My late-teens stepdaughter has a 12-14 year old dog. He's a small dog (at least half chiuaua) that started life abused, then as a stray, and then grew up spending every moment of his young adult life at her moms side after being trained as an 'emotional support' dog. He's a very insecure dog. He starts fights with other dogs (usually as a result of interpreting their play as an attack) which results in him getting injured. He can't be very active for long before he gets tired and starts snapping at people. These problems make him unsuited to being an active teenager's companion. But he also has separation anxiety, and can't stand being left at home. He's s good and happy dog as long as she is home. He is a bad dog when he goes anywhere with her and/or is home without her. And she is the opposite of a homebody. What can be done for poor Mr Dog?
It's harder to educate old dogs but you can manage to improve the situation, but your stepdaughter should be willing ro go twice a week in a canine education center, if she can. Letting music and a clothe with your smell in his kennel can help. Don't touch, speak to your dog five to ten minutes before leaving, ignore him.
