DogBoy's Dog BlogDog boarding, training, daycare and wellness in the Austin area

Yep, we even teach kiddos about dogs.

Good behavior comes more easily to some dogs than others. Some just seem to get that they shouldn’t jump up; they walk beautifully on leash; they don’t bark and will sit, stay, and maybe even come on command with just a little work.  If you have such a dog, consider yourself blessed. You’ve won the doggie lottery! But you can still benefit from taking a class at DogBoy’s with one of our outstanding training staff.

It’s easy not to think much about training unless you have a specific issue or set of issues you want to work on with your dog. But any human-dog duo can benefit from taking a training class. “In training classes, they don’t so much teach the dog but teach the human to teach the dog, and always with a 100% positive-training method. On numerous occasions, staff have stayed long after class to help us with individual issues we’ve had,” says Jon Campbell, whose dogs Ali and now Guinness have been long-time regulars at DogBoy’s.

If you’ve never taken a class from DogBoy’s before, the place to start will be with a Level 1 obedience class. Even if you’ve taken a basic class before or if you feel your dog has a good grasp of beginning commands like “sit,” we cover so much more. Such as: how you set up your household; how you communicate with your dog, even if you don’t realize you are; dynamics of a multiple dog household and so much more. It is the foundation for all the more advanced classes we offer. And we offer many advanced classes.

Do you want your dog to be a therapy dog? There’s a class for that. A visit from a sweet, friendly dog brightens the day of many people in nursing homes and long-term medical care. Therapy dog programs usually require passing the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program as a prerequisite, and our CGC class is focused on preparing you and your dog to take the Canine Good Citizen test at the end of the class.

Do you want to do a fun activity with your dog that will get you both some exercise? There’s a class for that. Agility and Rally Obedience are human-dog sports that will really get you and your dog moving while deepening that bond and really improving your communication skill with your pooch. Our classes don’t emphasize competition, but if you decide you’d like to compete in Rally or Agility with your dog you’ll have a good head start.  Kari Trecker, who has taken Agility with her dog Freida, talked about another benefit of taking Agility or any other class with your pup—confidence building. In a review posted on Yelp!, Kari says “She [Freida] was so happy when she completed an obstacle!”

Do you want to help your children learn to handle your family dog and learn how to be safe with strange dogs? There’s a class for that. Family Dynamics, which has evolved from our former “Kids and Dogs” class, is geared toward children ages six to twelve with an eye towards helping them be respectful toward their own and other dogs.

Do you have a new puppy? There’s a class for that, too! Our Totally Puppy! class is for dogs ages 8 to 16 weeks (dogs must be able to finish the class by age 20 weeks). It is a constantly rotating four-week class with no set beginning or ending date. You can start any time and attend for four consecutive weeks. There is a golden window of opportunity at that age for your pup to gain maximum benefit from exposure to new dogs, people and places. Best of all, our Puppy Class helps you start off on the right paw with your family’s newest member.

Our mission at DogBoy’s is to help you have the happiest, healthiest, most well-adjusted dog possible, and our training classes are a big part of that mission. Our Certified Professional Dog Trainers will even arrange private lessons if you want to work on a specific issue with your dog. Please visit our website or call us for more information. Remember: training isn’t just for “bad” dogs!

In Flash’s words as told to his owner Sharon:

Rebecca and her boy Murphy

My primary trainer–Rebecca–is very nice and very smart and teaches me many things.

I receive treats for being a “good boy” such as when I walk politely on a leash around the big fields at DogBoy’s, jump through the tire on the agility field, come when called and even when I am relaxing quietly–how cool is that?

Rebecca must think that I am very handsome and a good performer because she films me during our training sessions and shows the videos to my owner.

I have met many trainers who play fun games with me and help me learn to trust people.

I am also meeting some lovely canine ladies so I can improve my doggie socialization skills.

There are always plenty of friendly faces to kiss, fun places to explore and new smells to investigate.

I can’t wait until it’s time to go to Charm School again!

Yours truly,

Flash

Flash

Pancake Weighs in on Resolutions for 2011

Here at DogBoy’s, we take dog whispering to a whole new level. Not only do our own dogs come, sit and stay (well…most of the time), they each told me their goals for 2011. Be sure to visit our biography page for photos! Without further ado, here are our pets’ resolutions for the coming year:

Graham Robison: I want to do more than just lay around under a sage bush all day in playgroup.

Dottie Slaughter: I want to make new friends and not be such a mama’s girl!

Tessa Emken: I want to cut down on eating sticks of butter that the kids leave on the counter. My vet says it’s bad for my cholesterol.

Jack “Mooper” Mundy: I want to stop helping mom clean out the litterbox. If you know what I mean.

Max Semple: I want to be braver when my big brother Ralphie isn’t around.

Murphy Andrews: I want to try to stop getting breakfast tacos based on my good looks.

Hoosier Robison: I want to give Mikey, my two-legged housemate, more kisses (easy); I want to stop accidentally flipping the switch on the power strip under the desk and turning off the computer while dad’s in the middle of a game of Civilization V (hard).

Oliver Porter: I want to stop chasing cars!

Mika Olczak: I want to treat my brother, CK the cat, more politely, even though his loud meows make me think he really likes getting rolled onto his back. Also, I want to take the stairs more slowly—tripping up them at full speed really hurts!

Noodle Emken: I want to be more polite to the visitors at my house. And to help DogGirl come up with more great Nuggets in 2011.

Cajun Slaughter: I want to stop trying to break through gates with my big head!

Sadie Korpi: I want to create a bucket list in 2011 that includes meeting my children, swimming where I can’t touch and becoming a calendar girl.

Ralphie Semple: I’m going to be more polite to strangers.

Gib Andrews: I’m going to stop fighting with dogs on the other side of the fence. Unless they start it. Then it’s on like Donkey Kong!

Rebel Emken: I want to get off the couch and run with the bike.  Oh yeah, and I want to get better about coming inside when I’m out in the front yard!

Tyler Porter: I want to cut back on stolen table scraps.

Telo Slaughter: I want to travel more with mom.

Brownie Webber: I will try not to chase my housemate kitty Elise around the apartment anymore.

Zoe Korpi: I hope to see the world in more than just black, white and ham.

Pancake Barncat: I will stop leaving “presents” in the flower bed in front of the office. Also, I will find a better napping spot in the office than the out tray on the desk.

From the DogBoy’s family–two- and four-legged–to yours, all the best for a great 2011!

Pancake is a Barn Cat that wants to be a House Cat

From the time people first visit DogBoy’s, they hear the term “staff dog”. That is, dogs that belong to members of the DogBoy’s staff. Some of them even have jobs, at least unofficially; Rebecca Andrews‘ dog Murphy is a go-to canine to meet and greet new dogs on their evaluation day, and he’s given more than his share of agility demonstrations. My dog Hoosier–much to my surprise– is sometimes drafted to be an adult role model for puppies.

Some of you may have noticed a couple of cats hanging around the front office from time to time, or even in the office itself. Particularly a sassy orange tabby. Is DogBoy’s taking cats now? No, we’ve got no plans to turn into CatBoy’s. Pancake the orange tabby (and his older and shyer partner, Calli the calico) have jobs here at the ranch.

As you might imagine, being a little bit out in the country means we have to deal with mice. With warm buildings and lots of food–mice, it turns out, LOVE kibble–we are a field mouse utopia. Mice are destructive but an even bigger problem can be some of their predators. Particularly rattlesnakes. After some thought and debate, DogBoy and DogGirl decided to adopt a few cats to live in our barn and hunt mice.

Pancake, though, is a very social co-worker. He loves to come visit the office, get petted and even nibble fingers if you’ll let him. He’s a great barn cat, but he would much rather be an office cat and does his best to be good company–when he’s not trying to open bags of dog food or make other kitten mischief.

So if you see an orange tabby cat on the front porch meowing for attention, it’s not a stray. It’s just Pancake, saying hello.

DogBoy's Salutes our Veterans

Today is Veteran’s Day. On November 11, 1918 at 11:11 am, World War I ended. What started as Armistice Day in the United States has since become a day to remember the service of the men and women of our armed forces, past and present. And we especially want to recognize our customers who have served.

Paula Juba, whose dog Missy is a daycare regular, served in the Army from 1984-1992:

“I can’t compare my service in the 1980s with the sacrifices made by soldiers today. But I will say that it was wonderful bringing my dog, Sara, from NY to Germany, & realizing that she was welcome in hotels, restaurants, & private homes. When I traveled by train or flew on intra-European flights, I merely bought a child’s ticket, & she sat beside me. I had no problem renting a house. In fact, my landlords said that Sara did far less damage than most children. Americans don’t have a very good reputation with respect to the treatment of animals, so Sara & I were ambassadors.

Hats off to the current crop of soldiers who go to extraordinary lengths, often risking their careers, to rescue loyal local translators & canine companions from Iraq & Afghanistan.  Their contributions towards the welfare of people, as well as animals, may go unnoticed by most, but they mean the world to people they touch.”

Paula is just one of our great customers who have served, and we salute them all. And we also want to recognize a member of the DogBoy’s family who will be going into the armed forces this summer.

Chris Rivera is committed to his company and his country.

Chris Rivera has been a member of our kennel staff for several years and will be off to boot camp shortly after graduation this year. We wish him the best on this great adventure. 

There are also many great programs to connect dogs and vets. In one of his first acts as a U.S. Senator, Al Franken funded a program to pair severely injured vets with service dogs. There’s also a great program called Pets for Vets, which rescues shelter dogs and pairs them with returning veterans. And if you think your dog has the stuff to become a therapy dog, you can always visit an area VA hospital after they’re certified.

Last–and certainly not least–we want to remember the dogs who have served their country. Dogs and the military go back thousands of years. The Roman Molossian dog, ancestor to breeds from the Rottweiler to the bull mastiff, helped haul loads at Roman military camps and fought beside the legions in battle. In the military today dogs serve in security, search and rescue, and perhaps most importantly in the age of the roadside bomb, helping discover hidden explosives.

On this Veteran’s Day, DogBoy’s salutes them all!

Goodbye, sweet boy.

I’m new at this word press thing – blogging is fun, but I’m no expert. So I hope you like the new look. And I’m planning more fun things for the blog so check back soon and often.

Last week, we said goodbye to a dear friend – our old boy Pepper, aka Sam from the Austin Humane Society.  He was our Nervous Nelly, our T-storm dog, with the mystery hack, his own stress bucket, and near the end, a bit of Doggie Alzheimer’s.  We’d find him barking into the closet, pacing all night, sleeping all day, and falling down was unfortunately an all too familiar site.  But through it all, he got 11 good years with us (15 total) to stretch his legs and be free, and we got one helluva great dog.  We’ll miss you, Boy.

DogBoy Jr. was a complete and total trooper.  He wanted to be a part of saying goodbye every step of the way.  So at his request, we took him out of school, and he said goodbye his way, with lots of love, tears, and a heavy heart.  I can’t tell you how proud I was of him for being so grown up about it.

DogGirl Jr. was another story.  She had been wanting a new dog for months (after we said no to a hamster, a horse, and a miniature horse), and our excuse was always that we couldn’t – because we had to take care of Ol’ Pep Pep.  Well, once Pepper was gone, she wasted no time pulling up every local rescue site she could find online.  She was determined to get her new dog now!  Thankfully, we’re bigger fans of delayed gratification than DogGirl Jr.  After thoughtful consideration, and much support from friends, we decided that a 3 month period of doing her chores – consistently, would earn her our undivided attention and help finding the perfect furry fit for our household.

Contessa Free Love

Not just any old dog will do, mind you, as our canine clan already comes equipped with it’s own set of quirks.  First there’s Tessa, the butter eater, our sweet old Yellow Lab, who gets along with everyone but puppies.  As long as you’re not jumping up tugging at her ear, she will let you do almost anything to her.  Just the hint of her name, and she comes running – Did you want something, Mom?  You want to pet me, don’t you?  But behind that uber-loving personality, you’ll see her true nature.  Trash eater, fence fighter, counter surfer, and UPS van chaser, this lovable fur ball won’t let you stay mad long, because she’s just so damn sweet.

Rebelina, aka Marmaduke

Next comes our Dane/Lab mix Rebel who deserves an entire blog post all to himself.  Like our other two pups, Rebel was found on Crystal Bend Drive, but his story is a wee bit different.  We didn’t just find him; we found his owner dumping him – at the age of only three months!  Apparently, he was rebellious (No, a puppy – rebellious?), and his owner thought he was better off on the street than at a shelter.  After we had words with his former owner (and after I called the cops on him), we decided to keep the poor guy.  Mr. Handsome, aka He Who Barks at the TV, is gloriously soft and hopelessly sweet, but can be a real turd with other overly enthusiastic dogs.  At the Dog Ranch, he is fondly referred to as an Orange Card dog, which means he can’t be put with just anyone…But when you see him sit pigeon-toed, and tuck his little nub of a tail under when he sits on cold tile, you can’t help but love the Marmadukian qualities in him.

Noodle Doodle

And last, and actually least in size and stature, is my little angel Noodle.  Our little 9 pounder, the Chiweenie – Senor Schnitzel, as we like to call him, is one tiny bundle of trouble.  This one wandered right up to the driveway, and was too small to throw back into the wild…Oh yes, he’s a snuggler, and quite the french kisser, I might add (ewww!), but at night when the family sleeps, he is busy eating childrens’ library books, and chewing holes in leather furniture.  In a group, away from his bad mommy, he seems to do fine with other dogs.  On a leash, however, he becomes a Napoleonic Kujo, and then squeals like a stuck pig when a dog says he’s not afraid.  What a big baby – but I love him like I have never loved a dog before.  He is my little hero.  And you should see him on the agility field – amazing!

I know how this looks – the family of a dog trainer with imperfect pups?  You remember the pastor with the wild children, right?  Or the teacher who’s kids can’t spell?  So here’s your proof – we’re human…and we’re working on it!  The point is, that finding the perfect fit for our family won’t be easy, and yes, I’m sure our new dog will come with their own little set of paw-printed baggage.  But we will love her (yes, it will be a her) with all our hearts, big, small, and fur-covered.  The countdown begins!

Dogs like Music too!

Every summer has its soundtrack, and people have been making their own summer mixes ever since home recording became affordable. What better way to celebrate the “dog days” of the Summer of 2010 than to make your very own dog-themed mix CD or playlist? Here are some to get you started:

“Who Let the Dogs Out?”—by The Baha Men.  Yes, this may possibly be one of the most annoying songs ever recorded. On the other hand, it is one of the most catchy.  And very summery.

“Bron-y-aur Stomp” and “Black Dog”—by Led Zeppelin. Zeppelin front man Robert Plant owned a sheep farm near the Welsh village of Bron-y-aur (pronounced “brom-rawr”) and “Stairway to Heaven” was written there. “Bron-y-aur Stomp” is Plant’s tribute to his dog, Strider, on Led Zeppelin III.  “Black Dog” is a classic from their next album, Led Zeppelin IV.

“Hound Dog”—There are two great versions of this song, originally by blues legend Big Mama Thornton. Elvis Presley’s cover is most famous, but Eric Clapton’s version on Journeyman is more faithful to Thornton’s original.

“Sleeping With the Dog”—by Jethro Tull. Because Tull did a lot more than just “Aqualung” and “Locomotive Breath.” (Catfish Rising).

“I Wanna Be Your Dog,” –by Iggy Pop and the Stooges. One of the most famous songs by the giants of ‘70s punk.

“Diamond Dogs” – by David Bowie. If you’re going to have a song by Iggy Pop, you need one by his BFF David Bowie too.

“I’m Gonna Buy Me a Dog!”—by The Monkees. “I’m gonna buy me a dog,” sings Peter Tork, “‘cause I need a friend now.” Tork was actually the most accomplished musician in The Monkees but was stuck playing the clown.  This song proves he knows where to find true friendship!

“Hey Bulldog”— by The Beatles.  I’m not quite sure what this song means, but it’s an under-rated Beatles song from the Yellow Submarine soundtrack.

“Jet”—by Paul McCartney and Wings.  There are some differing stories as to what this song is actually about; many believe, though, it was a tribute to Paul McCartney’s golden retriever, named Jet. (Band on the Run)

“Atomic Dog”—George Clinton. Give your playlist in the groove with this track from the master of funk.

“Bird Dog”—by The Everly Brothers

“Ghost of a Dog”—by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians.  This was the title track to their second album.

“Rain Dogs”—by Tom Waits.  Shake things up with Waits and his whisky-soaked voice.

“Hair of the Dog”—by Nazareth.  Or go for some metal if you prefer.

“I Love My Dog,”—by Cat Stevens.  Cat made some great music back in the day, and the title just says it all.

Special thanks to Paula and Julia, who helped me come up with titles for this list. Of course, we could barely scratch the surface of dog songs, but this should give you a good start on music to play Frisbee or fetch to.  Be sure to comment if we left out one of your favorites.

Now, if your question is what would your dog listen to, one answer might be one of the Through a Dog’s Ear CDs. We play this for our guests when they’re here overnight, and we also offer the “Music to Calm Your Canine Companion” and “Music For the Canine Household” discs for just $14.95 for sale in the office.

by Jay Robison

Nicole Mlakar Photography, http://www.nicolemlakarphotography.com

Summer’s here, and it’s time to start being conscious of the heat.  Not just in regards to ourselves, but also with our dogs. Most of us know when the heat’s getting to us, our children or our friends; do you know what to look for in your four-legged friends?  Dogs do sweat, but unlike with people, it is not their primary means of cooling down. In fact, once the temperature or heat index reaches the upper-90s to low 100s, all dogs have a much more difficult time cooling down.

VetInfo.com has an excellent summary of the signs to look for, but here are the major symptoms:

1. Heavy panting and hyperventilation;
2. “Belling” of the tongue; if your dog is panting heavily, his tongue will flare out into a bell-like shape at the bottom; 
3. Lethargy or confusion; 
4. Staggering gate.

As the dog’s body temperature rises:

1. Gray or pale gums;  
2. Shallow and/or labored breathing;
3. Vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

Some dogs are more at risk than others.  Much like people, puppies and senior dogs are more prone to heat stress.  Short-snouted breeds such as pugs or boxers also overheat very quickly, as do dogs on thyroid medications such as soloxine or thyroxine.  Both of these factors make dogs less able to regulate their body temperature, especially when it comes to keeping cool.  Finally, overweight dogs are at increased risk for heat exhaustion—one more incentive to make sure your dog maintains a proper weight.

Working at the front desk at DogBoy’s, one of the most common questions I get from clients and prospective clients is “What do you do with the dogs when it gets hot?” Typically, we turn on the air conditioning in the kennel buildings in the late morning, then bring the dogs in at mid-day for a few hours’ rest to cool off.  Dogs who are particularly intolerant of the heat will spend much more time indoors, either in our kennel buildings or in the front office—where they’ll still get lots of people time and spoiling.

For the dogs that do get to spend more time outdoors, our hard-working kennel staff refreshes the water buckets and baby pools at noon so there’s lots of nice cold water to play in and drink. And as long as our pond has water that is safe to swim in, our best behaved and water-loving dogs will be able to have a dip as well during our pond hikes.

As always, we are happy to accommodate your dog’s special needs—heat-related or otherwise. And don’t forget: summer fills up fast, even on non-holiday weekends, so if you haven’t reserved a spot for your dog during your summer vacation, give us a call or email!

written by Jay Robison

Mikey and Charlie Bear

As a member of a household of two dogs and an energetic toddler, one of the most satisfying things for me since my son’s birth three years ago has been watching his developing relationship with our dogs, and to see the love he has for all dogs in general. And yet, I also have to be watchful. Though I know and trust my dogs, any dog (it can’t be emphasized enough) should never be left alone with a small child, even for a minute. We’ve all seen the tragic results of ignoring this essential rule all too often on the news. Even the sweetest dogs have their limits, and as resilient as newborns and infants can be, it is easy for a dog to injure them without even intending to do so.

Short of this, countless dogs are re-homed or surrendered to a shelter because of the arrival of a new child. But think about it from their perspective. Your dog’s life and routine have been suddenly upended. This new noisy, smelly…thing…is suddenly the center of attention and their humans have little energy left over for favorite activities like games or walks, or even a good belly rub. It is stressful for your dog, and your dog will let you know it.

Here at DogBoy’s, one of the one night seminars we offer is one specifically for expectant dog parents, “Welcoming the New Human Arrival.” Our wonderful training staff goes over all the do’s, don’ts, whys and wherefores of introducing a new two-legged member into your household that already has four-legged ones. Here are some general tips, which are only the beginning of what the seminar covers:

DO: Encourage your dog to start investigating baby furniture and toys as you receive them and begin setting them up in the weeks before your child’s arrival. Reward him when he does. You can start building positive associations with the baby even before her arrival.

DO: Decide ahead of time what your boundaries are when it comes to your dog’s interaction with your child. Is sniffing OK? What about a lick? Knowing ahead of time will let you be consistent from the day you bring baby home from the hospital.

DO: Start reducing your dog’s status before your child’s arrival. That means start doing things like not letting your dog sleep in the bed or bedroom and for smaller dogs, not carrying them around—that elevates their status. Status is everything to a dog and any changes in it need to be handled with care.

DON’T: Let anyone else shoo your dogs off baby if that is something you’re okay with. You don’t want your dogs to think coming around their new housemate will bring punishment. You also don’t want them to be confused by mixed messages.

DON’T: Freak out if your dog growls. First, it’s important to know why he’s doing it. Second, a growl is a dog’s warning; a warning you will want to have as your child gets older and begins testing the limits of the dog’s tolerance for herself. The last thing you want to do is take that warning away and leave a bite as your dog’s only recourse.

And finally…

DO: Make time for your dog. It’s probably the most difficult thing to do when a new child comes into the house, especially in those first few months of multiple late night feedings and diaper changes. Still, the sacrifice will be worth it. If you can, take advantage of visits by family and friends to carve out some time with your dog while they are giving baby lots of attention. Your dog—and eventually your child—will thank you!

——————————————————–

UPDATE: Congratulations to the Butler Bulldogs, who made it all the way to the final game against Duke and gave the mighty Blue Devils a run for their money. Go Bulldogs!

by Jay Robison

Charlie Bear, photo by Nicole Mlakar Photography

Wow your friends, win trivia contests and maybe a few bar bets with these facts and stories about dogs:

• The average body temperature of a dog is 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Sight hounds like the Greyhound and Saluki are among the oldest known dog breeds. Pictures (in gold of course) of King Tutankhamun (1341-1323 BC) hunting in the marshes of the Nile with a Greyhound-like dog were found in his tomb; one of King Tut’s 18^th dynasty ancestors had a leather dog collar among the goods in his tomb.  If you will be in San Francisco between now and March, you can see both the pictures and the dog collar on tour as part of the “King Tut and the Golden Age of the Pharohs” exhibit. You can even buy a replica of the dog collar!
• Another ancient breed is the Irish Wolfhound—which is also one of the tallest dog breeds. The average Wolfhound is three feet high at the shoulders; some of the biggest ones are the size of a small pony. While their ancestors fought the Romans in the British Isles, the Wolfhound today is known for its quiet, gentle nature.
• The average life span for purebred dogs varies between just over 5 years for the Dogue de Bordeaux (aka French Mastiff) to 14-16 years for many toy and terrier breeds. The oldest confirmed dogs lived to be around 24; a dog named Bluey who died in 1939 was reputed to be 29 ½ , but this was anecdotal.
• The ancestor of the Dogue de Bordeaux and all other mastiff breeds (not to mention breeds with mastiff blood like the St. Bernard and Rottweiler) from England to Tibet was a Roman dog called the Molossian. The Molossian was used as a guard dog, a war dog, and—like two-legged Roman legionaries—may have helped haul loads in camps. To this day, mastiff-related breeds are sometimes called “Molossers.”
• The tallest and largest dog ever recorded was an English Mastiff named Zorba, who weighed 343 pounds and measured 8 feet nose to tail.
• We don’t think of dogs as beasts of burden, but dogs were used by North American tribes to help haul loads and people before the introduction of horses.
• On September 13, 2009, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Ali hauled 4982 pounds (over 50 times her own body weight) for 14.81 seconds—setting a new record in a weight pulling competition.
• The smallest dog living (in terms of length) is a Chihuahua named Heaven Sent Brandy, who is about 6 inches long from nose to tail.
• Hungarian pianist and composer Franz Liszt (1811-1886), while still well-known today, was a music superstar in his lifetime. While the state of photographic technology in the 19^th century meant Liszt didn’t have to worry about the paparazzi, he did get many requests from fans for a lock of his hair. Instead of using his own hair, Liszt frequently sent out locks of his dog’s hair that he passed off as his own.
• As one of his first acts after being sworn in in July, Senator Al Franken of Minnesota led a bipartisan coalition in Congress to pass the Service Dogs for Veterans Act, to provide vets with dogs for both physical and mental disabilities. Franken was inspired after meeting a veteran with severe PTSD who was able to attend President Obama’s inauguration thanks to his service dog.
• The partnership between human and dogs is a long one, but just how long is a matter of debate. DNA evidence suggests that dogs and wolves split as separate species about 100,000 years ago; the earliest clear evidence of domestic dogs is about 30,000 years old. A site in Germany that dates back 14,000 years has people and dogs buried together—suggesting a very close partnership by that time. One thing is clear: dogs were the first domesticated animal.

Contributed by Jay Robison