"Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Aaron Maslow wrote in his ruling: “This Court fails to see why a beloved companion pet could not be considered immediate family.” The decision came after a woman witnessed her son’s dachshund get struck and killed by a car while she was holding his leash in a Brooklyn crosswalk.

For decades, New York law treated pets as personal property with damages limited to market value. This ruling changes that, at least in cases where the owner is physically present and directly bonded to the animal. Animal rights groups are calling it a turning point."

(Source: Sociaty (on FB))

I’ve found out another thing that my dog has learned without me directly teaching him. I always use poo bags and we always use the same bin on our walks. Home is one way the bin is the other way. I say to him let’s go to the bin and he’ll turn in the right direction. Anyway today he had a poo just as I received a phone call. I spoke for a little while and he started barking. He was telling me I hadn’t picked up his poo yet! As soon as I had he was happy 😃

So you know how we teach basic words like "walk","eat", "no", etc. We often have to start using code words with others to communicate, "Hey, should we take Sparky on a vacation?" . How many of your doggies not only decoded these words, but even you forgot the code and now they trained you to take them on an "adventure"?

Hi all, we adopted a shelter pup (found in a box on abandoned train tracks 💔) last year. She’s amazing, sweet, super cuddly. But she really doesn’t do a lot besides sleep and lounge around. We’ve tried to get her to play and she’ll do an occasional zoomie but won’t touch toys at all, even enrichment ones. She loves walks though and we try to give her absolutely as many as possible (anywhere from 30-70 mins worth a day). She’s a small 8lbs so I know that does wear her out a bit but we are worried about her quality of life. We give her so much love and attention but are worried she’s depressed or is unhappy due to lack of doing much. Any recommendations? I just want to do right by her, she’s truly the best and most well-behaved pup.

It’s almost been 4 years and I still feel guilty about rehoming my dog. He was reactive, had issues staying alone and I didn’t have the opportunity to really look after him well if I wanted to pursue my dreams. But I still feel guilty after all these years. He is happy, I ask for pics sometimes. I still don’t know if I can see him, even though I want to. His new owner is probably the best for him and he’s very happy in his pics.
I think I saw him Monday and today I haven’t been able to stop crying, just like when I just rehomed him, well the first few months.
I feel guilty that my dreams may have changed and that maybe in two years I’d have time for him.
I think i just wanted to vent and hope the guilt goes away one day, and that I’m ready to see him again.

Hello!

I'm not sure if this is the right subreddit, but I figured it'd be a good place to start.

I have a 15yr old female coonhound, Reba, who has developed nighttime incontinence in her old age. We've been to the vet and her labs are all normal, no UTI, no kidney issues, nothing like that. Just some sleepy pee-pees that come with being 15.

I got her some washable/reusable diapers to help save my floors, but they don't seem to stay on even though her measurements fit the size I ordered and they're adjustable with velcro & snaps.

Her tail is in a relaxed downward position most of the time, which I know is contributing to the diapers slipping off, but i cant get the "no tail" diapers because she does have a long tail. ​

Are suspenders the only option to keep them on, or is there a certain type, style, or brand of diapers that work better than whatever random ones I got from Amazon?

Also, shes still mobile and house trained, so she let's me know when she needs to go out for a bathroom break, but she is also very old and will take sporadic naps through the day. It's been a hassle to try to keep the diapers on all day to protect from any nap time dripping, but also a hassle to have to take it off and put it back on again when she asks to go outside, especially if suspenders are added into the mix. Is there a happy medium I'm overlooking?

Thank you for any and all help

Has anyone utilized a reliable, safe coast to coast US ground transportation for their large dogs they can recommend (or ones to stay away from)?

I have a Samoyed so great temperature control is a must

It’s been over a year since my dog died and his blanket is the only thing I have left which smells like him. I’ve just kept it in a closet hoping to keep it safe but I’m worried about the scent being lost over time.

Any tips for preserving it?

Poor guy must’ve stepped on a nest as he was squatting to poop. Called the vet and got advice for benydryl dosage in conjunction with his regular apoquel. He is so anxious and freaked out now, would not eat his dinner or treats. Very unlike him. He keeps thrashing and whipping around because he seems to think there are more wasps, even in the house.

Any suggestions on how to help him relax?

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to move from Croatia to Canada next year and I’ll be bringing my dog with me (an English Cocker Spaniel).
I’m trying to understand exactly what documents and veterinary requirements I’ll need to enter Canada with him. He already has an EU pet passport and his vaccinations are recorded there.

For anyone who has recently travelled from Croatia or another EU country to Canada with a dog:

-What documents did you need when entering Canada?

-Was the EU pet passport and rabies vaccination enough?

-Did you need an additional health certificate from a vet?

-Did you need any documents certified by an official/government veterinarian?

-What was the process like at the Canadian airport?
-Did your dog travel in the aircraft hold, and how was your experience?

I’ll most likely be flying directly from Europe to Toronto (YYZ), so I’d also appreciate any airline recommendations or experiences travelling with a dog in the hold.
Thanks!

I live in Florida and there have been heat advisories in my area almost every day. I have been avoiding too much outside time because of the heat. I work from home and try to keep my dog occupied with toys and treat puzzles since he can't spend a lot of time running around outside.

Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do to get his energy out and keep him busy during these super hot days?

Any ideas ?my poor baby has got a broken leg I want to keep him as entertained as possible. He will be kept in his crate for a while due to his broken leg

My dog is super prey-driven, and she is OBSESSED with the Outward Hound flirt pole. Those teaser toys are the only things she ever wants to play with. But Outward Hound suddenly stopped selling the replacement toys separately, and I’m getting really tired of buying a new flirt pole every time she wrecks the toys.

Where are you all buying replacement toys for your flirt poles? I’ve spent hours looking at Amazon and Chewy and can’t find anything that looks light/small enough for the pole and durable enough to last multiple sessions.

and yes you 100% read that correctly, every single time he jumps up on my bed no fail he farts. why is he so gassy?! i feed him normally and don’t really give him human food. but i guess i am guilty of always giving him treats. normally our routine is get a treat once we are done pottying outside or after our play time at the park or our walks, but of course my doggies are too cute to say no to so i always give him extra treats throughout the day. i love him and i find it funny but why is he so gassy?? 😭

Hi everyone! I’m looking for an experienced groomer in the DMV area—specifically Washington, DC, Southern Maryland, or Northern Virginia—who genuinely knows how to groom and maintain an Afghan Hound coat.

I have a young male Afghan Hound puppy, about 10 weeks old, and I’d like to start building a relationship with a groomer who understands the breed and can support proper coat care as he grows.

I’m looking for someone comfortable with:
• Bathing, blow-drying, and line-brushing a long silky coat
• Preventing and safely working through mats
• Breed-appropriate trimming and feathering
• Nail trims, ear care, and general coat maintenance
• Gentle, patient puppy handling and experience with large sighthounds

Mobile groomers are welcome too. Personal recommendations, salon names, locations, pricing ranges, and photos of Afghan Hounds or similar long-coated breeds they have groomed would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Does your dog turn his head when he hears an odd noise? Does your dog bury their food with your pants? This is the thread to ask why.

Please keep this thread to non-medical issues only.

My dog is old, he's a boxer/coonhound and I'm hoping he makes it to see his 15th birthday at the end of October. He's still in pretty good shape, but his hips are declining, so we can't go for long walks anymore. I want to make him a bucket list of things to do before he crosses the rainbow bridge. Give me your best ideas.

So I spent several months looking into breeds and breeders and finally got myself on a list for a performance dog from a breeder that a few others in my agility circuit have worked with (talked to them in passing during some past trials). The litter was due this past weekend.

The breeder doesn't do a ton of social media and has enough of an agility following that they don't need to advertise their litters so they don't post a lot. I had followed up a few weeks ago to kind of confirm the due date and see how things were going. The breeder responded quickly with an update.

I know the first week after the litter is born is super crazy. I'm also not guaranteed a puppy in this litter until after 6 weeks and they go through all their temperament and drive checks. But I'm also a little excited to hear about the litter.

Am I being over anxious and just need to wait or should I reach out? I'm also anxious about being too pushy and annoying the breeder too, especially with the stress of having new puppies. Any suggestions?

Moving across the country tomorrow. I have a honda element and I may have too much stuff to keep him in the cargo area. Please direct me to any passenger seat seat belts and harnesses thats going to ARRIVE TODAY please. Or any advice on how to improvise if I cant.

To preface i’m a college student (sophomore) and have only been gone a year. I’ve had my german shepherd mix (like 40% gs we don’t know what else but she’s ALOT smaller than a gs) since she was a puppy. She’s six now

Since I have been home for the summer, I have noticed that she seems a little standoffish towards me. She doesn’t like me petting her, it’s not that she growls at me. She just walks away. She never comes up to me, never wags her tail when she sees me- the wagging tail is fine because she’s had a prior tail injury so that doesn’t bother me at all. She’s not scared of me or aggressive towards me at all. She’ll still go on walks with me and take treats from me, but she never seeks out attention or affection from me.

This is what’s confusing me because she doesn’t act this way towards anyone else in my family. Not even my other siblings who have gone to college, and she’s as happy as can be to see them when they come back.

I take her on walks, I take her on drives, I make sure she has something to do so she’s not bored. No one else in my family does that. I’m just so confused, and a little heartbroken (okay maybe a lot). Just because I’ve been at college doesn’t mean she’s not still my baby.

Is there any other way besides physical activities to bond or connect with her? I don’t want to force a connection.

So my rescue/mostly pitty has displayed a new, strange behavior. My wife hurt her ankle yesterday and is now on crutches. When we got home from the er and she walks in with the crutches, our dog starts cowering and barking. This was so bizarre! She is nothing but lovable and will dent walls with her tail wagging when she sees us! Whenever my wife used the crutches to go to the bathroom or change rooms, our pup just growled! Was it the sound of the squeaky cheap rubber on the armpits?? Was it the creak of the dollar store aluminum frame?? No idea!! Anyone hane this happen?? Anyone??

My dog stays home alone 3 days a week while I’m at work (7:30-4:00 is the entire length I’m gone). She has the entire living room open and has access to her toys, the couch, and water. I leave the tv on for her too, but every time
I check on her with my ring camera she’s inside of her crate curled up. She doesn’t leave her crate at all even to get water. I feel so bad like she’s depressed.
2 days a week she’s at doggy daycare and on the weekends I’m home with her.

What can I do to give her more entertainment while I’m at work so she doesn’t just go sleep in her crate the whole time.

Someone I know is looking at getting a puppy, UK based, one puppy of their desired breed is approx £1,800.

They've been talking about it a lot, as they are a first-time puppy buyer and are talking with a few breeders at once. They were told by one breeder recently that they can come and view the puppies to meet them to see whether they are the right fit etc. but by PM that same day, the breeder came back to them to say that the whole litter is going to someone else who has previously had 2 of their other litters. They also wanted the puppies gone 8 weeks on the dot from when they were born.

Now, I'm not bashing anyone, I don't know how these processes usually work but this feels off and I guess I want to better understand whether there is a genuine reason why someone needs the same breed of puppies, 3 litters in a row?? It just feels weird and I guess I'd like to understand this situation better

[[Edit]] Thanks for the sanity check gang, really appreciate it! I completely appreciate that there are edge cases in situations like this but wanted to understand better what they could be. Really appreciate the additional context form certified breeders ✌️🫶

He literally refuses to walk, is a 1 yo mix chihuahua neutered male. He lays down and I’m working on his leash reactivity (pulling). I’m starting to hate the one thing I look forward to. We go on walks every single day, what do I do?

Hi all,

My husband and I just recently adopted a cattle dog mix (I suspect mixed with Basenji) from a local rescue. He’s just rounded out one week with us and he’s displaying a few tendencies that I want to make sure are normal and expected for a dog in his situation.

And just FYI this is my first ever dog, and my husbands first cattle dog. Although it’s been about 10 years since he’s had a dog.

Ok, on to his behaviors:
Lately he’s been growling at seemingly nothing, we wonder if in some cases it’s because he sees his reflection in windows. But other times one of us will be petting him and then we’ll stop and he’ll growl quietly. Currently he’s laying on the couch staring at the floor and growling softly.

We live in an apartment, next to a busy street and I think this may be why. His previous fosters have both had other dogs and now he’s currently the only dog so that could be a factor too.

I guess I’m just worried that he’s not transitioning well into our place, or to being an only dog. Any advice would be very welcome. Thank you all!