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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hi there,

I haven't read through all of the replies, but this is what I would do:

For the remaining portion of this visit ...
1) Get a crate and a dog pen so the dog is contained (preferably in your basement or somewhere else that muffles sound). If your ILs don't refund you the money, just return them when you're done.
2) Get a bark collar. I suggest getting one that has a remote and also has a sensor for when you're away.
3) If you think there is still a risk of biting after the dog is contained in a pen, get a muzzle.
4) Check out Rover.com and find a petsitter who will take the dog when you need a break. The sitters there are a lot cheaper than boarding places.
5) After laying out the expenses with your husband, suggest he ask your parents for reimbursement. 
6) No matter what, let the ILs know that the dog spent weeks in the pen because he was so destructive. Maybe they won't want to leave him with you after that.

For next time ...
1) Tell the ILs about Rover.com and say they should find a sitter who will take their dog, or suggest that they take the dog with them to FL.
2) Lay down the law with your husband -- the dog isn't staying there anymore. Tell him you'll be happy to help the ILs find a sitter (in case they aren't great with computers), but that you can't deal with the dog again. If need be, blame it on the neighbors. Say they're complaining and threatening to call animal control because of the barking.

Good luck!!
[/quote]

Just remember that none of this is the dog's fault.  Dogs don't house train themselves, they need loving guidance from people to know what the rules are.  This poor dog for whatever reason was never taught the rules.  The idea of caging this dog in a basement away from everyone just makes me sad.  Crates are meant to be used as safe dens for dogs when their owners can't watch them or the dog needs a rest. Treating the crate like a cage to put an unwanted animal is so not the purpose of a crate.   Dogs are social animals, they need positive interaction in order to be healthy.

Yes.  I would hate to have this dog over to my house.  I understand the Op not wanting the dog at her house, I really do.  But I doubt that Op would ever take her frustrations out on the poor animal.  I think she should just give the dog as much kindness as she can and if she feels like she's losing her cool and can't deal anymore - board that dog.[/quote]

OP here.  Yes, I agree.  It is not the dog's fault.  He was ill-trained when my IL's got him and instead of getting him training, they just put up with it.  I lost my cool on him once and then realized the I am really mad at DH for giving in to his mother and MIL for even asking us to do this for six weeks in the first place.  When I asked about muzzles that just seemed wrong - the only kind that would prevent him barking would also prevent him from opening his mouth to pant, drink, etc.  So not really useful for an entire day or hours on end.  And I am not going to shock a 13 year old dog.  So baby gates it was, and a threat to kill DH if he let the dog run around without the diaper wrap again. (DH is also going to shampoo the carpets with a borrowed machine - yay!!)  The dog sleeps in a crate at night and when we're away, but so does my own dog.  So far the gates/curtains drawn/diaper combo is working to limit damage to my home and sanity.

Thanks to all of you who provided instructive advice, some of which was obvious (baby gates, why didn't I think of that?).  In my fury I couldn't even think straight.  Now we are doing okay but yeah, I can't do this again.  The dog just has too many issues for a two-parent working household with a busy schedule to manage, and I've never in my life encountered such a difficult and ill-behaved pet - he doesn't do half this stuff at their house.  I guess I've been lucky with my own![/quote]

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