Showing posts with label Choosing and Bringing Home a Dog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Choosing and Bringing Home a Dog. Show all posts

Fido and the Law

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

Understanding Your New Roommate’s View of the World


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

All the Right Stuff

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

Helping Your Adopted Dog Make the Homecoming Transition


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 interesting objects
  • Handling a pup’s wary or defensive response

Looking for Love in All the Right Places

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

Considering All the Options

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

Ready, Set, Stop: What You Need to Know Before You Choose a Dog


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

What Are Dogs and Why Do They Behave That Way?

In This Chapter
  • Going back in time to see how dogs became dogs
  • Seeing how evolution affects your relationship with your pooch
  • Helping your dog successfully learn
  • Finding out why dogs behave the way they do