Dear Dog Lady,
I heard the Massachusetts Legislature just passed a bill that deputizes citizens to rescue dogs left in hot cars. I think this is a wonderfully humane development. People can be so thoughtless. I once saw a Labradoodle left in a car at the mall and even though it was a fairly chilly fall day, I stood by the car and waited until owner returned when I read him the riot act about leaving his dog. I could tell the guy was embarrassed and shocked by my intervention. I didn't care just so long as my shaming provided a lesson.

Mandy

Dear Mandy,
Yes, the Massachusetts Legislature has passed such a bill and, indeed, the law goes a lot further than cars and covers any captive situation that might be harmful to domestic animals, such as being tied outdoors for long stretches or caged in unhealthy conditions. "Most of us treat our pets like family members - some even better - but for the poor animals that are neglectfully left in hot or cold cars or tethered inappropriately, this bill is for them," said Lori Ehrlich (D -Marblehead) the House sponsor of the bill.

However, if you see a dog alone in a hot car, the law does not allow you to smash into a stranger's vehicle without first seeking the owner, a law enforcement officer or an animal protection officer. What you did by sticking next to the car and politely (Dog Lady hopes) chastising the owner for leaving the dog behind was probably the wisest course for the time and the season. If enough people who leave their dogs behind learn their lessons, some innocent lives will be saved.


Dear Dog Lady,
I have a rescue beagle who is approximately six-years-old. I've taken her to obedience classes and have done some agility with her. She has a wonderful temperament and I want to do therapy work with her. We've taken some instruction and were evaluated.

She's great except she licks-everything-toes, legs, arms, faces, etc. She comes to work with me and when she licks, other people say it's OK, even though I don't want her too. That makes it hard to be consistent with her. The trainer has not been able to give me any advice on how to stop her from licking. She won't be accepted into any formal therapy program unless I can get her to stop. Is there anything I can do?

Cathy

Dear Cathy,
Sometimes ole Dog Lady can feel like a broken record (a quaint expression for those who grew up with vinyl LPs), but here goes: When you have a dog whose behavior causes displeasure, you must intercede and offer alternatives so the irksome activity abates or ceases. Keep chewies-bully sticks are best-handy so you can give her distractions. Walk her more. A well-exercised dog works out issues more easily than a cooped-up critter. Your beagle is a roamer by nature-and a rescue dog - so she has stumbling blocks on the path to becoming your perfect pet. You can help her with patience and willingness to work hard for her. Obedience classes are great but these can only do so much. You're the one who has to be the main teacher.

You have a dog who cannot hold her licker (another old joke, folks). Constant tongue activity can indicate allergies, stomach distress, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and other problems. Your trainer is flummoxed because training a dog to stop licking is like getting the sun to stop shining - neigh on impossible.

Bring your dog to a vet for a checkup to rule out any pathological reasons. After a clean bill of health, you should keep your dog close by your side - especially in the office - to keep her from licking your colleagues. Allowing your dog to lick other people is not appropriate, no matter how loudly they insist they love it. They don't.


Dear Dog Lady,
I have a 12-week-old mini Labradoodle that I got two weeks ago. She has learned to go as soon as she's outside. She stays for eight or nine hours a night with no mess. We also are training her to use the bells but she hasn't gotten it yet.

The problem is that when we come back in for free time she will pee again sometime within 15 minutes. Am I doing something wrong? Since she can hold it all night or for 4 to 5 hours when I am out, I am concerned she is not getting it.

Irene

Dear Irene,
Your Labradoodle is 12-weeks-old - a baby. She's allowed to mess occasionally because this is what puppies do. You expect her to be a bell-ringing bathroom brainiac much too soon. Give her time. Keep her outside long enough so she has plenty of exercise and lots of opportunity to eliminate again and again. Inside, keep her in a crate. Smile. You have a rambunctious puppy, not an automaton.

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