Dogs - a live webchat with Michele Hanson - Tues 10 Sep 1-2pm

Sunhat

So does my Yorkie/poodle... .

I admit to not having seen your columns before, Michele, but I've started reading them now and thoroughly enjoying them.

As a very novice puppy owner, I wondered if you had any tips on toilet training?

So, just take it outside and give lots and lots of praise (and perhaps a treat) when it does something, ignore it if it does it on the carpet and never, never shout or rub its nose in it!

Banbury

I'm afraid I'm uneasy around dogs, and my pet peeve is when dog owners allow their dogs to leap up all over people despite their obvious distress, and - almost without exception - say "he's just friendly" and do nothing about it.

As a dog lover, what do you think about this?

I love your columns, so am wondering if it's a topic you've covered?

I think it's dreadful-very annoying. It gives us all a bad name. I think you should tell them all off! Somebody let it happen to my friend's toddler, she'd just coaxed him out of his pushchair and along came this big bouncy dog and knocked him over. 'He's just being friendly' said the owner! She gave him a mouthful-and so should you.

DinosaurSnr

Most barking trend you've come across? I think it has to be dyeing dogs' fur to make them look like different animals...

It is pretty barking-but at least they love their dogs. I don't mind it as much as people being cruel.

Clytie

Hello Michele

My partner discovered your column recently and is now talking about getting a boxer himself. He asked me to ask you what would be the one thing you wish you'd known when you got your first dog?

The best thing is not to know anything or you'll never dare get one! Whatever difficulties there are, I've found it's always worth it. I was warned not to get two dogs and I did, and it was a nightmare! But it all worked out in the end.

cleethorpes

dear Michelle I love your columns. Where do you stand on clothing for dogs. I've seen bits here but in Paris came across a whole "hip" boutique with high fashion for dogs. I do think the world has gone a bit mad

I do think it's a bit potty, but a kind Guardian reader knitted a lovely purple woolly for my boxer, Violet, which she doesn't really like..but I make her wear indoors when I'm too mean to put the heating on.

The prices in Harrods dog clothing department are astronomical! That bit of the world really has gone mad.

Pamaga

We still miss our lovely LabXRetriever, Nina, who was a failed guide dog. We believe she saved our grand-daughter's life. We were staying with our daughter and son-in-law and were all asleep in bed when our daughter was awakened by a very unsettled Nina panting around the bedroom and refusing to calm down. She then heard her little girl, Sophie, coughing. When she went into the kiddy's bedroom she found her choking. Nina was still running around her and panting until she tipped Sophie upside down and managed to dislodge the mucus blockage. Once this was clear, Nina relaxed.
Nina wasn't allowed upstairs as a rule so it was very unusual for her to climb the stairs in the first place and it was amazing how she headed straight for Sophie's Mum and not us when she knew Sophie was in trouble. We used to call her "Nina the Wonder Dog" after this incident!

That is a wonderful story-what a brilliant dog. I had a seriously depressed friend who my dog always made a particular fuss of, and cheered her up. The dog always knew who needed affection. Clever, aren't they?

Penstemmon

I do quite like dogs, when they are other peoples but I am not sure I could share my home with one!

We had a dog( black not quite 100% labrador) when I was . a child but lived where he (Perry..after Mr Peregrine the Penguin) could roam and explore without the need for walks. He was very loyal and I loved him very much. However having since been a town dweller I feel it is not fair to a dog to be house bound whilst I work and maybe i would not be rigorous about walking it. I have had cats since living 'independently' but since Effe died 18 months ago have no pet but miss having one.

Should I consider a dog? Can I, a non-doggy person, still be a good dog owner??

Perhaps it's not a good idea if you work full-time, and there's nobody else at home. Can you hang on 'til you retire?

cookies

Hi Michele. I'm really not a dog person - I don't hate them, that's probably a bit too strong... I just really don't see the fascination with them.

What I find annoying is when family members visit with their dog, and they allow their dog to walk around my house! How can I ask them to keep the dog outside politely? Surely there should be some kind of dog owner etiquette book out there!!

I think it would be a bit much to keep the dog outside-what if it's raining? How about having it in the kitchen, and on a lead? Could you cope with that? Because the dog is another member of their family.

Smiter

I have a 13 month old x lab/staff. He is extremely friendly to people but causes us major problems when anyone comes to the house. He is perfectly obedient when it's just me and hubby but as soon as anyone comes to the door he goes into major hyper mode which lasts for about 20 mins. He bounces up, runs round, nearly knocks people over just generally naughtyness. I know it's because he is excited but just can't seem to calm him down. We try excluding him into the garden but that just serves to get him more wound up, he launches himself at the door trying to get in. He is very very food orientated and we have managed to get him to sit and wait when hubby comes home from work as he has learned that hubby will have a biscuit for him if he does sit and wait. I have tried the same trick with visitors but to no avail. Once the initial 20 mins has passed he goes back to being the well behaved dog that he is with just us in the house. HELP!!!

Have you tried finding a specialist trainer who would come to your house? Or squirting him with water when he jumps up? Can he be put on the lead when people arrive? Or ask your visitors to walk straight in, not look at the dog, completely ignore it and try turning their backs. If it jumps up in front of the visitor, or anyone, try lifting your knee up very quickly, knocking it back or making a barrier between you. These are some things that have worked for me.

Eloethan

Hello Michele - I really enjoy your Guardian column.

Our dog is a part of our family and much loved. We worry that, as he gets older, pet insurance will become more and more expensive. It seems that at a time when people are most likely to need cover for their dogs they may no longer be able to afford it.

I also wondered, as more and more people get insurance cover for their pets, whether this is inclined to inflate vets' fees.

Yes, I've written about this. I think it's a wheeze by the insurance companies, which know that when your dog is older you're stuck with them because no other company will take you on. A year ago my insurance company asked for £1800 a year to insure my eight-year-old boxer. Mad! I asked the vet what to do and she suggested stopping my insurance and putting money away each week in a separate account just in case. So I did. So far it's just about even. Hopefully next year it will be less!

MoonlightSonata

Hello Michelle

What do you think about the fashion for "teacup" dogs that get carried around in handbags in Hollywood and so on in jewelled collars?

I hate it! I asked a local pet shop owner what she thought because she has to stock these stupid bags-she asked what they thought their dogs had four legs for? I think these women should be arrested and hung up for a week in a large sack! Just a little dream of mine...