Advice on Pets, Life, Love

Dear Dog Lady,

My gentleman friend owns a female golden retriever. He allows his dog to run free in the woods behind his home twice a day, at least. Since he cannot be beside her every minute, she manages to roll in deer droppings. He bathes her outside in every kind of weather to remove it.

I understand this is primitive dog behavior which I find repulsive. Since I only walk my dog (female mini poodle) on a leash in the city, she is under control at all times. I feel he should only walk his dog on a leash or let her run in non-wooded areas like a vacant baseball field.

Also, we have put these two female dogs together twice (once with a trainer) and it is not a good situation. Both dislike other dogs, meaning they growl at each other. I would like to make the relationship with my gentleman friend permanent, but the dogs hold us back. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Muriel

Dear Muriel,

Remember that old song standard,"Something's Gotta Give?" Even if you don't recall the tune, take the title to heart. Something's got to give: You.

Your gentleman friend is merely being a responsible dog keeper to indulge his dog with a healthy run in the woods and a roll in deer scat. Dog Lady knows, on the surface, this is disgusting. Still, nothing could bring greater pleasure to a golden retriever. Dogs love to smear themselves in stinky stuff. Yes, it's primal. There's nothing we humans can do to control the canine urge.

You shouldn't interfere in the relationship between a man and his dog. It's a different breed of togetherness than your bond with your mini-poodle. And you shouldn't worry about whether the dogs get along because what is most important is the budding romance between you and your gentleman. The dogs shouldn't hold you back from enjoying a permanent relationship if it's meant to be. Don't try to control what you can't.

Dear Dog Lady,

When we adopted our now 13-year-old mixed breed pooch, Cindy, she started biting anyone who came to visit. Our veterinarian thought she was trying to protect us because we were her new family. Here is what we decided to do: Train her. Every time she met a new person who came to our house, she had to sit down, lie down, roll over and let the new person scratch her belly. Then the new person gave her a treat. She very quickly stopped her aggressive behavior and did what was expected of her to get the treat. Any variation of this will work because it distracts the pooch from biting and gives her something pleasurable to do when she meets a new person.

Phyllis

Dear Phyllis,

What great advice - for your dog and your guests. You're a belly rubber after Dog Lady's heart. With our dogs, after all, distraction is the mother of reinvention. If you want your pet to do differently, you must offer an alternative course of action - and a reward (ie. treats, glorious treats). Good work! Your patience paid off in a better-behaved dog.

Write askdoglady@gmail.com.