Understanding Your Dog

In This Chapter Recognizing gotta-go potty behavior Scheduling time for your dog to go Training your dog to potty on command Crate-training your mixed breed Housetraining your indoor dog Preventing accidents Everyone who gets a new dog must immediately begin working on the most important task: housetraining. Whether you got your dog at a shelter…

 In This Chapter Figuring out how much exercise your dog needs Finding fun activities to do with your dog Dogs are extreme athletes. They require exercise to remain healthy and happy. Few are natural couch potatoes — but they become couch potatoes after living with humans for a while. Some breeds don’t require much exercise, but the…

 In This Chapter Understanding why grooming is about more than just appearance Brushing your dog Cleaning your dog’s ears and teeth Caring for your dog’s eyes Keeping on top of your dog’s nails Bathing your dog Checking your dog for parasites and other problems Would you be willing to walk out of your home without…

 In This Chapter Understanding the basics of canine nutrition Identifying the types of food available Knowing what to feed your mixed-breed dog Looking at special diets for special dogs Getting tips on treats Your mixed-breed dog needs a balanced diet for optimum physical and mental health. If you’ve been in a pet store recently, or…