DOG OWNERSHIP

When our son, John, was about eight years old and we already had Franklin the border collie mix for about a year, he started gunning for a shiba inu. He also said he wanted it to be a puppy. We finally gave in, telling John that the new dog had to be a rescue (like Franklin). Our thinking was that it would never happen. Puppy rescues of a particular breed, especially an unusual breed…

You will often see in the pages of Your Dog that we use the term veterinary technician and then say, in parentheses, veterinary nurse. Why arent veterinary technicians just called veterinary nurses in the first place? Good question, and its one that the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has been asking, too. In fact, that organization, which represents vet techs, as they are called colloquially, has begun having conversations with state, national,…

o learn a little more about how a veterinary technician (veterinary nurse) carries out her responsibilities, we sat down with vet tech Gail Berthiaume,...

Remember the time your dog (pick one) ate the turkey off the kitchen counter; rolled in another dogs excrement; scared that nice old lady who lives across the street; or wouldnt come when you called, and you yelled at him to behave? Howd that work out for you? Yup, that has been our experience, too. Yelling at a dog is about as useful a solution for getting him to change his behavior as getting him…

From Tufts October 2012 Issue

[From Tufts October 2012 Issue]

Malia is allergic, said President Obama about his elder daughter when the family was looking for a dog, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic.

If only his Cabinet had a Secretary of Canine Concerns. Theres no such thing as a guarantee that a dog will not cause an allergic reaction, even though the Internet brims with lists of so-called hypoallergenic dogs; even though the American Kennel Club itself names almost a dozen hypoallergenic breeds; and even though many people believe that …

[From August 2012 Issue]

My miniature pincher, 11, has been with me every day for the past five years. I tried to take her to doggy daycare and she throws a panicky fit. She hyperventilates and claws to get me to pick her up and take her home. I feel tied to my home. Can you give me some advice?
Sheryl Sullivan
Camendton, Mo.

I appreciate your concerns regarding your dogs panic and also respect that you feel tied to your home. Please permit me a moment on my soapbox: While some dogs flourish in social arenas such as day care and dog parks, others are devastatingly overwhelmed. Contrary to popular propaganda that touts pack order - as opposed to scientifically accurate data - not all dogs appreciate other dogs company. It has to do with many factors, …