Reddit mentions: The best dog beds & furniture

First off stuff to buy.

1. Crate. Unfortunately from my personal experience you will likely end up with 2. I got the largest I could find locally and it worked well for the first year or so and had a nice divider so that crate training worked well, but by time Minnie was full grown it was too short for her and ended upgrading to this massive beast and she loves it
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VVWBVY/
   
   
2. Beds are a waste as others have said, they will look for what ever is cold and will lay in some of the most awkward positions you can imagine. So with that said i recommend the following pad if you are going to spend quite a bit of time in a room that is carpeted. Its filled with water and does a good job making a cool spot for them to lay. If you are handy i recommend getting some thin fabric and making like a giant pillow case for it as it will make cleaning it 100x easier and will further prevent rips from their claws (although it is quite durable on its own)
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KK60R4/
   
   
3. Dryer. This you wont need now, but once their adult coat starts coming in around a year and they are swimming more a high velocity dryer really makes a huge difference in getting them dry and keeping their skin in good condition. I recommend googling this a bit and looking at some reviews. These can get pricey but generally you get what you pay for. I personally went with the B-Air Bear Power 4hp model, but it comes and goes in terms of availability at a decent price.
   
   
4. Toys, they really can do a number on toys so you'll probably want to skip most plush toys and stick to the more heavy duty canvas and chew resistant toys. Generally dont spend a ton on toys because they will likely be destroyed, keep an eye on them and take them away once they really get into them and starts ripping them apart. The one brand I will however absolutely recommend is Chuck-it. They are the Orange and blue toys and I have no idea what they make their toys out of but we have several of their large balls that are going on 3 years old still in like new condition. Minnie can chew them like bubble gum and hasn't managed to destroy one. their water bumpers are nearly as indestructible.
   
   
5. Flea and Tick meds. This will likely be controversial because ask 10 people and you will get 11 answers. But we started Minnie on Advantix II and it worked amazing, as long as you applied it frequently. Its once a month under ideal conditions, but with heavy swimming it can be as little as once every 2 weeks. As long as you are applying it on schedule it does great. Never saw anything on her and we are in New England where the tick season has been crazy the last year or two. However the cost and application timing was getting a bit much so we switched to the Sorresto collar and it appears to be working just as well (doesn't protect against mosquito like the advantix however but with their fur i figure thats a minimal issue). The advantage is with the collar is that its good for 5 months even with regular baths / swimming. So overall the cost is lower and you arent having to keep reapplying it.
   
   
6. food and water bowls. I found these on amazon and love them. they are good and heavy, dishwasher safe and nice and large. For the price they have been amazing. The nice thing is with their weight that Minnie doesnt try to move them around to flip them over if she splashes in her water bowl. I got the 9.5" version. One note of caution, they can get chipped in shipping, so really look them over if you get them. Amazon is great on exchanging them if you get one not in perfect shape.
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AS5QY/
   
   
7. Health and wellness. Where possible dont buy "dog" things here. A good example is if you end up having to do dewormer. Panacur-C is quite expensive because its done by weight. The same medicine is sold on amazon / Tractor Supply for goats at a much lower cost and you can easily calculate dosage based on what the mg in the comparable Panacur-C package. Same goes for probiotic. Like we use this and its lasted close to 2 years and its been a much better value than buying the dog version.
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088OKQIQ/
   
   
8. Microchipping. If you have a VIP pet care in your area they do the chip and lifetime registration for under $20.
   
   
9. Food. As a pup its important to find a food that has a low calcium content. Eukanuba Large breed puppy is one of the few that I've found that meets this. You want less than 1%. As they get older you will want to find a quality food. Kirkland Salmon is affordable and gets good feedback.

it sounds like while you're providing him with toys that he should be playing with instead of tearing up his environment, he's not as interested in those toys as he should be. Bunnies can be pretty picky about WHAT they want to chew on.

Experiment with a few different types of toys - you never know what he'll really get into until you try it. This is from the sidebar (which I know you said you've read).. trying some different options here might work better for him.

I can tell you from personal experience that my boys never like chew sticks, straw mats, straw caves/hovels, stuffed animals, or pretty much anything that said "for rabbits" on it. However, they LOVE tearing up an old phonebook. they love cardboard boxes - but they were never interested in them until i filled the boxes with things they could chew or dig in (unbleached/dyed packing paper - like the roll of plain brown paper you can get from the packing section of most stores, that weird softer cardboard packing material, hay - LOTS of hay, things like that). Once they saw they could get in there and have an activity, they liked it a lot better. They also liked it a lot better after I gave them a bigger, fort-sized cardboard box, and cut holes for them in all four sides to they can get in and out of it easily. they LOVE tossing plastic bottles around. They like it even more if it has a little bit of liquid in it (make sure the lid is tight so they can't open it).. that way there's a tiny bit of weight in it when they toss it about. they also love pet ramps (you can often find these a lot cheaper on woot.com). And they love it when i make a cubby hole for them somewhere, and put a chewable mat/rug down in it for them. It's like a combination hidey hole/dig spot for them.

You can also try treat traps. I've never tried them, myself, but for a more rambunctious bunny, it would likely keep them pretty occupied. As for your carpet, you can get a few small, cheap rugs to put down in his pen over your rental house carpets to keep your place safe. We have hardwood floors, so we put down various rugs around the house, not just so that if they dig, they dig in the cheap rug instead of our nice floors, but also to give them traction in their normal hang spots.

If distracting him with more interesting activities fails, you can get some sour-apple-tasting no-chew stuff from the pet store, and spray it in the places he tends to chews where he shouldn't be chewing. Just check the ingredients, and make sure there's nothing in there that might upset your bunny boy.

good luck!

Here is a picture of my girl, just so you know that I am definitely dealing with a very long backed dog. So, I do take some precautions when it comes to her activity. For instance, I walk her about 2-3 hours per day, but I make sure that it's mostly grassy trails and not a lot of cement. When I walk her on cement, we keep the walks short-ish (40-60min). Cement puts more stress on dogs bones/joints, and that includes their backs.

Another thing I do is keep the running around short. I do play fetch with her, and I allow her to run back and forth, and run around the yard.. however.. thankfully she takes breaks on her own. She will run really really fast across the entire yard, and then she will lay down and gnaw on a stick. We give her a minute or so of a break, and then we resume the running. Frequent breaks are important, and we are extra cautious. On top of that, we keep this form of exercise kind of short. We keep her outside running around for about ten minutes before we bring her inside for a nice long break. Then, after about an hour or so, we go back outside to play some more.

I also, of course, train a lot with my dog, so she is always mentally tired. She is a Competition Obedience dog, and a Canine Nosework dog, so we have a lot to work on during the day. I am also a positive reinforcement dog trainer, so I really need to make sure my girl is her best self!

Maybe the little guy would benefit from more freedom, alongside more mental/physical stimulation. If you're able to give him a better life, I think it would be better for you to take him in. Of course, this is totally just my personal opinion, after just one tiny little itty bitty glimpse into your MIL's lifestyle.

I think if your MIL were to carry treats around with her, and keep them on her at all times, she could toss them far away from the couch each time the pup approaches the couch. Whenever she wants him to just go away, she can begin to toss treats all around the room. This will make the floor a rewarding place to hang out. I also recommend she gets a nice comfy dog bed for the dog so he can hang out on the floor comfortably. That's the other thing we did for my girl. We have these exact doggy steps for the bed/couches/chairs/etc. We also have this $90 X-Large pet cave bed for my girl so she has somewhere comfy to lay on the floor. This is definitely important for Dachshund's backs. Here's an album of the X-Large bed.. which is just ridiculously large.. there really is no need to buy the bed this large.. I can comfortably fit inside of it and sleep.

So, I think if your MIL truly needs to stop with the force training, and needs to start using encouragement to get the pup to do what she wants. This will definitely build a better bond between them, and it will help the pup be less defiant!

UGH I JUST REMEMBERED TO FINISH THIS BRB

EDIT: Okay here it izzzz.

These are the items you are looking for... (everything listed is from my wishlists here! )

1.) Something that is grey. – The bike lock on my wishlist (that was already gifted (: ) This one’s grey!

2.) Something reminiscent of rain. These leggings are Doctor Who Cosmic Tardis Leggings are cosmic… as in galaxy… as in the universe… in which there is a water cycle…. Which is reminiscent of rain…. Yup. ;)

3.) Something food related that is unusual. – It’s not every day you get to have jagermeister infused gummy bears....... Freaking nom.

4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why. (Yes, pets count!) – A dog bed for my puppy!! He really, really needs a new one.

5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it! – YOU NEED TO READ THE HOUSE OF LEAVES IT’S SO CRAZY AND I LOVE IT AND … AT SOME POINTS… YOU READ IT UPSIDE DOWN AND CRAZY AND INSIDE OUT AND OMFG WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING READING THIS GO READ THIS NOW

6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related! This with the value of 95 cents ;) hehehe I’m sneaky.

7.) Something related to cats. I love cats! (Keep this SFW; you know who you are...) -- This cat bed, even though I don’t have a cat, was on my puppy’s list! My puppy (who’s really a 9 year old dog but I call him puppy cause he looks/acts/is one) is a 6lb pup who’s basically a cat ;)

8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it. – The Chuck Complete Series Collector Blu-ray is not necessarily useful to my life…But the show’s so gorgeous, the cast so beautiful, the plot so delicious…I love it and need it! :P

9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why? – TANGLED!! (OK, one of the only movie related pieces on my list :P) But really, Tangled is PERFECT, SO adorable, a real winner.

10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain. – Okay this may seem crazy but stick with me here. these bones would be super helpful once whittled down. You could use it to double tap those stanky ass zombies

11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals. I have lots of stuff for fitness and school and all my goals likes that, but I thought I'd use something a little different for this one. This skin corrective cream would allow me to cover up my stupid little burn marks on my leg that make me really self conscious in skirts and shorts. This would be a good step in my goal of being happy with myself and gaining self confidence for the first time in my life.

12.) One of those pesky Add-On items.– One of those pesky add-ons… The MSC Joie Simply Slice Strawberry Slicer on my WL is one of them pesky add-ons.

13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item, why? – A Bike. Why? Mine was stolen and its extremely hindered my mobility as I need it for transportation to school /:

14.) Something bigger than a bread box. – The puppy bed on my puppy’s wishlist within my own wishlist is most definitely bigger than a breadbox.

15.) Something smaller than a golf ball. -- These cable organizers HOLLAH at me, Tiger Woods.

16.) Something that smells wonderful. -- French Vanilla Green Mountain Coffee Portion Packs for Keurig Mmmmmmmmm, delicious.

17.) A (SFW) toy. -- Crock Pot COOKING IS LIFE AND HAVING A CROCK POT WOULD BE THE BEST OF TOYS. For something more traditional, I have hedgehog toys etc on my puppy's list.

18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school. -- This beautiful backpack! Mine is shot to hell and I'm dreading buying a new one.

19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be. This Friends Milkshake Poster Print from my wishlist OMFG I AM OBSESSED WITH FRIENDS RIGHT NOW. IDK WHY BUT I AM. Also with the Chuck DVD on my dreams list xD

20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand.– The New York Window Print Poster on my wishlist is pretty awe-inspiring. Looking into the city "where dreams are made of" in whatever town your in.... In a place that's essentially the culmination of all your dreams and desires.... At least for me.

-------

BONUS ITEMS

1. [YOUR NAME IS……]() Amirite?! actually... I've messaged so many people trying to figure it out, and I could've sworn I knew it before, but I absolutely cannot remember it.
   
   
2. And this handwarmer mug – OCEAN TIDE was made in Milton, Oregon! This ones not on my WL however.
   
   Finally, some people say that fear cuts deeper than swords but does it? Who knows.

Can't answer anything area specific but I'll link some toys/beds/products my dogs like.

Food Dispensing Toys

• IQ ball. My dogs eat all their meals out of this one. It is quite loud on hard floors.
  
  
• Bob-a-lot.
  
  
• Magic mushroom
  
  
• Tricky treat ball
  
  
• Kong Wobbler
  
  Puzzles
  
  
• Twister
  
  
• Tornado. This one is fairly easy.
  
  
• Chess 3
  
  
• Move to pull
  
  
• Brick. Very easy but good starter puzzle.
  
  This is a nice bed for dogs who like to burrow/get under covers. They also like beds similar to this one.
  
  Food is up to you. Do some research online and read through ingredients to find a good one. One of my dogs gets Orijen and the other gets Wellness.
  
  I definitely recommend you seek out some training classes. They are also good for socialization in a controlled environment. It's a great way to bond with your dog and really fun to advance through different classes and class types.
  
  The toys my dogs like are beanie babies and kleenex. If your dog is a chewer then don't waste money on stuffed toys.
  

It'll take time, but you'll get there. :) You sound like you're on the right track.

If you find your dog is responding well to certain things, it'll make life easier. For me with Kennel Training it was:

1. CozyCave Dog Bed, the ultimate safespace for a dog. - Small for 1 IG, Large for 2 IGs. These things make my IGs very calm, as the bed is basically cuddling with your dog.
   
   
2. A view out the window to keep their mind busy when bored. The difference this made for my dogs can't be understated. They absolutely love staring out the window for extended periods of time. My boy sits like this most of the day.
   
   
3. A small treat everytime I lock the kennel as a reward for being a good boy/girl and getting in without a fuss.
   
   
   I highly recommend getting a camera you can monitor your dog with if you don't have one already. That way you can truly understand their mental state while you're away. Wyzecam is a nice option that is super cheap -- Home Depot sells em.

1.[A cobalt blue mixer for all of your baking needs.] (https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSM150PSBU-Artisan-Pouring-Shield/dp/B00005UP2Q/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1525043431&sr=8-13&keywords=blue)

2.[Nothing says summer like sunscreen!] (https://www.amazon.com/Banana-Boat-Performance-Spectrum-Sunscreen/dp/B00B81XR1Y/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1525043593&sr=1-5&keywords=sunscreen)

3.[ A hot dog slicer in the shape of a dog.] (https://www.amazon.com/Banana-Boat-Performance-Spectrum-Sunscreen/dp/B00B81XR1Y/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1525043593&sr=1-5&keywords=sunscreen)

4.[ I'd love to gift this record player to someone simply because it is awesome!] (https://www.amazon.com/Victrola-Bluetooth-Suitcase-Turntable-Speakers/dp/B076JV6ZM8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525043902&sr=1-3&keywords=record+player)


5.[ I think that everyone should read the complete harry potter series for an adventure that will last.] (https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Paperback-Box-Books/dp/0545162076/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525044043&sr=1-11&keywords=harry+potter)

6. A nifty book of christmas songs for the low price of 0.99

7.[ A fancy dog bed, so your dog can rest comfortably!] (https://www.amazon.com/Best-Friends-Sheri-OrthoComfort-20x20x12/dp/B008GQV004/ref=sr_1_16?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1525044898&sr=1-16&keywords=dog+bed)

8.[ These llamas don't really have a use, but they are stinking cute!] (https://www.amazon.com/NOVICA-Llama-Couple-Ceramic-Statuettes/dp/B01M01J4XL/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1525045051&sr=8-6&keywords=llama+statue)

9.[I think everyone should watch wonder and realize that it is totally okay to be different.] (https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Julia-Roberts/dp/B07894ZBDN/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1525045156&sr=8-4&keywords=wonder)

10.[ A lifestraw would surely come in handy during a zombie attackas you are still going to need uncontaminated water to drink.] (https://www.amazon.com/LifeStraw-Personal-Emergency-Preparedness-LSPHF017/dp/B006QF3TW4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1525045256&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=lifestraw&psc=1)

11.[ This yoga mat will totally help me achieve my fitness goals for this year!] (https://www.amazon.com/Sivan-Health-Fitness-2-InchExtra-Exercise/dp/B00UXXF734/ref=sr_1_17?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1525045361&sr=1-17&keywords=yoga)

12.[ Add on items can be the worst or the best. Whatever your opinion on them you are going to love this hair mask!] (https://www.amazon.com/Garnier-Fructis-Strengthening-Treat-Minute/dp/B074V4TGW9/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1525045564&sr=8-3&keywords=garnier%2Bhair%2Bmask&th=1)

13.[A harry potter funko for those in love with the world of wizards and magic!] (https://www.amazon.com/Funko-Quidditch-Harry-Potter-Figure/dp/B010OOSBMK/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1525045675&sr=1-1&keywords=harry+potter+funko)

14.[A cabinet set for the low price of 13000. What a deal!] (https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Rosewoo-Noodle-Cabinets-Acs1500/dp/B004WLU2LA/ref=sr_1_1?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1525046163&sr=1-1&refinements=p_36%3A1000000-99999999)

15.[ A shark anatomy model that will show you the inner workings of your favorite aquatic species!] (
https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Great-White-Shark-Anatomy/dp/B001YIT1YI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1525046239&sr=8-5&keywords=shark)

16.[ This is honestly the best candle ever! Who doesn't love the smell of fresh apples?!] (https://www.amazon.com/Yankee-Candle-Large-Jar-Macintosh/dp/B007FSDIJA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525046342&sr=8-1&keywords=apple+yankee+candle)

18.[I think a nice journal would be helpful for writes to jot down their ideas quickly.] (https://www.amazon.com/Tree-Life-Leather-W-Cord/dp/B00A5T35JY/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1525046405&sr=1-4&keywords=leather+journal)

19.[ For some strange reason I am currently obsessed with pins! There are so many different ones, but I think this is my favorite one!] (
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Owl-Paper-Goods-Sloth/dp/B072KLVW8B/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1525046480&sr=1-3&keywords=enamel+pin)

20.[ I mean who doesn't want a tacocat on a hamburger in their bathroom?!] (https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Bathroom-Space-Shower-Curtain/dp/B01834W4H6/ref=sr_1_13?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1525046532&sr=1-13&keywords=Cat+in+space)

Here’s some things I view as necessities for MCs:

• Strong cat tree, get a tall one with large perches near the top!
  
  
• scratching posts strategically placed next to furniture you don’t want flayed.
  
  
• large pet carrier (petluv has a great one!)
  
  
• feather wand toy: pet fit brand is awesome. Catnip toys, anything to chase. Laser pointer.
  
  
• large litter box: I highly recommend the Cat-illac system (it’s extra large and great for multiple cats) paired with a litter genie. Super low maintenance. You can use their pellets or use dried beans or feed store dried corn as substrate. Eco friendly and no litter tracking.
  
  
• brush: greyhound style + furminator covers most of the bases.
  
  
• harness + leash. Start yours young and they’ll enjoy it! Gooby brand or one of those Velcro ones that wrap around the torso are pretty secure and comfortable.
  
  
• I wasted money on cat beds but they loved this
  
  
• pet insurance. I use healthy paws. It’s paid for itself many times over in the first year.
  
  
• those super large sticky lint rollers. One for home, one for work, one for your car :)

That's hilarious! Although I may have a solution to this particular scenario for anyone else who's husky does this. There's these things called like cooling pads I believe (I got mine for like less than $20 at Ross) and it's essentially a little pad that is filled with this gel like substance that basically turns cold when activated by pressure and heat usually when your dog lays on it. It's almost summer time where I live and it gets somewhat hot and my husky loves to lay out in the sun or find a nice chilled spot to cool off at. Having that little cooling pad I speak of really does wonders for them and the best thing about it is, it usually last like 3 to 4 hours each use! After a while it does lose it's overall coldness but give it like 10 to 15 minutes (no joke it's that fast) for the gel to like recover or do whatever it does to basically recharge and it's good to go! No need to put it in the freezer or fridge! Added a link to show exactly what I'm talking about. Like I said I would hit up your local Ross, Burlington or even TjMaxx if you have one where you live to snag it for way cheaper! Hope this helps anyone!

I bought the Pet Gear StRamp for $43 including shipping (Ebay) in January. I like it, but I don't know if I would like it as much if I'd paid the Amazon or pet store prices. Pretty sure my wieners hate the name as much as I do, but they love the ramp. (Err Stramp!)

Sometimes I think it's a little steep, but I'm a chronic worrier. That's probably my only issue with it. I love that they use it for getting down from the bed; they never did that with the stairs. Also, I'm not technically inclined at all, so the fact that it was like building with Duplo blocks was nice.

Vanskelig, siden det ikke er godt å si hvor varmt det kan bli på 2,5 time og det ikke er helt kosher å ta sjanser her. Hvis det er en løsning for deg å la hunden være hjemme dager da det er veldig dårlige forhold kan kanskje en kombinasjon av følgende hjelpe:

• Prøve hardt å finne skyggeparkering. Parkeringshus hvis mulig? Tenker det er litt relevant hvor mye du kan vite på forhånd om forholdene der du skal parkere.
  
• Hvit bil og reflektiv solskjerming på vinduer? Ikke svart bil, vet ikke hvor stor forskjell det utgjør, mer en hunch.
  
• Vinduer på gløtt/så åpne som du tør uansett. Noen har hund i bur og bakdør åpen i perioder - men det betyr potensiell tilgang for skumliser i bilen din. Kanskje det funker hvis hunden er skummel :) Noen biler av trucktypen har jo et separat bagasjerom med gitter mellom romslig bagasjerom og resten av bilen, det er kanskje bedre for den situasjonen.
  
• Noen har vinduer åpne og elektrisk vifte for å få litt gjennomtrekk.
  
• Hvis stasjonsvogn med litt plass: Ekstra tiltak som å ha godt med kjølig vann tilgjengelig, feks med is i for at det skal være kjølende over en periode? Hvis den ikke veltes utover hele bilen, haha. Kanskje to skåler, en med bare is som smelter? Kjølehalsbånd/matter (har ingen erfaring med dette altså så best å lese reviews) https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Collar-Large-Blue-tube/dp/B00261QQPE/ eller https://www.amazon.com/Green-Pet-Shop-Cooling-Extra/dp/B006NOO440/
  Finnes visst også tørkler og lignende. Så lenge hunden ikke tygger det opp og spiser giftig kjølemateriell... Må kanskje øves inn.
  
  
• Budsjettversjon som også er billig: Jeg har noen hacks for pikniker, jeg fryser vann i vanlige farris/brusflasker (ikke helt fylt opp) og bruker det som kjøleelementer i matbag - da har man også kaldt drikkevann på slutten av en varm dag! Hvis man har en del frosne vannflasker pakket inn i et pledd, kanskje sy det sammen så flaskene ikke ruller ut - så kan hunden kjøle seg på kjølig "pute". Forsiktig så det ikke blir frostskade - man må alltid ha litt isolasjon mellom hud og is. Har tabbet meg ut med det selv etter skade, fryseskade er vondt! Dette kan være en ok ting å ha for folk som kjører rundt med hunder i varme bakseter på sommeren, dersom hunden liker det. Hvis man har frosne flasker tilgjengelig daglig er det bare å bytte ut.
  
  
  
  Vet ikke om nok slike "hacks" er nok til å føle seg trygg på at hunden har det ok, de er mer tenkt for kortere tid eller lengre turer i varmt vær tror jeg.

Eek. I live in Alaska so it hasn't been too much of a problem. However last year we had a spate of really hot weather (close to 90*) and we took the whole pack down to the lake when it became unbearable. My property is about 15 acres of woods and it has a little duck pond in the front, so sometimes he'd disappear and we'd find him in the duck pond haha. This year we kept him in the shop (cool concrete floors). I was looking into buying one of these https://www.amazon.com/Hugs-Pet-Products-Comfort-Cooling/dp/B005JEMARS but ultimately, since we have been so mild this summer, I didn't go for it.

We did spend winter in Las Vegas this last year with him, and he mostly just drank about twice as much water as he usually does. I froze a large chunk of watered down peanut butter and little hot dog bits and left that in his bowl during the day so he could munch on it as it melted. It worked out pretty well. I only took him out early morning or when the sun went down. My particular saint really likes to dunk his entire head in water if the bowl is deep enough, or wash his cheeks to cool down. I find that dogs are pretty good at regulating their body temperatures on their own, even though we think they're suffering, I wouldn't worry too much about it unless he's showing signs of heat stroke and provide tons of cool water.

Our dogs LOVE these donut cuddler beds: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MV0IX66/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wloACbTKB4JX1 (we have the 23x23" one for a 17lb and a 35lb dog ~beagle-sized) - they are super picky about beds and have flat out rejected others.

They also love denta stix and flexi jerky (science diet) treats. I found a simple recipe for dog treats that they enjoyed, and they love "silk balls" or fat balls which are a treat you make out of ground beef, peanut butter, oatmeal, cream cheese, wheat germ, etc. - lots of recipes on Google. I don't always include the ground beef, and I freeze big batches so I can thaw a few each day.

It is all about being consistent, immediate consequences, and showing it right and wrong. If it pees or poops in the house, you need to catch it as it happens. Anything after, maybe can bring it to the accident, yell and bring it outside but it will be far less effective. I overdo my anger(i mean it is going to happen) and rush the puppy outside. When you take them outside and they pee/poop, offer a lot of praise.

Our current samoyed(16 weeks) was slower to train than our priors on other things, but she only had 1 or 2 poop accidents and 5 or 6 pees in the house. At night I made her sleep on the bed with us and now keep her in our room(she lays on a cool mat on the floor most of the night). She never peed in our bedroom. At first, I would bring her out maybe once in the middle of the night. During the day, I worked from home early on so she would be in her crate, or within site of me and I was pretty attentive. Of course, I kept her on tile or something easy to clean when possible. Being close and really bonding with the puppy will also likely make them care more what your reaction is.

In summary, immediate anger when they fail, praise when they do well. Bring the pee pads back, they are a crutch. There is no right place to pee in a house. When it does happen, this stuff is amazing for cleanup. Later you can use it for the occasional throw up or other bio issues.

highly recommend the 54” Midwest kennel! If you need a bed that fits also they are pretty hard to find the right size for good price but i found this one on amazon and the 52x34 fits PERFECTLY and it’s super comfy

Cant help with bedding but I use this religiously. Yes, I know it is "for dogs" but it is really affordable and gets really cool, even in summer, from just the air in the room. Never needs to be put in the fridge or anything. I keep it by my side of the bed and just put it under me when I wake up too hot. The medium size folded in half is the perfect size to just fit on top of my pillow.

Got my mom one for her hot flashes and she loves it too!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JEMARS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I bought stairs for my bed for my little guy to get up and down, and even though he still could and preferred to jump I would scold him for doing so. I made him get used to the stairs. Now about seven years later (he’s twelve now) he prefers the stairs and when he does try to jump, which is not often (maybe once-twice a month when he gets the zoomies), he only has about a 50% success rate. Its much safer and much better for their backs. My gf is a vet tech and has seen many doxies come in with back problems from jumping.

I’m really glad I got him stairs. Please don’t let your little wiener be a jumper!

He is super adorable by the way :)

EDIT: he actually has two sets of stairs. He uses this one for going up and this one for going down.

If you wear a wicking undershirt (like underarmour) it should help to keep you cooler over all. Use a desk fan if you get a desk. Use a cooling pad. This one is designed for pets but will work for humans as well. I also get really hot, and I have one of these and will put it on my couch behind me and it keeps me cool. It doesn't require water or refrigeration and will keep you cool for a few hours at a time, then if you just remove it it recharges. If you got two you could rotate them and have one in your chair all the time. Also, I work in a health care environment and have a small usb/battery powered fan that I carry around with me everywhere, just blowing on my face. It keeps my face from sweating.

We had a REALLY hard time with crate training our lab but it's worth it. We gave her a toy with a microwave heating pad and a soft ticking sound to mimic a heartbeat and that made a HUGE difference, as did a crate cover. We also never went more than a few of hours without taking her out, like others here suggested. Be diligent about making these habits now and you'll be far happier in the coming months!

Edit: link to toy: PetZu Mother's Comfort Heartbeat Pet Pillow, Chocolate/White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1B6RCI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_k-GFzbWMBGNJ7

I have the chillz cooling mat and akc cooling mat. Neither are perfect but my dog loves cooling mats and enjoys both.

I got the chillz cooling mat brand new from someone for $10 so it's well worth it for me, but I think $50 is too expensive for the mat. It's filled with this foam and gel material that is a bit like putty and unfortunately doesn't flatten out if disturbed. It also doesn't feel cool to the touch unless pressure is applied to it, so it might not work for something like a chihuahua or light pet. The mat fits my 36" crate very well though and recharges without a fridge.

I think the akc mats are the cheapest and most worth it for the money on amazon. The giant mats go for ~$20 if you don't care about the pattern option that you get. They're filled with a more liquid gel material that is cold to the touch and recharges without a fridge. I am on my second one however, as they're prone to being chewed on by puppies and will leak if chewed. I ducktaped the edges of my newest mat to prevent further chewing. I think it's well worth it if you don't have a chewer.

Yes of course she's allowed in bed 😊. We have doggie steps that go up to the bed. She has no problems using them. Sometimes she even leaps off them! We actually got a chihuahua as a friend for her who is smaller than her so that she would feel like the dominant dog. I think that your baby would like that as well. She feels like the momma dog and is always watching out for the little Chi.

These are the steps we got.
Solvit PupSTEP Plus Pet Stairs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MD57OO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Gmhtzb5Q7VJ0M

Yeah, ever since he destroyed the first bed (rest in pieces...) we just let him sleep on the plastic crate bottom. We also have a cooling mat (this one on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Green-Pet-Shop-Cooling/dp/B0047WCCBW) that he loves to sit on. He's always preferred hard, cold surfaces from day one. It's why I get SO excited when I actually see him sleep on his bed haha.


He likes to be near us though, so he'll usually avoid the kitchen if we're chilling in the living room. We keep the cool pad near the couch and one of the soft pillow beds in case he decides to sit on it (but he usually only uses those beds when he's SUPER tired http://imgur.com/IpWjlcJ

I bought this a few months ago. https://www.amazon.com/Hugs-Pet-Products-Comfort-Cooling/dp/B00C65TXO6/ref=pd_ys_sabia_19?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9AWZ8XP3M8D2CJMDYNNG

I'm not sure it's all that helpful to be honest. My dog lays on it occasionally, but he seems to prefer to lay on the hardwood floor when he's hot.

What I did find to be helpful are these cooling bandanas. He absolutely loves these things, and they actually do stay cold for 2-3 days. http://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/products/EverCool-Cooling-Bandana.php

My family is training and raising service dog pup and oh boy do I have some advice for you!

• Get some DAP spray to help keep puppy calm and happy
  
• A heartbeat pillow will remind puppy of momma's heartbeat, and help her sleep
  

yes it's called a kuranda bed and all of my dogs have loved them! I ordered them on Amazon. They are so much easier to clean than a stuffed bed. now that my cat has discovered them, he gets on there too!
Kuranda Walnut PVC Chewproof Dog Bed - Large (40x25) - Cordura - Smoke https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004E2JVKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7K0nyb05T2EA7

Thank you for this! We are about to head to a race with our dog next week and was looking up ways to make sure she stays cool! Has anyone used one of the "cooling dog beds" like this one? We will have the RV so if it gets too warm we can always put her in the ac for a while. And I am thinking about going and buying a cheap collapsible kiddie pool to take with us.

I have this one for my dog. It's $46 so not too expensive. She's only part dachshund so she can jump up pretty well but when we got a new mattress that is a few inches higher she kept missing. Now she loves to use the stairs and it makes me feel better that she has less of a chance of hurting herself. She still just jumps up or off when she's excited though.

We use an elevated pet bed for outside the crate (https://www.amazon.com/Kuranda-Walnut-PVC-Chewproof-Dog/dp/B004E2JVKK/ref=sr_1_11) which is nice for when we can watch her, and is also supposed to be good for the joints of large breeds.

For inside the crate, we are sticking to towels until she can be trusted not to chew them. We imagine it'll be 9-12 months before she's ready for that.

It’s the Frisco 54” crate, from Chewy for $99 and free shipping here . The bed is a 52” Brindle memory foam bed from Amazon here, it’s a perfect fit for the crate. We often have trouble convincing him to leave his crate!

They actually sell heated pillows with a heartbeat in them, that might help him sleep! Something like this. I don't have any experiences with them myself, but I've heard it helps, even with human babies.

Also, look into puppy development. You're gonna have to be a substitute mom so please try to learn as much as you can about what the mom does in this particular stage! That might also help you to understand how to housebreak.

I purchase this really nice set of stairs/ramp for my standard Dachshund about a month ago. It was a little pricier than I had originally planned on spending but it looks really nice, has a handle for easy moving (between bedroom and livingroom for me), and the option to be either stairs or a ramp.

We have a pressure-activated cooling mat from Amazon. This one in size XL.

The Green Pet Shop Cooling Gel Pad for Dogs

We’ve only had it a couple of months, but our Pyr seems to like it. He won’t lay on dog beds or even blankets, so this thin mat is perfect for him.

Buy him something like this bed

I mean, not exactly that one, but something similar.
The breeder that sold us our Great Pyr recommended one of those beds, I'm trying to find the one she told us about but I can't find it at the moment.

I guess there is a super rad dog bed I have on my list that I would save up for it I was saving. I'm not even too sure the doxie would use it which is why I haven't bought it. But it looks like he'd love it - he's a burrower.

Heck, maybe I WILL start saving for it and buy it for Bowie's birthday (July 4th).

I took a chance and got some legit memory foam beds for both my goldens. They love it and lay on it all the time. The cost for each is like $96 (plus shipping), but it's a pretty good deal, esp since they both have knee problems -.- This is the link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E3EC9M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nothing is going to be both cozy and chew-proof. The two are sort of inversely correlated, so you just have to choose the level you can handle. At max durability and minimum coziness are raised beds like this. Slightly comfier but more vulnerable are beds with tough exteriors and soft interiors like this.

What I've settled on with my nutcase is this incredibly cozy, plush, and actually quite durable mat. It's nice and thick and certainly warm for winter, and machine washable. Not as durable as the previous two, but they outlast any other soft bed I've gotten her. The good part is that it's really hard to tear up, so she can only do a tiny bit at a time, and it's made so that if a little piece is torn off it doesn't mean the whole thing is ruined. I just sort of accept that I'll have to spend another $35 every 6 months or so when she's pulled enough of it apart that it's not really functional anymore. Way better than with all the other soft beds, though! I will say that that amount of time gets longer as your pup grows up, too - Tess was a destroyer at 6-14 months or so, but hardly at all now at 20 months.

I had to go through this last summer with my girl. We ended up having to do surgery. I don't know how/if you deal with her getting up and down from furniture I just wanted to plug a great product I found for a really good price.

These have been AWESOME and in all honesty probably saved her life because they finally got her to stop jumping.

Don't know if you need the link but I would rather you know than not know!

I would add an actual supplement. Nutramax labs is kind of the "gold standard" for pet consequence products (as far as I know). Either Dasuquin or Cosequin would work. Nutramax Labs

As for the orthopedic beds, most dogs love them. I'm a fan of the orthopedic foam beds, as I think those are softer and more cushiony than the beds that are lifted (such as kuranda). If you're going to buy one, spend the money on a nice one because it makes a huge difference. And just go with one that has a lot of high ratings. this one seems promising but might be slight overkill for your 6.5lb chihuahua ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Solvit-PupSTEP-Plus-Pet-Stairs/dp/B000MD57OO/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3PCQ4WJ3LL6EA&coliid=ISZ6R0D6QH5PU


This would be really helpful for my dog who's been having trouble jumping up on furniture. This weekend me and him are probably gonna go to the park and play frisbee!! :) Thank you for the contest!

1.21 Gigawatts

I would consider something like this or this mat, to give him a place to cool down. It would be a good idea to get a thermometer (and some lubricating jelly) and take his temperature on very hot days. A normal temp is around 38.3 to 39.2 Celsius, and anything hotter than that can start to cause damage - a temp of 41.1 C or above is a medical emergency, as organs start becoming damaged at that temp.



Get a plastic baby pool, fill it with water, and give him access to it daily. Preferably stick it in the shade. Show him he can go into it, and maybe start with shallow water if he is unsure. Make sure to empty it and refill it daily (as he will likely also drink from it).

When he is too warm, you need to cool him down. Start by wetting his paws and ears with really cool water, and putting a wet/damp towel across his body.

Please give him access to your home if you are able, so he can get some relief.

Dog stairs like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Solvit-PupSTEP-Plus-Pet-Stairs/dp/B000MD57OO (They're good for elderly dogs of any breed, also)

For stumpier-legged dachshund mixes, ramps might be better than stairs.

Best Friends by Sheri DNT-SHG-TAU-2323-VP Luxury Shag Fuax Fur Donut Cuddler (Multiple Sizes) – Cat and Dog B23 x23, Taupe https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MV0IX66/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0Gp6BbAKG17M0

This is what I found

I see what you mean. My dog will do that on occasion but if I see him I tell him to quit. He normally only does it on my carpet in my bedroom tho!

This is the bed I have, I'm going to buy another one soon to keep in a second room. I think it's great. Jaxson's Orthopedic Bed

Here's the bed. Worth every overpriced penny. It's a loose fluff fill, but Meepo doesn't seem to mind.

I bought it in desperation. He would come up three times a night for a pee break, play, cuddles, what have you. Only way I could get him to settle is to invite him underneath the sheets and cuddle... and then I could never roll over or move or anything.

I needed my bed back. Now, I have it. And it is glorious.

Here's an Amazon link to what I just got my little one. The 3-step size is good for an average size cat. Pet Gear Easy Step III Pet Stairs, 3-step/for cats and dogs up to 150-pounds, Chocolate https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003SZUNQU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QZL0xbTBHKKGW

Some tips from the owner of a very floofy husky/malamute: They don't like warm cozy beds because they are too warm.

Get your dog one of these cooling mats:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003KK60R4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You fill them up with water and they are always cool to the touch, even on hot days. My dog loves it. Of course, he still only sometimes sleeps on it!

I got them on amazon. I’ve had them over 5 years and they’re still sturdy. This is a less expensive version of the ones I have PAWLAND 2-in-1 Portable Folding Pet Stairs for Dogs, Cats, high beds, Wood Pet Safety Beside Dog Ramp, Dog Steps, Easy Climb Pet Step Stool (White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F2GKK8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1IjwCbF5VJK3W

And these are the ones I have:
Pet Studio Pine Frame Dog RampSteps, 3 Step https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IN9NAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LIjwCbDXAWVX3

http://www.amazon.com/Solvit-PupSTEP-Plus-Pet-Stairs/dp/B000MD57OO/ref=zg_bs_2975332011_1/192-3451477-6150151


Less strain on joints for your favorite companion! :)

Here it is on Amazon. It's cute to watch him haul fuzzy butt up it. :)

I bought this mat and was surprised at how nice it was. I've been contemplating putting it in my own bed. :P It does well in the sun as well (random test I did). Tesla isn't a bed chewer anymore, but it has done well thus far being dragged around to various places (agility, nose work training place, outside, inside, between houses, etc).

I have a corgi and I bought these stairs off Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MD57OO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I haven't really had any issues with them, and my corgi loves them!

I got this one on Amazon for my dog and he loves it! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005JEMARS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

We got this one from Amazon. We got the biggest size and it's perfect. It's gel and doesn't require and freezing or filling. It's also proven to be puncture proof between him biting it and the cat's claws.

My dog had a few mishaps when younger so now she barks and moans to get up the bed. I used to have a small ladder for her and it helped wonders.
Maybe that could be a good thing for your babe? make it easier for him to grab a midnight drink or bite.
https://www.amazon.com/Solvit-PupSTEP-Plus-Pet-Stairs/dp/B000MD57OO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1485004708&sr=8-3&keywords=pet+ladder

Does he like to lay on hard floor? You could get a summer cooling mat to see if he likes that. He is probably used to a temp drop at night.

Edit: something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JEMARS/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_anD9ub1E4WCT2

I have one of these for Khoal Guiness, http://www.amazon.com/The-Green-Pet-Shop-Cooling/dp/B0047WCCBW. Hope all is well.

We’re using a brindle bed. The largest one. Our 5mo loves it! Brindle Shredded Memory Foam

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0192CJO30/

I got two of these for my dogs, and one fell in love, she can't stop laying on it, and I put one in her kennel, and she refuses to sleep anywhere else now, except for minor naps in the hardwood floor in the entry way.

The other dog couldn't care less for them.

Pet Studio Pine Frame Dog RampSteps, 3 Step https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IN9NAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GAcWzbVTJBMTJ

I just bought these last night. The price tag is a little high, but I thought I'd give it a shot. If not, I'll return them and check out the kind you suggested. Thank you! :).

Any tips for training your dog to use them? Or did they just do it on their own?

I don't know if this will work. I haven't used it personally but I heard it was good for dogs that chew beds

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E2JVKK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004E2JVKK&linkCode=as2&tag=rove05-20&linkId=5b1d4e4df1b5b696c902eadc1d9d8078

I don't know if you can get these in Australia, but a cooling pad might be helpful.

We have this cooling pad from Amazon and my big fluffball loves it. He prefers lying on this to being on his memory foam bed. At first we were worried about him destroying/eating it, so we wrapped it in an old fitted sheet. Turns out he didn't even try to chew it, thank goodness.

This looks pretty similar!

My old german mix has given strong preference to her memory foam bed the last 3 yrs - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E3EC9M

Looks like this one on amazon:

Cozy Cave Pet Bed

We used to add a bit of canned pumpkin on top of our dogs regular food with some glucosamine in it. Once you open the can you can keep it in the fridge for about a week I think, and they were like 1.50$ or so for a large can. Pretty economical, tasty, and good for the dog's digestion. Just make sure not to get the pumpkin pie filling, because it has added spices and sugar, but just the plain pumpkin puree.

Sorry to hear about your golden showing signs of hip problems :(. If you got your dog from a breeder it might be worth mentioning it to her/him just so they are aware of the problem if they are still breeding. And I'm not sure if your vet has told you (ours didn't) but there are a lot of little things to do around the house to help keep your dog's hips in better shape. Things like adding mats to any slippery wood or tile floors (less stress on the hips than if they were slipping), adding stepping stools if your pup jumps up on the bed or couch and beds similar to this one which are supposed to put less stress on the hip when the dog is sleeping.

I ended up getting this one. It's solid and well made. I got the 150lb rated one, because it has wider stairs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SZUNQU

https://www.amazon.com/Green-Pet-Shop-Cooling-Pressure-Activated/dp/B0047WCCBW I had a fair bit of luck with this one. I don't wanna advertize , and maybe other people will have some suggestions, but it works for me and my fluffier dogs.

I approached this from the direction of offering things that aren't really appetizing. Check out a bed like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kuranda-Walnut-PVC-Chewproof-Dog/dp/B004E2JVKK

That is so cute, poor baby. :3. I thought about these for my little pooch when I got a higher bed, but she took the height transition just fine and learned to take a run up before jumping. :P

I don't usually advocate the use of pee pads, ever. But this time, I'll concede that they are a necessity. On that score, you're doing it pretty much right, but if you can, get them out a little more often.

For the jumping, if you want them on your couch, get some stairs for the dog. They do make them for smaller, shorter dogs to get up onto furniture. If you don't, you might want to start training them in the 'leave it' command. Once this is in place firmly, you can tell the dog to leave it when it comes to the sofa, and they won't even try.

This one has treated our Newf & Golden rather well over the years: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E3EC9M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Memory foam, washable, two covers included. Comes in XL, XXL, and jumbo.

I got mine off amazon.

Snoozer Luxury Cozy Cave, Camel, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013UQQVS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_yrhGwbVQV1QRB

Plenty big for my girl. But she's tiny.

I have this set from amazon and my 2 year old dog figured them out within minutes. My 14 weeks old puppy finally figured out how to get UP them last week, but she won't go down (and we don't want her). I've been working and she will be sleeping and I suddenly hear her barking because she went into the bedroom and is on the bed and can't get down. I give her less then a month before she will go down the steps and another 2 months before she will go down our house stairs.

I telecommute from home a couple of times a week, so I'm home with the dogs. Our thermostats are set to 66 F during the day and 59 F at night. One of my dogs still lays sprawled out on the cool tile. The other dog is a total wuss for the cold, so we put a sweater on him and we got him a cave bed.

During the summer we don't have AC except for the bedroom (which has a little window unit). It usually gets about 80-82F in the house. We used to leave the window AC unit on during the day for the dogs, but they just slept downstairs anyways, so we figured they didn't mind the warm.

I'd keep him at the normal length and see if he seems hot, drinking more water and panting more before determining if you should cut him down more. He appears to have a fairly typical yorkie coat, but you could ask a groomer if shorter is better in their opinion. I think that it would mess with his temperature regulation more than anything. You can also purchase him a cooling mat if you think he's too hot.

You can't get that exact one since it's custom made, but you can get something very similar. There are also some more pet caves/tents here.

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Solvit-PupSTEP-Stairs-Foldable/dp/B000MD57OO

http://www.amazon.com/Solvit-PupSTEP-Plus-Pet-Stairs/dp/B000MD57OO/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_img_y

That's the general concept of what I'm looking for, but there's a ton out there with price points from $20 to a few hundred. I found this one, but I need to get home and see how tall the bed of the car is.

Amazon has them! I have the same stairs for my cat to climb on the bed.

Already ordered him one of these.

Yeah it’s tough when they get older. Maybe you could look into getting a set of those mini stairs like these to put next to the bed and at least alleviate one of the problems?

I hate having a crate however I find it's the only real sleep our dog gets. There's four in our house and he is always moving around otherwise. We keep the create on the main floor away from the rooms.

This is what I wanted to move to

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MV0IX66/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_XPr2Db9ESMRV3

First of all, has the vet told you that it is this cat's time? Is he in constant pain, is life no longer worth living? There are a few things you can do about him not being able to jump up on things, like getting some pet stairs (like this). Don't put him down until you are sure.

Secondly, "putting him to sleep" by feeding him alcohol is a horrible idea. If you want him to pass on in familiar surroundings, there are vets who will do this in your home. If it is because you cannot afford a vet, contact your local SPCA and see if they have any services to help you.

Third, if you have the cat put to sleep properly by a vet, they will inform you of your options regarding his body afterwards. They can take it away, or you can get him cremated. There may be other options as well.

Fourth, don't do anything differently for Jake. If he seeks out attention more, give it to him, but don't hunt him down for it. Cats grieve in their own way, and making sure everything else in his home is the normal routine will help him adjust to the loss. I think the only thing you really shouldn't do is get a new kitten or cat too soon. Wait until both you and Jake are ready for it.

Finally, you are not more upset than you should be! He's your cat, your pet, your buddy. You probably interact with him much more often than you did with your aunt. Holding it in is just going to come around and bite you in the ass; if you aren't allowed to properly grieve, it will take you longer to come to terms with it. Allow yourself to cry, even if it's in the shower so no one else can see (if showing emotion in front of others is difficult for you).

Once again, it may not yet be his time, and he could have years ahead of him if you give him a few extra things, such as pet stairs or more soft places to sleep down low. Ask your vet. And for god's sake, don't perform the euthanasia yourself.