I think I’m making some rookie mistakes with my beloved Dog food-wise. I would love any advice on how to get my little one to enjoy and ideally not because she’s soo hungry and there’s no other option :-/ which is what I’ve been trying to do so as to not “spoil” her.

If it’s at all useful information:

We have tried:
Costco chicken and rice until 11 weeks then because I couldn’t get to Costco consistently
Hills science diet for puppy
hills science diet for large breed puppy (both chicken and rice)
HSD canned formula…both as a topper and on its own -_-
She’s full on rejected kibble and became very bitey on walks so for safety’s sake with my wonderful dog walker on days I’m in office I caved and got her Hill’s science diet loaf form
She enjoyed that for a week or so then had the same reaction she developed towards her kibble which is the adorable Sammy backwards shuffle and head-shake in this house :)

She was into the trial of the Farmer’s dog for exactly two pouches and she started to give me the same dance so instead of throwing her off yet again or missing her signals I thought I’d crowd source from those who know
For those who like extra extra TMI: her doodoos have been consistent and good and vet is in the loop :)

Additional FWIW:
She has a well-established weekly routine but her days fall into two categories: 3 days I go into the office so her walks are slightly different and 4 days it’s us against the world :)

I am very lucky to have grown up with my Dog’s great great uncle or something like that, same breeder and line. my mother now has my Dog’s brother different litter! My elder brother went with a different breeder but has two amazing Sams. a total Samoyed family and really lucky but all of those beautiful boys have been fed kibble exclusively (though I’ve witnessed plenty of table scrap treats). I think I might have made the grave error with my baby girl of giving her way too many different flavors of Bocce’s treats….my millennial soul was overcome by the branding and colors…

TLDR: what’s my Dog trying to tell me? How to make picky Sam happy? we’re all ears and ready to follow “trust me it works” things like idk a different location or type of bowl for her food etc etc

Brought her home a couple weeks ago, and they were immediately best friends. <3

The big boi in front is the 0.1. That is his total contribution.

Hi our sammy was rescued a month ago and still working on her hair if you are from the UK,
Can you pls recommend a good whitening product that works? Appreciate you help x

He is obsessed with leafs flying around

We were having a cheese plate. Yes she successfully begged and got some prosciutto. She is not spoiled at all!

I was giving him neck rubs and felt some bumps under his upper underarms & upper chest. When the hair is parted I see nothing but you just feel it when you touch. He also does a weird movement with his leg whoever we touch the bumps. He’s not trying to lick or scratch the area but is also kinda not an area he can reach. I got a vet appointment for Tuesday but I’m wondering if this is a flea bite? He does itch occasionally on other areas but we see nothing. He’s on monthly parasite & flea preventative meds too.
Can I spray with itch relief/hot spot spray until he sees vet?

Genuine question: has anyone here ever met a Samoyed with a truly aggressive or dominant temperament? I mean one that could actually intimidate or stand up to another dog.
I've never seen one, either online or in real life. Every Sammy I come across is the classic smiling, friendly, "loves everyone" type.
So I'm curious:
Have you seen or owned a Samoyed that was genuinely aggressive or intimidating toward other dogs?
If so, what do you think caused it (genetics, poor breeding, lack of socialization, trauma)?
Or is it just not in the breed's nature?
Would love to hear your stories!

I’m thinking about getting a Samoyed puppy sometime after getting our house finished! (A year or so) I’ve never owned a Samoyed, but I’ve done extensive research. I’m in Ohio and I think we could swing it! Any advise?

Bamblebee loves his sister!

I have a 12 week old Samoyed puppy. I have had him for 3 weeks now and I’m having regrets.

Before getting this breed I did a lot of research and went to visit some breeders to see if we were interested in the adult dog. I fell in love with their coat, I was not allergic to them, they didn’t have that wet dog smell and I liked their personality. Through my research I knew it was going to be more difficult to train them and like northern breeds they are stubborn but can be trained with effort it. The breeder said she is able to off lead her dogs and I read various experiences online where they are able to train loose leash walking and etc. So I was pretty tunnel visioned because I loved the breed and found out it was possible to train them to the standard I wanted - off leading, loose leash walking, tricks etc.

Now actually having the puppy, it feels like a different story. I have realised the thing I want the most from a dog is a biddable dog that I can do obedience training and trick training with. I want a chill dog that I can take anywhere, to restaurants and pubs. I want to be able to ask my dog to do something and not have to negotiate with them to see if it’s worth it. I realise now that is probably not what this breed can give me. I went with a reputable breeder who trains for temperament. She said that the parents were bred as they were two of the calmest adult dogs. And I met the mother and she was very calm very cuddly - a Velcro dog.

I am unsure if I feel like this because it is the puppy stage and I will feel better about it a few months in but I can’t help but think I got the wrong breed. If I want a biddable dog, I’m not sure that a Samoyed is the dog for me.

I know it is normal to feel the puppy blues, I am crying everyday and it’s causing my partner a lot stress to see me like this. I also stress about my WFH job as I cannot function. I know it gets better but I also am unsure if i can handle the stress I’m having everyday, possibly for 2 years to try and form the dog I want with training where other breeds like a golden retriever will be easier to train and actually enjoy obedience work.

I am also a hyper focused person who is really struggling with him complaining at me when trying to train him. When he barks and growls and nips bc he’s not getting what he wants and also especially stressed when my partner is trying to train him and he’s not doing stuff right. It’s incredibly stressful for me because of my personality. The more I have him the more I am understanding that the stubbornness and the attitude maybe a really bad fit for my emotional sensitivity.

I know owning any puppy is very difficult and you constantly want to give up. So I wanted to come on here to see opinions on whether I should just stick to this. It’s part of owning a puppy. Or I genuinely got the wrong breed for who I am.

For more context, we are doing 1-1 training once a week with a professional trainer. We have also started a weekly puppy class and he’s doing pretty well in his exercises such as luring for with treats to follow us, loose leash training, tethering. I am training eye contact, teaching him to sit for meals and to be released from his crate. He is pretty good at crate training, he settles quite quickly. He sleeps through the night in the living room without crying. He is doing well at potty training and we barely have any accidents during the day.

However in the group classes, he is the loudest one there and his attention is always on everything but us. Compared to the other breeds like the golden retrievers and the cocker spaniels, that seem to look to the handler for direction as they are just trying to learn. Looking at those puppy’s makes me think that’s what I wanted in a breed.

When do you guys think it is the best time to decide on rehoming? Should I give more time to see if this is just puppy blues? We are going to weekly puppy class so it could be that it improves in the next few weeks. I am worried for the puppy if he’s with us for another few weeks and then re-home, rather than get him settled while he’s still very young. I’m worried we would be harming the puppy if we waited too long.

My Sammy will be 14 weeks soon

Ears are still a bit floppy.

When did yours perk up (or not?)

We recently installed some Bermuda sod in our backyard. Not surprisingly, our two girls love to tear it up and chew it. We want them to play and/or potty on it but not eat it. Is there a way to get them to stop? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

We trim our Sammy's nails on our own but don't like what we currently own.

I'm looking for something sharp that will trim neatly without crushing the nail to bits, but doesn't leave the nail ends painful enough to scratch us after.

Am I asking for too much? 😭