.
A few weeks passed with Robin and Steve working to maintain their new schedules. It was going pretty great. Little Edith was pretty smart and picked up on so much, so it was a breeze teaching her things. Of course, it still left them too busy to do other things. Robin had just left to nap in her new doggy bed in Robin's room when the front door opened.
"Are you sure about this?" Vickie asked.
"They gave us a key for a reason," Eddie said. "There is something going on, and we're going to get to the bottom of this."
"You don't think they're actually fighting, do you?" Vickie asked.
"Why else would they switch shifts?" Eddie asked.
"But it's Steve and Robin!" Vickie exclaimed.
"Can I help you, burglars?" Robin asked, startling them.
"What - what are you doing here?" Eddie asked.
"I live here - officially now," Robin said.
"I thought - you and Steve were having problems because you switched shifts, but you're living here?" Eddie asked.
"I guess you two should be the first to know - Steve and I are with child!" Robin exclaimed.
"What?!" Eddie and Vickie exclaimed.
"I thought you said you weren't interested in that," Vickie said. "With him."
"Oh, at first, yeah, but it turns out that it's a wonderful experience," Robin said with a happy sigh. "We're completely in love."
"Oh," Eddie and Vickie said softly, the sound disappointment clear in their voices.
"Why the long faces?" Robin asked. "This is good news!"
"Yeah, real happy for you," Eddie said bitterly, his eyes blinking back unshed tears.
"Seriously?" Robin asked. "I thought you all of people would be happy about this! This is something you want, too."
"You don't need to keep rubbing salt in the wound, Robin," Vickie said, rubbing Eddie's shoulder. "You told us both that we had nothing to worry about, and then you go and tell us that you're in love with Steve and that you're having his baby!"
"What?! Where did you get that from?!" Robin asked.
"From you! You said that you're with child and that you're in love!" Eddie shrieked and sniffled.
"We got a dog! Steve and I PLATONICALLY got a dog together!" Robin yelled, her eyes wide. "Didn't I say that?"
"No!" Vickie and Eddie yelled.
"Oh, well, I meant to say that," Robin said awkwardly and Eddie burst into relieved sobs. "Sorry."
Eddie's sobs turned into laughter, and Vickie couldn't help but laugh, too. Suddenly, Edith came running into the room, barking.
"There she is!" Eddie exclaimed. "The star of this misunderstanding!"
"Her name is Edith," Robin said.
"Edith, huh?" Eddie's eyes twinkling with mirth.
"She's so tiny," Vickie cooed.
"Yeah, the doctor said she's probably not going to be very big, says he'll be surprised if she makes it to ten pounds," Robin said. "I think she's ready to play again."
A little while later, Steve came home to find Robin, Eddie, and Vickie playing in the living with Edith.
"Hey," Steve grinned.
Robin rushed over to him and leaned over to whisper to him.
"Okay, don't be mad, okay, but I kind of accidentally made them think for a moment that we fell in love and you got me pregnant," Robin said.
"Well, it's not the first time you made someone think that. It probably won't be the last," Steve said.
"Good news, though," Robin grinned. "They're definitely interested in us."
"This day is looking up," Steve smiled softly as he watched them.
"Also, apparently, they meet up a couple of times a week over tea and scones to talk about us," Robin said, and Steve hummed.
"Interesting. . ."
Robin leaned against Steve, the both of them watching Eddie and Vickie sprawl out on the floor much like they do with Edith. Robin bit her lip. Aside from becoming best friends, Robin knew that in this moment, this was the best thing that could have happened to them.
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multiheadcanons · 5 months ago
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THE MERCS AS MY CLIENTS. WHAT A WEEK ITS BEEN AND AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS ITS ONLY WEDNESDAY.
scout: shittily bred pit bull mix named bosco. comes in and asks me to shave the dog because the shedding is bad. i have to tell him that’s not how shedding works and i won’t be doing that. he is the only client in this list i would even feel remotely confident contesting with. talk him into the cheaper option; a deshed treatment and regular visits. becomes a good client of mine! doesn’t tip, but that’s okay.
soldier: well bred, if only overweight english bulldog named colonel pigskin. i am to address him with his title or soldier will raise a fuss. brings him in for the works. everything i could possibly add on, add it. and he better have a handkerchief and it better be america themed or so help him god. tips four bucks every time. i keep him as a client because i know nobody else will take him with his insane aura. dog fucking reeks every time. takes three washes to even begin to break the stench. but a sweet dog. bites for nails.
pyro: brings in a small super-mutt on enough trazadone to kill a horse. in the system as a shih tzu named princess. if i can get to the dog while it is still absolutely tripping balls on its traz, it’s honestly not a bad time. quarter inch all over with a short teddy bear head, bob the ears, trim the tail, potty trail. is honestly very cute when it’s done. but it will always be a dog i have to push through. i get two hours before the dog starts fighting. and it’s enough to make me stop services. asks for nail polish. when i accomplish it they tip twenty, no tip if there’s no polish. i do my best to paint the dogs nails. irregular client, but the dog is short enough that it’s not a problem.
demo: beautiful, old scottish terrier named jodie. an honest to god menace to society but i would never ever tell demo that in a million years. she’s perfect and i love her. it shocks him because he’s been fired by other shops. i tell him she’s an old lady with a high maintenance trim and she takes a lot of time. standard scottie trim, long skirt, like barely off the ground. it is an honest challenge and i never think she looks good. demo has never, ever complained, even when i directly ask him. genuinely makes me want to cry because it is a battle when she is on my table. jodie has dementia and does not know where she is half the time, and is blind and deaf the other half of the time, so she is an all day process.
heavy: blue maine coon named feliks. leash trained. the cat looked to be a normal size in his arms. he weighs in at 27.5 pounds. comes in for a bath and a thorough brush, no clippers nor scissors are to even hover around the coat. dude’s like triple my size so i say “absolutely sir, i will contact you when services are rendered.” feliks is in stellar condition. an absolute star when he’s checked in. i take my time, and the cat reacts with little interest in my badgering. which frankly, when you’re that big and a cat, is an honest to god blessing to my arms. yowls in the bath, but does not try to escape. okay with the dryer on a low setting. must be an express, which halves my bookings for the day. when i tell heavy the price the first time he frowns. tells me to double it. he pays that price and leaves no tip, other than i leave room to be taken advantage of with those pricings. irregular client, but faithful. it’s always a joy when they come in, even if he doesn’t know it.
engineer: brings in a shepherd mix named bingo. comes in for an outline trim. bingo has two dew claws on every foot. bingo would be cool if bingo didn’t feel the need to shit fifteen times on my table and then yell at the top of his lungs when i start trimming his nails. bingo would be uber cool then. but instead, three baths and a couple deep breaths later, i send engie a text letting him know services have been completed. i up the price three times during the process, and the man will still tip. a regular client, which i am not particularly pleased with. but he’s cool enough. if bingo can chill out i’ll lower his price. he never will.
medic: brings in a jet black pomeranian named hypatia. i call her nightmare. her and her owner are absolutely horrid. he will not fill out paperwork, we have to physically place ourselves behind his car to get a signature, and he is annoyed about it. brings in a note with chicken scratch of which all that is legible is his phone number and “call for questions, do not text” that essentially sums up to tight outline trim with a full mane. nicer on the phone than in person, but he will spend twenty minutes making sure i know how to do my job. i chalk it up to him being european. picky, so i take my time on her. he never tells me this dog is trained in german, so it is a consistent fight to render services until i just start trying other languages. once i realize she is trained, just not in english, it is an infinitely easier time with her on my table. makes her owner much more bearable, though i am never happy to see him on the books. does not tip, never seems happy with the finished product, but is a regular, consistent client. so he pays well in the long run. if i ask whether he even likes my work he will wholeheartedly say yes, and i’m not sure whether to believe him because his mannerisms never change. but i start painting her nails. that gets a good reaction out of him.
sniper: rat terrier named dog. chill little thing for a rat terrier. face feet and tail, no spray no bandana. does not like the dryer, so he takes longer than he feasibly should for a little rat terrier. that is the most annoying part of his process. will watch whatever show i have playing on my phone while i work. it’s a good distraction. has weirdly human eyes. when i ask snipes about dog he says he found him in a dumpster and tried to foster and failed. so now he’s got a dog. i think it’s funny, and the dog wasn’t horrible, so i give him a discount. tips whatever small bills are in his pocket, so anywhere from two to ten bucks. smallest tip i ever got was a quarter from him. it’s the thought that counts? twice a year client. i don’t even know why he brings the dog in at that point. nice to make small talk with, though.
spy: the most snobbish poodle owner you’ve ever met, but god is the dog gorgeous. snow white coat, feels like a pillow. dog’s name is beau. gets a continental trim with poms on the feet. topknot long enough to reach jesus. this dog takes me all day. and he is the only dog i can put on my books. and spy is never happy with the finished product. there is always something that can be done better. comes in every three weeks and it’s a nightmare. he wants to talk every time to go over notes and fixes. eventually i ask him why he continues to come to me if he doesn’t like my work. he responds “i don’t want someone else; i want you to get better.” which like, so do i, but not with him as the client. beau is an unremarkable dog otherwise. but it is teeth gritting when his owner is in that building. everyone cries when he starts bringing his cat in, too. we fear we may never escape him.
A LITTLE EXTRA
pauling/admin: miss pauling brings the administrator’s nasty, rotten old bichon mix under the alias “fido” every six to eight weeks with very specific instructions. when miss pauling is in the building, it is almost like every animal becomes twice as anxious. and i really wish they would stop coming. i’m almost willing to leave the industry entirely. the administrator sends pauling with pictures of dogs that do not even remotely look like her dog, and i am crossing my fingers and praying i do it close enough that i don’t get a complaint, but that she decides she can find better. flat out refuses to sign paperwork, and we kind of just shrug. i am consistently filled with dread that the dog is going to drop on my table. it’s old enough to drink.
saxton hale: incredibly aggressive belgian malinois named hastings. must be muzzled while handling feet or he will bite. bites at the water, bites at the dryer, whips around when i’m trying to brush, gives me multiple heart attacks. i charge a pretty penny every time hale comes in, because his dog is taking active years off of my life. hale himself is not the worst guy in the world to interact with, and he understands that his dog is a lot to handle; but his dog is a complete liability and he won’t get the thing trazadone. he honestly thinks it’s funny that i am the one who took the dog on. he respects the moxie. doesn’t feel bad if i get bit though.
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noperopesaredope · 4 months ago
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The AU I Got from a Dream About the 501st Getting a Pet Dog (Part 2)
Here's Part 1 btw
It takes less than an hour for everyone to start planning things like how they will feed it, where to get an indoor dog toilet, how to train it to use the indoor dog toilet, who will feed it, who will walk it, etc. But the most essential thing of all? The name. They decide to have people submit potential names for the dog, then eventually have a vote.
They ask Rex if he has any names to submit. He says he will not be involved in this process and they can do whatever they want as long as it isn’t too inappropriate. As soon as he leaves the room, Echo immediately suggests a specific name for the dog. Everyone loves it. Later, after the vote, Rex asks what they decided to name the dog.
Echo: Sir, meet Rex Jr!
Rex:
Rex: *Whips his head towards Fives*
Fives: It wasn’t me this time! It was Echo!
Rex: Uh huh. Anyway, you’re not naming it Rex Jr.
Jesse: Everyone in the 501st voted on the name, and 80% chose Rex Jr.
Rex:
Fives: There is no way to change Rex Jr’s name.
Rex:
Rex: *Leaves the room*
Anyway, Rex does not completely trust the others with properly caring for…Rex Jr…so he decides to take over some of the tasks, such as booking them a vet appointment for when they get back to Coruscant. That goes great, especially when the vet reveals that the dog is actually female, something they couldn’t tell at first because space-dog.
Tup: She can have puppies?!
Rex: WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET HER HAVE PUPPIES!
This is also the point where Padme ends up meeting Rex Jr. There is a bit of background context to this. The 501st were trying to figure out how to save up for an indoor potty area for Rex Jr since she would be on the ship a lot and they couldn’t always take her outside to go to the bathroom, so they had to get her a more fancy indoor doggie toilet. It was hard to figure out how to get the funds together quickly, so Anakin suggested that he could ask Padm- Senator Amidala for help.
So that led to Padme learning about the dog. At first she is a bit surprised at Rex Jr’s size and also everything else, but then she quickly grows to like her because Rex Jr is very sweet and full of love. And that’s how they got the dog toilet. This whole plotline about them needing to get a dog toilet (as well as Rex deciding he was the only one who could properly take care of the dog) was actually the main dream that inspired this whole thing. The vision of Rex telling the others they need a schedule for feeding and walking the dog if they wanted to keep this random dog they found (she was a wolfhound-sheepdog mix in the dream, but in a very specific way I couldn’t find a reference for, and wolfhound fits her vibes best).
Anyway.
It takes a good bit of brainstorming for them to figure out how to feed Rex Jr, but it is eventually decided that the entire legion will pitch in a little bit of their rations to feed Rex Jr, buy a massive bag of dog food just in case, and occasionally get a doggy bag from 79s. So they manage to create a system in which they are all able to take care of the dog, and she quickly gets the title of “The 501st’s Collective Pet Dog”.
Fives is very diligent about trying to train Rex Jr, and he is trying his very best, but wow is it not working. He has no idea what he is doing, especially when it comes to training Rex Jr how to use the indoor dog toilet. It seems impossible, and does cause one or two incidents that make everyone else start to reconsider things slightly (something that Fives is deeply distressed by). But then one day, while Fives is desperately trying to coax her onto the special toilet, Rex comes in, groans in annoyance, and just points at the toilet, says a word in Mando’a, and tells her to go potty. And then she just freaking does it! Immediately! Without a problem!
As it turns out, while Rex Jr loves everyone, she only actually obeys Rex. Or at least, Rex is the only one who can train her. It also turns out that he is one of her favorite people. While she will play with Fives and sleep on his bed and stuff, she will follow Rex around sometimes. She’ll even just randomly appear next to him and sit down beside him because she feels like it.
Rex actually gets used to Rex Jr (or Junior, as he calls her when he isn’t referring to her as “the dog”), and sometimes vents to her about stuff when they are alone in his room. She will then lick his face in comfort. He will sometimes even have interactions like this:
The Boys: *Are causing shenanigans*
Rex: Why can’t you be more like Junior? 
Rex: *Points at her*
Rex: See? She knows how to behave herself and sits quietly when she is supposed to.
(Captain) Rex will basically be r/dadswhodidnotwantpets. This video is lowkey him in this AU, except he will continue to insist he only tolerates the dog.
~~~~~~~
I will be adding a few more parts to this, but there is honestly only about 2 more truly essential story parts left. But this one is the funniest part, to me.
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arthur-lesters-uvula · 10 months ago
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Pisscourse drabble inspired by this
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Not beta or proofread, btw. it's a shitpost EDIT: AO3 LINK
Arthur was simply trying to take his natural human function and pee. He was staring off into space, letting the fluid flow out of him and into the bowl when he felt something touching his leg. Instinctively, he jolts, moving his body away.
He stops peeing and looks down. He spots a hand, a fair skinned scard hand reaching out to him. It was John, what in the hell does he want. Arthur bats the hand away and asks.
"What, John?"
"...Can you hold my hand." It sounded like more of a demand than a question.
Arthur blinks, looking at the stall wall that separates him and John.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Why."
"It's...scary and feels werid, I don't know how you humans dealt with having this fluid come out of you every day." John says and flexes his hand in a grabbing motion, like a baby wanting to get picked up.
John was like a needy cat, but he never liked doing things alone, including when it came to using the bathroom.
Arthur sighs and places his hand in John's, holding it snug.
"Better?"
"Much."
John says before Arthur hears a concerningly loud stream of piss hit the bowl.
He furrows his brows, "Just how long have you been holding that?"
John's pointer finger twitches, curling itself inward and scratches at the others palm.
"Since I got this body -" a lie.
John sheepishly admits, and Arthur aggressively squeezes his hand.
"What?! How the hell did you not piss on yourself—christ John it's been over a week."
John lets out a full-body shudder and tucks his feet under the toilet seat. His boots dig into the dirty tile floor.
"Okay - not really. The first time was a few days ago when it hurt too much to hold. I washed the clothes and succeeded." John spits out. It was more of a half truth when Oscar found him using fabric softener instead of actual detergent. Oscar actually helped clean and showed him how to wash the clothes properly.
John made(threatened)Oscar swear that he'd never speak a word of this.
"Am I going to have to fucking potty train you? Bloody hell John."
John lets out a werid, sad sound. Something between a dog like whimper and a sigh.
Arthur squeezes his hand once more, gently this time. "Well, it was probably bound to happen eventually. Just do your business and make sure you wipe yourself after." Just like his touch, the tone of Arthur's voice was soft. It reminded John of how he'd talk about Faroe.
John hums and stays silent, the sound of his piss hitting the water echo throughout the bathroom.
Arthur inturn also continues. Thankfully, there's not much left, so he finishes up quickly.
Awkwardly reaching across the stall with his opposite hand, he grabs a thing of toilet paper and rips a small peice off. He dabs the head of his dick with the paper before throwing it into the bowl and flushing.
He hears Johns flow turn into a tirckle before it stops completely. He stays on the toilet seat as he's still holding onto John's hand.
"You done?"
John nods, for a second forgetting thst Arthur can, in fact, not see him before he speaks up.
"I think so? I still feel weird, though..." He trails off. There's something pressing up against his asshole.
Arthur quirks a brow, "Werid how?"
"It feels like something is trying to escape me. There's pressure at my asshole."
Arthur stutters for a second, unable to form sentences in response. There is no way in fucking hell is he going to hold an eldritch entities hand as he shits.
"You're...going number two, taking shit."
"Oh.. Oh. Like that disgusting thing you did?"
"Yup. Now, I unfortunately am not generous enough to sit through this one with you. Just keep pushing until everything is out, John."
Arthur prys his hand away from John's, pulling his boxers and trousers up. Arthur buttons his trousers and fastens his belt.
"But Orthur... I can't do this alone." John whines, attempting to grab Arthur's trouser leg.
"You can, and you will. I'll be outside when you're done, John." Arthur moves away before John could grab him, opening the stall door he makes his way to the sink. He secretly prays that there's no one else coming in.
"Orthur! That's not fair. I need emotional support."
John kicks his feet out and leans back uncomfortably. The pressure is growing stronger.
Arthur begins to wash his hands, ignoring John's pleas and hums a tune.
"How about I send Noel in, hm? I'm sure he'd be more than willing." Arthur offers, John and Noel are close just like them, so it shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully.
John stops his movements, sharp canines bitting at his lips.
"Okay. That's fine. Please tell him to hurry."
Arthur huffs out a muffled laugh and steps out of the bathroom.
thank you to my platonic soulmates @arthur-lesters-tits & @arthur-lesters-slutty-waist for fuelling this. I appreciate you both greatly
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kangals · 1 year ago
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Kep report card for month 5! I can’t believe he’s already been here for that long that is insane to me. he’s a fetus.
food (drive, appetite, sensitivity): 🟢  only food he won’t eat so far is pickles
leash walking: 🟡/🟢 a little bit pull-y especially on walks with both dogs, he does chill out eventually after enough reminders. just one of those things that need to be worked on regularly while he grows.
sleeping: 🟢 - sleeps great overnight and during work hours. is a maniac from 5-10pm, but i'll take that tbh.
crating: 🟢 - i think we've conquered the crate issues! been using it a lot with the hot weather and when i check on him he's not always sleeping soundly but if he is awake he's not panting or barking or seeming stressed, just a bit bored. he's not ever going to be a dog that voluntarily naps in a crate, but he doesn't tantrum and that's all i need,
potty training: 🟢/🟡 tentatively - tentatively - i think he's doing really well. hasn't had an accident indoors in over a month. i'm not willing to call him fully housebroken just yet, but if he goes another month without accidents i think we can!
general training: 🟢 clever boy, starting a new class this week too
manners: 🟡 jumps on people and steals things (his bloodlust for toilet paper is staggering), but nothing unmanageable
grooming: 🟢/🟡 pretty good, still wiggly about brushing but i'll wear him down eventually
cars: 🟢 /🟡 good at riding in the car, but has started the annoying habit of barking at ppl/dogs that walk past the car which i hate and we're working on.
outings/socialization: 🟢 havent been able to do much with the heat, but likes adventures. did great overnight at my parents' house!
other dogs: 🟢 really good, he's a doofy puppy but he's good at taking corrections without taking offense.
other people: 🟢 FRIEND. FRIEND KEPPY.
small animals: 🟢 /🟡 i hesitate to give him a yellow here, he's really good with cats, but he's becoming a bit obsessive about chasing squirrels/rabbits/birds a bit lately. i don't think its problematic, assuming it doesnt escalate.
puberty: 🟢 he's not really showing any bad behaviors yet, only thing i can see is that he pees 5-6 times on walks instead of just once. has lifted his leg like twice.
no reds this month! he really does have a great personality, he's a nice mix of active and smart + easy companion. which is how a collie should be! it helps that he's not nearly as vocal or independent as stellina was at this age, even if he is a bit more opinionated in other ways. he's either going to be a super good dog forever, or adolesence is going to hit him like a freight train at some point, idk. we'll see!
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starrydaycare · 1 year ago
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can we have some regressor Eclipse Headcannons OR CG eclipse headcannons pls??
🖥️🌑Caregiver!Eclipse Headcanons!
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Here ya go!! (Note: this is V3/4 Eclipse specifically)
🌑Eclipse was definitely not built for taking care of children, not like Sun or Earth was. He was awkward around kids, though he did much better with younger ones. But then somehow, someway, he became a caregiver for an age regressor.
🖥️He'd grown a soft spot for caregiving, grown a soft spot for his regressor. Though he wouldn't admit it, especially around others (though if his kiddo gave him a teary look he'd tell them that he loves them). He never was one good at affection, especially through words, though he'll learn for his kid if they need that affection. If his kiddo starts crying, or is sad he'll sigh, acting annoyed and irritated but he'd hug them and hold them close <3
🌑He would spoil his kid rotten practically. Oh, they want a new stuffie? Bought it. A new bike? Allll theirs. A trip to Kmart? Hop in the car portal. His main way of giving affection is gift giving. For birthdays he'll stay up all night making his kid a homemade card, wrapping their gift perfectly.
🖥️With that all being said, he seems strict. Like his attitude is strict, he acts all annoyed and irritated and like "No, kid, you can't have that" and "Knock it off, I'm trying to work!" but the second the puppy dog eyes come out ohhhh yep. Say bye-bye to the strict act. Though he'll still act irritated, imagine this: "No, kid! Knock it off and let me work!" cue puppy dog eyes, maybe some fake tears threatening to fall. "... Fine, get on up here. Brat." And now he's holding them.
🌑While working he'll hold his kid on his lap, and if they show interest in what he's doing, he'll talk to them and show them it all. The kid doesn't always understand it, but he'll try his best to explain it to his regressor, even if they're regressed young enough to not fully understand.
🖥️His regressor is the most protected being to exist, I swear. Someone lays their hands on his kid? Yeahhh. Yikes. Not gonna end well for them, but regardless it'll end with Eclipse holding his kiddo in his arms, checking them for injuries and everything while half-heartedly scolding them "Dang it, Kid. You better not have gotten yourself hurt...!" He says lovingly.
🌑He prefers younger kids, like babies. He enjoys holding them, and how cuddly they get. He hates the mess most babies make while eating, but he doesn't mind the mess if it makes his regressor happy. He's also very much willing to help his kid potty train or use a diaper if they want to do so. Anything for his kiddo.
🖥️He'll carry them around while doing stuff, and that includes carrying his kid around the Pizzaplex! If his kiddo likes the lights and loud stuff of the Pizzaplex, then he'll take them there for fun. If they need their headphones to block sound, or anything else, he'll make sure they have it. Also, if anyone looks at him weird as he carries his kid around? They get glared at, a silent warning.
🌑He doesn't like leaving his kid at a babysitter or daycare, often times preferring to just carry them around and take care of them himself. But, if he haves to or his kid wants to go to a daycare or a babysitter, then he'll suck it up and leave them there. Though not for long, and he triple checks to make sure they have everything.
🖥️He leaves his kiddo at Superstar Daycare one day, Sun and Lunar looking at him in disbelief. He crouches down in front of his kid, making sure they have everything they need and want, before giving them a forehead kiss and telling them that he'll be back soon.
🌑Long story short, he's a pretty good CG! A bit snappy and irritable at times, but won't be outright mean to his regressor. Though if he does accidentally hurt their feelings, he'll be apologizing more times than one can count.
🌑🖥️⭐
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riley-coyotl · 3 months ago
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Eighth Monthly Puppy Report Card for Kelpie!
Kelpie’s progress from 9 – 10 months (posting almost 2 weeks late...RIP.) Be prepared for these to contain Too Many Notes because that's just how I am. Categories subject to be added to or change as she matures and things become more or less relevant.
Note for clarity (mostly to myself for when I come back to re-read these): I am grading based on the 1 month period of the 18th thru the 18th
Food (drive, appetite, sensitivity): 🟢/🟡 - Mostly typical, but there were a few days this month where she had a lower appetite for meals, and even didn’t want some of her favored treats once or twice… Once, she barely touched her breakfast! This was during her first heat cycle which happened this month though, so I suspect that’s why. Her appetite has since returned to normal.
Toys: 🟢/🟡 - About the same as last month. Nice amount of toy drive, she’s a fun dog to play with, though she is still having some trouble with teen puppy brain making it difficult to regulate her arousal (e.g. losing focus on the toy in her mouth to grab at the toy another dog has, especially if that toy is currently being tugged on by me as well.)
Sleeping: 🟢 - Overall she’s been phenomenal in this category, she pretty much lets me sleep in as long/as late as I need her to now! Great job, puppy! That’s typically in the afternoons, though. My partner and I have different schedules, and Kelpie is still working on letting my partner sleep in in the mornings...it’s hit or miss whether she’ll start bothering him before he’s ready to get up, depending on how late she went to bed. I have ideas on how he can get her to be more chill about waiting for him to get up, but...I think he is struggling to implement them.
Crating/separation: 🟢 - Good here, no complaints. She chills and naps in her crate while we’re gone, with or without the other dogs home with her, and does well if she’s crated for a reset break while we’re home too.
Potty training: 🟢 - She’s been doing really well, reliable, always lets us know when she needs to go out, and seemed to be getting more patient about waiting, too. But alas...once again we ALMOST made it the entire grading period month without an accident in the house!! Argh! (Like last time(s), technically she made it over a month, but...I think it was the 15th? So, did not quite make the whole grading period.) And similarly, no fault of her own—she did ask to go out, and I’d told her we weren’t going out because we’d been out recently...so she ended up pooping in the hallway. Sigh. Still haven’t had a pee accident in many months though, so that’s good.
General training: 🟢/🟡 - Pretty good here, about the same as last month. Working through her teen brain’s selective listening ears still, and I feel like her attention span has maybe suffered a bit this month, but this is the kinda stuff that’s to be expected for this developmental period in her life. I also want to commend her specifically in that she’s been getting better and better about figuring out when it’s time to chill without me having to give her any active direction on it. Nowadays, if I go and sit down on the couch, more often than not she will usually just come up and join right next to me without me even asking her to, taking that as a cue that it’s time to chill. Now that said, she’s still got a lot of Mischief Mode in her and is still working on the consistency of that off switch—there are plenty of times when I’d like her to chill and she’s not chill, but she’s getting better and better about it and I can really see her maturity shining through more and more often.
Recall/Off-leash skills: 🟢/🟡 - Improvement over last month! I don’t think I’ve had her blow me off at all this month, though occasionally she’ll be slower to respond than I’d like. I make an effort not to call her when I don’t think she will succeed, and also to not put her in a position where I need to call her when I am not sure she can succeed either. The 🟡 here is simply because intuitively, I do not trust her to have her off leash privileges in uncontained areas back just yet—I know that her success is precarious and has as much to do with smart management as it does her actual proficiency/reliability. And on account of her being in heat for a majority of this month, I haven’t gotten many opportunities to practice much in more stimulating environments. Hopefully this next month we’ll get to do more!
Leash walking: 🟢 - Continued improvement. Overall really happy with her progress here! She’s not perfect but she’s really good! The two of us have learned to move together on leash quite well at this point, and she’s pretty mindful and responsive. Really her only troubles in this category are the same as last month, she will pull on leash some if she’s real excited or overstimulated, and things fall apart still when trying to walk another dog(s) with her at the same time. But in both cases I think it’s just a matter of practice and maturity...and although I’ve gotten good at leash handling when walking Maple and Juni together, there’s still just a learning curve with a different individual dog—we’re just all learning how best to move together, and I just gotta git gud, son!
Biting: 🟡 - She’s improved again here. Still gets mouthy if her brain falls out of her skull and she’s overtired or overstimulated. But it’s becoming less frequent, and she’s not biting so hard (her bite inhibition has improved a lot.) As of the 18th of this month, she still had two puppy teeth left in her mouth...and as of the 20th (so technically, next month’s grading period, but I’m writing this late again, oops,) just one left. Teething 2, Electric Boogaloo is almost over, friends!
Manners: 🟡 - About the same as last month, though during the latter half of this month I think we’ve seen some decent improvement. Teen puppy brain is still a thing, and I suspect will be for some time, but I am also seeing more and more maturity from her as time goes on—her brain is spending more time in her skull and less time on the floor. Jumping up on people uninvited happens less often, as does counter surfing (so long as guests can manage not to leave their food out and undo her progress again, sighhhh…) Also, compared to last month’s report, there has been less instance of leg-humping. Still not none, though… Holding out hope she outgrows that entirely. :/
Grooming/Handling: 🟢 - Doing well here except for being a little sensitive/squirmy about having her mouth examined (remember, she’s been working on losing those last two puppy teeth and that’s not comfy.) Brushing, paw and ear handling, all good. Nail trims, excellent. She does so well with our cooperative care routines, and is the least sensitive of all my dogs about having her feet handled. As for baths, admittedly haven’t practiced with her in the bathtub this month so I am not sure how she’s doing there, but I have practiced with her coming into the shower with me, just kinda broadening our repertoire of ways to get a bath haha. She’s done pretty well in the shower.
Gear shyness/sensitivity: 🟢/🟡 - Although we haven’t made much tangible progress on her harness sensitivity (I still haven’t even tried to put it on her again, I am taking it super slow so I don’t undo our progress,) we’ve been doing some really good conditioning work that I can see is having a positive effect. I’ve started storing her harness in the drawer with the chews, so I pull it out whenever I go to grab yummy chews for the dogs. I have also been using her training vest and (Juni’s) life jacket and basically just setting them up as a little “tunnel” and feeding her in them. She is up to the point of getting stoked to see them, putting her head through on her own (without any food inside) in anticipation of me feeding her, and we’re proofing this with holding the gear in different areas, at different angles, etc. During this process I think I have noticed that one of the parts that sketches her out the most about these items is having something draping over her back? So I am brainstorming ideas on how I can shape her to work with obstacles that feel similar in order to help with that.
Car rides: 🟢/🟡 - About the same as last month. She’d been getting increasingly aroused/anxious/over-excited in the car, not very good at chilling. Whining a little, trying to climb up into the front seat if she’s riding in the back seat hammock, etc. We mostly took a break from car rides because we weren’t taking her out very much while she was in heat this month though, and after getting back into it, based on a couple rides I think I can say she’s seemed to improve quite a bit; not perfectly calm and completely relaxed like Maple, but certainly much calmer than the beginning of this grading period.
Outings/environmental sensitivity: 🟢/🟡 - This one’s gonna be a long one. Last month, I started seeing a couple hints here and there of increased environmental sensitivity in certain contexts—mostly it was her sometimes being more suspicious/wary of things approaching us in the dark?
Then, right at the beginning of this grading month, poor Kelpie got charged by big off-leash dog in the dark while we were walking through a park one evening. The dog didn’t mean her any harm I don’t think, it was just very intense and completely obtuse—Kelpie freaked out and tried to get away, and the other dog did not back off even as she was cowering and skittering away, screaming and snarling as she tried to escape. I have never seen my poor puppy so panicked, never seen her react like that to anything or anyone, not ever before or ever since then. Understandable, to be honest—I’d be scared too if a stranger nearly twice my size suddenly rushed at me in the dark like that! And that was probably the scariest thing that’s ever happened to her in her life. It was scary for me too tbh! The whole thing was a very unfortunate mess of tangled legs/leash and our terrified dog.. It was over in mere seconds as my partner ended up just scooping Kelpie up off the ground while trying to hold the other dog back, and the other owners finally managed to get ahold of their dog.
Then a couple days after that incident, Kelpie started her first heat cycle too.
After the incident where she got charged by that dog, Kelpie showed an obvious increase in reactivity—wariness, suspicion, and I guess you’d call it pessimism. She had a handful of instances where she barked or growled at people we saw out in public, all of which occurred with people who were approaching us (coming in our direction—not necessarily trying to come up and interact with us.) Some of these reactions were pretty mild (a little “boof” or two,) most of them moderate (a couple of one-off barks,) and, when she was startled by someone, a couple major (a string of big alarm barks.) Other times, she did not react, but seemed atypically pessimistic/wary about seeing others in public approaching her. Sometimes, she was still normal and unconcerned.
Given all the converging factors surrounding this recent increase in wariness and reactivity, I wasn’t really sure of the exact cause. Was she going through a fear period? Feeling off because of her heat cycle (her first one too, so not something she’s used to)? Just teen brain in combination with being practically assaulted by that off leash dog? All of the above? Realistically, I suspect it was a combination of all these factors, and she was having a bit of a hard time processing it. Naturally, I was heartbroken and worried about her, concerned that I had failed and broken my dog by putting her in harm’s way during a sensitive period in her life. My own confidence was shaken and I got scared that I’m going to end up with another fearful, reactive dog. Although after raising Juni I feel much more prepared to deal with that, I still don’t want that life for her.
I wasn’t (still am not) sure what to expect going forward. But I truly feel like Kelpie’s base temperament is that of a curious, sensitive yet happy-go-lucky, easy-going dog. So I really hoped that she could recover from this convergence of clusterfuckery and return to that temperament of optimistic curiosity.
That said. On the advice of her breeder and some trusted friends, we took a break from public outings almost entirely for the remainder of her heat cycle to allow things to settle out. She got to go for a car ride for a PupCup or such once or twice, but that’s it. Just mainly kept her home.
After that big break from public outings, she’s had a few and done quite wonderfully (hence the 🟢!) I do think it’s probably too soon to tell, not enough data points, but based on the few I do have, she seems to have pretty much completely recovered from that bout of pessimism, wariness, and reactivity. At the very least I am no longer worried that I’ve completely and irreparably ruined my puppy!
One thing I will say is that she does seem slightly more sound sensitive (she’s given a bark here or there if she heard something Weird outside, when that’s historically been pretty rare for her. It’s been in line with my experience of just general puppy maturing into adult stuff though, so I’m not concerned.)
Here’s hoping this next grading month she continues to show me that she’s ok.
Dogs: 🟢/🟡 - So, she is still obnoxious to Maple sometimes, but I think actually doing better? At the very least, she is bothering her a little less often. And when playing with Maple (or trying to,) Kelpie seems to be being (usually) significantly gentler with her, especially in initiation of play. She also has a bit of an easier time to disengage from play when I ask… Buuuut, she is still bugging Maple trying to pester her into playing when she’s not interested, and not taking Maple’s softer cues to please cut it out. Maple is also just too nice with her and will give in and engage in play even if she would really rather not. I do still have to referee to make sure Kelpie doesn’t get too rough/rude with it sometimes (if she’s too amped up Kelpie will do things like standing over Maple (while Maple is laying down in an attempt to engage in a gentler game,) biting her nose or her legs, etc. and those things Maple is less “begrudgingly tolerant” of and more “exasperated and stressed” about, so I always interrupt and redirect so Maple doesn’t have to put up with it.)
In other news, I have seen an uptick in little resource guarding reactions from Kelpie towards the other dogs (typically guarding a chew if the other dogs walk up while she’s eating it.) These reactions have been pretty mild, and I think she is just figuring out setting boundaries, and Maple and Juni are being good about respecting that. But I want to keep an eye on it to ensure things stay healthy in this regard. The last thing I want is somebody deciding to escalate conflict rather than diffusing it.
As for strange dogs, Kelpie has been around a couple since the incident where she got rushed by that big dog, and she did not seem fearful, just her normal mild interest/curiosity.
Familiar humans: 🟢 - Good sweet girl, loves her friends.
Strange humans: 🟡 - See above (outings.) We had some wariness at times, but she seems to be recovering from it and is returning to baseline (neutral to friendly, but mild, not overly forward/interested.)
Cats: 🟡 - About the same as last month, maybe some more improvement in leaving the cats alone and getting better at peacefully coexisting and chilling around them. Though she will still chase them if she’s keyed up and excited, she’s also been doing better at disengaging/calling off when I ask her to.
Small animals: 🟢 - She is interested, loves to chase and pounce on bugs. I have been working with her around the rabbits that come into the yard and I’ve successfully gotten her response to be heavily weighted towards the “watch” and “stalk” parts of the predatory sequence, and we are working on putting cues to this (“stalk up” and “wait”) to increase her control around prey animals, which she is doing well with. Watching her slowly stalk up to a rabbit is pretty dang cool, I’ve never had a “stalky” dog before. I do let her chase sometimes as a reward for not-chasing. :P As well as work on disengaging for other rewards.
Bonding/affection: 🟢 - Oh my goodness, she’s SUCH a sweetie. She’s only been getting more and more cuddly, and I love it so much. She gives such good hugs, she will snuggle right up into my chest/lap and let me hold and kiss her, and she initiates these interactions more and more often on her own. She’s developing into such a loyal little velcro girl and I love that about her. And she’s taking it upon herself to check on me and snuggle me especially when she knows I’m hurt or upset--sweet, sweet girl showing good sensitivity and intuition towards our emotions as she matures.
Overall grade 🟢 - Despite the precariousness and struggles we had this month, I think she’s done quite well. Even through teenage puppy brain, every day I see more maturity in her, and I can see that she’s shaping up to be such a lovely dog. Keep up the good work, Kelpie. Being a puppy is hard sometimes, but we’ll get through it together, sweetie. :) 💙
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zooophagous · 1 year ago
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With dog training, do you know if there's a recommended amount of time to wait between things so the dog doesn't associate them? Like if the dog does action A, and I need to do action B afterwards, but I don't want her to associate them as cause/effect?
I'm not sure if there's a specific interval, I think it depends on the individual dog and how far ahead they're able to think and how easy it is to break their focus.
One example is your dog is being walked, and when he does his business you immediately end the walk and go home because all you needed was for him to go potty. But now he knows as soon as he goes potty the walk ends, so he holds it as long as he can.
In that instance, I add an objective between "go potty" and "go home." So instead of immediately going home I give the dog a treat for appropriate pottying outside (my particular dog Egon regresses in potty training easily) and walk to a landmark such as a tree or hydrant before turning around and walking home.
These little extra steps help break the association with going potty and the walk ending. I also feed my dogs after walking so they have something to look forward to and not just thinking "I don't want to go back inside."
Tuunbaq fixates more than Egon and has quite a bit more drive, so I'll usually break his concentration with something that requires more brain power, like practicing a down stay and a few tricks before calling it quits.
Generally dogs build associations in pretty brief intervals so the longer you can stall that interval, the better chance you have of breaking the association.
I'm not a dog trainer or behaviorist by any means, so this is just coming from what I've picked up via observation with my own personal dogs. Your dog may be easier or harder than mine and it will take some observations on your part to determine where they land.
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achoirofcritters · 1 year ago
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A summary of Moxie's first week:
-We are doing really really well with crate training! It was touch and go for a minute, we originally had her back in my bedroom for the first couple of days, but once we moved her crate into the same room as the boys', she seemed to take to it a lot better. I worked with giving her treats for going in of her own accord and rewarding her for going in on command, and she's done so so well.
-She now knows how to sit and give her paw!
-Potty training going excellently, we haven't had any accidents in the house as of yet and my partner reported her first time ringing the bell last night, though we don't know if she 100% associates it with going outside yet.
-She's had some fear about being in the yard due to construction happening right beside our house, it is extremely noisy with big, loud machinery during the week days so I can't blame her, she has slowly been showing improvements here, though!
-Walkies are still hit and miss, she's very much a homebody, lol. She does want to gremlin scream at dogs she sees out on the leash too, not sure if this is just excitement since obviously she loves to play with other dogs, but we're still working on impulse control and confidence for sure.
I am no professional dog trainer by any means but this puppy came to us knowing virtually nothing, we're pretty sure. She didn't know sit, she wasn't crate trained, we're not even sure she'd ever been walked on a leash regularly, etc. The only thing she did seem to already know was that grass = for using the bathroom. So while we still have some stuff to work on for sure, she's come a long way in just a week! We haven't forced anything either, so all of the learning has come pretty naturally, since she is still settling in. She seems to like treats now as well which helps a lot but she still doesn't really want them when she's stressed (ie dogs barking at her on walks or while the construction is being loud outside).
Astaroth is enjoying playing with her though he tires easily, and Pazuzu is still trying to figure her out. He hasn't been around multiple puppies like Astaroth has, so he needs more time, haha.
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fayeandknight · 1 year ago
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This post is about teaching potty on cue for dogs.
Tagging @ringchollyandfriends
Potty on cue is one of the first things I teach, but it's still applicable to older dogs. I used a mark and reward method for this.
Things you need: a clear marker that means the dog did the right thing and will get paid for it and something the dogs finds valuable as a reward.
For a marker I use both a clicker and the word yes. These are paid 100% of the time. If you already have marker you use great. If not, take a few training reps to condition it. Easiest way is to have the dog do something simple they already know how to do and introduce the marker that way. For example cue the dog to sit, mark, and reward. Rinse and repeat until the dog understands the marker.
Start with times you know your dog is most likely to go to the bathroom when taken outside. When they go mark and reward. Do this consistently until you feel the dog understands that going to the bathroom outside is what's being rewarded.
Name your cue. I personally use "potty" but it can be whatever you want. Right before they are about to go say the cue. When they go, mark and reward. Again, consistency is key. How long you do this depends on the dog and how fast they pair the verbal cue with the action.
Next put it on cue. I typically do this by taking the dog when they most likely need to go, but not urgently. I say the cue while they're sniffing but not having displayed literal about to go signs. As soon as they go, mark and reward. In the beginning I give a lead time and so may wait a few minutes for them to go after being given the cue. If I've given the cue and they don't go within a reasonable time, we go back inside and the dog goes in the crate or a confined area I know they won't have an accident in. Wait five minutes, then bring them back out and cue again.
Once they have it on cue I use it to make sure the dog relieves themself before going into a space I definitely don't want them going to the bathroom. For instance if we're going into a building I'll have the dog go right before we enter.
The other thing I do, specifically for males who pee multiple times before being empty, is give them ample time to sniff and go outside. I also watch them carefully for signs that they are looking to go again and hustle them outside. This builds a history of them knowing I'm going to take them out to go.
For example - I get to agility class fifteen minutes early and let Forte sniff around, pee on everything (within reason) and poop before going inside to class. After his first run we go back outside so he can pee again. There are times when we run twice in a row so he's technically not going outside after his first run. But he is conditioned to know that he'll taken outside once we leave the ring. This has lead to no marking or inappropriate peeing in the ring, even when another dog does it in the run before us or he runs after a BIS has been on the course.
Hopefully this is helpful. Feel free to ask questions.
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fireheartedpup · 1 year ago
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Weird to have a supportive family that triggers the fuck out of you. Dad asked me to get dinner, which he paid for, and we ate together. He gave me meat from the freezer.
I tried to help with the puppies, and he didn't like me messing with their routine, and I'm nervous about them resource guarding, and they still have puppy pads in the house because for some reason the rescue they're working with recommends this???
I don't remember the rescue's name, but one of the first things you learn in house training is that if you use pads AND try to get them to pee outside, it can confuse them. You keep them in a room with you, tether them to you, or keep them in a crate until they're potty trained.
They are not doing this.
Little Bit is still scared of the puppies, and it's not funny anymore. I really only thought it was funny the first time because I was able to control the situation and I was trying to keep her safe.
Mom thinks it's fine and that she should get used to them, and tried to bring her up close to the puppies more than once. This is NOT how you're supposed to do it.
They got upset that I put the puppies back in their pen so we could leave in peace. It's the perfect place for them to get used to each other, since they can see each other but can't get to each other, but God forbid I don't follow the schedule exactly.
My dog was shaking when we came in. I was holding her, and the puppies were at my feet. I don't think bringing her over there is worth the stress.
Dad didn't want puppies, mom did, and she's the one who agreed to foster. Mom is also flying a lot, so dad is left to take care of the puppies on his own for long periods of time.
Before all of this, mom invited me to an event so I could meet her friends' adult kids. I know that no one there is going to be masking, or even give a shit about covid.
Called grammy. She's sympathetic about my dog's health issues. She said she'd help. She also said that she doesn't believe in covid.
Dad sent me a promotional email for a job fair. It's in person and I'm sure it's another crowd that doesn't give a shit about masking. I don't even know if I'd be interested in any of the companies there. Maybe some of the remote roles.
I was going to talk about the budget and what's realistic, but dad was tired and sad so I just told him I'd made a little money this week. Someone tipped me $20. It's the most hope I've had in a while. It's also a drop in the bucket. It's a huge deal to me, but I'm going to have to do this about a thousand times over if I want to survive on my own.
I avoided mentioning what it was because I do not want my parents anywhere near my current writing in any way, shape, or form, so I have no idea what he thinks I might be doing. "I get paid per view and people can tip me." What does that sound like? I'm not gonna clarify.
When I see my family I usually stay up even later than usual because I can't deal with it, but I have a vet appointment tomorrow. I can't fuck around this time unless I cancel before 9am, and I don't think I should cancel. I'm stressed about the money.
Dad's stressed about money too. The roof is going to cost about 10k to fix.
I should ask for help finding a therapist. I don't know how to make myself do things. I don't know how to stop feeling sad.
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hazard-and-friends · 2 years ago
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Week 1
Socialization
Watching people and dogs politely when they pass (so so atm, a little wary of people and then warms up VERY fast, and over excited of dogs)
Exposure to different surfaces/regular outdoor objects (grass, mud, bark, weird trees, parking lots, storm drains, etc)
Car/truck watching (wary here as well)
Vet visit! Car ride, everything about being at the vet (strangers touching her, being manipulated, doing her new skills in a new location, smells, sounds, things in her mouth ears and ass, being taken back for shots & nasal spray...) etc etc etc
Household noises (garbage disposal, children/adults outdoors, dish washer, oven, microwave, electric kettle, white noise machine, every possible noise from computers, shower fan, etc). Have NOT done the vacuum yet.
Outside of the vet have met a couple people, a nice young man who lives across the hallway, and a woman + two of her kids (aged about 1 and 4) and STROLLER. Big victory all around for K'seil who thought this was all delightful once she thought about it.
Went to the park today and was exposed to LOTS of screamy children, a few strange dogs, adults chatting, playground equipment (visual only), etc etc etc.
In-home skills
Play with Hazard in the morning/afternoon can be largely uninterrupted, he's doing much better at handicapping himself. Evenings are still a struggle. She's not afraid of him at all anymore.
She does need to be supervised when she goes to interact with Penny. She's trying VERY hard to get her to play (play-bows and everything) and Penny is Not Interested.
Potty training is...coming along. We've yet to have a day without accidents. They're no longer entirely my fault (I mean, they are, but not because I'm delaying taking her out). The last couple days they've been more because she was busy and got distracted and peed. She's perfectly happy to pee/poop outside, anywhere as long as it's grass (sure), on leash, etc.
I now have a bucket inside her pen fastened so it's HARDER to tip over, and a "splash proof" bowl outside her pen. This has dramatically reduced the amount of digging behavior in water. I live in hope we'll be able to go back to the regular bowls by the time she's a teen.
She's good about going in/being put in her crate or pen--thus far I haven't put them on cue or gotten a voluntary entry, I'm mostly putting food in and releasing her to go in. Once in, she might fuss a bit (especially in the crate at night) but then passes out. Overnight she only fusses if she has to pee.
Reinforcement skills
Did not come with the ability to find food on the ground (lmao bless, I love babies), now knows how to do that and is getting better at finding treat scatters
Treat scatter will be on "find it" but that's a WIP
Knows both the clicker and "yes", and today was able to distinguish between two clickers (box vs button) and remember which one was 'hers'. Both refer to treat delivery from hand (or if you're FRAGILE and TENDER, on the ground).
Can work a snuffle mat and snoop, will introduce other treat dispensing puzzles next week
Worked out like, half of the kong with canned dog food. I'll try again with kibbles mixed in.
Tug is eh, she'll tug a bit but won't bring it back at all
Fetch is nonexistent 🤣
Can usually follow a tossed treat
Cues
Sit: Hand signal and verbal sometimes. Came preinstalled with sit as a mand behavior
Touch: Sometimes.
K'seil as a focus: MUCH better than it should be for the amount of work we've done tbh!
recall is currently pup-pup-pup-puppy!!! which she's very good at
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dogtiber · 2 years ago
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ok finally sitting down to write up the post I owe! it’s gonna be a long one because we’ve done so much the past couple of days and i kept putting this off oops.
09/07
we finally had his behavioral consult appointment, and it went well! I like our trainer a lot; she’s the same girl running our puppy class, and Tiber really likes her too. she worked with him a bit on crate training and with us on demonstrating how to structure it and what body language to keep an eye out for from him, so now we can work on that more systematically. she also walked us through what she called “door is a bore,” to help us work on his separation anxiety better, and just slowly get him used to seeing us get up, walk away, and eventually walk out of sight/leave. it’s a lot of standing up and sitting down repeatedly and then working in walking across the room and then adding in touching the door knob, then moving the door, and eventually going through it.
we’ve been working on it here and there, and Partner has been doing sessions with him as well. he’s doing a little better—the going it slow, but we do see progress. he’s been a lot better at night—settling down for sleep a little more easily, and not waking us up throughout the night. he’s voluntarily spending more time in his crate than before too. and still gets anxious with one of us leaving, but it does seem to be a little better, and he can go longer before getting super upset about one of us being out of the room. he has been a lot more sassy and vocal with us lately tho lol. his bark is very cute, but now that he’s talking at us to communicate extra things, we’re having to recalibrate our understanding and communication with each other. it’s going decently well though.
friday, 09/08,
we took him to the pet store after Partner got back from work, and also to the dogs welcome craft store next door to the pet store. he had a blast picking out some new toys, and meeting new people. he did start to get frustrated in the craft store though, and started barking quite a bit, so Partner took him outside after a bit while I finished shopping.
09/09,
went to the street market! lots of exploring for him, and lots of pigeons to menace. (poor birds!) Partner worked a little on training with him while we traded off eating lunch—he would train and sit with Tiber while I had mine, then we switched. he did pretty well, considering all the everything going on in the world around him. we all had a really nice time together.
we also had a doggy playdate! a different set of Partner’s coworkers got a golden labradoodle puppy a few months before we got Tiber. she’s about 3 months older than him, so it was good socialization time for both of them. she’s HUGE and Tiber was a bit distracted at first by being in a new space, so he started out a little aloof (which poor Lily could not understand. she so desperately wanted to be immediate friends lol) but after exploring their house and yard a bit, and taking a potty break, warmed right up. it was very funny watching them adjust to each other, because of their difference in size and play style. Tars, the other big dog Tiber’s had play dates with, slots into his play style really well, because she loves to chase and Tiber loves to be chased. Lily, on the other hand, also wanted to be chased lol, and she’s also more interested in playing with toys together than he was. he did start picking it up a bit though after a bit, and had some tug fun with her. Lily was so sweet, she would stop and wait patiently for him to get his mouth firmly on the toy before tugging. they had so much fun together. the couple that owns her also has a cat, so Tiber got to have gentle introductions with him too. it went pretty well, and we didn’t see any prey drive kick in or any desire to chase him.
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i’ll post more pics and vids from their playdate as well!
09/10,
we went to a local craft fair event! forgot to get any pictures, but Tiber had a great time. everyone we talked to loved him too. he got to take in lots of sights and sounds and smells, shared some of my watermelon, and found SO many sticks to dig up or carry around or chew for a bit (it was a wood craft fair, so sticks and wood pieces were EVERYWHERE). met other dogs, and a few other whippets too. we also chatted to the people running the wildlife conservation booths, and they gave us some info on local nature parks we can take Tiber to. I also had a ton of fun seeing all the craft stuff, and brought home a few jewelry pieces.
09/11,
and then we had one of my moving shipments arrive. Tiber did not like them very much, got barky and growls when he met them outside the door. I think it’s the big equipment and boxes he doesn’t like. Partner took him back out again instead of trying to deal with the dog and movers. when he was back home again though, he seemed to have lots of interest in just watching me unpack. stared at me for hours lol. I guess this one was mostly a big day for me more than it was for him, but overall it was a huge weekend (and Thursday and Friday) for all of us.
and, last one, 09/12,
second puppy class day! Tiber was a lot more distracted this time around, and poor Partner was getting pretty frustrated too (he had a long day at work beforehand). we reviewed previous skills, and then worked on Settle and a little bit of loose lead walking. he did also throw up in the middle of class :(( not sure what’s up with him—current suspicion is that he overate or had too many treats that day, since we both did a couple of training sessions with him throughout the day to distract him when he was looking for things to get into. he had apparently also done it earlier that day while walking with Partner as well, so we were a bit worried. he’s eating though, and hasn’t shown any other symptoms or signs of being uncomfortable or unwell, so hopefully it’s fine. he does go in for his kennel cough vax tomorrow tho, so I’ll try to remember to bring this up to the vet as well.
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moonlight26posts-blog · 1 month ago
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In Baltimore City, MD: Please consider this sweet girl for a family member! She is adoptable and waiting!
Animal ID 58446033 Species Dog Breed Mixed Breed, Large (over 44 lbs fully grown)/Mix Age 1 year 7 months 16 days Gender Female Size Large Color Brown/White Intake Date 5/6/2025
Nellie is a quiet sweetheart who's been through a lot but is now discovering how good life can be in a loving home. She arrived at BARCS as a stray, and while she may be a little shy at first, it doesn't take long for her warm, snuggly personality to shine through. Once she feels safe, usually within a day, Nellie becomes a total lovebug who is happiest curled up by your side or resting her head in your lap.
Nellie has been around both cats and dogs and does beautifully with both. She is also incredibly gentle with children, even little ones, and is respectful and calm around other pets. With adults, she can sometimes be a bit mouthy in a playful, affectionate way, and her foster is helping her learn to redirect that behavior.
Nellie is eager to please and very food motivated, which makes her a great candidate for continued training. She is crate trained, mostly potty trained, and recovering smoothly from her spay surgery with no ongoing medical needs. While she can pull a bit on leash and may feel unsure in busier environments, she is building confidence every day with gentle guidance and positive reinforcement.
Her favorite things include pets, snuggles, and soft toys. She especially loves her stuffed banana, which she carries around gently like a treasured prize. Nellie is not a high-energy dog; she enjoys short bursts of play followed by long naps and cozy cuddle sessions. On most days, her energy level is a calm, easygoing three out of ten.
Nellie recently spent time in a temporary foster home, and it's safe to say-this girl is a total gem. Weighing in around 40 pounds, Nellie makes the perfect weighted blanket. She's affectionate, calm, and happiest when she's lounging right next to her people. Nellie was more than content to relax on the couch and watch TV, soaking up all the cozy vibes. On potty breaks, she remained calm and composed-even when passing a barking dog behind a neighbor's window, she didn't react at all.
Her foster family described her as the perfect guest. She immediately claimed the couch (with zero regrets), but never wandered into other rooms. She's incredibly quiet and easygoing-even when someone came bursting through the door with a bike, Nellie simply lifted her head and gave a calm, "Hey." Before heading back to the shelter, Nellie made a pit stop at Checkerspot Brewery. She was unfazed by the crowd and other dogs, and seemed to even enjoy watching the Orioles game. Once she settled in, she cozied up next to her foster and took a nap in the middle of all the action.
Nellie is the total package-low-key, loving, and adaptable. Whether you're looking for a best friend to share the couch with or a calm companion to bring along to your favorite spots, Nellie is ready to fill that role.
One of the most touching moments her temporary foster shared was the day Nellie fell asleep in her arms, her head resting softly on her chest, and began to cry gently in her sleep. It was a glimpse into just how deeply this sweet girl bonds when she feels safe and loved.
Nellie is a peaceful, comforting presence in the home. She would thrive in a calm, stable environment with kind people who will continue to help her blossom. She could easily join a home with other gentle pets, respectful children, or even be a wonderful solo companion for someone looking for a loyal, loving dog.
If you want to meet sweet Nellie, please email [email protected]
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theurbanloftco · 2 months ago
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6 Apartment Training Sessions With Your Pet
Living in an apartment with pets can come with its own set of challenges. Unlike a single-family home, apartments offer limited space and fewer opportunities for your furry friends to roam freely. Pets left alone during the day may become bored or anxious, which can sometimes lead to accidents or unintended damage. However, these issues are often preventable with the right training and routines.
                                                     At The Urban Loft Co., we believe that apartment living with pets should be both enjoyable and stress-free. That’s why we encourage pet owners to establish consistent habits and basic training to promote positive behavior and a peaceful home environment. Our featured apartments for rent in Jonesboro AR are pet-friendly—making it easy for you and your four-legged companion to settle into a space that feels like home.
How Long Does It Take for Pets to Adjust to Apartment Living?
If you're planning a move to a pet-friendly apartments in Jonesboro,AR, you may be wondering how long it takes for your dog or cat to settle into their new environment. While each pet is unique, there are some general timelines to keep in mind. Dogs typically begin to adjust within a couple of weeks, though it can take up to a few months for their behavior to fully stabilize in a new space. Cats, on the other hand, often acclimate a bit faster—usually within one to two weeks.
Signs of adjustment include your cat becoming more curious and comfortable exploring outside their initial “safe zone,” or your dog responding well to new routines. To help make the transition smoother and less stressful, it’s important to maintain consistency in your pet’s daily schedule, including feeding, exercise, bathroom breaks, and playtime.
3 Essential Apartment Training Tips for Your Cat
Cats are naturally curious and independent creatures, often thriving in spaces where they can explore and play freely. That said, transitioning to apartment living—especially if your cat is used to a larger home or outdoor access—can take some adjustment. Fortunately, with a few targeted training sessions, your feline friend can adapt comfortably to life in one of our pet-friendly apartments in Jonesboro.
1. Redirect Scratching to Designated Posts
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, but it can become problematic when it targets your furniture. Instead of trying to eliminate this instinct, train your cat to use scratching posts or pads. Place these in areas your cat frequents, especially near favorite lounging spots. Use positive reinforcement—like treats or clicker training—to encourage use. Covering vulnerable furniture during the training phase can also protect your belongings while your cat forms better habits.
2. Litter Box Training for a Clean Apartment
While cats are generally easier to potty train than dogs, consistency and environment still matter. Make sure the litter box is placed in a quiet, easily accessible spot. To reinforce use, gently place your cat in the box after meals or naps. Keep the litter box clean to encourage regular use, and avoid scolding for accidents—instead, reward proper behavior to build lasting habits.
3. Help Your Cat Adjust to Apartment Noises
Apartments can come with unfamiliar sounds—footsteps in the hallway, buzzing appliances, or voices from neighboring units. These noises can be unsettling at first, but gradual exposure helps. Introduce common sounds slowly, like the vacuum or doorbell, and pair them with positive reinforcement. Providing a quiet, cozy retreat—like a tucked-away cat bed—can also give your cat a safe space to relax when the apartment feels overwhelming.
At The Urban Loft Co., we understand how important it is for every member of your household—including the furry ones—to feel at home. Our pet-friendly Jonesboro AR Apartments offer the comfort and flexibility to help your cat thrive in an apartment setting.
3 Essential Apartment Training Tips for Your Dog
Transitioning your dog to apartment life takes patience and consistency, but with the right training, it can be a smooth and rewarding experience. Here are three key sessions to focus on:
1. Potty Training
Create a routine by taking your dog out in the morning, after meals, and in the evening. If you have a balcony or patio, set up a designated potty area. Use positive reinforcement when they go in the right place, and stay calm through initial accidents.
2. Managing Barking
Apartment living means close neighbors, so it’s important to train your dog to bark only when necessary. Identify triggers like doorbells or outside noise, and use commands like “quiet” paired with treats. Distraction and consistency go a long way.
3. Crate Training
A crate offers your dog a safe space when you’re not home. Introduce it gradually with treats and praise to make it a positive place. Over time, your dog will feel comfortable and secure, reducing anxiety and unwanted behavior.
Find Your Pet-Friendly Apartment in Jonesboro with The Urban Loft Co.
Pets are family—and we understand that finding a rental that welcomes them can be a challenge. That’s why The Urban Loft Co. offers pet-friendly apartments in Jonesboro designed to make life comfortable for both you and your furry companions.
With the right training tips and a supportive living environment, apartment life with a cat or dog can be stress-free and enjoyable. Our properties are built with all household members in mind, pets included.
Ready to make the move? Contact us today to learn more about our pet-friendly amenities and discover why your next home should be with The Urban Loft Co.
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kangals · 1 year ago
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kep report card, month 3! wild to think he's been with me for 3 months already:
food (drive, appetite, sensitivity): 🟢/🟡 eating 2200+ calories a day like a fucking maniac. is getting very annoying about countersurfing.
leash walking: 🟢 still doing really well, pulls a bit sometimes but re-adjusts with enough reminders
sleeping: 🟢 - tentatively giving this one a green, he seems to be doing better during the day about settling (even if he does nap very lightly). still great overnight.
crating: 🟢/🔴 - leaving this as is bc i haven't re-visited it. great at night, presumably still shit during the day but he'll get his big boy crate in next week and we'll re-visit how he does during the day.
potty training: 🟡 can hold it 10 hours overnight, 5-6 hours during the day no problem - EXCEPT in my living room. the ONLY potties inside in the last 2 months have been in my goddamn living room. i am getting ready to just rip out my entire rug until he gets the hell over it. annoying as fuck.
general training: 🟢 mensa student. too bad i suck.
manners: 🟡 countersurfs incessantly
grooming: 🟢/🟡 as long as there's food, he's good for whatever.
cars: 🟢 rides quietly and calmly
outings/socialization: 🟢 loves a good adventure
other dogs: 🟡 finally seems to have gotten over his urge to maul stellina, they play very nicely now and he rarely needs correction. did try to hump once or twice but stopped immediately when i scolded him. very friendly with other dogs, still barky and over-focused onthem but typical for a herding puppy.
other people: 🟢 BEFRIEND THE KEPPY
small animals: 🟢 polite with butters, chases but doesn't obsess over backyard critters and bugs
overall he's still a 🟢, and frankly if he could control himself in my fucking living room and countersurf like, 50% less i'd call him perfect. we'll be re-integrating the crate during the day now that the weather's heating up, we'll see how it goes - he will willingly nap in stellina's, and he's better about sleeping during the day, so hopefully he's not too obnoxious. as soon as he's housebroken and stops taking everything off of my counters he's fine to free roam, so this is on him at this point. will adolescence turn him into a little demon? find out next time!
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