Understanding Your Dog

In This Chapter Keeping your dog safe from viruses, bacteria, and parasites Protecting yourself and your family from the bugs that like your dog Scientists know of millions of species of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites — and they discover new ones every day. Although this chapter discusses bugs that are problematic to dogs, most…

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 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 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…