LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Behavior Problem Questions

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Past Questions

Question: I was recently married to my wife and moved into her home. My wife has two cats and two dogs. One dog is a very sweet five-year-old, fixed male Tibetan Spaniel. He loves to lick me, sometimes for twenty minutes at a time. The other dog is a ten-year-old, unfixed female Pekingese. My wife is scared that the Peke could have complications if she were to have her spayed. The female is very dominate over the male, especially involving food. All in all, they get along well and play a lot. There are 2 big problems. The female has bitten me several times. Most of the time, it happens when she is sleeping or relaxing on the floor. I'll get up and bump her lightly or step next to her, and she will jump up in a barking fit and go after my feet. One time, I moved my hand when she was on the sofa and she got my hand. My wife said the Peke was a real sweet dog and thinks that one of the cats made her this way by tormenting her while sleeping when he was a kitten. The dog also bites my wife on occasion when startled. The Peke used to sleep in the bed with my wife, but that doesn't happen anymore because she bites me. She isn't able to jump on the bed without a stool to help her up. The male dog does sleep with us since he can jump on the bed. Now there's another big problem. Somebody has peed on the bed two times. It could be the other dog or cat, but I'm assuming its the Reke. Also, neither dog is very house trained. One big problem is that we both work a lot of hours. The dogs are left at home for ten hours during the day. We don't have a fenced yard, so I was thinking of getting a baby gate to keep them in the kitchen during the day. Can you give any ideas to help us, especially for the biting? - Posted by: keybuzz@aol.com

Answer: Hi Paul,

I must apologise. I accidentally deleted your question after posting my answer, so I do hope you see my reply.

There seems to be a lot of changes going on in everyone's lives right now, and it will definitely take some time for the new family to gel. Let me offer a few thoughts that might help.

First, let's address the most important issue about the Pekingese's biting. At age ten, I wonder if this dog is suffering any hearing or sight loss. What you're describing sounds comparable to the way a deaf or at least partially blind dog behaves when startled. The first reaction is often to strike out in defense. It would probably be worth it to have the Peke examined by the vet to be sure whether sight or hearing is becoming an issue.

That's not to say this dog might not have a simple behavior problem. I suspect that she feels dominant over everyone, not just the other dog. Being on her own for much of the day, she probably assumed the pack leader position a long time ago. When she got away with snapping the first time, it likely emboldened her to continue. Both you and your wife need to reclaim your positions at the top of the household pack. If possible, take both dogs for walks together on leashes. You and your wife should take turns walking both dogs every day so each comes to understand that you are their leaders. If you can establish control on leash, it will help establish more control in other situations. Be sure to remain calm and in control. You not only need to establish your place in the home, you need to show these pets that you are trustworthy and will not harm them. Being calm and assertive will help you establish proper relationships with each dog.

Now for the bed issue. If the Peke can't get onto the bed on her own and the stool is not available, it's more likely the other dog or one of the cats that is doing the urinating in an effort to reinforce a claim on the territory. As the pack leaders, it's alright to make certain territories off limits to the animals. Buy the pets their own beds to sleep in, and keep the bedroom door closed so they can't have access. The cat's don't operate on a pack system, so closing the door is the easiest solution for them. Establish your boundaries and stick to them. And yes, gating the dogs in the kitchen during the day is a good first step toward eliminating the house accidents. Provide paper or puppy pads for them to use. If possible, you might want to consider adding a doggie door and just fencing a small area directly outside of it for the dogs to use. Many electronic doors come with special collar tags that will only open the door for the dogs who are wearing them. This would help keep the cats from escaping.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. It may take some time before you see the changes you want, but things should begin to get better if you remain consistent. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My dog will eat food off of our plates if we're not looking and take it out of my three-year-old's hand. She is always scavenging looking for food outside and in the trash. She ate a turtle yesterday. How can I stop her from doing these things? - Posted by: catwaller@live.com

Answer: Hi Cathy,

It's definitely time to teach your dog some better manners. She needs to learn boundaries. One of the first lessons in obedience training teaches your dog to ignore distractions like food and toys until you allow them to have them. This lesson can also be adapted to teach your dog that food plates are off limits. The additional commands taught during basic obedience will give you better control of your dog in all situations, so it is well worth enrolling your pet as soon as possible so you can begin reaping the benefits. You can locate class schedules at your local dog training school. You can even ask your instructor for specific tips to keep your dog out of the trash at home.

Good luck with the training. I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a five-month-old Puggle. I have had him since he was eight weeks old. He is great, loves his family and has been great to train. However, I noticed at a very early age that if someone walked by him on our walks, he would try to jump on them. He didn't do it for attention; he wanted to push them away. Now at five months, he walks by, but he will not let a stranger near him. He doesn't make any noises, he just runs from their hands or hides between my legs. I have tried picking him up and he fights me; I have tried touching the stranger and he doesn't care. He is a very friendly dog if he knows you, but I know enough to understand this could become aggression down the road if not handled. How do I get him to trust strangers? - Posted by: jacquelinesmith26@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Jacquie,

A little wariness of strangers is alright, but your dog is exhibiting some decidedly anti-social behaviors. You're right, you'll want to tackle this behavior now before it could one day escalate into more serious behavior.

The good news is that it is not too late. I highly recommend that you enroll your pet in a puppy socialization class at your local dog training facility. The purpose of this class is to accustom your dog to meeting other dogs and people in a friendly manner. Your puppy will learn that he has little to fear from such encounters, and his manners and fearfulness should greatly improve. Your instructor will also offer advice to improve your dog's current behavior. Once puppy class is completed, I also recommend that you follow up with a basic obedience course. This will help ensure your pet respects your postition as his leader and responds to your commands. I think you'll be very pleased with the results of both these trainings.

Thanks for visiting the site, and I hope this advice helps. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Annie, a female Lab, age four, has walked to her previous home on three different occassions. The previous owner lives about three miles from us, so we'll go pick her up each time. She seems to be content at our house, and we take good care of her. We have a one-year-old mixed male, Emerson, and they get along good. Annie is the dominant one, and Emerson doesn't seem to mind. She showed up as a stray at her previous owner's home, and she had her for about two years before she gave her to us. What would make her continue to go to her previous owner? - Posted by: solomonfamily@bellsouth.net

Answer: Hi Lisa,

My first inclination is that although Annie does sound happy at your home, she may miss her previous owner from time to time, and she likes to pay her a visit.

My second inclination is to ask if you're really sure about Annie's age, especially since she was a stray when the previous owner adopted her. It could be possible that she is older than estimated, and she may have a senior moment now and then that makes her think she still lives with her former owner.

All of that said, how does Annie know how to find her way between the former owner's house and yours? Three miles is a good treck, but is it possible you have made the walk together in the past? Really, dogs are amazing creatures.

The main problem with this situation is that Annie could become injured on one of her journeys. I would try to keep her contained to your yard to keep her safe.

Thanks for sharing you situation, and please give Annie a snuggle from me. She must be quite a girl. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a ten-week-old Chihuahua mix. She goes crazy when my grandchildren come over. She's constantly biting and jumping on them with her sharp nails and teeth. The children scream and cry the entire time they are here because she won't leave them alone. What should I do? - Posted by: SANDRASHAFFER1@COMCAST.NET

Answer: Hi Sandy,

There are a lot of things you can do to help ease this situation. Keep in mind that this is just a very young puppy. She hasn't learned the rules yet, but she is young enough to begin learning proper behavior before biting and scratching becomes an ingrained habit.

First, let's begin with those nails. My advice is to visit a groomer who can grind the overgrown tips down smooth with a nail grinder. This is much more effective than trimming them with a standard nail clipper that still leaves sharp tips. This way, the nails won't scratch the children and other surfaces in your home.

Now, let's talk about training. It's important that you begin establishing boundaries for proper behavior. I believe your best option is to begin by enrolling your pet in puppy class. Here, she'll learn how to socialize in a positive manner, and the instructor can show you how to dissuade the puppy from wild behavior and encourage the kind of calm behavior you really want. When your pup reaches six months old, you can enroll in a basic obedience class to finish the job.

It's also important to talk to your grandchildren about how to behave around the puppy. They need to understand that the puppy will react to their own excitement, so if they stay calm, the puppy is more likely to settle down. It will be up to you to tell the puppy "No" when she begins chewing on hands, remove her from the situation and offer her a chew bone so she can work out her teething urges in a positive manner. Be sure to praise her calmly when she uses the chew bone so she learns the right behavior.

In time, your puppy will grow up and settle down. These are just the early days, so you need to establish your expectations and be consistent so your little Chi learns one set of rules.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi Kelly, I have a five-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix. I take him for walks lasting an hour each twice a week. My mother takes him out the other days when I have to work. Anyway, when I let him off lead in an open field he has an unquenchable thirst to make my life miserable by running far away from me. He doesn't listen when I call him. I try to take him to parts of the field where he can't see other dogs because he puts so much effort into running miles across the field to bark and fraternize with other dogs (both male and female). I would love to let him off lead and let him roam free for an hour, but I just can't trust him enough to do this because I feel he might either hurt himself or others with his antics. Our family household isn't a volatile place. We never shout, we never fight and always give him plenty of food and attention. I just can't get my head around the fact that he wants to run away from me. Now my mother says that he does come back to her; he will run out far, look back at her and run back. Why can't he do the same for me? It would make life so much easier. Thanks you, and help! - Posted by: richard.freel@vertex.co.uk

Answer: Hi Richard,

There are basically two things going on here. First, your dog doesn't respect you as his leader and this is why he doesn't return when you call. He obviously does view your mother as his pack leader, so he's willing to come to her when called.

Second, it's not so much that your dog is running away from you as much as he's running toward something else that has peaked his curiosity. I have three JRTs myself, and there is likely no breed that is more curious and more determined to explore.

I think the answer to your problem is for the two of you to enroll in obedience training. Your dog will learn to respect and respond to your leadership, as well as learn a variety of commands that will make life easier in every aspect. Besides that, the classes are a fun way to spend time with your pet.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this suggestion helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a seven-year-old Beagle and Lab mix female dog. She's a great companion and well behaved. She does, however, have a couple of behaviors that I'm concerned about. First of all, she often "steals" shoes and/or clothing and hides them under the bed. She can spend hours under the bed. Once you try to get them, she will snap or even try to bite you. Second, she often nibbles on bed sheets or pants as if she was nervous or anxious about something. She's done both of these behaviors ever since she was a puppy, but now more than ever she is slowly moving our closet under the bed. What should I do? Thank you! - Posted by: veronicacoral@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Veronica,

To me, it sounds like your dog is bored and creating her own entertainment. To top it off, she doesn't feel like you're leading her, so she has decided to try to lead you in order to force the issue.

Bored dogs can get into all kinds of mischief, and they will choose whatever is easiest for them to get to. To begin addressing this problem, keep all of your shoes and other clothing in the closet with the door firmly shut. Next, close the bedroom door and make the room off limits for the time being. This eliminates this particular problem, but you'll still need to address your dog's boredom and leadership challenges or she'll just find something else to entertain herself with.

Exercise works wonders for adjusting a dog's attitude, and being a Beagle/Lab mix, your dog has a lot of energy to burn, even at age seven. She needs at least one good daily walk with you in control of the leash. This burns energy as well as re-establishes your position as her leader. Adding obedience class to your weekly routine will also serve both of these purposes. Finally, keep an assortment of dog toys and chew sticks on hand. You can rotate which toys you offer your dog each day so she doesn't get bored with any one toy.

Providing your dog with more exercise, mental stimulation and daily structure will go a long way toward rehabilitating her current behavior. If you're consistent, it should work.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and good luck! - posted by:Kelly

Question: I am being given a red-nosed Pitbull puppy, but I have been hesitant because of all the negativity I hear about them. However, I was told it's all in how you raise them. Do I have a legitimate reason to be cautious, or has the media just given these dogs a bad name? - Posted by: paquilaturner@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Paquila,

Taking on a Pitbull dog is a very big responsibility, and one that you should carefully consider. Although many of these dogs turn out to be wonderful family companions, many do not. The reports you see on TV about Pitbull aggression are not complete hype.

These dogs tend to become more aggressive after they reach maturity around 18 months old, especially toward other dogs. You need to establish loving dominance over them before this time in order to ensure their proper place in your family pack. This also means that every member of your household also needs to rank above the dog. Otherwise, you could be in for future challenges. Given the strength of these dogs' jaws, it could quickly turn into a dangerous situation.

Unfortunately, there has been a lot of indiscriminate breeding going on to provide animals for the fight trade. In my opinion, this has lead to uncertain temperaments in some bloodlines. I would be more suspect of a dog that came from the ocassional breeder who is only concerned with having animals for sale. Since you are being offered this animal for free, it's a good idea to ask why. Did no one else want the dog? Was it returned to the breeder due to temperament or training problems. These are just a few examples of the kinds of questions to ask before you decide to bring this animal into your home.

As for media perception of the breed, I have seen many reports of Pitbull attacks on the news. Most of these involve fighting animals that have escaped their owners and wound up attacking random strangers. However, there have been a few reports of Pits suddenly attacking an owner when the dogs have previously showed no sign of aggression whatsoever. Every situation is unique, but it does give you pause.

My best advice is to consider whether you'll be able to provide the socialization and obedience training this dog will need to have for the best chance of succefully fitting into your family. Additionally, I'd recommend having it temperament tested through your vet clinic or local dog training facility. In the end, only you can decide if this breed will be the right fit for your family.

Best wishes that things work out, no matter what you decide. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My sister has a very small dog, but I'm not sure which breed or mix. Anyway, Nippy's a very small dog, and she just had her first puppy. She is growling during the night and nipping at her new baby, making it yelp! The pup is only trying to find Nippy's nipple or nestle against her mommy! Is this normal behavior or is Nippy maybe not a good first time mommy? My sister does not know if she needs to do anything, or continue to leave the situation alone! Thanks for some better understanding! - Posted by: bevbat@comcast.net

Answer: Hi Beverly,

This behavior is concerning, but just how normal it might be depends on exactly how old the puppy is. It sounds as though Nippy doesn't enjoy motherhood, and may even feel discomfort when the puppy nurses. This presents a definite problem if we're talking about a new born puppy of less than two weeks old. However, if we're talking about a puppy of four to five weeks old, this could be Nippy's attempt to encourage weaning.

How well does Nippy take care of the pup overall? Does she allow nursing furing the day? Does she clean the pup and snuggle it close? If she's not doing any of these things willingly, she may be on the verge of rejecting the pup, and it may be wise to begin bottle feeding if the puppy is very young, as well as planning on weaning a little early.

My advice for now is to move Nippy's whelping box into your sister's bedroom at night. This will probably make Nippy feel more secure, and may help everyone make it through the night. My biggest worry is that Nippy might harm the puppy if left alone with it. I once had a Chihuahua bitch that didn't turn out to be a very good mother, and she actually savaged her puppy one day when left alone with it. I'm hoping my suggest will save your sister from the same type of heart break.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have an 11-month old Bulldog puppy. At random times for the past two weeks she'll sit down and move her head from side to side. While she's doing this she licks and bites at the air. If you call her name or pet her she will stop. She does this a few times throughout the day. She is a "free feeder" and this does not appear food related. She does seem to do this odd behavior more often in the mornings. She also gets hiccups (not related to moving her head from side to side). I wasn't sure if that could be related? Please help! - Posted by: jmhornung@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Jillie,

I'm not vet, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. The behavior you're describing sounds like a series of mini psychomotor seizures. The fact that you're able to distract your dog out of them would indicate they are very mild. Psychomotor seizures vary from typical Canine Seizures in the way they present. The event usually involves odd or unusual behavior, such as repeated circling, staring and barking at nothing, and even the kind of behavior you're witnessing in your puppy.

My best advice would be to keep a diary over the next two weeks, recording each event you witness by the the date and time, how long the episode lasts, and a description of the behavior you observe. Schedule an appointment with your vet, and take the diary and your dog in. The diary will show your vet the behavior is more than random, and the details may help your vet form a diagnosis and treatment plan, if indeed one is necessary.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the situation doesn't turn out to be anything serious. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a territorial cat. Would it be better to get a puppy or a full grown Sheltie dog in this situation? Should I even consider getting a dog? - Posted by: a_a5@tmail.com

Answer: Hello,

It can be tricky adding a new pet to the household, especially when there is already a pet in residence that has a strong personality such as your cat has. It's difficult to gage whether the new dog will be an alpha or a beta personality until you have had a chance to observe it for a while. An alpha will try to take control, while a beta is more passive and will usually just try to fit in without making waves.

As for your cat, she isn't bound by the same pack behavior we see in dogs. She will likely view any dog you bring in as a interloper on her territory, and this will definitely irritate her. She may respond with extreme aggression, or she may become very unhappy and hide away as much as possible. Neither situation is ideal.

If you have your heart set on getting a dog at this time, I would suggest that an older puppy or an adult Sheltie could withstand your cat's aggression better than a young puppy. There would probably be less chance of an injury. However, if an adult Sheltie wasn't willing to put up with territorial behavior from you cat, your cat could be seriously injured by the dog.

As you can see, this could turn out to be a very delicate situation. My very best advice would be to delay getting a dog until your cat has passed on. This way you can avoid upsetting your cat and still enjoy it fully. Afterward, you can have your pick of puppy or adult Sheltie without having to deal with any of these problems.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that everything works out, no matter what you decide. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My parents own an eight-year-old Bull Terrier that has started showing very territorial behavior. The dog has never exhibited this behavior before, but the other day she was sitting on on her favorite chair and when my dad went to pet her, she sprung up and growled and barked at him. My dad mentioned that when he approached her, she had her head down and was staring up at him without wagging her tail or lifting her head, but that the dog has done this before and has never attacked him. A similar incident happened at another time when the dog was sitting on the same chair. My dad is worried that he can't trust the dog and also mentioned that he is now a little apprehensive around her because he never knows if he can pet her or if she is going to attack him. He is even considering putting her down. Help. She is a great dog otherwise. Why would she suddenly show this kind of behavior? What can he do to correct this behavior? - Posted by: renee.olsen@credit-suisse.com

Answer: Hi Renee,

I'm sorry your family is experiencing this difficulty.

A sudden personality change can be a sign that a dog isn't feeling well. Dogs do instinctively try to mask illnesses as long as they can. Sometimes an undetected vision loss makes a dog feel startled when touched, and it may snap in response. Internal pain could also make a dog reflexively snap when touched. My best advice is to take your dad's dog for a physical to find out exactly what the state of her health is. You can also discuss the sudden behavior change.

Aside from any medical issues that might be in play here, from what you describe, the behavior seems attached to this particular chair. I would remove the cushion and check to see if your dog has some sort of treasure tucked away that she feels she's guarding. It could be a biscuit, a bone or a toy. For whatever reason, the dog seems to feel dominant over your father when she's in this chair, so you might want to make it off limits to her. It's important that your dad maintains his position as top dog in this pack. He needs to firmly give your dog a vocal "NO" command when she tries to buffalo him in this way. If he behaves fearfully and backs down, the dog will take it as a sign he has relinquished control to her. Under no circumstance should this dog be physically punished because it will only encourage more aggression. Even though she's being corrected, she still needs to be able to trust her humans won't harm her.

I know this seems like a very difficult situation, but I do believe it can be addressed without putting the dog to sleep, and that either through medical intervention or behavior modification your family can have their trustworthy companion back.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a litter of six Cairn Terrier Puppies. At eight weeks of age, the males have attacked the females. These are vicious attacks; teeth locking, head thrashing attacks. Each male has done it when near a female, although they had all been together up to this point. Now I separate the males from each other and the females. Is this a temperment issue to be concerned about? - Posted by: iriedog@verizon.net

Answer: Hi Rain,

To be sure, Terriers are naturally feisty, and they will scrap with each other from an early age. Sometimes these episodes can seem more severe than they truly are. Has anyone broken skin yet? If so, this make the behavior a bit more worrisome, although still not that unusual for Terriers. I have three myself, and it's not uncommon to find someone has a small sore from a skirmish.

Still, in order to evaluate exactly how serious your problem is, it would be good to ask a seasoned Terrier breeder to come observe your litter all together. An experieced Terrier person will be able to watch your puppies' behavior and let you know if it is more aggressive than normal. If so, I would continue to separate the pups, and consult your vet about what can be done.

Thanks for your question, and I truly hope your males don't have excessive temperament problems. It would truly be a shame to have this occur in otherwise healthy pups. Good luck. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My two-year-old mixed breed (Border Collie, Queensland and some hound) rolls her neck in feces from time to time. Help! - Posted by: Ladj2H@aol.com

Answer: Hi Linnie,

This isn't the first time I've heard of this behavior, and in fact, I had a dog long ago that would roll in poop from time to time. Basically, many dog authorities tend to believe the behavior is a left over instinct from the dog's wolf ancestors. Wolves typically roll in feces and dead carcasses for several reasons. One theory is that it masks their own scent so they can sneak up on prey easier. Another theory is that by rolling in the scent, they can use it to communicate to the rest of the pack that they've found food. There's also a sort of reverse scent theory that rather than trying to acquire the item's scent, the animal is trying to lay claim to the item by rubbing his scent all over it.

I won't kid you, this is a difficult habit to break. In my own case, I had to make it a practice to clean up immediately after my dogs were exercised. Not just on a daily basis, but each time they went out. Taking away the lure eliminated the problem. If your dog also rolls in feces when you take her out for a walk or to the dog park, you'll need to keep her on a leash for better control. The most delicate part of correcting this problem lies in the fact that you have to be very good at distinguishing whether your dog is sniffing around looking for a place to go potty or if she is about to roll in something she's found. A "No" correction given at the wrong time could confuse her and lead to house breaking problems later on.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this information helpful in getting the problem under control. Best of luck. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Dear Kelly, Currently we have four Jack Russell Terriers in our home. Two are mine and two are my son and his wife's. Here's the history. The first Jack Russell (Fritz) came to stay with us for four months while recovering from surgery. My son took him back and Fritz went to stay with my son's girlfriend who has Fritz's sister. Then comes along Jack Russell number two, Dex. He belongs to me and my husband. When Dex was 18 months old, along comes Tilly. She hass been a pistol from the beginning and is constantly biting and playing with Dex, but no vicious behavior. Well, five months after we got Tilly, my son and his wife moved in Fritz and his sister Cammie. All was well until recently when Tilly attacked Fritz several times, once leaving a puncture wound. After that, Tilly started being aggressively with Dex, her biological brother. The catalyst seems to be me. Whenever I am around Tilly won't let the other dogs near me so to speak. She even becomes aggressive to Dex if I am giving her attention and he comes up to us. Please help. Janet - Posted by: jl.richardson@verizon.net

Answer: Hi Janet,

Ah Terriers, don't you just love them? I happen to have three Jack Russell bitches myself, and life is never dull. Most of the time they get along quite well, but it is a Terrier's nature to be feisty, and scraps do break out occasionly. This has led to a few nips and accidental punctures, but this is actually typical for Terriers, even though it is disturbing for us.

Here's what I recommend. First, you must be firmer with Tilly when she becomes aggressive. Firmly tell her "No" so she gets the message that you neither like or approve of her behavior. Afterward, give her a time out away from everyone. She must get the message that her aggression is not acceptable. My next suggestion is that you begin having the entire crew spayed/neutered, and begin with Tilly. The lowered hormone levels will help mellow out the entire pack, but just remember that Terriers will be Terriers, and you won't eliminate the scrapping entirely.

Best wishes, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Question: As my pregnancy progresses, my two-year-old female cock-a-poo has had a complete turn around. She used to play and was a very hyperactive dog, but now all it seems like she wants to do is just sleep and cuddle. She does not like to play with us or our six-month-old puppy. It has become quite frustrating, and I dont know if it is because of me being pregnant or if it's because of the puppy. All I know is that I want my old puppy back because she was way more fun and a lot better behaved. Thanks, Christi. - Posted by: christinenjeremy@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Christi,

There seem to be a number of factors that are affecting the way your dog is behaving. Let me address them one by one.

First, puppyhood is fun, but it doesn't last forever. By two, your Cockapoo really should be settling down from those rambunctious puppy days and becoming a more mature companion.

Second, although she may be more reserved than she used to be, I think the change seems more prominent because you have the young puppy in the house. Try not to compare the behaviors of these two very distinct age groups too closely. Your Cockapoo is an adult now, so there's no harm in acting like one.

Third, it wouldn't be unusual if your dog was toning it down because of your pregnancy. Dogs are wonderfully intuitive, and your bitch can probably sense that you have a "litter" of your own on the way. The extra cuddling is her way of watching over you, and in her mind, of keeping you safe. You can learn more about this in our article Dog Behavior and Human Pregnancy.

Finally, there is a chance that an undetermined health condition could be making your dog feel reluctant to move. Dogs can develop joint problems such as arthritis and dysplasia. An early decline in activity, stiffness after laying down and refusal to jump and climb are early indicaters. That said, this isn't necessarily your dog's problem, but if you notice a combination of these signs, it would be a good idea to have your vet examine her.

I hope this has given you a better understanding of the changes your dog is going through. Try to accept her for the dog she is now, and enjoy her companionship.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My family has a seven-year-old male neutered Beagle. The way my new son-in-law is playing with the dog is causing a lot of conflict in our family. Starting with a calm dog, he plays using his hands to touch the dog, gently push or grab the dog in quick motions. As this goes on the dog becomes more and more excited and agitated. This continues until the dog is so excited that he is making a noise we have never heard him make before - a constant high-pitched half growl half bark sound. My son-in-law lets this go on for a a little bit longer and then stops. Could you please give your opinion on this type of play ? - Posted by: wmeranda@nc.rr.com

Answer: Hi,

Honestly, I don't think hands should ever be used to poke, prod or suddenly grab a dog. Anyone who does this is asking to be bitten. I also believe it's a passive/aggressive way to interact with an animal. There's no good reason to whip a dog into a whining frenzy. Try to make it very clear to your son-in-law that his behavior distresses you and ask him to stop it. There's really no reason he shouldn't comply. If you can't work it out, simply confine your dog to your bedroom whenever your son-in-law comes to visit.

Thanks for your question, and I truly hope you can regain some harmony in this situation. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: We have a five-year-old female Pitbull mix that we adopted from the pound at ten months old. She was found abandoned in a house in a bad area. She had no physical signs of injury or scars. She spent two weeks at an obediance training camp a month after we adopted her. She is very affectionate and submissive most of the time. I have two boys ages 3 1/2 and 7. She is very tolerant of them and, for the most part, as respectful of them as they are to her. When there are children over I usually put her upstairs because she likes to play and I don't want her to knock anyone over. I just think its always safer to remove dogs from excitable kids. The problem is when my 11-year-old niece comes over. My dog doen't mind her until my niece tries to pet her. My dog pulls her head back and looks unsure of her. One time my neice approached her from behind and my dog turned around quickly and snapped at her. She did not bite her, and when my husband corrected her she immediatey dropped to the ground and rolled on her back. If my niece ignores her, my dog eventually comes up to her and tries to get attention. It baffles me because a perfect stranger could come to my house and my dog is so happy to see them she runs and gets a toy and waits for them to play with her. They pet her with no problem. Half the time she rolls on her back when they are petting her. Would additional training help this situation? Everyone thinks my dog has a sweet disposition, but that incident really confuses me. Any advice? - Posted by: chrissie@big-events.biz

Answer: Hi Chrissie,

I think you've done well with the training so far, and I completely agree about putting the dog away when children come over. Some children don't know how to read a dog's signs, and both kids and dogs can become overly excited in that type of situation.

Let me ask, does your niece have a dog or cat of her own? Your dog may actually be a little uncertain of your niece if she's carrying the scent of an unfamiliar pet. The story of your dog nipping at your niece does give me cause for some concern, but it sounds like your husband handled the situation well, and did not let the aggression go unchecked. To be fair to your dog, many dogs will turn and snap when startled from behind. It's an instinctive reaction, although it certainly can't be allowed.

My opinion is that this was just a one time mishap, but you may want to discuss what happened with the training camp, and see if they have any specific suggestions for you.

Thanks for your question, and hopefully there won't be a repeat of the event. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My dogs bark incessantly. They bark at cars coming up the road, they bark when other dogs in the neighborhood bark, they bark at squirrels. The list goes on and on, and I am CONSTANTLY reprimanding them for barking. They also won't stop barking when someone comes inside my house, and they jump on them and have no self control. I am a dog person and have tried making them sit and holding them while letting people into the house - I live in a split level so people have to come up stairs to enter, and the dogs try to jump on them while they are coming up the stairs! It is really out of control - HELP! - Posted by: Andrealharper@comcast.net

Answer: Hi Andrea,

I truly feel your frustration, so let's see if we can figure this out. First, I think you need to enroll these dogs in obedience class right away. They definitely need to learn the sit-stay exercise. A basic obedience course would help you teach them better manners, and it would give you firmer control over their actions. I believe you'll enjoy the dogs more once this accomplished. I don't know exactly how many dogs you have, but it would be better to recruit helpers and take them all to class at the same time. This way they'll all be on the same page, and the untrained dogs will be less likely to drag the trained ones back into the unwanted behaviors.

Now for the nuisance barking. Since your dogs are completely ignoring your efforts to quiet them, dog shock collars may be necessary to get their attention and quiet the barking. These collars are very useful, but they absolutely must be used according to directions to be safe and effective. They come in different styles and you can choose from static stimulus or citronella sprays. Collars are even available in multi-packs.

I do want to caution you that these collars should not be used on dogs with health or mental problems, such as deep fear or anxiety issues. In such a case they would actually be abusive. From what you're describing to me, it sounds like your dogs are simply out of control, but if you are sure any of the dogs do have deeper problems, refrain from using shock collars.

Thank you for your question, and I really do hope that these suggestions are helpful to your situation. I would be interested to hear from you on how you progress with the training. Good luck! - posted by:Kelly

Question: Why is my dog licking everything from the floors, rugs, furniture, etc? He then wants to go outside , and then he will eat the snow and vomit. He is 14 years old. He is otherwise in very good health. His breed is Chow Chow. - Posted by: perchs@ummhc.org

Answer: Hi Sandy,

This isn't the first question I've had about a senior dog suddenly developing a compulsion to lick everything in site. The behavior might be related to a condition known as pica that might indicate a mineral deficiency. In some cases, the behavior is a sign of the onset of senility. Since your dog still seems normal in other respects, I think you may want to discuss pica with your vet.

As for the snow eating, I have younger dogs that can't resist doing that too, and it also makes them throw up. Try giving your dog fresh water right before you take her outside to see if she still goes after the snow when she's not thirsty. This habit could also be related to the pica.

In any case, a sudden personality change such as this is always a good reason to have the vet give your dog a check up.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I got a four-year-old female,spayed Lhasa Apso three months ago. I had taken care of her for three years when her people were on vacation, but when they had a child they gave her to me because she snapped at the child. Now that I have her all the time, she has become aggressive to my nine-year-old spayed Shih Tzu female, and attacks her if I give her any attention. She is jealous and protective of me. When they fight, the Lhasa is always the aggressor and I say "no" and put her in her crate for a few minutes and she is good for awhile. My sweet Shih Tzu is never the aggressor and is now very scared of the Lhasa and doesn't want me to pet her. I don't want to find another home for the Lhasa, but I hate to see my other girl unhappy. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you. - Posted by: judyknowles@q.com

Answer: Hi Judy,

You're dealing with two breeds that I am very familiar with. As a rule, Lhasas find it difficult to get along with other dogs in the home. They are quite territorial, and they will also challenge their human companions for the alpha position in the family pack.

To begin, I suggest you begin obedience training with the Lhasa right away. This should firmly establish you as "top dog" in her eyes. This should also make her mind you better when you scold her for her aggression.

If this doesn't bring about an improvement in her attitude, you'll want to consult a canine behaviorist to observe your Lhasa in her home environment. The behaviorist will figure out what is setting off the aggressive episodes and offer tips for changing the Lhasa's behavior.

Both of these suggestions will take time to carry out, but you need a more immediate solution to keep your Shih Tzu from getting hurt. I suggest purchasing a crate that is large enough for the Lhasa. You can let both dogs out together when you can fully supervise them, or take turns crating one of them when you can't. When you are busy, or you want to give one of the dogs one-on-one attention, you can confine the other dog to the crate with a nice chew toy.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have an 18-month-old Beagle mix that loves other dogs, and loves to wrestle at the dog park. He's very gentle and sweet. We thought bringing in a friend would be a good thing. So, we got a puppy, a "collie mix" that turned out to have some Pitbull in him. He is also very sweet, with a good temperament. Well, the dog and puppy do play a lot, they wrestle and run chase games with each other. The older dog wants everything the puppy has, and is good at letting him know what's his. I have two questions. 1. Is it OK to let them wrestle? We do see some over excitement with barking and teeth baring from the puppy. We break it off easily at that point, and send them to their "corner". They don't seem to mind. 2. How or when does the "mine" possessiveness end? I'm tired of giving toys or chew bones to both and still having them want what the other has? How do I deal with this? Thanks for thoughts - Posted by: heuglin@bellsouth.net

Answer: Hi Laurie

Since your new puppy is a Pitbull mix, you're going to need to watch for increasing aggression. This has been bred into Pits for generations now, and it makes them a bit unpredictable with other dogs. The aggression seems to become expecially pronounced from about 18 months old forward.

The "mine" stage never really seems to end, although some dogs do lighten up a bit. Others retain the possessive trait all of their lives. I suggest you pick up all the toys when someone is hoarding.

The best thing you can do in this situation is to continue to discourage rough play, and enroll both dogs in an obedience class. This may help you control the situation in the future should the aggression elevate to a problematic level.

Best of luck and thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My wife and I adopted a male dog from the Human Society about four months ago. He is somewhere between five and seven years old, and he is very sweet and always well behaved with people. Our problem is that he does not get along with other dogs, and it has become a big problem when we drive home to visit family. Our dog seems to have gotten more aggressive since we got him. He had a kennel mate in the Humane Society that didn't seem to bother him, but after we got him home (maybe a month later), he became bothered by other dogs when/if they jumped on him or got in his face. He also became aggressive if the other dogs come too close to us. Lately, he snarls and growls when ever he gets near another dog or puppy. We're just not sure how to handle this. Thank you for any advice that you can give. - Posted by: njwatkins07@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Nathan,

You may never know what your dog's life was like before he came to you, but the roots of his current behavior are probably back there somewhere.

I believe the quickest route to a solution would be to sign your dog up at a training facility. Be frank with the instructor that your dog is aggressive toward other dogs. As part of the initial evaluation, your instructor will decide exactly which type of training will benefit your dog the most. Socialization with other dogs will surely be part of that plan.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the training takes care of the problem. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I am visiting my sister and she has a dog female named Saba. I have already been here for five weeks, and the dog is still barking at me and ready to bite me if I come closer . She is very agressive and really doesn't like me. I don't know what to with her so she can start to like me. This dog is around two years old. The dog is very friendly to my sister and my mom, but not at all to me. I thought that after some period of time the dog would accept me, but looks like it won't. Any idea what to do ? - Posted by: mireczek37@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Miro,

Please don't think this too intrusive, but how well do you and your sister get along? If there is any animosity between the two of you, the dog may be picking up on it.

On the other hand, if you are very close, the dog may be expressing jealousy.

I'd also like to ask how your sister reacts when her dog is aggressive toward you. Does she step in and command the dog to stop it and behave? She is this dog's pack leader, so it is up to her to make the dog understand that the behavior will not be tolerated.

Once your sister lays down the law, you might be able to make friends with the dog by giving it some of its favorite treats. This will help Saba to begin associating you with good things. Hopefully when the dog relaxes you'll feel less fearful. Saba can sense this in you, and it probably makes her feel more aggressive.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these suggestions help. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, I emailed previously about our two Beagles, and I have another question about our male. We've had him for about three months and he's about two years old. He's always been the more timid of the two, but has seemed okay. He's very friendly and generally a mello dog, but he occasionally gets frightened and growls and barks at us. He doesn't bare his teeth or bite (yet), but I'm having trouble trusting him. It seems like the only time he does this is when he gets uncomfortable with one of us being in his face or near his head. For example, one time I was on the floor playing with him and all was fine. He was in my lap, and I had my face on the back of his neck. He was fine until I started playfully sniffing him. He growled, pulled back and barked at me for a few seconds. I told him "NO" and he eventually stopped and then came crawling back to me. That was a couple of months ago, but we still can't playfully sniff his neck. Then last night, he was sleeping on the couch and my husband kind of crawled over to him. He rolled over as if wanting his tummy scratched so my husband did so. Our dog was fine until my husband put his face down close to the dog and kissed him. He started growling and my husband said "NO" firmly a few times but the growling continue. So my husband made him get down off of the couch (against our pooch's will). When he got down he started growling, barking and backing away. He looked frightened and ran into our bedroom where he stayed for probably a half an hour. Then he came creeping out to us in the living room and has seemed fine since. We're not really sure how to break him of this, because it isn't an all the time thing. Any suggestions? Thanks! - Posted by: ewestly@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Erin,

I think your dog is a bit confused by your actions. Dogs are rather protective of their necks by instinct. When fighting, this is the area they seem to go for, the jugular so to speak.

Although neither you nor your husband meant any aggression toward your dog, it seems that the animal perceived your action in this way, and it frightened him. Coming from you, it also confused him because he obviously loves you.

Since he spent the previous two years with someone else, you may never know what caused him to become overly protective in the first place. It's possible another dog had attacked him around the head and neck in the past, or that a former owner disciplined him improperly.

I'm going to suggest that you refrain from the actions that cause your dog to become frightened and protective of himself. In dog language, one dog "posturing" over another dog on the ground in a submissive postion is basically perceived as agression. When you and your husband are above your dog with your head in such close proximity, it triggers much the same reaction. Try avoiding this position and see if it helps your situation.

Adoptive dogs often come to us with past issues, but they can be overcome with love and patience. Good luck. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, My husband and I adopted two beagle mixes (one male, one female) a few months ago from the humane society. They came into the shelter together and seem to get along great, but sometimes when our male has a toy or bone and our female gets close to him he growls at her. He doesn't growl at my husband or me, just her. And it's only sometimes. They often play together with the same toy, but are both possessive of toys when other dogs are around. Is this something that I can work out of him? If so, what's the best way to go about it? They are both around 2 yrs old and have not had any obedience training as far as I know. Thank you!! - Posted by: ewestly@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Erin,

This actually sounds like fairly normal behavior. The male only growls at the female over the toy, correct? No biting? If this is the case, a stern "NO" from you should be enough to remind him not to go any further.

It's also quite natural for your dogs to feel a bit possessive of their toys when other dogs come over. I suggest you pick up the toys and put them away while you have guests. This should eliminate that problem as well.

As for obedience classes, I am quite in favor of them. You and your dogs will learn all sorts of useful commands and exercises, plus, you will establish a healthy dominance over the dogs and become their natural pack leader. It's all good.

Congratulations on your double adoption, and I'm sure you're going to enjoy hose dogs for many years to come. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a nine-week-old Shiba Inu. How can I get him to stop biting? I understand that is how he plays with his liter mates, but my son is two, and I don't want either of them getting into a habit of being bit and retaliating in kind by pushing or kicking the biter. I was told to hold his mouth down by my sister-in-law who has a dog, but I find that Simba has been getting more agressive towards that action and getting more agressive with my son when he is being bothered too much. I am also trying to train the little one not to kick, hit, or poke while training the dog not to bite. It's a constant battle. - Posted by: yer_m_vue@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Missi,

It certainly sounds like you have your hands full. Shiba Inus aren't your typical family dogs, and they aren't the ideal companion for a two year old child.

Of course you need to protect your child from being bitten, but to be fair to the puppy, it's only natural to retaliate when she feels attacked or threatened, even though your child doesn't understands he/she is doing any harm. It's a precarious situation.

Here's what I recommend.

You need to keep your child and your puppy separated unless you can actively supervise them together. It would be helpful to gate the puppy into the kitchen or bathroom. You can let the puppy out for one-on-one time during your child's naps, after bedtime anytime he/she is occupied doing something else.
I also recommend that you enroll your puppy in a socialization class right away. This will put the two of you into a situation where you are the one in charge, and this should begin to teach your dog that you are the Alpha in the pack, and someone to be obeyed.

It will take a while to teach your little one how to be gentle with the puppy, but if you are consistent both your dog and your child will learn to get along.

Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, I have two female dogs, and they have been spayed. My alpha dog is a female Great Dane. The other female is Lab mix that is about half the size of my Dane. I adopted my Lab mix a little over three years ago when she was just over one year old. They had several little "spats" in the beginning, but the last few years have been peaceful. I recently fostered an eight-week-old puppy for about a week and a half. During that time, my girls started fighting. My Dane starts the fights and my Lab mix bascially defends herself. They have gotten into two big fights and one small one that I broke up quickly. Unfortunately, all these fights ended with my Dane bleeding from the face or ears (all relatively superficial cuts). The puppy has been gone from our house for a week now, but my girls are still on edge, and I am afraid a fight will break out at any time. My Dane is constantly "posturing" over my Lab mix. When I see her doing this I scold her and tell her to "cut it out." I'm also keeping them seperate from each other when I'm not at home, which hasn't been done in almost three years. Any suggestions on how I can get my girls back on track and stop fighting? - Posted by: greatdanegal78@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Courtney,

It sounds like the puppy's temporary presence upset the delicate truce your dogs had made between themselves. Every time a new dog is brought into the pack, even for a short time, it sends everyone else jockying for position.

It sounds as though you are trying to do the right thing by establishing your authority over your dominant Dane, but that she isn't quite buying it.

Since the fights have already progressed to blood-letting, I'm going to skip my usual advice and recommend that you bring a canine behaviorist into your situation. This is a dog training professional that is also well versed in canine psychology. His or her job is to observe your dogs together in your home environment and pick up on the cures that cause the aggressive behavior. Once this is accomplished, the behaviorist will work out a plan to modify the behaviors into something more acceptible.

I think this would be the surest and quickest way to a solution in your case. You should be able to find a canine behaviorist through your closest dog training establishment or phone directory.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My eight-year-old Lab was spayed before she was a year old, and she seems to be naughty in cycles. For example, she'll knock over garbage cans in our (fenced) yard, even if left unsupervised for less than an hour. We've noticed that this kind of behavior occurs in the first few days of each month. Is it possible that she suffers from hormonal surges, like a PMS? I would appreciate any insight - and advice for dealing with this that you can provide! - Posted by: sterner6@mahaska.org

Answer: Hi Molly,

No, I don't think this is due to monthly hormonal surges. She's already been spayed and regardless of that fact, dogs don't have monthly cycles like women do. They typically only come into Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding once or twice a year.

If her misbehavior really only seems to take place at the beginning of the month, perhaps you should take a look at your own schedule. Do you have a job or other activities that require you to be extra busy at the end of the month, or perhaps at the beginning of the next month? You may inadvertantly be paying less attention to your dog during this period and she may be acting out to get your attention. Try tracking your own schedule against her episodes and see if there is some sort of correlation between the two. If there is, you'll need to make a little extra time to spend with her even when you're busy.

Thanks, and I hope you find this suggestion helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Dear Expert, Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I have a four-month-old male Coton De Tulear. When I call his name he comes right away, but when I try to pet his head he pulls away. Lately, he's been also growling at my five year old daughter when she picks him up. We quickly tell him "NO" and he kisses her immediately. I honestly don't get it! I'm afraid that he'll turn out to be one of those fear biters. The pulling away thing is really bothersome. I hope you can shed some light on this little qwirk. Thank you so much, Lauren Erardy :) - Posted by: mpinc@cox.net

Answer: Hi Lauren,

Let's address the issues one at a time. First, your dog views himself as dominant over your daughter, and that is why he is offering those challenging growls. This could turn into a serious problem if the situation isn't corrected. I recommend that you enroll your dog in a puppy socialization class at the nearest training facility. Let the instructor know about the behavior toward your daughter. He/She will probably have your daughter do some on leash exercises with the dog to help establish her position over him in your family pack.

Now for the head issue. There could be a number of reasons why your dog pulls away when your hand reaches over his head. It is possible that someone hit him before he came to you. That would naturally make him a bit head-shy. He might also have a small vision problem that makes him feel nervous. This is something you should bring up to your vet at your dog's next regular check up.

Thanks for your question, and I'm sure you can work out this situation. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a seven-month old giant Alaskan Malamute who is giving me some problems with her mouth. She frequently takes my hands in her mouth, gently with no "biting", but it becomes very annoying. I keep telling her "no bite" and hold her mouth closed, but it only works occasionally. This tends to happen the most when I come home from work in the evening. Once I have been home for an hour or more she doesn't tend to do it. I am concerned because I have small grandchildren who want to play with her, but I don't want any unintentional "mouthing". When I tell her no, she talks back to me. It isn't really barking, but loud "noises" as though she is talking back to me. Any suggestions? Thanks,Pam - Posted by: highlandlass9@aol.com

Answer: Hi Pam,

You are on the right track by correcting your dog when she mouths you. Her vocal protests mean she's aware of your correction, but she doesn't want to accept it. So, this is a small dominance issue in play.

Seven months of age is a good time to begin obedience training. Even if your dog is otherwise well behaved, she'll be an even better companion once her training is complete. This will help you establish your place as the unquestioned pack leader in the house, which in turn should make her listen to your command about the mouthing. You can also rest easy knowing you'll have far more control over her actions when the grandchildren come over to play.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this advice helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Question: It's me again. I told you about my male Great Dane/Mastiff puppy. Well, I also have a ten-year-old male Rotweiler/Lab mix. I don't know if this is relevent to the question I am asking, but he has killed twelve groundhogs and two possums. I have had my puppy for about six months now. When I first got the puppy my rot mix, Pugs, wanted to kill him. Well, my dad and I broke him of that. Now, it seems like whenever the puppy passes by Pugs, he will growl at him. Pugs doesn't show his teeth or anything, and he dosen't do it all the time. He is getting a lot better behaved around him. However, I am wondering if he will he ever have a good relationship with my puppy? - Posted by: daveyare92@comcast.net

Answer: Hi David,

My best advice is to watch your dogs closely. The Rotweiler's behavior is very worrisome, and you and your dad will need to continue to reinforce Pugs' good behavior around the pup. This includes scolding him when he even offers to growl at the puppy. Otherwise, he may loose control and attack him. I'm not sure how old you are, so perhaps it would be best to let your dad handle this so you don't get caught in the middle of a dangerous situation.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My son had a [[German Shepherd Dog|German Shepherd]] that weighed 85 pounds. He left the country and gave the dog away. When he returned, he decided to get a [[Boxer Dog|Boxer]] that is adorable. My son contacted the lady with the Shepherd and she said she would let him have the dog back as long as she could have him back if my son decided to give him away again. The Boxer puppy is 16 weeks old and wants to play all the time, but the Shepherd gets very aggresive and shows his teeth. I am afraid he is going to hurt the Boxer, so what can be done so that this does not happen. - Posted by: laurenz0202@aol.com

Answer: Hi Lauren,

I understand the Shepherd is showing his teeth to the Boxer puppy, but is he taking other aggressive actions? So far, it sounds like the normal behavior of an adult dog that is annoyed with a boisterous pup.

What I actually suggest is giving the Shepherd a break from the Boxer so his patience isn't taxed to the limit. The good news is that the puppy is just about old enough to begin basic obedience training. This won't totally curb all of his excess energy, but it will give your son a little more control over him, and it could certainly help the situation between the two dogs.

All in all, this situation does have the potential to work out if your son can devote the time to training. If it doesn't, at least the Shepherd has a loving home to return to.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the situation works out for everyone. - posted by:Kelly