Big Paws Only Dog Forums

CUTE PUP!!!  Kinda looks like a Leonberger, but we'll have to wait and see how she looks at 1 year.  Puppies are the best, accidents and all.  It such a fleeting time, especially with big dogs, they grow so fast and lose their puppy breath and puppy goofiness.

Crates work pretty well, but a small fenced in area was what worked for us.  Another good idea to do is feed your dog in the enclosed area.  Dogs don't like to do their business where they eat and sleep.  Bottom line, you have to be patient.  There will be more puddles and piles in your future, but it will end eventually.  Good luck!

I think we are all coming to the conclusion that there is no one dog food for all dogs, even within the same breed.  What works for Drake, might not work for Bear, Chester or Yogi.  It kind of one of those things that you have to figure out for yourself.  Trial and error for the most part.  What food will help your dog's digestive problems, be something that they want to eat and will fit your budget.  It's weird, growing up we fed our Airedale Gravy Train, probably the crappiest dog food ever.  He ate it, loved it and had no stomach problems.  Go figure.

Nature's Miracle is the Bomb.  It even works on Cat piss, which is the WORST!!!  But if you have repeat accidents in the same area, especially on things like cushions, pillows or mattresses, a professional cleaner is the only way to go.  Our cat peed on our couch TWICE and the Pro's were able to get it out both times.  Pergo floor is great, we had it at our Townhouse when Drake was a pup and it was the best for house breaking.  We just kept him on that flooring and if there were any accidents, the cleanup was no problem.  We have a house now with Brazilian Cherry Wood floors, so our next pup may have to be on the laundry room linoleum floor or in the garage.  We paid way too much for those floors to be peed on and no amount of cleaning can fix a messed up wood floor.  Good luck with the cleaning and removing of smells.  The Glade oil plug ins work really well for odors, just get a lot of them!

I see these same idiots with the t-shirts on that have chained up and growling Rotties and Pits and they think they are so "tough".  There are so many other dogs that are just as tough, if not tougher and could stand up to both of those breeds, but they are owned by animal lovers that bring out the good qualities.  Most dogs that are raised correctly, know when it is time to be aggressive and when they need to be mellow.  Drake, my Newf, is one of the most gentle dogs around.  He loves little kids and both of our cats and is never outwardly aggressive with other dogs, unless they try to steal his toys.  But he has no tolerance for wild animals that come on our property.  Last night two raccoons were in our garage, fighting, eating cat food and making a mess.  As soon as they made any noise, Drake was on the hunt.  They couldn't get out of the garage fast enough and down into the garden.  Drake flew after them into the dark and I heard some growls and shrieks and I couldn't tell if it was made by dog or coon.  I got worried and called Drake.  He slowly walked back to the garage and he had blood on his face.  It wasn't his and he didn't have any wounds so I was relieved.  I hope he didn't kill the Coon, but I hope they don't come back.  It is amazing the ability big dogs have to contain the sheer aggressiveness and power they have.  Drake has chased off Coons, Bears and Oppossum, yet will gently lick the face of an infant.  That is a true tough dog, not some pathetic animal that has been abused by humans and formed into a killing machine.

I know what you're talking about, Drake did that for a while.  The thing is that Newfies were bred to use their mouths as a pulling tool.  So it is in their nature to use their mouths.  But they shouldn't do it every time someone reaches out to them, which is a puppy issue.  The only thing I would suggest would be to pet him a lot so they are used to hands being by their head.  Don't deny playing tug-of-war or even rough housing, they need that kind of stuff, they really, really do.  You're just going to have to be patient and vigilant in correcting him.  Remember, you have an incredibly intelligent dog on your hands, he will learn.  You are the boss, they have to learn your rules.  Give it time, but also realize that Newfs are going to irk some people they approach because of the drool, especially neat freaks.  That is something that never goes away, their mouths are one of the biggest issues to deal with.  And then there's the hair.....

Sounds like a wart or a benign growth.  Probably not anything to worry about, but keep on top of it.  Your pup IS SO FLIPPING CUTE!!!  As much as we love our big dog, it would be great to get another pup.  Hmmmm......

Just be vigilant, I'm sure he'll figure things out.  I know it's really hard to discipline a young dog, they're so freakin' cute and you don't want to yell at them.  But it pays off in the end!