Advice on Pets, Life, Love

Dear Dog Lady,

My girlfriend has a four-year-old male Chihuahua. He's very cute but he's the weirdest dog I have ever met. He isn't bonded to her, me or anyone else for that matter. He is scared to death of other dogs. If we bring him to the dog park he will cower in the corner or try and hide behind me or my girlfriend.

He doesn't respond to treats or praise and he doesn't like to be petted. He will come and jump on my lap only if I lie down on the couch. Even if he does jump on my lap he will never stay there for longer than 2 or 3 minutes. He'll play with his toys and his blanket but he doesn't fetch and he doesn't really respond to toys as a reward for good behavior.

My girlfriend brought him home when she was living alone and working a lot. At that time, she never should have gotten a dog. She left him home alone all day in a crate with pee pads when she went to work and never socialized him with other dogs for the first two years. He was never house trained and still pees and poops in the house. We're thinking of moving in together but I'm not sure I want to live with this dog. I would like to help him though. Any suggestions?

Robert

Dear Robert,

Yes, Robert, you can help. Devote yourself to house-training. The Chihuahua needs you, as you have clearly expressed your concern for the skittish innocent. The dog sounds like a scared, creature who has not been properly socialized, loved or trained. No wonder the little guy jumps on your lap. He senses a friend. The careless way the girlfriend has treated this dog should be a clear indication of how she could treat you.

Dear Dog Lady,

I have an 11-year-old Labrador retriever mix who thinks he is two. I also had my Basset hound of 13 years. He had to be put to sleep recently due to cancer. The dogs got along great. After the Basset died, I brought home a beagle pup and my Lab, Buford, didn't want any part of him. Buford would growl and try to bite him. I had to give the pup back because I didn't want Buford hurting him. Was he acting like this because the pup was also a male? I want to get another Basset female pup but I don't know how Buford will act. Please help.

Melinda

Dear Melinda,

This is one of those questions outside the wheelhouse of "Ask Dog Lady." You decline to mention whether these dogs are neutered or intact. If intact, there's every reason why the elderly Lab would be biting the Basset pup. If neutered, there's no reason why these two dogs couldn't get along, provided you introduced them properly. Same is true with Buford and the Basset female. You will, of course, make sure she is spayed.

"Ask Dog Lady" keeps a handle on canine matters provided all the players are on an equal playing field, which means every doggie is fixed for fair play. Please understand it is irresponsible not to spay or neuter your pup.

Write askdoglady@gmail.com.