Understanding Your Dog

  In This Chapter Being a good neighbor Helping your puppy adjust to life changes Traveling by plane, boat, or automobile Yes, life beyond your four walls holds endless possibilities, and you should take your dog with you wherever life leads. The key is in knowing how to direct your puppy so that she’s a…

  In This Chapter Helping your kids and puppy bond Discouraging your puppy from nipping and tugging Overcoming Sibling Rivalry Syndrome One of the hallmarks of my childhood was my dog, Shawbee, who was a Husky-Shepherd mix. She was my constant companion, waiting for me at the bus stop, hanging outside the church while I…

  In This Chapter Making sure your puppy’s basic needs are met Communicating by using the language of a pup Establishing who’s in charge of the household Discovering how to train your puppy from his perspective Motivating your puppy appropriately according to his age In my opinion, the greatest gift you can give your puppy…

  In This Chapter Calming your puppy during socialization Conditioning your puppy to accept people of all sizes, races, and genders Introducing your puppy to wild animals, noises, and other interesting objects Handling a pup’s wary or defensive response Your puppy is hard-wired with a prime socialization window. During this window, which is between 8…

In This Chapter Shopping for supplies you’ll need immediately Checking out training collars and leashes to be used later on Readying your house and your family Making introductions Getting through the first week Mom’s right again: First impressions really do count. To make your puppy’s transition into your home as smooth as possible, you have…

  In This Chapter Deciding where to look for your puppy — breeders, shelters, newspaper ads, or pet stores Asking and answering all the right questions about your prospective puppy Testing your puppy’s temperament and personality Considering an older pup Let the search begin! You can find a puppy in so many places, from serious…

  In This Chapter Pinpointing your ideal breed or mixed breed Understanding what makes a breed (or mix of breeds) unique Getting the scoop on the terms “breed groups,” “designer breeds,” and “hybrid vigor” Sure, almost all puppies love dog biscuits and a scratch behind the ears, but the similarities pretty much end there. All…

In This Chapter Asking yourself why you want a puppy Considering how a dog fits with your current and future family arrangements Figuring out what you want in a dog Fitting a puppy into your daily routine Your puppy may be the only family member you get to handpick. You choose based on anything from…