In This Chapter
- Researching clubs and other organizations
- Getting the scoop on grooming and training
- Reading about travel, shows, and other fun activities
- Checking out health information
In this chapter, I provide easy-to-reference Web sites, books, and other resources to help you with travel, health, grooming, training, performance events, and more. Keep in mind that I can’t include every dog resource in this chapter. I may not mention your favorite training book, and you may know of a wonderful Web site for travel that I’ve omitted. I give you these resources only as a starting point. Explore. Enjoy. And start your own notebook of Poodle resources.
Kennel and Poodle Clubs
– The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the registry most dog owners know about. The Web site gives you information on all AKC events, as well as event rules and regulations. The site even includes an online store. For registration information, contact one of the following:
Phone: (919) 233-9767
www.akc.org(e-mail [email protected] with questions)
AKC
5580 Centerview Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606
– The United Kennel Club (UKC) is the second largest all-breed dog registry in the United States after the UKC. For information on UKC events, and to find out how to register your Poodle with the UKC, contact one of the following:
Phone: (269) 343-9020
Fax: (269) 343-7037
United Kennel Club
100 E. Kilgore Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49002
Tip
If you want specific information on Poodles, the first place to look (well, other than here) is the Poodle Club of America at www.poodleclubofamerica.org. You can find breed information, breeder referrals, affiliate clubs, and rescue and health information.
Rescue Groups
Grooming
– Dog Grooming For Dummies by Margaret H. Bonham (Wiley)
– Poodle Clipping & Grooming: The International Reference by Shirlee Kalstone (Howell)
Training
– Dog Training For Dummies by Jack and Wendy Volhard (Wiley)
– Any book by Carol Benjamin; my favorites include Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog (Howell) and Surviving Your Dog’s Adolescence: A Positive Training Program (Howell)
– How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford and David H. Neil (Alpine Publications)
– How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend by The Monks of New Skete (Little, Brown and Company)
Travel
– Traveling With Your Pet
This book published by AAA lists more than 12,000 pet-friendly hotels, motels, and campgrounds. The book also includes phone numbers, directions, and prices.
Performance Events andOther Fun Activities
Therapy Dogs
– The Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org)
– Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (www.tdi-dog.org)
– Therapy Dogs Inc. (www.therapydogs.com)
Healthcare
– The American Veterinary Medical Association, at www.avma.org, provides articles on various health conditions.
– The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists allows you to search for an ophthalmologist in your area (www.acvo.org/locate.htm).
– The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society’s Web site lists certified veterinary acupuncturists by state (www.ivas.org).
– The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association can give you information about your Poodle’s chiropractic issues (www.animalchiropractic.org).
– The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy has a Web site, www.theavh.org, if you’re interested in homeopathy for your Poodle.
– If your Poodle has a health problem that requires a special diet, you can find special homemade diets for dogs with heart or kidney problems, diabetes, or allergies at www.2ndchance.info/homemadediets.htm.
Memorials
– The Senior Dogs Project (www.srdogs.com/Pages/loss.html)
– Valley Monuments, Inc. (www.valleymonuments.com)
– My Crystal Companion (www.mycrystalcompanion.com)
– SoulBursts (www.soulbursts.com)
– Gray Parrot Glass Memorials (www.grayparrotglassmemorials.com)
– Comfort Pets (www.comfortpets.com/index.asp)
by Susan M.Ewing