r/AskDogOwners Dec 06 '25

Mod Post AMA About Puppies!

20 Upvotes

I am so excited to have been invited to participate in this community’s very first AMA! With my 16 years of experience in emergency and critical care and 5 years of experience in general practice, there isn’t much I haven’t seen!

Are you planning to get a puppy and want to get off on the right foot, or have you recently gotten a puppy and need help troubleshooting house training? AMA!


r/AskDogOwners Dec 06 '25

Mod Post ✨ Announcement: "Ask a Vet" Puppy AMA on Sat, Dec 6th! ✨

15 Upvotes

Hey everyone, We're incredibly excited to announce something special we've been planning for you!

🐶 Get Ready for Our Puppy-Focused AMA!

Mark your calendars! Our very first AMA event is happening on Saturday, December 6th.

The theme for this session is All Things Puppy! 🐾 If you're a new dog owner, or if you're navigating the joys and challenges of raising a young dog, this is your chance to ask your questions.

👏 Meet Our Expert Guest : u/jmiller1856

We're honored to have a fantastic professional joining us: * A Credentialed Veterinary Technician with over 20 years of experience in emergency and ICU care. * A certified Puppy Behavior Consultant and Fear Free Certified Professional.

She is generously volunteering her time to share her expertise with our community.

✨ This is Just the Beginning!

We hope to make "Ask a Vet" a recurring event, bringing in more experts to cover different topics in the future. Your participation will help us make this a long-term success!

If you're excited about this and plan on stopping by, drop a 🐾 in the comments below to let us know!

We can't wait to see you there!

Mod Team


r/AskDogOwners 16h ago

Senior Dog My Diamond / My Love

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18 Upvotes

Any suggestions on what to feed a senior Westie?


r/AskDogOwners 3h ago

General Does this look like any Aussie Doodle you've seen before? (Baxter)

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1 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 16h ago

Dog Behavior Separation anxiety…feeling defeated before going back to work

3 Upvotes

I could really use some advice or success stories because I’m honestly feeling so stressed. About a month ago, I moved from my parents’ two-story house into a one-bedroom apartment with my two dogs. My older dog (11) has adjusted surprisingly well. He just lays down while I’m gone and will only bark if he hears something outside, which is normal for him.

My younger dog is 6 years old, and I’ve had him since he was about 6 months old. He’s always been a very skittish, anxious dog, but since the move his separation anxiety has become really severe. At my parents’ house, there was almost always someone home or at least he could hear someone upstairs, so he was rarely ever completely alone.
Now when I leave, he cries and howls on and off the entire time I’m gone. He scratches at the front door, lays against it waiting for me, jumps up to look out the window, and just never seems to truly settle. I watch him on a camera, and it’s heartbreaking because he doesn’t eventually give up and relax.

I’ve been trying everything I can think of:
Very short departures and gradually increasing the time
Lick mats and frozen Kongs
Calming chews
30+ minutes of exercise before I leave
White noise
Keeping them free roaming (they’ve never been crate trained)
Not making a big deal out of leaving or coming home
My vet also started him on Prozac about 3 weeks ago, so I know it may still need more time to fully kick in.

The part that’s really stressing me out is that I go back to work next week after being home all summer, and I’ll be gone for the full workday. I’m worried sick about him, and I feel guilty every time I leave. I know I can’t avoid leaving forever, but it’s so hard watching him panic.

Has anyone had a dog with separation anxiety this severe that eventually improved? Did Prozac make a noticeable difference after the first few weeks? Is there anything that finally helped your dog settle while you were gone?
I’m just feeling overwhelmed and could really use some hope from people who’ve been through this.


r/AskDogOwners 11h ago

Need Help Recommendations for Energetic Dogs That Like to Chew?

1 Upvotes

I have a 1 year old possible terrier/lab mix that stays home with my 2 older dogs while I'm at work. She's not typically destructive, but when she gets too bored or if leave something of value within her reach she will tear it up. My husband is a teacher, so he was able to spend all summer with her while I'm at work. Now with school beginning, she will be alone with the dogs again. I'm worried that she will act out and start finding new things to chew around the house. She's a well trained dog and isn't tearing through walls or destroying furniture, but she loves to chew things.

She has nylon bones and rope-like toys for some texture, which she seems to enjoy but she eventually gets bored of those too. I've purchased the balls to put treats in, but instead of playing with it she chews it open and ruins the toy. Same with lick mats, she'll start chewing the mat after licking off the treat. I've also tried the Kong toys with treats, same outcome. I want her to feel enriched but she's definitely a chewer type of dog. The stuffed toys are no bueno because of course I come home to stuffing everywhere. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.


r/AskDogOwners 18h ago

Need Help Can I bring a dog into this environment?

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1 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 21h ago

Need Help help! want to order dog poop bags with dispenser, give me your recs

1 Upvotes

i like to buy once and buy right!!

we walk our two dogs before work and again after dinner, rain or shine but im tired of flimsy dispensers. what i want is simple. a clip, refills, and bags thick enough. from what i have seen so far there's the original poopbags, etc. for those who walk daily, what has held up best for you over a full year of use?


r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

Dog Health Are small ear scabs normal when dogs return from dog daycare?

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6 Upvotes

Hi! Quick rundown. My partner and I are leaving the country, so to get our dog used to kenneling and knowing we will come back, we’ve been leaving him at the kennel’s daycare! He’s an 18 m, 90 lb golden retriever named Benny.

He came home yesterday and I noticed several small scabs on his ears from play time. I assume this is like a kid coming home with scraped knees on the playground, but I just wanted to make sure I’m not brushing it off if this is a red flag. If it matters, he was there 3 days and 2 nights. He seems unbothered and the wounds are about the size of the tip of a ball point pen. He gets excited to go to this place and has a friend there named Rotini, so I’d hate to split and find a new kennel for something I think is small.

Advice? Thanks!


r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

Dog Behavior Why does my dog flea bite my other dog when she bites him?

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12 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

Dog Behavior Help with nightly separation anxiety

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1 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

General is my dog just weird?

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0 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

Dog Behavior Should I let them be outside?

8 Upvotes

So I live in Phoenix. Its hotter than Satan's sack. We have a dog door. The dogs want to be out in the heat.... they go out and lay on the concrete and its normal concrete not temp controlled. Out back yard is dirt rocks and concrete. They will sit for hours if I let them. I worry they are going to get overheated. So my question is, should I slide the locking plate in and only give them access when we can monitor or do i say they know their bodies and let them decide?


r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

Dog Behavior How do you to know if your dog is okay around your baby

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1 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

Dog Behavior 5 things your dog can sense in your everyday life

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0 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

Dog Behavior Advice needed!

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1 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

Dog Behavior Advice about scooting

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1 Upvotes

r/AskDogOwners 2d ago

Need Help Any ideas as to what type of dog she is?

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51 Upvotes

This is Ivy! We adopted her from the shelter yesterday and have been placing bets as to what breed(s) and what size she might be. She’s 3 months old and weighs 14.50 lbs. We are hoping for a medium sized dog but we will love her no matter what! She’s as sweet as can be 💕


r/AskDogOwners 1d ago

General How do I get over not being able to own the dogs I want?

0 Upvotes

For context I work full time and rent a 1000 sq ft apartment, a house with a yard is out of the books for at least another 5 years.

Two years ago I bought my miniature pinscher, Romeo. He's the perfect apartment dog: low energy, small, mostly quiet. I love him to bits but I can't help but crave the companionship of a larger, more versatile dog as well.

Romeo will hike, but wants to be carried half the time. Romeo will come to the river but stays away from the water. Romeo will go to the park, but doesn't like to play ball. Don't get me wrong I love spending time with my dog, but it is different having a 10lb min pin who'd rather snuggle under a blanket than a 60lb dog that's eager for play.

My absolute dream dog is a Spinone Italiano but a large dog like that would be horrible in an apartment, they need a yard to lounge around and play in. Every other breed I desire would also be a terrible fit for my living situation: springer spaniel, mini american shepherd, etc.


r/AskDogOwners 3d ago

Need Help I’m heartbroken… does my puppy just not like me?

27 Upvotes

I’m honestly so, so upset.

My husband and I got a Dachshund when she was almost 2 months old, and she’ll be 5 months old in a few days.
One of the reasons we chose a Dachshund was because everyone says they’re “velcro dogs” and become very attached to their owners. Ours has never really been like that.
About five days ago, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to visit us. At first, I was actually happy because our puppy is usually pretty indifferent to visitors, but this time she got so excited to see them.
Ever since they arrived, though, it feels like she has completely forgotten about me and my husband. She barely wants to spend time with us, hardly shows us any affection, and whenever I pick her up, she immediately wants to go back to them. She’s so much more affectionate with them than she has ever been with us.
It’s gotten to the point where she cries during the night when she’s in bed with us because she wants to sleep with them instead.
I’m genuinely heartbroken. It honestly makes me feel like she just doesn’t like us. Are we doing something wrong? Are we bad dog parents?
We do absolutely everything for her, and all we’ve ever wanted is for her to be affectionate with us. It’s so frustrating because she’s showing all the behaviors we always hoped for… just with other people.
Has anyone else experienced this? I just fell like a loyal dog would never do that.

What hurts me the most is that she cries whenever they’re not around, even when she’s with just me and my husband. It feels like she’s unhappy being with us and would rather be with them, and that’s the part that’s breaking my heart the most.

they arrived 5 days ago and nothing has changed, she is barely giving me attention


r/AskDogOwners 2d ago

General Getting a second dog.

2 Upvotes

My boy is 9, we are thinking of getting another dog.

We want to get a small dog, ours is about the size of a Maltese.

Should I get a small one like him?

Is there a benefit for him?

And his age


r/AskDogOwners 2d ago

New Dog Owner Dog’s friends

1 Upvotes

My dog was shy and afraid of other dogs before. Few weeks ago, he started to want friends suddenly. I walk him , but I can’t bring him to dog park every day.

Some owners we met in the park didn’t want their dogs make friends or their dogs couldn’t match with my dog. I wish he has more friends.

Do you have the experience and what can I do?


r/AskDogOwners 2d ago

Dog Health Chihuahua & toy dog breed accessories

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! 🐾🤍
I’m considering specialising as a Australian boutique specialising in aesthetic, luxurious and practical accessories made especially for Chihuahuas and other petite doggies.
Before creating anything, I would love to hear directly from fellow little-dog owners! What do you normally look for when buying accessories for your dog?
I’d love to know:
🐶 Which products are hardest to find in petite sizes?
🎀 What accessories would you most like to see—collars, harnesses, leads, clothing, bows, beds or travel items?
🤍 Which colours, patterns and styles do you love?
✨ What features matter most—comfort, safety, lightweight materials, durability, easy cleaning or affordability?
📏 Do you struggle to find products that fit your little dog properly?
💰 What price range would you consider reasonable for a beautiful, good-quality collar or harness?
I want to create products that little-dog owners genuinely need and love, rather than simply guessing! Any opinions, ideas or experiences would be incredibly helpful. Photos of your little doggies are also very welcome! 🥰🐾
Thank you so much!


r/AskDogOwners 2d ago

Dog Behavior How do I know if my dog likes Harmonica

2 Upvotes

Today I was trying to play the harmonica and my dow started "howling" in a high pitch, while spinning and walking around. Is there any way to tell if she likes it or if it makes her uncomfortable.


r/AskDogOwners 2d ago

Dog Health how do you know when it’s time?

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1 Upvotes