Too Much of a Good Thing

Dear Mr. Smart T. Pants:

My humans have been home a lot lately and every time they feel the need to go outside they insist on taking me out for a walk. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good walk but it has gotten ridiculous. Sometimes they take me out - four, five, six times a day and even wake me up from a nap to go out. Now I am not a young puppy any more, so is there something that I can do to avoid them?

Sloopy from Passaic

Dear Sloopy:

I feel your pain. I think the humans think they are doing us a favor by taking us out for several walks. They think, “What dog doesn’t want to go for a walk?” And normally that is true. But there is what humans call “too much of a good thing”.

Here is my recommendation - when you see the leash come out or they ask you “Who wants to go for a walk?” - get out of there and hide. But here is the trick - hide in a location that makes it difficult for them to get to you. My favorite is in my crate. They have to bend down or even lay on the floor to get at me. Or you can try under the bed. And even though they will call you and call you, pretend that you do not hear them.

But remember, your humans are doing what they think makes you happy. So we just have to love them but outsmart them!

Mr. Smart T. Pants