Dear Dog Lady,
I've been reading your column for years. It always amuses me about what people expect from their dogs. As you say often, "our dogs are not robots." Yet, some people wonder why their dogs don't pee in the same place every day, or, heavens, dig in the couch for a chew toy, or chew the couch as if it's a toy. Dogs are the simplest and most complicated of creatures.
I was pleased therefore to hear the news from various sources this week that pet adoptions are way up during the pandemic. It was the first good news I've heard in months. Makes perfect sense for people to want a shelter dog or a cat to shelter in place with them. Wouldn't you agree?
—Rhoda
Dear Rhoda,
Yes, yes, a thousand times YES! People are home. They have the time to train a dog and spend time with the pet. Dogs transcend all the bad news out there. They are ports in the storm.
Currently, Dog Lady's dog looks like a shaggy moppet because he hasn't been able to go for a hair cut in weeks since his expert groomer Becky at BYOD in South Boston has not been taking clients, as have many other hair salons — for people and pets. A dog in need of a shave and a haircut is a small problem compared to everything else going on in the world. May all your dogs be safe during this crazy time.

Dear Dog Lady,
I adopted Lovey, a six-year-old Maltese, from a local rescue group. She has many issues. She barks fiercely at moving cars, school buses, joggers and other dogs on the street. She only eats her food alone in the kitchen and looks over her shoulder to see if anyone else is in the room. She is food aggressive.
She is very sad and hides in corners all over the house. She curls up in a ball like a cat. I do crate her when I leave the house. When I come home, she shows enthusiasm and pleasure to see me. She wags her tail and runs all over the family room like a creature possessed. This sort of gives me hope that things could improve. I discovered that she came from a home of divorce where there was lots of shouting. I am a vibrant senior and live alone.
—Frances
Dear Frances,
Lovey sounds like a love. The dog never got the advantages of a calm home and keepers who were willing to train her. She still recovers from all that chaos. Lovey needs a routine. Try to do the same things with her every day at the same time (more or less) such as walking and feeding. Dogs are creatures of habit. Because you're a vibrant senior, pounding the pavement with Lovey will be good for you too. Also, getting out will help her adjust eventually to all the post-pandemic bustle in the street -- the joggers, buses and other dogs. Socialization with other people and dogs makes her healthy.
Her food aggression is most troublesome. Yet, as long as she keeps eating at the same time in the same protected place she may overcome her fear. Give her a secluded corner to retreat. She needs her space and the more peacefulness and security you give her, the more she will come around.

Write: askdoglady@gmail.com.