Owners giving away their dogs have complained their pets are not as cute as they used to be, that they can't do tricks, that their grubby pooches smell 'like dog', and even that they clash with their sofa , an animal charity has said. Dogs Trust has revealed some of the outlandish excuses trotted out by owners as it braces itself for the annual influx of unwanted dogs given as presents over the festive period. The charity said other owners gave away their dogs simply because they barked too much.