Whose Dog Poop Is That? Apartment Complex Uses DNA to Find Out

Technology to the rescue? If you run an apartment complex and want to keep residents from having their dogs leave, um, gifts all over, you can use DNA testing for that. A New Hampshire apartment complex requires dog owners to provide DNA samples of their dog's poop. The building can then compare the DNA of what they find to what is in their database. Okay, whatever. You can read more about this creative use of modern technology on the Consumerist.

Free Workshop:Train Your Dog Not to Bark (Your Neighbors Will Thank You for It)

Here's a free workshop that will benefit dog owners, their dogs, and everyone who lives within earshot of a barking dog:

"Transforming the Excessive Barker in Your Life"
Saturday, June 18, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Speaker: Sarah Stoycos, KPA CTP (www.laughingdogacademy.com)

Location: Potomac Community Center, 11315 Fall Rd. 

Sponsored by the nonprofit educational organization, Your Dog's Friend.

All healthy dogs bark, but some bark to the point of driving us crazy. Do you have an excessive barker in your life? Why does your dog bark so much? Are you unknowingly rewarding this behavior? Most importantly, what steps can you take to lower the volume in your home and still have a happy, healthy dog?

Although this workshop is all about dogs, please leave yours at home. Demo dogs and service dogs are the only dogs allowed. If you would like to attend, please register here.

For information on other free workshops as well as dog training classes and other resources for dog owners, please visit http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Workshop-Schedules.html.

The Case Against Electric Fences

by Michele Wolin

Underground electric/invisible fences are not good for dogs. There are so many problems with these fences that they are simply too much of a risk to use  -- despite the claims of the companies selling them. They often don't work for various reasons; I personally know two people who had dogs who got out of their invisible fences and were hit by cars. In fact, some area rescue groups won't even adopt to people who plan to use an invisible fence.

Here's a brief summary of some of the problems:

1) Some dogs will go through the fence if there is an enticing enough reason (e.g., a squirrel, another dog, or some other enticing animal.), despite the shock they receive. (Labs in particular can be impervious to pain.) Once they're out, they may not want to return because of the shock.

2) The batteries in the collar can fail, or the system can stop working for various reasons; once again, the dog is now able to get loose.

3) The dog doesn't know why it's being shocked, which can lead to several possible problems. Some dogs become fearful (you absolutely should never use these with dogs who are already sensitive, shy or fearful) and shut down, and some refuse to go into their yards at all. Some become aggressive; if the dog goes running up to people or dogs walking by the yard, and then gets shocked at the boundary, the dog will start to associate the shock with the people/dogs walking by, and then may become aggressive towards people/dogs. The shocking can also lead to a dog becoming anxious and nervous; some dogs don't react that way, but why take the chance? And if the dog develops problems with fear, aggression, or anxiety as a result of these shocks, it is very hard to undo the damage.

4) Even if the fence successfully keeps your dog in, it doesn't keep other dogs from entering your yard, and some of these dogs may be aggressive.  Also, think about coyotes, if you're near the park and have a small dog. Think about people who can enter the yard, take off the collar, and walk off with your dog. You should never leave your dog outside unattended.

Here are some links if you'd like to learn more, or you can Google "problems with invisible fences."

http://care.dogboston.com/invisible-fences-%E2%80%93-good-or-bad/

http://www.positivedogs.com/articles/electronic_fencing.html

http://www.petsbest.com/news/pet-industry-news/long-term-health-effects/

http://shakewaggleroll.com/Documents/Invisible%20Fences-%20The%20Bad%20and%20The%20Ugly.pdf (opens a PDF)

http://positivepaw.blogspot.com/2011/02/problems-with-underground-or-invisible.html

What Happens When the Post Office Won't Deliver Your Mail Because of a Dog You Don't Own?

Postal carriers and dogs get along like Greenpeace and Norwegian whalers. Which is to say, not well at all. If you have a roaming, potentially dangerous dog that stands between you and the mail carrier, the Postal Service can refuse to deliver your mail. Forever. And for good reason: Several thousand mail carriers are bitten each year by dogs. (California has the largest number of bites; New York City and the state of Alaska, the fewest.)

But what if the Postal Service says you have a dangerous dog at large, but you don't? That's what happened this week to one Woodley Park resident. Here's the story as posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. To be continued....

Yesterday, we received a letter from the Post Office stating that they will no long deliver mail to our residence because of a threatening dog on our property. We do not own a dog, nor do our immediate neighbors. I suppose it is conceivable that a loose dog was observed by a US postal employee roaming our (very small) lawn area, though frankly, this is unlikely since we have not observed any such dogs previously.

Friendly Dog Needs Foster or Permanent Home

Open your heart and home to a friendly Sharpei mix two-year old, spayed female, who's seeking a loving foster or permanent home.  She is 52 pounds and full of energy.  She loves walks and retrieving tennis balls. The dog would love a home where she will have human companionship part or full-time during the work day. If you're like to know more, contact Mary Rowse at 202-362-9279 or send an email to merowse@aol.com.