Copyright Newsweek
A woman asked her parents to watch her puppy for the weekend for the first time, but the updates she received left her wondering if he'd ever be allowed back. Owner Riley told Newsweek via email that her Portuguese water dog was about four or five months old when she first let her parents watch him for a few days. He's met them before and adores their dog, Mo, but Riley had always been there with him during these visits. Being without her this time, however, chaos ensued. She shared a video on her dog's Instagram account, @mako_thepwd, highlighting the texts she received from her parents, updating her on his stay. The consensus? He is most definitely a water dog. She said most of the texts she received were related to Mako jumping in her parents' koi pond. Her parents started making a running tally of the pond incidents. "He loves swimming and will take any chance to get in a body of water," Riley said. "It's become a running joke as to how many times Mako will take a swim when he's over there!" Originally bred to be a fisherman's helper, Portuguese water dogs are athletic companions built for water work, an article from the American Kennel Club reported. These intelligent dogs are highly active and energetic, but respond well to obedience training. Other texts included a photo of broken glass, eaten flowers and him playing with her parents' dog, Bo. Although, playing in this instance meant stealing the giant stick from Bo. While it might seem like he is a misbehaving dog, Riley assured that some were accidents. The broken glass happened because Mako couldn't stop himself while running on the hardwood floor and slid into the cabinet. "Thankfully, he was ok!" she said. "He's still only a puppy, so he's learning new things every day!" Plus, her parents understand that his puppy behavior can lead to incidents, which is why they've invited him back whenever he wants. Riley said that now, any time she picks him up, they're already planning for the next doggy playdate for Mako and Bo. The Instagram video reached over 229,000 views, 8,277 likes and 16 comments as of Monday, and while some found the texts hilarious, many worried about the dog's behavior, calling him a "menace." "Omg, I don’t miss those puppy behaviors. It’ll get better!!" one viewer assured. Another added: "No, honestly, these are so much like the reports I get from my mom about my girls!!! It takes a village!!" A third user said: "Teach your dog better manners, omg." But Mako's mischief is not unusual for a dog going to a new environment. An article from 3SpoiltDogs, a pet sitting service, explained that even the best, most well-behaved dogs can be a headache for pet sitters, as the canines might become destructive, clingy or have barking outbursts. Owners might never see this side because, to their canines, they're familiar. However, with a new pet sitter, everything is different. The unfamiliar location brings new smells and new routines. They might feel lost, wanting to test their boundaries. Separation anxiety might bubble up as they miss their owners. To help curb any potential negative behaviors, owners should send their dogs with familiar items, such as a blanket or toy. If possible, have them meet. Having your sitter stay in your home might also put your dog at ease because they're staying in a familiar location. But always be honest with your sitter about your dog's habits, quirks and triggers to set them both up for success.
