Q: My husband and I have a long history with standard poodles. At least once a year, one of our dogs would meet up with a skunk in our yard.

While persuading an amorous skunk or two from hanging around your property may not be possible, the Michigan DNR offered ...

So, keep your garbage secure in an “animal-proof container” and make sure any pet food is locked away. Bird feeders also may need to come down for a while to encourage skunks to move on.

Pet food should be kept inside, especially at night. Leftover human food around grills will attract skunks. So will unsecured trash cans. "If I were to throw my compost into the tree line ...

The skunk is likely to calm down with this response ... Remove food sources like bird feeders and pet food and ensure that garbage is securely tucked in an animal-proof container.