pet peeves

Readers, I need your help! Here's a question submitted by PetSugar reader vivalacara in the Pet Peeves group:

I love my new dog, Asher. My best friend almost ran him over on a busy highway and got out and called to him. He ran right up to her, and as he got close she saw how dirty he was. He had over 30 ticks, the size of quarters, he was so dirty! She cleaned him and got rid all of the ticks. We decided that Asher had to have had a home when my friend found him, though, because he was well fed, and was wearing a collar (which was too big for him and old). She gave him to me and I fell in love immediately.

He has all of his shots now and is healthy, but one problem . . . he is SO abrasive! He wants to be on my chest at alll time. I have to literally lay with my hand on him, pushing him away as he puts all of his weight on it. I give him lots of love but he always wants more. He is just so attention- and love-hungry because he has been ignored all of his life. Any suggestions on how to calm him down a little? He isn't neutered yet, maybe it will get better when I get him fixed. Let me know what you think!

Remember we're here for you, too! Share your tips in comments, then submit your own burning pet questions in the forum or vent about problems in the Pet Peeves group, too.

After Reese Witherspoon said she went out with a guy who corrected her grammar on a first, and last, date (who would correct Reese Witherspoon's anything?), I asked what your first date pet peeves were. From the too casual (letting you pay) to the overzealous (squeezing in the same side of a booth), here are your 10 first date no-nos.

• Not having suggestions when he's doing the asking
• Sitting on the same side of the table
• Taking up an offer to pay or split a check
• Checking his phone more than once or twice
• Suggesting a chain restaurant
• Chewing with his mouth open
• Asking to meet somewhere, rather than pick you up
• Talking negatively about anyone, be it an old girlfriend or people passing by
• Trying too hard (i.e. going to a ridiculously expensive restaurant)
• Talking about himself too much, especially while saying "it's all about you"

Have any to add?

Uh oh! Here's a question submitted by PetSugar reader jchild in the Pet Peeves group:

My dog doesn't really like getting brushed and by doesn't like I mean runs away at the first sign of a brush! Unfortunately his fur tangles really easy, so I was thinking rather than chasing him around the house with a brush, I would just occasionally trim his fur. Does anybody trim their own puppy's fur and have any tips or tools that they just love?

*Isn't he such a cutie!

Remember we're here for you, too! Share your tips in comments, then submit your own burning pet questions in the forum or vent about problems in the Pet Peeves group, too.

At a press conference for her latest rom-com, How Do You Know, Reese Witherspoon revealed a first-date dealbreaker: correcting grammar. "I had someone correct my grammar on a blind date once," she said, "and I knew within the first 10 minutes that the date was over."

Fair enough! I give guys I like generous margins of error, which has not worked in my favor, while I'll ask other guys to pack their knives and leave for choosing a bad restaurant (and thinking it's good). What small thing made you certain a first date would be the last?

If you've got problems, we've got answers. Along with the fabulous PetSugar Community, I'll be offering solutions to all your pet peeves and other animal-related dilemmas.

We've already tackled a bunch of tricky situations together:

So what do I need from you? Why, the pressing issues, of course. To get in on the conversation, pose your questions to the Pet Peeves group, and I'll select ones to feature on the site as they come in! Problems solved.

Source: Flickr User blmurch

This question was posed anonymously in our Pet Peeves group:

I recently moved into a new apartment and the tenant below me has complained that she can hear my dog walking around. His nails have been cut and he weighs 14 pounds. She had also complained that she can hear me walking in the past (although I don't wear shoes indoors) and I'm worried that this will be grounds for eviction. We have hardwood floors of which 80% are covered with rugs or furniture per our lease agreement. I can't figure out how to make this situation better so she leaves me alone. I'd understand if my dog was barking or something like that but it isn't the case. He is crated during the day so this complaint only comes from when I am home. Do you think I could get kicked out over this? Can anyone help me please?!

Lend a hand to this frustrated pet owner! Share your tips in comments, then submit your own burning pet questions in the forum or vent about problems in the Pet Peeves group, too.

This post comes from member gunrock in the Pet Peeves group — can you help?

Our dog Riley is about a year old. We got him when he was around 3 months old. Here are the issues we are having with him and continue to have with him even though he has been through training:

• He was getting food aggression — he would growl when anyone came near him while he was eating. We fixed that by hand feeding him and this seems to have helped. We do not allow him around our food at all and kennel him up when we eat because he won't leave the food alone.
• Toy possession — he gets in these moods when he finds a toy he likes he won't give it up and has a death grip on it and will try biting it back if you take it away. He can't have this Kong toy (toy you put treats in) because of this or he growls if anyone comes near him. We have also worked on this but probably should work on it a lot more than we have.
• Whenever anyone comes near him to get something from him be a kid's toy, shoes, etc. he tries biting to get it back (play biting) hasn't really ever left marks only a few times when the person tries snatching their hand away and they get scraped from his teeth. We were told to give him something before you take the thing away so he doesn't try getting the toy back which we usually do.

Learn the rest and offer your suggestions when you read more

Q: I'm doing an apartment purge and trying to figure out what to do with my pup's unused or gently worn toys. Can I wash and donate them to a shelter? Help!

A: First off, it's so great that you're thinking of other animals in need! You'll have to check with your local shelter as some will accept pet toys and others will not. If you are planning to donate, don't give any heavily used, ripped, or otherwise ruined toys. (Remember, if your pup discarded it for a missing squeaker, chances are so will the next pup.) Review my tips on how to clean dog toys of all kinds, get them fresh, and you're good to go.Typically, I've seen more hard toys in shelters than plush — for an aforementioned destruction factor — so think Kongs and balls of all types to start.

If any of you have experience donating toys, please share what you offered up in the comments below, and don't forget to pose your own problems or questions in the Pet Peeves group when you're done!

Flickr User: MShades

Rainy days go away! Not only does the wet stuff totally annoy some pets, it can be harmful, too. Check out this message about a three-year-old blue American Pitbull:

We rescued Diva at seven months old, and she had already had her ears clipped. It was a chop job to say the least — the problem now is that she is getting gunk in her ears when we walk, especially in the rain. I am looking for something to protect her ears and not block her hearing.

To see my advice, and offer your own, read more

I asked recently: what are your wedding pet peeves? Well, you gals had a lot to say! I rounded up the 10 best of the worst annoyances that you have dealt with during wedding season.

1. A disorganized bride — idanceinmycar
2. Having weddings on holiday weekends — Anonymous
3. Making guests wait an hour for the bride and groom to show up — danakscully64
4. The "dollar dance" — sarasonne
5. Female guests who wear white — vertes
6. Being stuck sitting next to strangers at the reception dinner — chloe bella
7. Forcing involvement in the bouquet toss — tlsgirl
8. Awkward speeches — PontNeuf
9. Weddings that are too "prom-like" — lucyinthesky1130
10. And finally, judging other people's weddings — lilkimbo

If you are planning a wedding, already happily wed, or still looking for Mr. Right, start sharing your big day with our community. Don’t forget to check the wedding content box on your post.