Understanding Your Dog

  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…

  In This Chapter Understanding the differences between puppies Helping your pup settle in with the family Training with your pup’s age in mind Dealing with the infamous puppy behavior Taking care of your puppy If you parallel your puppy’s first year with the first 18 years of a child’s life, you’ll have a good…