Gift with the wrappings off

Oh, what can you do with a Christmas pup
in a little apartment three flights up?
He prowls.

And whenever the landlord happens by
with a “Rent’s due!” gleam in his fishy eye,
He Howls!

Or whenever you dress for a hurry date,
with a frantic prayer that you won’t be late,
He “helps”!

Or when guests sit down in the rocking chair
and neglect to see if a tail is there.
He yelps!

And if you protest that he isn’t hurt
and call him out from beneath your skirt,
He balks.

Or perhaps there’s rain, or a two-foot snow,
or it’s three a.m. – then he’s got to go
For walks!

And the place you pick for his bed at night
is the one sure place that he doesn’t quite
Approve.

Oh, what can you do with a Christmas pup
in a little apartment three flights up?
Move?