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

I don't understand putting dogs in the kitchen - it's the worst place in my opinion! Dirt from outside coming into the place you cook!

I really don't like mucky paws all over my house... would I look crazy if I purchased a pair of dog slippers?!

Failing that, I don't see what's wrong with the dog running around the garden. Or just on a lead. I mean, dog owners have to do that when they visit shops, no?

Dear Michele

We use a harness instead of a collar for our spaniel because we feel it's better for her and lessens the risk of choking if she pulls, but our dog walker complains about it every time we see him. He thinks that the collar is perfectly safe and gives him more control.

What do you think?

Thanks, Michele. We'll persist!

I saw an advert for "poochy bells" or some such name recently. Apparently the idea was that you hang them on the door and the dog learns to ring them when it wants the toilet.

Good idea or utter nonsense?

They say owners look like their dogs - do you agree?

My husband had a boxer as a child and is trying to persuade me to let him have one now he is retired. I am not keen. Are they hard work?

Helloo Michelle I do enjoy your columns and books. Am I allowed two questions. Firstly did your daughter mind you writing about her in the paper? And as a pet owner is there anything you do which is eccentric?

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?

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.

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!!!

Dogs have had a bad time in the press recently. What do you make of the Dangerous Dogs Act? Do you think it's fair that dog owners will be safe from prosecution if their dog attacks someone in their home? I wonder how many postmen/milkmen etc are despairing over this...

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 just love Boxers, I have had the pleasure of being owned by 3. When my first boxer died aged 13, I was so heartbroken...and thought never again... my grandkids loved her so much...she was such a big girl, with a big heart and just loved the family, but was very protective of us.

BUT... of course the house seems so dead, without that heartbeat at my feet.... it just didnt seem like home...so along came boxer girl number 2, age 7, she was just adoreable... not the same as my first girl, such a different personality...she love swimming, swinging from trees, such a fun time girl... constantly making me laugh... she died with cancer at the age of 11.... once again...thought I just cant go through the heartbreak again...

BUT ... along came boxer girl number three age 5, (each of our boxer girls have been x breeding dogs...ie Fireside boxers, no longer wanted for breeding) Prudence is now 8 years old...such a mummys girl... she has a heart condition, that is why the breeders no longer wanted her... these girls always amaze me.... never been used to living indoors, they adapted so quickly... my second boxer girl...used to sit for hours watching TV... Youve been framed was her favourite programme. Prue just loves me... her eyes never leaving me.... I have just been cushioned in love for the last 18 years. How I love my boxers.

Some dogs are more cat than dog [like the advert]. I switched to whippets because I found them to be like a cat version of a dog [ie very independent and sleep 99% of the time [preferably on your lap]].

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??

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Water_Dog

We met the most wonderful dog whilst on holiday; it was a Spanish Water Dog. I was so taken with it I even considered getting one. As part of their breed spec they have to climb ladders [10ft I believe!] and they dive into water from several feet [17?]. They are multi purpose herding/retrieving/companion/water dogs, very intelligent and obedient. But when I googled them I found that they had to be socialised at a very early age [I'm talking a few weeks old here] and need to be disciplined or they can suffer from behavioural problems. It made me think of a friend who has Akitas; she wouldn't dream of having any other sort of dog but they scare me. I wonder how many people dive into dog ownership without realising just how different breeds of dog are in their suitability to certain owners and their lifestyle [eg border collies that go bonkers if they don't have the exercise needed, both for their body and their mind]. A lot of people have Spanish Water dogs due to their suitability for people with allergies. I'll try to do a link, and then you can see why I've fallen for them.I also worry about leaving my whippet with anyone that doesn't understand sighthounds.