Full Description
It's a "doggy-dog" world, and this easy-to-use guide will help you navigate it.
These days, people's dogs have become bona fide members of the family. Moving from the kennel to the couch, they share our beds, family rooms, and holidays; and they are recipients of our kindest and utmost concern. A pet partnership is a lifetime commitment. Do it right, and your dog will become an important and valuable part of the family for many years. Do it wrong, and you've broken a sacred covenant between humankind and another living being.
Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is for you if you are looking to adopt a dog, trying to improve the relationship with the one you have, or attempting to come up with fun things to do with your canine companion. This book is also for people who want to
Choose the right veterinarian
Explore the dog-breeding business
Find breed-rescue groups
Identify canine health problems
Look for a purebred
Improve your chances at pet success by knowing how to raise and live with your dog properly. Discover which breed best suits your lifestyle, and if a puppy or adult dog is best for you. Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, also covers the following topics and more:
Caring for an aging dog
Choosing collars, harnesses, halters, and leashes
Considering euthanasia
Feeding Fido the right way
House training puppies and adult dogs
Keeping up appearances with good grooming
Participating in canine competitions
Preparing your dog for a disaster
Traveling with your dog
Award-winning author Gina Spadafori says the lack of accurate information — not the lack of effort or concern — is often the reason for doomed people-pet pairings. With her help, you can avoid the agony. Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is full of useful tips, how-to advice, illustrations, and photographs (both color and black-and-white). You deserve a healthy, happy, and well-mannered canine companion; and you'll be the owner every pet wants and deserves — informed, responsible, and loving.
P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you're probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Dogs For Dummies (9780764552748). The book you see here shouldn't be considered a new or updated product. But if you're in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We're always writing about new topics!
Contents
Foreword xvii
Introduction 1
Part 1: Bringing a Puppy or Adult Dog into Your Life 9
Chapter 1: Considering the Canine Possibilities 11
Chapter 2: Narrowing the Field 27
Chapter 3: Finding Out about Breeders, Shelters, and Other Sources 55
Chapter 4: Choosing and Bringing Home a Puppy 77
Chapter 5: Adopting and Settling In an Adult Dog 91
Part 2: Getting the Relationship Off to the Best Start 103
Chapter 6: All the Right Stuff 105
Chapter 7: Feeding Your Puppy or Dog 123
Chapter 8: House-Training Puppies and Dogs 141
Chapter 9: Early Puppy Training 153
Part 3: Keeping Your Dog Healthy 171
Chapter 10: Good Grooming 173
Chapter 11: Preventive Health Care for Puppies and Dogs 191
Chapter 12: Common Canine Health Problems 215
Chapter 13: Caring for an Aging Dog 227
Part 4: Living Happily with Your Dog 243
Chapter 14: Teaching Your Dog Manners 245
Chapter 15: Problem-Solving 269
Chapter 16: Canine Competitions: Fun Things to Do with Your Dog 289
Chapter 17: To Breed or Not to Breed 305
Chapter 18: Traveling with Your Dog 321
Part 5: The Part of Tens 343
Chapter 19: Ten Dog Myths — Debunked! 345
Chapter 20: Ten Questions to Ask When Buying a Purebred Puppy 353
Chapter 21: Ten Things You Need to Know to Prepare Your Dog for a Disaster 359
Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Have Both a Dog and a Nice Yard 367
Chapter 23: Ten Must-See Dog Sites on the World Wide Web 375
Index 385
