By Monica Collins

Advice on Pets, Life, Love

Dear Dog Lady,

I admit I'm a breed snob when it comes to dogs. My family has always had pure-bred cocker spaniels, not "cockapoos" or "cockadoodles." We deal with shedding, constant brushing, expensive grooming and the curious personality quirks because we love the breed. We choose to have pure-bred dogs (my mother and brother have them too) because we're cocker spaniel people. We don't breed them but we know breeders. We buy our dogs from a nationally-renowned breeder who has produced dogs that have competed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. My point? This year, for the first time ever, Westminster will allow a mixed breed dog to compete in an agility demonstration before the official show. We fear this is the beginning of all mutt competition. What do you think?

--Heather

Dear Heather,

Things change- no matter how mightily we try to hold on to old ways. You can cling to your cockers but the sport of "dogs" has shifted to a mutt-based economy. Among the world's population of people and animals, mixed breeds have become the norm, not the exception. Also, the political climate surrounding canines has changed. Neutering and spaying of domestic animals is mandatory to prevent over-population. Westminster, on the other hand, celebrates mating and pure bloodlines. No dog competing at the 138-year-old famed show, which starts on February 10, is fixed. Indeed, the judges handle the underpinnings to ensure all private parts are, ahem, intact.

Westminster deserves praise for wading into the gene pool of mongrels. The first mixed breed dog chosen to perform in the agility demonstration is Alfie, a poodle/terrier mix from New Jersey whose owner bought him discounted at a mall pet store. Owner Irene Palmerini(cq) told the Associated Press she paid $99 for Alfie. She started her new pet on an agility course for the best reason because the little dog was bouncing off walls and needed lots of exercise. Alfie-the politically-incorrect, deeply discounted pet store mutt -now becomes a revolutionary symbol.


Dear Dog Lady,

My 19-month old Schnoodle is frequently fearful of people he doesn't know. Yet he is sometimes very friendly to complete strangers (who just happen to be dog owners). My concern is that he nearly always growls and barks at children. At puppy school he was fine with the child-owners of his classmates. But if a child comes to my home or approaches him with an extended hand calmly outside, he reacts very badly. I want to be able to have family over, including my young nieces and nephew. What can I do?

--Ellen

Dear Ellen,

You don't say what "he reacts very badly" means. If he bites and nips, you should definitely keep your Schnoodle away from children. Seek out a certified canine behaviorist to begin a rigorous course of retraining.

Considering how your dog reacts genially to children occasionally, perhaps you should look at how you behave when your dog greets kids. Do you hover nervously? This can make the dog nervous too. When you're relaxed, the dog picks up your vibes. When you clench, the dog senses your unease. How does Dog Lady divine this? Because she knows dogs are magical creatures and have empathic powers to feel our happiness or pain or stress.

The best way for your puppy Schnoodle to mix it up with your nieces and nephews is a walk together-outdoors is a level playing field. Dogs love the exercise always and the distraction usually takes their minds off neurotic behavior (unless a herd of squirrels crosses their path).

Keep in mind the cutesy Schnoodle is still a youngster and his conduct can be molded and modified. Instead of anxiously anticipating bad behavior, carry treats in your pocket for rewarding and inducing good behavior.

Dear Dog Lady,

I'm sure you know it is against noise regulations to allow your dogs to bark incessantly. If there is a neighborhood consensus about the dog(s), Animal Control will come in and try to help the situation. At my condominium complex, we have been visited frequently by Animal Control over six years in an effort to deal with three howling dogs. The dog owners kept giving us the runaround. However, I finally found the ultimate weapon: I prayed them out of the neighborhood. They moved and their condo is now listed for sale.

--Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth,
Ah, the power of prayer. However, even an atheist should be able to get results with complaints about constantly howling dogs. If there is a perennially barking dog or dogs in your neighborhood, try your best to work with the owner through the police or municipal office of Animal Control. Do not confront a barking dog's owner by yourself. In most cases the owners usually need an education about exercising pets or tending to their social needs so the dogs don't bark in frustration or boredom.

Please go to lexmedia.org/ondemand to see all episodes of "Ask Dog Lady" the TV show; send questions to askdoglady@gmail.com.