Dear Dog Lady,
My dear brother had a Jack Russell terrier, Rusty, who was the love of his life, aside from his wife and kids. I love my bro, but he was a very irresponsible dog owner. He prided himself on Rusty's fierce misbehavior and her anti-socialization. He never trained her and encouraged her to be crazy. She was hopelessly devoted to him. When Rusty died last year, he was lost until he got the chance to adopt a rescue Jack Russell named Sunny. Sunny couldn't be more different from Rusty. She's mild-mannered, likes all people and other dogs, and doesn't bark. I love visiting them now. I can tell my brother wants Sunny to be Rusty so he urges her to bark at strangers and growl at other dogs. But she's a lover not a fighter. How can I advise my brother to let Sunny be the dog she is?
Louise
Dear Louise,
There is no harm here. It is so much harder to train a good dog to be bad than a bad dog to be good. And, let's face it, your brother is a lousy trainer. He needs time to get over his loss of Rusty. And, true to her name, Sunny will eventually lure your brother over to the bright side.
Dear Dog Lady,
I have a two-and-one-half pound Chihuahua that is very sweet and very good. Since the day I brought her home at eight weeks, she has always used a wee-wee pad and never had an accident. I think that is amazing! And I also like the fact that she uses the pads, because I don't have to be tied down to walking her.
My problem is that my boyfriend says that in order to live together (which would be in his house), I need to train the dog to go outside. I am finding this very difficult. I bring the wee-wee pads outside and try to use positive reinforcement (verbally, no treats) but she holds it in, no matter how long I keep her out, until we go back inside and then she uses the pad inside.
How do I teach my tiny dog how to use the bathroom outside? (I'd rather teach my boyfriend that it is to our benefit for the dog to use the wee-wee pad.)
Debra
Dear Debra,
Your boyfriend has the correct idea about what it means to live with a dog. He doesn't want his home to become a pee palace when you and the Chihuahua move in. He has every right to demand you train the dog properly
Don't be lazy about taking your pet outdoors for eliminating and socializing. Use teeny treats (bits of dried liver chunks work magic) whenever your Chihuahua performs. You should crate train your dog until she learns the difference between outside and inside. If she's as smart and good as you say, this tiny dog should have no trouble learning a huge lesson.
Dear Dog Lady,
A dear friend from the dog park is finally taking the big step and separating from her husband. She's been unhappy in the marriage for awhile. She's moving hundreds of miles away. I thought the dog would be staying behind with her husband who also comes to the dog park but today I learned the dog, Tizzy, is going with her.
My own dog whimpers with joy when he knows Tizzy's around. He loves seeing her. He chases with Tizzy and explores with her around the park. This morning, we had to say goodbye. I felt on the verge of tears for my dog and me. Tizzy is such a big part of weekly routine. Will my dog notice Tizzy's absence? Do dogs have friends?
Laura
Dear Laura,
Dogs are friends for life; humans not so much.
Dogs remember canine compadres whose posteriors they have sniffed and allowed sniffs back. They can easily return to a roving relationship even after the alliance has lain dormant for a while. Dogs are social creatures. We should do everything we can to encourage them to pal around with other dogs because their hearts and souls are truly with their own kind.
Canines are also wonderfully elastic when it comes to moving on. Your dog might look for Tizzy in the dog park but he will happily play with any other dog that shows interest. Although there are incredible stories of dogs mourning and missing each other, your dog has you - and a plethora of other opportunities at the dog park. Tizzy will be a happy blast from the past whenever the two dogs come together again.
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