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Ask Dog Lady

Friday Mar 27, 2020

This article is from the March 26, 2020 issue of South End News.


Dog Lady
Dog Lady  

Dear Dog Lady,
Have you written on the matter of "comfort dogs" in no-pet buildings (condos and rental apartments)? I have letters from my doctors supporting my need for such a dog because of my medical condition (atrial fibrillation). However, I expect push back from some Board members even though we have had three comfort dogs in the condo thus far. There is much literature on the subject and growing. I would like as much documentation on the subject presented up front when I make my case. I very much enjoy your column and value your comments.

—Robert
Dear Robert,
You refer to "comfort dogs," which are technically known as "emotional support animals." These are not "service dogs," specifically trained animals that assist people with disabilities. Service dogs enjoy rights under the law; emotional therapy dogs do not. Still, there are accommodations made for emotional therapy pets in pet-less housing with the proper certification .You are doing the right thing by getting letters from your doctor; you should also check out the American Journal of Cardiology, which conducted a study showing how pets are linked to the heart's ability to handle stress. This article would be an important document to show the condo Board considering your own heart condition.
Pro-actively work with the condo's Board to determine what type of dog (large or small; breed or mixed) is preferable. Let them know you take this very seriously. Continue to do research. There's plenty to read about "emotional therapy dogs" on the Internet. Finally, you must assure the Board members you will responsibly care for the animal. Make it easy for them to embrace your emotional and healthy needs to live with a pet.

Dear Dog Lady,
We adopted an eight-month-old yellow Labrador retriever from a nice family after the young daughter became allergic. Our Lab liked to nibble and bite my hand, arm, and would tug on my shirts or pant legs. So when I was playing with him I put on junky clothes.
His biting was always gentle and really did not hurt. He finally got over it and turned into a great friend. "Lori," the reader who complained to you about her nipping dog, should just play with the pup and, as you said, keep a favorite chewy close for substitution. Her dog nibbles at her because the dog considers her the "mom." My dog stopped nibbling at me when he was around 18-months-old. We also took him for 12 weeks of training which was great for all of us.
—Bill
Dear Bill,
Your feedback provides sweet evidence that annoying puppy behaviors cease and desist with training and aging. Your Lab grew up. So did you. Bravo for taking your pup to training classes and for realizing the exercises helped you as much as your dog.
You remind us of the importance of patience when dealing with a young dog. You also remind us to keep an elastic outlook and junky clothes. Nobody can expect the new dog to be perfect. But you hope the new dog becomes the perfect dog for you and your family.

Write: askdoglady@gmail.com.