DOG OWNERSHIP

Its sometimes said that veterinarians are in it for the money, but the numbers tell a different story. There are 136 accredited medical schools in the United States but only 28 veterinary schools. That means, statistically speaking, that its easier to get into medical school than veterinary school. Furthermore, both physicians and veterinarians are in debt for an average of over $100,000 when they graduate, but the average first year-salary for a medical doctor is $160,000,…

Some people engage in comparison shopping for medical care for their dogs, the way you might compare prices for a retail item like an article of clothing. There are even listserves supplying information on which veterinarians in an area are least expensive. Be very cautious about choosing veterinary care this way. As Tufts veterinarian Linda Ross, DVM, says, in a lot of cases, you get what you pay for. She gives the example of someone pricing…

Whether it's unconventional work hours, insomnia, a love of the nightlife, or simply that before-bedtime piddle that brings you outdoors with your dog in the dark, a growing assortment of glowing accouterments will brighten your late-hours time together. Heres a sampling in the categories of leashes, collars, and toys. Leashes. A host of energy-efficient, LED-lit and reflective leashes will light your path, or at least make you and your dog visible to passing motorists. …

While many collars and leashes have lights that flash, flashing lights can irritate some dogs and can sometimes trigger epileptic attacks in people. That's why the Glowdoggie Leuchtie LED Safety Collar, used by search-and-rescue K-9 units in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, doesn't even have a flashing capability, as do many of the products listed here. The waterproof collar has also been used for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, and it will soon…

One in seven dogs goes missing, according to a survey conducted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. But only a third of dog (and cat) owners attach some type of identifying tag to their pets collar - not good math. Thats why National Pet Identification Week, held the third week of April, is coming not a moment too soon. Its aim is to inform caring pet owners of these statistics, as well as the variety of methods available to make their pets quickly identified if lost. During that time, veterinary organizations and facilities nationwide will hold events and update their web pages with information about the importance of putting ID tags on pet collars in addition to microchipping their dogs.

Being at the veterinary school, we have lots of options for people to take care of our dogs when we go out of town, says Tufts veterinarian Linda Ross, DVM, DACVIM. We have the technicians and also 400 veterinary students. Even, so, Dr. Ross, who used to have yellow Lab April, did not take boarding her dog lightly when she spent a six-month sabbatical in England some years ago.

While in the upcoming months you know to don light, loose clothing and slather yourself with sunscreen and, when necessary, bug repellent, you may not be as aware that your dog needs summer safety provisions, too. Sun, bugs, barbecues, and other warm-weather features can pose hazards for your dog that you may not have thought of. What better time to think of them than now?

The Scalp Relief formulas work in four ways to significantly improve the condition of the scalp and hair, from root to tip. Doctor-developed, clinically tested and consumer tested, both treatment formulas use a proprietary…Herbal Blend plus healthful vitamins and botanicals to effectively address skin irritation, naturally. So went a press release we received for a so-called natural shampoo & conditioner meant to treat skin irritations in dogs. The shampoo costs $11.75 for an 8-ounce container, as does the conditioner, for a total of $23.50. Are they worth it?

A two-nosed dog? Well, not exactly. But there are a few rare dog breeds that look as if they have two noses, each with one nostril and looking for all the world like the two sides act independently. Want to guess which dog group these breeds belong to?

Thanks to a host of mobile apps and battery-operated gizmos, your time away from home does not have to mean time lost interacting with and caring for your dog. Mobile apps make it possible to link with gadgets that let you chat with your pet or watch over him from your smart phone. There are devices now that allow you to do the following remotely: feed your dog, let him out for some yard time, steer him away from in-house temptations like the garbage can, and more - all making for safer and less lonely alone time for your dog when youre not actually there but still virtually present. Here are six options we found particularly intriguing, some with overlapping (but not identical) features. Theyre not cheap, but as with most other electronic gadgets, as the technology advances and becomes more commonplace, the prices will probably come down.

Whether youre home or not, PetPeek Window can satisfy your dogs curiosity about what goes on just beyond your fenced-in yard through a tough acrylic porthole of sorts. The convex window, which you install through a hole in the fence and which reaches out a bit past the yard for better viewing, enriches your dogs outdoor experience by allowing for a wider view on the world. The dome is 9.5 inches and comes with all necessary hardware. Costs from $29.98 to $36.73 at retailers. More information can be found at www.petpeek.info.

Many people will teach their dog the basic commands and then declare him trained, says zoologist and applied animal behaviorist Claire Arrowsmith. But, she adds, I often think how frustrating it would be for us if our education ended when we were still in childhood. If we had to keep on repeating the same lessons over and over again, we would all soon get bored….Think about how many limitations that would put on your lifestyle and your ability to interact appropriately and cope in this world.