Frequently Asked Questions

A: Dogs and humans have been partners for a long time. No one knows exactly how long, but there is a 12,000 year old burial site in Israel containing the body of a woman and her puppy. Some scientists think the association between dogs/wolves and people might go back as far as 100,000 years. ("Multiple and ancient origins of the domestic dogs" by C Vila.) Another intriguing question is: where did the dogs come from? The oldest known doglike fossil comes from Europe. DNA studies have implicated that dogs would come from east Asia and the Middle East, but new DNA studies point towards Europe. This latest research indicates that dogs might have indeed have originated in Europe, and this would have happened some 32,000 years ago. The study gathered DNA from fossils of 18 ancient wolflike and doglike creatures that lived up to 36,000 years ago in Argentina, Belgium, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, and the United States. They compared this genetic material with samples from wolves from North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East along with 77 different dog breeds and four coyotes. The DNA of modern dogs showed similarities to the DNA from ancient European specimens as well as modern day European wolves. This doesn't mean that Europe is the only place where dogs developed. The continent played a major part in the domestication process of dogs as we know them today, but a parallel development might have taken place in other parts of the world.

A: Most dogs graze away at plants and grass at some point in their life. But why? Many dog owners believe the habit is solely to throw up, and a dog gulping down large amounts of grass might be doing it for that reason; the grass blade tickles the throat and stomach lining. In most cases though, dogs nibble on grass and chew on it for a while. Dogs aren't exactly carnivores. For tens of thousands of years dog ancestors ate anything and everything that fulfilled their basic dietary requirements. For essential nutrients not available in meat, wild canines eat fruits, berries, and other vegetables. Domesticated dogs generally only have grass to choose from. If your dog is very interested in eating grass or even plants, consider introducing natural herbs and cooked vegetables into the diet. Outside greenery can contain pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals from the household's gardening or the neighbor's yard work. In addition, many plants are poisonous.

A: Spring is just around the corner, but parts of the world are still living through a cold and snowy winter. Many dog owners reason that it's natural for dogs to be outside in the snow, and that wolves are outside in the snow all winter long, so dogs shouldn't need special winter protection. The problem with this line of thought is that humans have created an artificial environment where dog's feet come in contact with substances that don't exist in the forests where wolves run. Most northern dog owners are aware of lumps of snow catching on their dogs' paws. It is less known that most de-icers are toxic to dogs. A sidewalk that looks clean and pleasant might be covered in salt or other chemicals which can hurt the dog's feet. The paw pads can dry out and crack, they can get frostbite, and chemical burns. What can dog owners do to protect their pooches? Dog booties make great winter protection and work against both frostbite and salt. As a bonus they also give some protection against the burning hot asphalt in summer. Using the booties can take some practice. Praise the dog for having them on, start with short periods of time inside the house, and gradually increase the length of time. When it's time to move the training outside, start with short walks. If booties isn't an option, there is paw wax specially formulated to create a barrier between the dog's paws and whatever might be on the ground. This might not be as effective as boots, but it is definitely better than nothing at all. Trim the hair around the paws and between the paw pads. This helps prevent snow and ice balls that can hurt the dog's feet. Also make sure the nails are trimmed, because long nails will force the paw pads to separate when the dog walks, and this increases the risk of snow and ice building up between the pads. When the walk is over, whether the dog wears boots, wax, or nothing, it is important to wash the paws with warm water at once. If they're given a chance to lick their feet they might ingest salt and other dangerous chemicals. Good to know: Dogs are susceptible to both frostbite and hypothermia. Use common sense and watch out for the dog shivering, appearing anxious, or moving slowly.

A: Most dogs want to be with their person and some are virtually glued to their human. It is important to understand that a dog following their person around isn't necessarily a sign of separation anxiety. It can be, but it doesn't have to be. Humans are social being, to a certain extent. Most of us value alone time, even if it's just a few stolen minutes in the car or taking a bath. Dogs have no concept of "alone time." They want to be with their pack at all times, and for a domesticated dog that pack equals their human.

A: Amongst 650 military dogs deployed with American combat forces nearly five percent came down with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These dogs have been subjected to gunfire, explosions, and other combat scenarios, and react just like humans do. Military veterinarians say it can show through dogs becoming clingy or aggressive, they might refuse to enter areas where they used to be comfortable, or become hyper-vigilent and set off alarms whether there's something to worry about or not. Dogs affected should be taken off their patrol duty, given lots of exercise, play time, and gentle obedience training. Another similarity with humans is that dogs don't have to go to war to enter a state of extreme stress. Other causes for PTSD in both species are natural disasters, car accidents, and physical or emotional trauma. If you want to read more about dogs with PTSD, these websites provide a good starting point: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Dogs - IVC Journal Canine PTSD, its causes, symptoms and treatment More military dogs who signs of combat stress - NY Times Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - can it affect your dog? - Cesar's Way

A: With over 10,000 pet deaths related to jerky treats and a further near 5,000 complaints about illness, two of the nation's largest makers of the treats now agree to establish a $6.5 million fund to compensate dog owners who believe their animals were harmed. The fund is a result of a class action lawsuit between pet owners in several states, Nestle Purina PetCare Co and Waggin' Train LLC. If the settlement is approved, it will also require manufacturers to take on "enhanced quality measures" when it comes to treats made in China, and to modify the text on packages. Neither of the manufacturers admit the treats might be tainted. According to NBC News, the settlement is just to "bring the litigation to a prompt and certain resolution." Pet supply firms such as PetSmart and PetCo have already announced that they will no longer sell pet treats made in China. The FDA has warned consumers about the treats since 2007. Despite extensive testing, no direct cause for the problems has been found. You can see the settlement and press release here.  

A: A large number of dog bites are caused by misunderstandings between humans and dogs. Here are some easy tips to help prevent dog bites. 1. Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog, even if it is your own. Dogs generally give many warning signals before they nip - but children and even many parents aren't able to interpret the dog's body language. Is the dog looking away? Turning away its head? It seems self evident not to let a child stand on the dog, sit on the dog, pull the dog's tail or lips, but parents still allow it, and a number of dogs are put down each year for biting children in situations that could easily have been prevented. 2. Don't run past a dog. Dogs love to chase and catch stuff. If you run, hunting dogs and herding dogs will want to give chase. This is another reason why children often get nipped; they behave as prey or as something that should be herded. 3. When you meet a dog, don't bend over it or pet it on top of the head. Crouch down next to the dog and turn away just a little. If the dog wants to approach you, he or she will come. Bending over them and petting them from above can be interpreted as a threat. 4. Treat dogs with respect This naturally goes for both your own dog and strange dogs. Pay attention to body language. If you meet a strange dog, ask the owner if it's okay to pet or approach, and respect a no.  

A: Some dogs are fine with owners or groomers touching their feet and working on their nails. Others, not so much. Here are some simple everyday exercises that can make nail trimming and paw care easier. 1. Touch your pet often. Sure, you pet your dog and that's great, but make sure to touch areas you don't usually pet as well, like the paws. If the pet seems disturbed by the touch or pulls away - assuming there isn't an underlying medical condition - try giving a treat as you touch the area briefly and gently.  Repeat this every day until he or she "gets" it. Once the brief touch has been associated with something positive, that is, getting a treat, you can increase the time of touching before the treat. 2. Add grooming tools Whatever the dreaded grooming tool might be - maybe nail clippers or a brush - this can also be introduced with a treat. Show the tool with the treat without trying to use it. After a while, the dog will associate the tool with treats and think it's the best thing ever. When that happens, you can try touching the pet's body with the tool while it's getting a treat, and step by step, the strange and scary will be less frightening. 3.  Clip a nail Once the pet accepts you touching its paws and the clippers, it's time to start practicing for actually clipping a nail. Pinch a toe the way you would do if you were to actually trim the nail, release it, and give a treat. You might have to repeat this many times during a period of days or weeks. The next step is to touch the nail with the nail trimmer and give a treat. Once that is accepted, clip a nail and give a treat. Before you know it, your pet will think that trimming nails is a great event.

A: The Veteran's Affairs Department is about to conduct a study of the effectiveness of service dogs for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. The study, "Can Service Dogs Improve Activity and Quality of Life in Veterans with PTSD" will measure the impact of a service dog compared to a pet. 220 veterans will participate in the study, and are currently undergoing dog care training. They will be divided into two groups. Half will be teamed with a service dog trained to address the disability, and the other half will be teamed with an emotional support dog. The latter are pets with obedience training, but without PTSD service training. Is there a difference? Yes. First of all, a well trained service dog costs at least $10,000, and often up to $25,000. Service dogs are covered under the American with Disabilities Act and are allowed to accompany their human in all public spaces. Emotional support dogs are well-trained pets that provide support and comfort. They are not covered under the ADA, but they do have some protection on commercial airlines and under the Fair Housing Act. If there is a measurable difference between the groups, service dogs might become an accepted PTSD treatment covered by VA.

A: Two years ago, a little Shih Tzu called Nani wandered out of her yard. Her owner searched everywhere, but Nani had vanished without a trace, even though she was microchipped. As days turned into weeks, months, and years, Paula Wilcher gave up on ever seeing Nani again. A couple of weeks ago, Frenzy Animal Rescue who once microchipped Nani received a call; someone had spotted the dog wandering along the road and picked it up, and Nani eventually ended up with a veterinarian who read the chip. No one what Nani knows what she has been up to for the past two years. She appeared with a matted coat and had lost weight, but was in good shape overall. Without the microchip, Nani would never have found her way home. Having a chip implanted doesn't hurt the pet any more than giving a regular vaccination. The chips are injected under the loose skin between the shoulder blades and the process only takes a few seconds. Pet microchips aren't tracking devices; they're read with a scanner and carry a unique identification number. Both cats and dogs can and should be microchipped. Cats often do not wear a collar, and less than 2 percent of lost cats without microchips are returned home. If they have a chip, that rate is 20 times higher.