Wouldn’t a canine companion be great? There’s just one problem — you’re allergic to dogs. But could a hypoallergenic dog be the solution?

The truth is that all dogs carry the dog allergen — that is, the substance that causes your allergic reaction. The compound is in the dog’s saliva, which gets all over the pooch and its surroundings.

While some dogs produce less of the allergen and some people have stronger allergies than others, there’s no surefire way to tell either ahead of spending time with a dog.

But there may be a solution if you’re willing to give it a shot — in fact, a series of shots. Immunotherapy, or the administration of allergy injections, can actually train your body to resist the dog allergen. This only works before you get a dog, and it can take time to work. But if you are patient and plan ahead, your dog days may become a reality.