I've been around a dog all my life. There was a dog in the house before I was born. When I was growing up there was a while that I thought I was a dog, because me and Phoebe (half golden, half something) were so close. I have experience watching my friends and neighbors pets growing up. Namely, a skiddish beagle named Storm and a rambunctious poodle named Scout. I understand that every dog is different and that it is important to empathize and be understanding with each dog to make them comfortable with a stranger while their master is away. My families current dog is a 14 yer old golden named Sally with hypothyroid. This has given me plenty of time to learn how to give oral medications to dogs who need them, whether they are good enough to be eaten by themselves or if they have to be disguised in bread or peanut butter.