Sadie Cornelius
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Thanks great news, glad to hear there is progress, keep us posted and definitely keep it up with the positive reinforcement!
Resource guarding can be challenging, especially when multiple dogs are involved. It’s great that you’re already separating them during mealtime, but there are a few additional strategies that may help:
- Increase Distance: If possible, try feeding the dogs in completely separate rooms or behind barriers where they cannot see or hear each other.
- Feed on a Schedule: Stick to a strict feeding schedule so the dogs know when to expect food. Consistency can help reduce anxiety and competition around meals.
- Remove Bowls After Eating: As soon as the dogs finish eating, remove their bowls to prevent them from lingering around each other’s empty bowls.
- Supervised Treat Time: For treats, offer them in a controlled, structured way. Have the dogs sit at a distance and hand them treats one at a time. Make sure both dogs get a treat simultaneously to prevent jealousy.
- Work on “Leave It” Commands: Teaching both dogs to respond to a solid “leave it” command can help when one tries to approach the other’s food or bowl. Practicing this command in non-feeding situations will make it easier to enforce when the need arises.
- Calming Signals: If the dogs are showing tension even outside of mealtime, using calming signals like giving them space, or providing enrichment toys, can help reduce overall competition between them.
Have you tried any other methods so far, or noticed specific triggers that make the resource guarding worse?
GrouchoBarks, thanks for the pic and sorry on the delay it’s been a few weeks now, is the bump still there? Did you get your dog to the vet to get it checked out? Definitely recommend doing that if it hasn’t gotten away (or grown in size). Depending on if it’s a bug bite, pimple or something more serious will determine how you treat it. Keep us posted!
That sounds like a fun adventure! Considering Lucky’s size and needs, here’s what to bring, what to do and how to prepare for your adventure:
Ensure Lucky is up to date on core vaccines, like rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and any region-specific vaccines (like leptospirosis) due to wildlife and wet environments. The Smokies are full of wildlife and wooded areas where ticks are common. Make sure Lucky is protected with a flea and tick preventative. Mosquitoes can be abundant in the fall, and they carry heartworm disease. Ensure Lucky is on heartworm preventative as well.
Some areas in the Smokies require dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. A sturdy harness will help with control on rough terrain. You might even consider a tactical harness. But be sure to practice at home so Lucky is accustomed to carrying a backpack. Don’t forget a lightweight, collapsible water bowl or portable water bottle. Dogs can overheat easily when exercising more than an everyday walk.
Speaking of walks, some trails can be rocky, and Cane Corsos are heavy dogs, which can make their paws more vulnerable. Consider paw wax or dog booties to protect Lucky’s feet.
As far as a tent goes, you’ll need one big enough to comfortably fit you and your dog, considering the breed’s large size. Check out this guide which has some gear we recommend. Also pack essentials like a first aid kit, tweezers (for ticks), and any medications he may need. Double-check that Lucky’s ID tags are up to date and he’s microchipped, in case he gets lost.
While the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has limited areas where dogs are allowed, there are a couple of dog-friendly trails:
- The Gatlinburg Trail: This 1.9-mile, one-way trail is perfect for a leisurely hike. It runs from the outskirts of Gatlinburg to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Keep in mind a parking pass is required when parking longer than 15 minutes at the trailhead.
- The Oconaluftee River Trail: A 1.5-mile trail near Cherokee, NC (3 miles round trip). It’s a relatively easy hike along the Oconaluftee River and should have beautiful fall foliage this time of year.
Both trails are relatively flat with views of the river and are frequented by pedestrians as well as bikes.
Outside the National Park, nearby national forests and state parks may have more dog-friendly options:
- Cherokee National Forest: Adjacent to the Smokies, this forest offers more dog-friendly trails and is less crowded.
- Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area: Offers great hiking with dogs, and some fantastic views of the Cumberland Plateau.
Hope this helps and have a safe trip with your pup! Please let me know if you need help picking out specific items or additional tips. I’ve done several smaller hikes with our Cavaliers over the years. You’ll have a dirty dog after, but it’s worth it for the views and bonding with your furry friend!
Sorry to hear that! There are a number of reasons why dogs could be panting. Changes in the environment (like the new daycare) or routine can cause stress, leading to panting. Your dog could be feeling unwell. So if the panting persists or you’re noticing other unusual symptoms (e.g., coughing, lethargy, changes in appetite, or energy level), it would be a good idea to have them checked by a vet. They can determine if there’s an underlying medical condition.
Currently, the dog grooming industry does not have any requirements for professional licenses and no states require a license to practice the profession. That could change though, as some states like Jew Jersey, introduced Bijou’s Law in 2018, to require groomers be at least 18 years old, and pass a test by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, but the bill is still pending. If you are considering being a groomer for another company, you should make sure to do your research and find out if they have a good reputation and history of success. You might also consider doing your own training just to make sure you are setting yourself apart and have a solid understanding of how to be a good groomer. The AKC offers a S.A.F.E. Grooming Program you could look into. Hope that helps!
Agree, great question and I’ve heard differing opinions about letting dogs sniff on walks. Yes, sniffing and the mental stimulation it brings is key for a dog’s overall well-being. But understandable that it can be frustrating if your dog wants to sniff everything instead of walk. While it may not get their heart rate up like running or a brisk walk, sniffing does engage their brain and senses, which can wear them out physically in addition to mentally.
One idea is to set designated “sniff zones” during the walk where your friend’s dog can take the time to explore scents for a few minutes, and then gently encourage more movement during other parts of the walk. This way, the dog gets both mental stimulation from sniffing and physical exercise from walking. They also might mixing it up with new routes on walks that can help bring some variety versus getting stuck in the same spots. In the end, it’s all about balance and understanding that every dog and situation is different.
How fun! We fly with our dog often and here are some tips!
Contact the airline ahead of time to ensure that your pup meets the airline’s size/weight requirements and fill out the associated paperwork (if needed). There is no FDA standard, and each airline sets its own rules, which are constantly changing, so please double-check ahead of time by contacting them directly.
Fees also vary based on airlines, so check out our article dedicated to pet fees for flying.
If you are traveling with a pet, waiting in long lines at the ticket counter, security line, and boarding can be stressful. You might consider paying for upgrades like expedited services (TSAPrecheck, Clear, or through your airlines) to get through the process faster. Pre-boarding also allows you to get settled in and comfortable before taking off. One other upgrade worth considering is extra legroom in premium seating (either in economy plus or first-class). Your pup (and feet) will thank you.
Get to know where the pet relief areas are at the airports you will be traveling to ahead of time (including layovers). Most smaller airports will only have them outside. In this case, if you need to take them out, ensure that you have plenty of time to leave and come back through security.
If your dog has anxiety issues, speak to your vet about possible anti-anxiety medications they could take. We also recommend CBD oil or essential oils to help calm dogs who might be nervous.
Flying with a dog (or other pet) can be a fun experience if you plan in advance and follow these additional flying with dogs tips. If all that sounds like too much, you might consider driving instead. We’ve got a whole article dedicated to traveling with dogs in cars, including specific gear, safety precautions, and more.
Hello, I have a Cavalier too and we use Tractive on his harness (vs his neck). That helps a bit to put it on his back and the device itself is rather small. We use the collar for GPS tracking alerts only (not training) and have used it for years. Hope that helps!
Oh no so sorry to hear, that’s not fun at all! There are a few pet-safe pest control options you can check out and see if one of these might be able to help keep those ants away without harming your dog and cats!
Yikes sorry to hear this happens to you! We have an article on why dogs hump that might be able to help you out as well as a dog park etiquette article. Hope those resources have some solutions for your situation!
I’m so sorry this is happening to you, and have totally been there too with a reactive dog on a leash. Here’s an article that has some tips on the harnesses that might work for your situation and the benefits and differences between Gentle Leader or Easy Walk. However, gear alone might not be the solution.
We worked with a trainer and she recommended taking broken up treats with us on walks to sprinkle on the ground around him, since sniffing is a way to reduce anxiety and boost their endorphins. That obviously won’t work indefinitely, but as your dog learns that walks are not stressful, you can scale back incrementally. We have gotten to the point now where we hardly need treats to go on walks anymore.
As far as being aggressive with other dogs or people on walks, try and de-escalate things before they get out of control. If you are approaching a stressful encounter or trigger, keep calm, take your dog off to the side and ask them sit for a treat. Having a task to do will help distract them from what might be stressing them out.
Dogs are people pleasers at heart and want to do the right thing, it’s just a matter of helping them understand what’s expected behavior and what’s not.
Hope that helps and good luck with your journey, be patient and consistent!
So sorry to hear about your husband Dee, and you’re doing great managing it all with the pups and kiddo! Young dogs need more exercise than older pups, but there are ways you can keep them entertained and get their energy out indoors. Try tossing toys across the room or playing fetch. My dog loves chasing ice down the hall. If you need an extra set of hands you could always ask a friend or neighbor to help with the dog walking responsibilities until your husband gets to feeling better. Hope that helps and that you get some rest!
I have never done it but know someone who recently cloned their dog. She doesn’t get her for a few weeks, but am hoping to get more information as it’s very interesting to me to understand how the process works and what the clone is like compared to the previous dog. In the meantime, you can learn all about if you can clone dogs and where to do in in our can you clone a dog article.
Yikes, sorry to hear that is happening with your up! There could be a number of reasons your dog is doing this, and we have tips to help them stop. Check out our dog eats paper article for tips on how to help and what to do.
