Other columns:   What to do with our dog when we are away for an extended period. Dogs problems with new baby coming. Westie growls at other dogs and barks at the door. Dogs sleeps with me in bed and pees in the bed Dog is not toilet trained Dogs growls at me when I wipe his feet or cut his nails Lab marks parked cars Dogs has fear based issues German Shepherd nervous around strangers Dog bite, barks, and does not sleep My dogs is very timid and afraid of men My dog runs off when taken off leash in the park Dog is afraid of garbage cans What to do about humping Panic attacks around strangers Food and aggressiveness Peeing problems Dogs and rawhide chews Your dogs plays tug of war with it's leash Your dog will not eat properly Growling and snarling in the dog park Your dog pees when excited Your dog messes when in the crate Bad behaviour when your dog is leashed Dogs snapping at children Your dog roams the neighbourhood when let out The older dog and the new puppy What to do as your dog ages When your dog "mounts" everything in sight Dogs and howling Male dogs lifting their legs and being aggressive Your dog barks too much at other dogs When your dog is too timid and afraid When your dog is afraid of something on the street When your dog is too possessive about toys When your dogs fight with each other Your dog jumps up at people When your puppy bites too much Your dog will not come when called Your dog and skunks! When your dog growls at you When can you take your puppy to the park? Your dog and barking Adding another dog (or cat) to your household Pesticides, chemicals, your garden, and your dog Keeping your dog safe at the cottage When your dog is bitten by another dog The dog digging in your garden The dog peeing in your garden Dentistry for canines Moving and your dog When you cannot take your dog to work anymore Dogs in small houses and apartments Coats and booties for your dog Exercising your dog "inside" during the winter Jogging with your dog Helping your dog lose weight Keeping your dog safe at Christmas Keeping your dog stress free during the holidays Traveling with your pet       April, 2010 My husband and I are going away for 5 weeks and we're not sure if we should put our cockapo with a friend who has a lab and 6 kids because we're afraid our dog may come back a changed dog. I'm really torn, what should I do. I would suggest you go over there and watch how the lab interacts with your Cockapoo. Labs tend to be a bit on the over-exuberant side which may or may not be fine for your dog depending on your dogs personality. It also depends on how old the lab is. Having said that, if your dog is showing any forms of stress or anxiety and the lab clearly doesn't know when to quit, and the people in the household are oblivious to the body language and signs of your dog then I suggest you go with your gut and go elsewhere. Perhaps your dog should stay in a household that's a little calmer as it would be a shame to have your dog come back and start snapping at every dog that they meet because no one was watching the interaction of your dog and the other dog for 5 weeks and therefore your dog now has a totally different attitude towards his canine friends. Deena