The world of dog ownership in Britain has always attracted enthusiasts - some would say eccentrics - who are passionate about their pets. But whereas in previous decades owners had only obedience classes and dog shows to cater for their interests, now there is a huge industry offering a wealth of canine activities from extreme grooming to dog dancing schools (!) and a baffling array of bespoke dog accessories.
Popular columnist (and dog lover) michele Hanson has conducted a hilarious and fascinating investigation into the British and their dogs across all walks of life in her new book - Absolutely Barking.
Michele was a teacher for 25 years before writing her popular weekly columns for the Guardian. Her previous books include Living With Mother (which won Mind book of the year in 2007) and her autobiography What The Grown-ups Were Doing, which was a Sunday Times bestseller last year. She lives in London, keeps Boxer dogs and enjoys spending time on Hampstead Heath "with other dog people".
Thank you for all your questions and I hope I've been of some help, although I have to admit, Violet's behaviour is not perfect. Yet. Wish you all luck with your dogs. i'm off for another walkie!
A big thank you to Michele for all her answers and advice and particularly for the picture I now have in my mind of a boxer dog in a purple wooly looking mournfully at the radiator
Nellyphant
I'm not really a dog person but I loved your books and always read your column.
I just wondered what your mother thought about them?
Do you mean dogs or columns? She loved the dogs-it's her fault that I like Boxers. She had Boxers when I was little. As for the columns, she liked them too-I used to read them out to her. She was thrilled to be in the Guardian because her best friend, who she hated, was only in the Hove Gazette. Also, she felt she was contributing to the family income by supplying fabulous copy. She used to say repeatedly that she wanted to die, but I begged her to carry on or I'd have nothing to write about!
joke
A friend is due to give birth to a baby girl, and she also has a very hyperactive puppy. She's worried about introducing the baby to the puppy - what advice can you give her?
I think you're meant to have the baby before the puppy, but it's too late for that now! So I would get some expert advice, because there is a right way of dealing with it-but I don't know what it is!
grandmabet
Well, I have to confess I'm not a dog lover in general, but am now having to fall in love with two small Patterdale terriers belonging to the grandchildren (is there an abbreviation for this?) I also love Michele Hanson and her column and no doubt might bump into her on Hampstead Heath among the "dog people". I sympathise with everything she writes and I will join the discussion simply in the hope that she might reply!
Thank you very much, I'm pleased you like my columns. Please wave if you see me on Hampstead Heath!
IneffableEffable
How much do you think the problems with out of control dogs, incompetent owners and paths full of dog poo would be resolved by dog licences and puppy classes being made compulsory?
It might help a bit, but they also need dog wardens to look out for incompetent owners. We really need to get the numbers of dogs down. It would take ten years of no dog breeding at all to get the numbers of dogs down to a manageable level. It needs money and determination to do this and I can't see the government bothering so I do get very depressed about this problem.
Thanks for answering so quickly! How would you suggest 'we' regulate irresponsible owners? When they're caught, the damage has already been done...
Hi Michele. I'm not much of an animal person... they just seem dirty... (also, I'm allergic to fur). Why do you think the British are so obsessed with having a pet?
woof
Do you think there should be a ban on dangerous dogs, such as Staffordshire bull terriers?
No, there should be a ban on irresponsible owners and a complete ban on puppy farms. We have too many dogs already and too many idiots owning them! Staffies used to be called 'nanny dogs' because they were so good at looking after children. It's only the recent craze among young men wanting to look tough that has turned them into so-called 'dangerous dogs'.
We've also considered putting money away for vets' fees but my worry would be that if very expensive treatment, such as an operation, were needed there would not be enough money in the pot to pay for it.
muddyboots
Hello! I read your Guardian article about DogTV - I had no idea it existed! Although a channel for dogs sounds ludicrous - do you think it might be good for when you're really busy? Thinking about it rationally, it's like sticking a child in front of a kids programme for half an hour whilst you rustle up dinner - isn't it?
No, dogs don't watch tele-at least mine doesn't, even dog programmes. I tried it! Anyway, she prefers watching me rustle up the dinner...
Porpoiseiswaving
Dear Michele
We use a harness instead of a collar for our spaniel because we feel it's better for her and lessens the risk of choking if she pulls, but our dog walker complains about it every time we see him. He thinks that the collar is perfectly safe and gives him more control.
What do you think?
As long as it's not a choke collar, could you not just have one for the walker? Perhaps your dog doesn't pull with him? I was advised not to use a harness, I can't quite remember why, but I think because my dog's fur is thinner under its arms and stomach and the harness might have hurt it.
My Prudence... a boxer girl.... has that many wrinkles ...I guess she does look like me.... lol
I'm not really a dog person but I loved your books and always read your column.
I just wondered what your mother thought about them?
Sunhat
Thanks, Michele. We'll persist!
I saw an advert for "poochy bells" or some such name recently. Apparently the idea was that you hang them on the door and the dog learns to ring them when it wants the toilet.
Good idea or utter nonsense?
I think it's quite a good idea. My dog stands next to me and stamps her feet and cries if she wants to go out, but if you're upstairs then it's not a bad idea.
How much do you think the problems with out of control dogs, incompetent owners and paths full of dog poo would be resolved by dog licences and puppy classes being made compulsory?
Do you think there should be a ban on dangerous dogs, such as Staffordshire bull terriers?
pinkyponk
They say owners look like their dogs - do you agree?
Not necessarily. Just occasionally!
lylaa
My husband had a boxer as a child and is trying to persuade me to let him have one now he is retired. I am not keen. Are they hard work?
They are the best dogs on earth. I cannot praise them highly enough. They are affectionate, amusing, good-natured, have the most expressive faces. You will fall in love with it. They do need a lot of exercise and attention, but exercise is good for you! A delightful boxer in the home is much better than a sulky and resentful husband!
A friend is due to give birth to a baby girl, and she also has a very hyperactive puppy. She's worried about introducing the baby to the puppy - what advice can you give her?
MrsP
Helloo Michelle I do enjoy your columns and books. Am I allowed two questions. Firstly did your daughter mind you writing about her in the paper? And as a pet owner is there anything you do which is eccentric?
No, she didn't really. I gave her £10 a week research fee/pocket money and I did it anonymously at first, but she told everybody-so she couldn't have minded that much!
As a dog owner, I think I behave normally-talk to my dog, kiss it frequently, hardly ever go on holiday, can't bear to leave it. Some people may think that's eccentric. THEY ARE WRONG.
Hello! I read your Guardian article about DogTV - I had no idea it existed! Although a channel for dogs sounds ludicrous - do you think it might be good for when you're really busy? Thinking about it rationally, it's like sticking a child in front of a kids programme for half an hour whilst you rustle up dinner - isn't it?
MoonlightSonata
Hello Michelle
What do you think about the fashion for "teacup" dogs that get carried around in handbags in Hollywood and so on in jewelled collars?
I hate it! I asked a local pet shop owner what she thought because she has to stock these stupid bags-she asked what they thought their dogs had four legs for? I think these women should be arrested and hung up for a week in a large sack! Just a little dream of mine...
Eloethan
Hello Michele - I really enjoy your Guardian column.
Our dog is a part of our family and much loved. We worry that, as he gets older, pet insurance will become more and more expensive. It seems that at a time when people are most likely to need cover for their dogs they may no longer be able to afford it.
I also wondered, as more and more people get insurance cover for their pets, whether this is inclined to inflate vets' fees.
Yes, I've written about this. I think it's a wheeze by the insurance companies, which know that when your dog is older you're stuck with them because no other company will take you on. A year ago my insurance company asked for £1800 a year to insure my eight-year-old boxer. Mad! I asked the vet what to do and she suggested stopping my insurance and putting money away each week in a separate account just in case. So I did. So far it's just about even. Hopefully next year it will be less!
Smiter
I have a 13 month old x lab/staff. He is extremely friendly to people but causes us major problems when anyone comes to the house. He is perfectly obedient when it's just me and hubby but as soon as anyone comes to the door he goes into major hyper mode which lasts for about 20 mins. He bounces up, runs round, nearly knocks people over just generally naughtyness. I know it's because he is excited but just can't seem to calm him down. We try excluding him into the garden but that just serves to get him more wound up, he launches himself at the door trying to get in. He is very very food orientated and we have managed to get him to sit and wait when hubby comes home from work as he has learned that hubby will have a biscuit for him if he does sit and wait. I have tried the same trick with visitors but to no avail. Once the initial 20 mins has passed he goes back to being the well behaved dog that he is with just us in the house. HELP!!!
Have you tried finding a specialist trainer who would come to your house? Or squirting him with water when he jumps up? Can he be put on the lead when people arrive? Or ask your visitors to walk straight in, not look at the dog, completely ignore it and try turning their backs. If it jumps up in front of the visitor, or anyone, try lifting your knee up very quickly, knocking it back or making a barrier between you. These are some things that have worked for me.
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