Develop a loving relationship with your adopted pet Your fun and easy guide to the challenges and rewards of adopting a pet Thinking about adopting or rescuing an animal? This friendly guide gives you a no-nonsense introduction to the process and helps you select the right companion for you and your family. You'll see how to handle everything from feeding, health care, and housetraining to obedience, behavior issues, and special needs for older and abused animals. Discover how to * Work with shelters and rescue groups * Navigate the procedures and paperwork * Find a supportive veterinarian * Adopt a dog, cat, bird, critter, or exotic pet * Help your pet adjust to its new home

It's a "doggy-dog" world, and this easy-to-use guide will help you navigate it. These days, people's dogs have become bona fide members of the family. Moving from the kennel to the couch, they share our beds, family rooms, and holidays; and they are recipients of our kindest and utmost concern. A pet partnership is a lifetime commitment. Do it right, and your dog will become an important and valuable part of the family for many years. Do it wrong, and you've broken a sacred covenant between humankind and another living being. Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is for you if you are looking to adopt a dog, trying to improve the relationship with the one you have, or attempting to come up with fun things to do with your canine companion. This book is also for people who want to Choose the right veterinarian Explore the dog-breeding business Find breed-rescue groups Identify canine health problems Look for a purebred Improve your chances at pet success by knowing how to raise and live with your dog properly. Discover which breed best suits your lifestyle, and if a puppy or adult dog is best for you. Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, also covers the following topics and more: Caring for an aging dog Choosing collars, harnesses, halters, and leashes Considering euthanasia Feeding Fido the right way House training puppies and adult dogs Keeping up appearances with good grooming Participating in canine competitions Preparing your dog for a disaster Traveling with your dog Award-winning author Gina Spadafori says the lack of accurate information — not the lack of effort or concern — is often the reason for doomed people-pet pairings. With her help, you can avoid the agony. Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is full of useful tips, how-to advice, illustrations, and photographs (both color and black-and-white). You deserve a healthy, happy, and well-mannered canine companion; and you'll be the owner every pet wants and deserves — informed, responsible, and loving. P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you’re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Dogs For Dummies (9780764552748). The book you see here shouldn’t be considered a new or updated product. But if you’re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We’re always writing about new topics!

Every day, your dog does something adorable that's unique to him alone. Learn techniques for capturing your dog's personality, and turn ordinary shots into priceless memories that will last a lifetime.

The definitive resource on dogs from North America's largest non-profit pet adoption website. Includes photos! The Total Dog Manual covers everything from how to choose your pet to appropriate training methods and environments, to understanding behavior and selecting the right food, toys, and care for your new family member. From understanding a dogs’ anatomy and those deep-down doggie instincts to grooming tips, this team of experts provides all you need to understand your furry friend. Behavior: Why do dogs jump so much? What do wolves have to do with anything? Find these answers and more to better understand how dogs “talk” to each other—and to us—and how to communicate more effectively with your pets. Training: Tired of your dog slobbering on your face? Trying to minimize mouthing? Want to teach an old dog new tricks? Find instructions and top tips on curbing bad habits, the latest thinking on teaching basic commands, and how to deal with the challenges and rewards of introducing a puppy or adult dog to a new home and family. Care: Is his fur a tangled mess? What kind of collar tag should you get? What supplies does a new puppy need? What do you do during a thunderstorm or with an elderly animal? Learn everything you need to know to keep your dog safe and happy, including tips on security, vacations and travel, and major upheavals such as moving homes or stressful situations. This easy-to-use manual, filled with delightful photos, is an ideal reference no matter what your dog’s age or breed.

A guide to successful dog adoption for every family. Addresses questions such as whether dog adoption is right for you, how to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group, how to prepare your home for a new member, integrating the dog into your home, family, lifestyle, and more.

At last, an indispensable guide to the unique needs of the 2.5 million dogs adopted every year in America.

Expert guidance in choosing the right dog -the first time Written by a renowned expert in shelter adoption, Successful Dog Adoption delivers all the information you need to find the perfect dog at a shelter and make him part of your family. In easy-to-understand language, Sue Sternberg helps you decide if you're ready to adopt by evaluating your reasons and translating them into what you should look for in a particular dog. She shows you how to find a reputable shelter, prepare for the adoption process, and work with shelter personnel to make sure they have appropriately screened their dogs. You'll also learn about "rescue" dogs and why one might be right for you. This practical guide covers all the vital issues you need to consider when adopting-choosing a male or female, a puppy or an adult; identifying fearful dogs or dogs who will bite; and seeking out a dog with the ideal temperament. Featured here are detailed tests and observations used by professionals to ascertain the temperament and compatibility of shelter dogs-now made available to the public for the first time. You'll discover how to determine risk factors in an unknown dog, gauge a dog's potential reaction to guests and strangers, and predict the compatibility level when you add another dog to your household. This book also offers invaluable advice on training your new pet, including guidance in housebreaking, selecting a training class, and helping a dog who gets carsick or doesn't like to be home alone. And, if you still experience difficulties with your dog, Sternberg gently discusses the steps you can take. Authoritative and friendly, Successful Dog Adoption is the one-stop guide for finding your own "superdog"-and keeping the dog-owner relationship fresh and rewarding for years to come.