DR. WALLACE: I want a dog and my mom is behind me, but my father is not as stoked about this idea. I'm 16 and I don't get into trouble, plus I'm an only child. I'd like a dog for companionship and the responsibility that having a pet will help me develop.

My mom and I thought getting a dog from a local animal shelter would be a good idea, but my father thinks that dogs from there are likely to be mean and anxious — and to bite and attack people. Is this true? Do dogs from animal shelters have a greater chance of biting people? — Just Want a Nice Dog, via email

JUST WANT A NICE DOG: I suppose any individual dog might have a personality that could be triggered into fight mode from time to time, but over several decades of writing this column I've never come across a letter that showed such concern for possible bad behavior by dogs acquired at our nation's many animal shelters. In fact, the opposite is the overwhelming feedback I've received over the years.

I can't tell you how many happy letters I've received from teenagers, parents and even grandparents after they've read one of our columns recommending adopting a dog at a local animal shelter.

I suggest that you ask your father to call several shelters in your area so that he can voice his concerns. I trust that the personnel there can put his mind at ease regarding his fear of accidentally adopting an aggressive dog. And if you can get your father to visit a local shelter in person with you, I trust he will see firsthand just how calm and friendly many dogs there are.

Another point you and your mother can make is that shelters will accept back any dog that does not fit into its new home successfully. With a bit more information and research, your father might come around to the idea of allowing you to have a pet dog. Do your best to get him the information he needs to overcome his preexisting bias regarding animal shelters. I believe his fears on this topic are greatly exaggerated.

I FEEL SO EMBARRASSED!

DR. WALLACE: I'm a college student and I buy a lot of food at our local fast-food establishments around our town. It seems that every one of them now has a screen that asks me to either give them a tip that is already programmed to a certain percentage, or to press a button that says "no tip" before my debit card is charged.

I don't have a lot of money in the first place, so if I order a small lunch item that I take to go, I don't feel I should have to tip 20% for that! These screens usually have 15%, 20%, 25% and "no tip" programmed. So, I just hit "no tip," but it makes me so embarrassed! Why do they do this? — Student on a Budget, via email

STUDENT ON A BUDGET: They do it because with hundreds of transactions each day or week, even a few tips do add up and this helps the workers at that establishment.

A tip or gratuity is a gift and acknowledgement for good service and in the past usually has applied to in-person dining, but in recent years it has expanded to to-go orders as well.

I recommend that you tip whatever you are comfortable with, given your personal situation. If you can't tip or don't wish to, that is fine, but if you can leave even a small amount, that's a nice gesture for good service. Some of the electronic cash registers also have a "custom tip" button that will allow you, if you choose, to leave whatever size tip you prefer.

I also would not feel embarrassed about not leaving a tip as in your present situation you have limited financial resources. The servers do receive tips from other customers who likely more than make up for any small purchase you make at these types of establishments.

Later in your life you may evolve into a "better tipper" as you build resources and earning power!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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