Understanding Your Dog

In This Chapter Knowing how much protein, carbohydrates, and fats your dog needs Making sure that your dog is getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals Getting an inside look at how your dog’s food is made Checking out organic options Dogs are carnivores — meat eaters. Their teeth are shaped for biting, tearing,…

In This Chapter Previewing the stages of dog development Making sure that 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 Comparing hierarchy to democracy The greatest gift you can give your dog is…

In This Chapter Understanding the basics of canine law Finding the laws that apply to you Playing by the rules Taking the bite out of dog bite law Preventing cruelty to dogs We live in a litigious society. Whether or not you’ve been involved in a lawsuit, the law likely will somehow touch more than…

In This Chapter Choosing basic dog gear Sniffing out the coolest products Picking leashes and collars Finding fun dog stuff for you Going green with dog accessories A dog can get by without much in the way of material belongings, and a great many of them do. A collar. A leash. A container for water…

In This Chapter Puppy-proofing and buying supplies Introducing your adopted dog to his new life Spotting transitional problems that may require professional help Stressing routine for a better-adjusted dog 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…

In This Chapter Exploring possible places to find your new dog Buying long distance Rescuing a secondhand dog Getting an older dog from a breeder Understanding the importance of a puppy’s early environment Timing your purchase of a new puppy Taking in a stray You can find love in three places: right in front of…

In This Chapter Thinking about your new dog’s age Determining the importance of gender and size Factoring in energy and temperament Identifying signs of a healthy dog Picking the perfect puppy So many adorable dogs are out there, barking and wiggling to get your attention. If only you could take them all home! Of course,…

In This Chapter Making sure there’s room in your life for a dog Calculating the cost of dog ownership Identifying your pet-owner responsibilities Taking a dog for a test drive You’re on the mark. You’re set. You’re ready to run . . . straight to the nearest pair of wistful puppy eyes. Whoa, there! Ever…