[Elana55]

I would be quite tempted to board the woman at a kennel and work at training the dog.......

Poodles are the smartest dogs you can imagine. They also have a bad reputation due to owners like the one you describe. The human medications could easily make him very sick and tick born illness is bad too. I assume the 5 pills a day she gives this dog are veterinarian prescribed.

Is the dog's owner mental? perhaps. One thing is for sure, she is creating one psychotic dog and if you stay there with this going on it will start to get to you too......

I sure hope your BF is worth going thru all this with his parents!

[squirmyworm]

Originally Posted by Elana55

I sure hope your BF is worth going thru all this with his parents!

I second that...

Since you're moving out soon (and I'm assuming the dog isn't coming with you) I'd settle on doing two things before you left. First, if you can, get that dog a crate and do your best to try and crate-train him before you go. At least then he won't have to stand on a stool, terrified, when they want him out of the way. That's just a disaster waiting to happen. Instead, he can go into his crate where he feels safe, and maybe he'll have a place to hide when "Mom" starts harassing him.

Second, get your boyfriend's parents some kind of dog psychology or training book(s), more than one if you can. Perhaps they'll heed the words of experts. There's no guarantee that they'll read it or put it to use - that's their choice. However, at least you will have given them the resources to start on the right track. That would put my mind at ease; hopefully it will yours.

Good luck!

[Love's_Sophie]

This dog needs someone who will not only give him a job, but take the time to involve the entire family in his training.

You say this dog is only walked 10 minutes a day? In my experience most poodles have lots of energy, and it sounds like alot of his issue is plain old boredom.

He also sounds like a very non-confident canine and so really does need structure and consistancy, otherwise none of he behaviors will change.

It's his humans that need to change first, however, otherwise the dog will remain the fearful unsure canine he is. Maybe they need to encounter Victoria Stillwell??? Lol!