I'm babysitting a friend's dog (female dog), and she's hysteric. She keeps crying by the door, trying to run away.
What are the best ways to calm her down and make her feel more relaxed alone, away from her owner?
Thanks MeFi.
posted by lipsum
on May 20, 2013 -
10 answers
When we first got our dog, Brandy, we didn't even know she *could* bark because she never barked. Now that she's come to realize this is her forever home, she's bound and determined to let everyone and anyone know it, so she barks at
everything.
[more inside]
posted by patheral
on May 6, 2013 -
68 answers
I'll be in Cambridge for a few hours tomorrow with my dog and am looking for some places to enjoy together.
[more inside]
posted by atayah
on Apr 26, 2013 -
0 answers
I am heading to London for a few days in June, and I need a hotel to which I can take my 10kg dog. Requirements: 100-200 pound a night; near, or within easy public transport to, UCL; green space nearby (for the dog). The internet does not seem very good for this, as some of the hotels that *say* they accept dogs put restrictions (like, must be under 5lbs (!)), and a lot of the information online is old or incomplete.
Does anyone know of such a hotel in London, and is certain they'll accept a 10kg dog?
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike
on Apr 16, 2013 -
4 answers
I often give my dogs roasted beef "soup bones" straight from the butcher, the kind with marrow in them. After an evening's worth of undivided attention, they are stripped down to the bone and empty inside. What can I do to turn the hollow bones back into treats?
[more inside]
posted by mireille
on Apr 12, 2013 -
30 answers
I am worried about my dogs adjusting to an apartment, is it a good idea to send a "hey, sorry if they're noisy, we're working on it! Please let me know if you have a complaint!" letter around to my immediate neighbors upon arrival? If it IS a good idea, any suggestions for wording?
[more inside]
posted by HermitDog
on Apr 7, 2013 -
20 answers
I can't meet my dog's needs anymore, now that I have two young children. What should I do?
[more inside]
posted by Amity
on Apr 6, 2013 -
29 answers
We have a cat and we'd like to add a beagle to the family but are wondering if the two would get along. I understand a beagle is a hunting dog and might see the cat as something to track and, well, hound. Any stories here?
posted by xmutex
on Apr 6, 2013 -
19 answers
My dog has bone cancer, and spends most of his time gimping around on three legs due a gross tumor on one of his hind legs. He's already a pretty striking dog (obligatory photos
here and
here and
here), so people already often stop to talk to me about him and comment. Now, he has a very pronounced three-legged gate, and people comment on that too. I'm having a hard time dealing with explaining to people "he has cancer" multiple times a day, and watching their faces drop. Any suggestions as to how I can handle this better so I don't ruin my own and other people's day by making everyone think about awesome dogs dying?
[more inside]
posted by Grandysaur
on Mar 28, 2013 -
19 answers
I super love my 4-year old German Shepherd, but his desire to work/have a purpose has not waned with age, and I feel like he would be so much happier in life if I could help him find that purpose. His favorite thing on earth is playing fetch, but I know I can give him more than that. Suggestions?
[more inside]
posted by corn_bread
on Mar 26, 2013 -
11 answers
We were cleaning up out back for a cookout, and I spotted
this little guy. Does anyone know what kind of snake this is? My guess was that it was not poisonous based on the head shape, but I don't know if that rule applies to baby snakes as well. More inside.
[more inside]
posted by Quincy
on Mar 16, 2013 -
8 answers
I recently adopted a three-year-old foxhound--a rescue. She's sweet tempered and gentle with people and other animals. But I have two huge problems.
[more inside]
posted by byjingo!
on Mar 5, 2013 -
14 answers
The internet is full of lame gimmicks, wannabe dog whisperers, and advice on crating. Help me housebreak my poor, dumb, dog for real.
[more inside]
posted by littlerobothead
on Mar 4, 2013 -
20 answers
If anyone recognises this story, please can you tell me the author? I think the story is about five years old. An ordinary man with low self-esteem is dumped by his beautiful intelligent accomplished girlfriend. She gives him a dog as a pity present, with a snide subtext that the dog is better than he is. Gradually through caring for the dog, a magnificent Alsation, and taking pride in it, the man recovers his self-esteem and becomes sought-after. It's a story that feels as if it has a lot of undercurrents and as if it's not as simple as it looks: in some way the dog stands in for the guy, or represents the guy or becomes a totem for him. Or something.
posted by glasseyes
on Mar 3, 2013 -
3 answers
Where's a great place to take my dog hiking this weekend that's 1-2 hours from Lodi, Calif.?
[more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul
on Mar 1, 2013 -
4 answers
My friend's two shepherds were recently killed by an unknown predator. The vet thinks they may have been killed by coyotes. Is it possible for a necropsy to determine what type of animal killed them (eg. coyote, bear, cougar, bobcat)?
posted by Minos888
on Feb 26, 2013 -
8 answers
Is it possible to teach a dog the concept of time, or at least to read a clock?
posted by Query
on Feb 13, 2013 -
15 answers
My puppy does not want to go through the door at doggy day care. Is there any likely explanation other than she just doesn't want to go there?
[more inside]
posted by dilettante
on Jan 16, 2013 -
19 answers
Can you give me examples of public statues of historic, individual animals? (eg. statue of Balto the famous sled-dog, in Central Park in NYC.)
[more inside]
posted by Flood
on Jan 9, 2013 -
50 answers
I love my dog. Every once in a while, I feel utterly heartbroken that I will most likely outlive him. While it doesn't happen often and it's not overwhelming, and I realize that it is perfectly natural to be sad about something like that, can you give me advice about how to turn these thoughts into something positive?
[more inside]
posted by halogen
on Jan 7, 2013 -
42 answers
My small dog has turned progressively aggressive, mostly towards bigger dogs. What could have caused this and what can I do? Halp!
[more inside]
posted by Sal and Richard
on Jan 5, 2013 -
10 answers
Where can myself, a friend, and our dogs go for a sweet overnight trip near LA next week? We'd like to do some hiking and some casual beer drinking, and we'd like to be able to get a cheap hotel room and not drive more than 3 hours or so. Also, although we're both in good shape, his dog is 12 years old and mine is a wimpy shih tzu so the hike should be fairly easy and would ideally have some access to water. I think it's too cold to camp, but if there's somewhere warmish we're open to that. Lay it on me, mefi!
posted by justjess
on Dec 21, 2012 -
7 answers
What are some good dog boarding/kennel services in Seattle (or, even better, on the Eastside) that will know how handle my sweet but incredibly nervous and poorly socialized dog?
[more inside]
posted by iamfantastikate
on Dec 14, 2012 -
13 answers
After doing tons of breed research and visiting shelters and rescues, I have finally found the write dog for me. I purchased a miniature dachshund from a reputable breeder in my hometown. She is only three weeks old right now, so I have five weeks to prepare for her arrival in my home. I do have a few questions that I hope Mefites can help me with.
[more inside]
posted by SkylitDrawl
on Nov 27, 2012 -
17 answers
We need your advice about a neighbour’s rambunctious dogs! The house beside us is a rental and the new tenant has 3 big german shepherds. Today, the dogs managed to break a board in the fence that separates the two backyards and they can now poke their heads through the fence. It’s our fence and it’s built on our property, just over the property line. Help me be rational in dealing with this problem.
[more inside]
posted by TorontoSandy
on Nov 20, 2012 -
13 answers
What is a good flashlight that is small and light enough to clip to my dogs leash yet strong enough to identify where he poops when it's dark outside?
posted by lirael2008
on Oct 9, 2012 -
13 answers
My husband and I believe in being responsible dog owners, now the situation has changed and we're not sure how to continue doing what's best for our dogs. Complicated details (e.g., our long distance marriage) inside.
[more inside]
posted by blue_bicycle
on Sep 26, 2012 -
17 answers
Aside from crating her, is there any way to keep our dog from pooping on the carpet while we're gone during the day?
[more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul
on Sep 25, 2012 -
27 answers
I've been a cat person all my life. I don't like dogs in general--most strike me as bothersome. I've come across the occasional dog I like, but I've never had to care for one longer than four days, at its own house. Now I'm in the unexpected position of considering getting a dog.
[more inside]
posted by Yoshimi Battles
on Sep 25, 2012 -
55 answers
I want to train my dog to stay, come, and heel (or, "come in closer, but you don't have to come right up to me"). How do I do this?
[more inside]
posted by jsturgill
on Sep 24, 2012 -
12 answers
Help us fine the right dog for our son and family, who has a few specific requests and a few special needs.
[more inside]
posted by rumposinc
on Sep 23, 2012 -
39 answers
Please help me assess and mitigate the risk to my dogs from bowhunters during deer season.
[more inside]
posted by Mngo
on Sep 17, 2012 -
16 answers
My neighbor's dogs wake me up at all hours of the night barking. It is taking its toll on my well being and capacity to work. It's actually a big big problem that is not fixed by ear plugs and multiple sources of white noise. I am literally surrounded by white noise.
The big problem? I'm fairly certain they are drug dealers. I have tried to handle the noise in a low key straightforward manner, acting as if they wer not drug dealers. Someone tipped off the landlord though about the barking and they blame me for "tattling".
[more inside]
posted by KoiPond
on Sep 14, 2012 -
54 answers
My dog "chews" bed sheets. She leaves no holes, which is why I use quotation marks. She sits on the floor close to the bed and nibbles with her front teeth on the edge of the bed. She's done this for years; she's an eight year old pit bull. Does anyone know why she does this?
posted by Kazimirovna
on Sep 5, 2012 -
11 answers
We have a rescue dog, about 1.5 years old. She is our second dog. The other is about 5 years old, also a rescue. The problem we are having is that the younger dog pees on our bed. Further exciting details inside.
[more inside]
posted by trixie_bee
on Aug 13, 2012 -
8 answers
I can make a new dog every day with the amount my dog sheds. Any solutions for dog shedding?
[more inside]
posted by malhouse
on Aug 13, 2012 -
15 answers
My little dog has bladder stones. Can you answer a couple of questions to help us get through this with dietary treatment alone?
[more inside]
posted by Countess Elena
on Jul 26, 2012 -
4 answers
Can someone recommend a good boarding kennel in London? We will be leaving the country for about two weeks for a visit home, and need to find a place for the pets while we're away.
[more inside]
posted by jonobarel
on Jul 24, 2012 -
2 answers
In the wake of a
recent hoarding incident in Pennsylvania a local shelter has a large number of chihuahuas who will soon be needing permanent homes. I have previous experience dogsitting a family member's chihuahua for long periods of time so I know how to take care of adults, but some puppies are also available for adoption and I think that might be a rewarding experience. Everyone in the household has experience with dogs, but we have not raised a puppy. I was wondering if you could link me to the best guides for what to expect and how to raise a puppy, and specifically for the unique challenges of a chihuahua puppy.
[more inside]
posted by furiousxgeorge
on Jul 22, 2012 -
4 answers
NameMyDogForTheMillionthTimeFilter: On Saturday I'll be bringing
this guy home from the shelter. He's incredibly shy and distrusting of humans. What shall I call him?
[more inside]
posted by Roman Graves
on Jul 16, 2012 -
81 answers