I’m honestly at a loss. My family has 7 small dogs that have formed a pack. To add to it, I’ve been diagnosed with cancer, and my 75-year-old dad is also ill. The dogs have totally stopped listening—they bark like crazy, they’re no longer potty trained, and they’re peeing and pooping everywhere. It’s chaos. I know I’m part of the problem because I struggle to discipline them, but I need to figure out how to get back on track. Is there anywhere I can take them to get trained, or any advice to manage this better?
That sounds really tough. Have you looked into local dog trainers or obedience schools? They could be a lifesaver for a situation like this.
Drusilla said:
That sounds really tough. Have you looked into local dog trainers or obedience schools? They could be a lifesaver for a situation like this.
I haven’t yet, but I think that might be my next step. Do you think they’d take on all 7 dogs at once?
Drusilla said:
That sounds really tough. Have you looked into local dog trainers or obedience schools? They could be a lifesaver for a situation like this.
Most trainers probably handle one or two dogs at a time, but they might give you tips for managing them as a group.
Have you tried crate training? It might help get their potty habits back on track and reduce the chaos.
smart1 said:
Have you tried crate training? It might help get their potty habits back on track and reduce the chaos.
I haven’t done that before. Wouldn’t it be stressful for them to start that now?
smart1 said:
Have you tried crate training? It might help get their potty habits back on track and reduce the chaos.
Not necessarily! Dogs often feel safer with structure. Start slow and make the crate a positive space with treats and toys.
I wonder if their behavior might be picking up on the stress in your home. Dogs can be super sensitive to changes like that.
QuantumPulse said:
I wonder if their behavior might be picking up on the stress in your home. Dogs can be super sensitive to changes like that.
That’s a good point. Things have been really hectic lately. Maybe I need to address that too.
QuantumPulse said:
I wonder if their behavior might be picking up on the stress in your home. Dogs can be super sensitive to changes like that.
Totally agree. Maybe some calming tools like pheromone diffusers could help while you work on training.
Do you have any family or friends who could help out? Managing 7 dogs is a lot, especially with everything else going on.
Joel said:
Do you have any family or friends who could help out? Managing 7 dogs is a lot, especially with everything else going on.
I might ask around. It feels like a lot to ask, but I think I’ll need the help.
Joel said:
Do you have any family or friends who could help out? Managing 7 dogs is a lot, especially with everything else going on.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help! Most people understand how overwhelming it can be and would probably be happy to lend a hand.
It might be worth consulting a vet too. Sometimes behavior changes can stem from health issues.
PeterSamuel4 said:
It might be worth consulting a vet too. Sometimes behavior changes can stem from health issues.
Good idea, I didn’t think about that. I’ll book an appointment soon.
PeterSamuel4 said:
It might be worth consulting a vet too. Sometimes behavior changes can stem from health issues.
Let us know how it goes! Hopefully, it’s nothing serious and just something training can fix.