secrets to dog training v7.0

8/4/2019 Secrets to Dog Training v7.0

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www.kingdomofpets.com


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Acknowledgements

Daniel would particularly like to thank Darren and Janelle Whitcombe for theirguidance and advice. In addition, a big thanks to the Stevens family.

Copyright 2004 - 2009 by Daniel Stevens and Libros Media Ltd. All rightsreserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, microlm, xerography, or anyother means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical,

without the written permission of Libros Media Ltd; exceptions are made for brief excerpts usedin published reviews.

Published byLibros Media Ltd

Level 2 107 Cashel Street, Christchurch, 8001, New Zealand

ISBN 0-473-10716-3 Electronic VersionISBN 0-473-10715-5 Paperback Version

Printed in New Zealand

Printing number

21, 20, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard tothe subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engagedin rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expertassistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American BarAssociation and a Committee of Publishers and associations



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Table of Contents

Introduction 1

DOG 101: Its a Dogs Life 3

A. Dog Ownership and You 3

B. Selecting Your Puppy or Dog 7

C. Where to Adopt From 14

D. Breed Groups 19

E. Responsible Ownership 22

F. Review of DOG 101 24

DOG 102: Caring for Your Dog 25

A. Bringing Your Puppy or Dog Home 25

B. Diet and Nutrition 35

C. Canine Growth Stages 37

D. Toys for Your Dog 40

E. Safe and Fun Toys to Buy 40

F. Choosing Your Vet 41

G. Review of DOG 102 42

DOG 103: Training Methods Revealed 44

A. Types of Training 44

B. Secrets to Training Your Dog 51

C. Crate Training 56

D. Obedience Training and Age 59

E. Selecting a Dog Trainer 60

F. Review of DOG 103 61


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DOG 201: Secrets to Understanding Your Dog 63

A. Understanding Your Dog 63

B. Dog Senses 65

C. How Dogs Communicate Using Scent 67

D. Guide to Body Language and Signals 67

E. Guide to Facial Expressions and Vocals 69

F. Wolf Instincts 71


DOG 202: Common Behavior Problems Solved 75

A. An Introduction to Aggression Problems 75

B: Aggression Continued: Treatment Program for Dominance 80

Case Study: Aggression and Dominance 87

Case Study: Food Bowl Aggression 89

C. Dog-On-Dog Aggression 91

Case Study: Dogs Fighting 93

D. Fear Biting 94

Case Study: Fear Biting 97

E. Play-Biting 99

Case Study: Nipping and Hand Biting 101

F. Chewing and Other Destructive Behavior 102

Case Study: Chewing and Destructive Behavior 106

G. Jumping on Furniture 108

Case Study: Jumping on Furniture 111

H. Jumping on People 112

Case Study: Jumping Up on People 114

I. Digging Problems 115


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Case Study: Digging 117

J. Disobedience 119

Case Study: Disobedience 120

K. Fear of the Leash 121

Case Study: Fear of the Leash 124

L: Off-Leash Problems 125

Case Study: Off-Leash Problems 127

M. Leash-Pulling Problems 129

Case Study: Leash-Pulling Problems 137

N. Barking Problems 138

Case Study: Barking Problems 143

O. Whining 144

Case Study: Whining 146

P. Thieving 148

Case Study: Thievery 150

Q. Travel Problems 152

Case Study: Travel Problems 155

R. Review of DOG 202 156

DOG 203: Commands to Start 158

A. Come (Recall) 158

B. Sit Stage I 161

C. Okay and No 162

D. Hold and Drop It 162

E. Sit Stage II 165

F. Sit and Stay 167

G. Down (Drop) Stage I 169


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H. Down (Drop) Stage II 170

I. Heel Stage I 171

J. Heel Stage II 173

K. Heel Stage III 175

L. Stand 177

M. Wait 178

N. Seek (Find) 179

O. Training Program 179

P. Review of DOG 203 180

DOG 301: Dog Whispering Uncovered 181

A. Dening Dog Whispering 181

B. Dog Whispering: About the Method 182

C. Dog Whispering: Interventions 186

D. Dog Whispering: Corrections 189

E. Dog Whispering with Common Commands 191

F. The Trouble with Dog Whispering 194


DOG 302: Health-Related Problems Solved 197

A. Separation Anxiety 197

Case Study: Separation Anxiety 200

B. Two Dogs in the House 202

Case Study: Introducing a New Dog 206

C. Allergies to Dogs 208

D. Euthanasia 211

E. Bad Dog Breath 214

F. Cat / Dog Coexistence 217


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Case Study: Cat Chasing 219

G. Coprophagia (Poop Eating) 220

Case Study: Coprophagia 221

H. Flatulence 222

I. Fleas 224

J. Hot Weather and Heatstroke 226

K. Jealousy 230

L. Worms 235

M . Review of DOG 302 237

DOG 303: Advanced Commands & Tricks 238

A. Advanced Sit and Stay Stage I 238

B. Advanced Sit and Stay Stage II 239

C. More Sit and Stay 239

D. Advanced Seek (Find) 240

E. Beg 241

F. Fetch (Retrieve) 242

G. Catch 243

H. Shake 244

I. Climb 244

J. Crawl 245

L. Roll Over 246

M. Review of DOG 303 247


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Introduction

Secrets to Dog Training is a complete A-Zhandbook for dog owners. Covering all aspects ofdog ownership, from choosing a puppy tounderstanding your dog to problem-solving tocomplete obedience work, we've aimed to coverevery facet of dog ownership in a simple, step-by-step format.

When you take on the ownership of a dog, you'reaccepting complete responsibility for that dog'sphysical and emotional wellbeing. Your dog

depends on you for absolutely everything heneeds to survive.

We at Secrets to Dog Training recognize that this can be a daunting task, andthat becoming an experienced, knowledgeable owner has its potential pitfallsand problem areas. By outlining the responsibilities at hand, as well as theinformation you'll require in order to raise a happy, healthy dog, we hope to takeall the difculty out of adopting a dog and let you get on with all of the fun.

Secrets to Dog Training is laid out in a series of nine chapters. These chaptersare further divided into three basic sections, or 'courses,' all of which deal withspecic aspects of dog ownership. For example, the rst course (chapters onethrough three) deals with the introductory aspects of dog ownership - such aswhat to consider before adopting a dog, how to 'match-make' yourself with yourperfect dog, the practical demands of dog ownership, and so on.

The second course (chapters four through six) is concerned more with improvingthe owner-dog connection. You'll learn about canine communication and howto interpret body language and vocalization, as well as how to recognize andsolve a variety of specic problem behaviors. We nish up this section with achapter on basic obedience.

The third course of Secrets to Dog Training (the nal three chapters) is devotedto an introduction to and explanation of "dog whispering" techniques to furtheryour training, as well as an extended look at additional problem behaviors andadvanced obedience work.

You can refer to the diagram on the next page for a visual map of the book andmore details on each three-chapter 'course.' Don't let the amount of informationput you off - you can read this book cover to cover, or simply pick and choosefrom the sections that interest you.

Above all, Secrets to Dog Training is designed to improve your relationship with


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UNDERSTANDING WELLBEING TRAINING

DOG 101:

Its A Dogs LifeDog Ownership andYouSelecting Your Puppyor DogWhere to Adopt FromBreed GroupsResponsibleOwnershipReview of DOG 101

DOG 102:

Caring for Your DogBringing Your Puppyor Dog HomeDiet and NutritionCanine GrowthStagesToys for Your DogSafe and Fun Toysto BuyChoosing Your VetReview of DOG 102

DOG 103:

Training MethodsRevealedTypes of TrainingSecrets to TrainingYour DogCrate TrainingObedience Trainingand AgeSelecting a DogTrainerReview of DOG 103

DOG 201:Secrets to

Understanding Your

DogUnderstanding YourDogDog SensesHow DogsCommunicate UsingScentGuide to BodyLanguage andSignalsGuide to FacialExpressions andVocalsWolf InstinctsReview of DOG 201

DOG 202:Common Behavior

Problems

An Introduction toAggression ProblemsAggressionContinued: TreatmentProgram forDominanceDog-On-DogAggressionFear BitingPlay-BitingChewing and OtherDestructive BehaviorJumping on FurnitureJumping on PeopleDigging ProblemsDisobedienceFear of the LeashOff-Leash ProblemsLeash-PullingProblemsBarking ProblemsWhiningThievingTravel ProblemsReview of Dog 202

DOG 203:Commands to StartCome (Recall)

Sit Stage IOkay and NoHold and Drop ItSit Stage IISit and StayDown (Drop) StageIDown (Drop) StageIIHeel Stage IHeel Stage IIHeel Stage IIIStand WaitSeek (Find)Training ProgramReview of DOG 203

DOG 301:Dog Whispering

Uncovered

Dening Dog WhisperingDog Whispering:About the MethodDog Whispering:InterventionsDog Whispering:CorrectionsDog Whispering withCommon CommandsThe Trouble with DogWhisperingReview of DOG 301

DOG 302:Health-RelatedProblems Solved

Separation Anxiety Two Dogs in theHouseAllergiesBad Dog BreathCat / DogCoexistenceCoprophagia (PoopEating)FlatulenceFleasHot Weather andHeatstrokeJealousyWorms

Review of DOG 302

DOG 303:Advanced Commands

and Tricks

Advanced Sit and Stay Stage IAdvanced Sit andStay Stage IIMore Sit and StayAdvanced Seek(Find)BegFetch (Retrieve)CatchShakeClimbCrawlJumpRoll Over

Review of DOG 303

LEVEL

3

LEVEL

2

LEVEL

1


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DOG 101: Its a Dogs Life

In this section we deal with the initial considerations of dog ownership, startingwith what you need to think about before getting a dog. From there, well moveon to choosing a puppy: how to match yourself up with your ideal puppy, whereto nd one, and how to deal with (and nd) a good breeder. Well also considersome of the typical traits of popular dog breeds to give you an idea of what toexpect. Lastly, well take a look at what it means to be a responsible owner.

A. Dog Ownership and You

Your dog is going to be a part of your life from between

eight to twenty years, barring accident or illness - so itsworth taking some time now to avoid a potentialmismatch.

In order to eliminate as much of the guesswork as possiblewhen it comes to choosing your canine companion, youneed to honestly evaluate yourself, your lifestyle, whatyou want out of a dog, and what you can offer in return!

Here are some valid points to consider:

How much time do you realistically have to spend with your dog? Doyou work long hours? Do you have a demanding social life? Do youlike to travel often?

Have you really considered the nancial implications of dog ownership?What will happen if your dog gets sick or has an accident? Is thereroom in your budget for the unexpected? Is there room in your smallcar for a big dog?

How much time do you like to spend in physical activity each day? Are

you a couch potato or an outdoorsy, energetic type?

What are your basic personality traits? Are you an outspoken typewho's accustomed to getting their own way, or a timid person whoavoids confrontation at all costs? Are you a patient teacher or do youhave a hair-trigger temper?

Believe it or not, all of these traits can affect the sort of dog that will best suityou and your lifestyle.


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Time

One of the most basic needs of any dog is time - specically, yourtime. Dogsare time-consuming creatures: in terms of effort and time expenditure, someowners liken the adoption of a dog to the arrival of a new child.

Dogs need training (puppies even more so), exercise, play time, and affection- as well as checkups, feeding, grooming, and the time thats spent simplykeeping each other company.

Not only is it inconsiderate and even cruel to leave your dog without frequentcompanionship and exercise, but it can be dangerous. A poorly-trained,inadequately socialized dog is a menace to himself, his family, and anyone

else he encounters. If your dog attacks somebody, you can be held responsible(people have been sued and have even gone to jail because they haventcontrolled their dogs properly).

A busy work schedule is a fact of life for most of us, but this need not deteryou from welcoming a dog into your home. You will need to plan around thisobstacle, though - consider arranging for a dog-walker, a dog-sitter, doggie day-care, or even just having a trusted neighbor drop by for half an hour a day toexercise and play with your dog.

If youre getting a puppy, dont forget to factor in additional time for training,

housebreaking, socializing, and playtime. When you rst bring the puppy home,its best if you can take a few days off work to minimize the stress of adjustment.Despite their many charms, puppies are even more needy when it comes todemands on your time than adult dogs.

The breed of dog that you choose will also contribute to how much time isrequired for exercise and training. Some breeds are more difcult to housebreakthan others; some breeds require literally hours of exercise each day!

Finances

The cost involved in keeping a dog is a very real issue. Aside from the initialcost to buy a dog, there are many other costs which can vary hugely dependingon whether you adopt from a shelter, buy from a pet store, or get your dog froma breeder (and this will also depend on whether he or she is mixed-breed, apet-quality purebred, or a show-quality purebred).

Here are some of the costs to consider:

Food. Depending on the size of your dog, from $15 to $45 a week.


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General equipment: toys, collars, leads, chews, grooming implements,crates, bedding, kennels.

Boarding costs: youll likely need to go away at some point, whetherits on holiday, to a wedding, a funeral, or a work function.

Medical costs. Checkups and inoculations at the vet are vital. Also, youshould plan on the likelihood of your dog getting sick at some point.This costs money. You may consider pet insurance as well, which willprotect you in the case of unexpected surgery and chronic or longterm conditions.

Registration and license.

Puppy school, obedience work, and professional training if required.

Emergency costs: there are always unexpected costs when it comesto dog ownership. If you dont have insurance, for example, or haveskimped on a cheap plan, unexpected costs can oor you when youleast expect it.

If you consider your own budget and how exible you can afford to be when itcomes to your pet, this will help you to make a responsible choice and ensurethat the dog you choose gets the care he deserves.

Listed below is a comprehensive checklist of the potential nancial factorsinvolved with owning a dog. Try speaking to your vet, local boarding kennels,pet store, and any friends that have dogs - this will help you to get estimates foreach of these items, so that any unexpected bills do not catch you out.

YOUR DOG BUDGET $$ $/WEEK

Purchase price

Vaccinations

Dog food and treats

Collars and leads

Registration and/or license fees

Toys

Kennel, crate, or enclosure

Grooming

Health insurance, vet bills, spaying / neutering

Boarding kennels

Total


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Exercise and Activity

All dogs need exercise. Like humans, the minimum that the average adultdog requires to maintain basic overall tness is 30 to 45 minutes of vigorousexercise, at least three or four times a week. Many dogs need a lot more thanthis - a Border Collie, for example, can run over 100 miles in the course of anormal working day!

To make sure that youre exercising your dog adequately, youll need to researchthe basic exercise requirements of the breed of dog that youve chosen (or, if amixed breed, adhere to at least the minimum requirements, and exceed themif it seems necessary).

The size of a dog doesnt necessarily correspond with his or her energy level.Its popularly believed that the bigger the dog, the more exercise it needs, butappearances can be deceiving. Many smaller dogs have incredible staminaand a great need for intense cardiovascular exercise, whereas a lot of the largerdogs (think Great Danes, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands) are real couch potatoesand are happy to lie about the house all day.

For busy people, tting in an extra hour or so per day to exercise the dog canbe a real chore. But spending active time with your dog doesnt need to bedrudgery - there are lots of fun activities you can do to work in the necessarymileage. Many of these are interactive and mentally challenging as well: justconsider agility training, tracking, Frisbee, or even plain old fetch.

Your Personality

Your own personality type has a great impact on whether or not you and yourchosen dog are likely to enjoy any kind of emotional bond. Of course, its prettyhard to typify human personalities - like dogs, were all individuals - but if youcan honestly evaluate yourself in terms of your desire for physical affection(some dogs love to cuddle!), your ability to be patient, how prepared you areto deal with stubbornness, and how comfortable you are with discipline and

asserting yourself, its possible to take a lot of the guesswork out of selecting afour-legged friend. Youll need to use these insights about your own personalitywith a bit of information on your favored breeds to narrow down your eld ofchoices.

Its not really possible to predict what kind of personality your dog is goingto have, but certain breeds have been designed in a way that encouragesparticular traits and character aspects. We will look at this in greater depth inthe section titled Dog Groups.


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B. Selecting Your Puppy or Dog

Choosing the right puppy is a matter of careful thought and research. Too manypeople are suckered into making impulse choices they later regret - its so easyto be seduced by the very rst puppy that you see, but resist this temptation!Both you and your nal choice of dog will be glad that you did.

Breed Selection

A purebred is a lot more than just an ordinary dog wearinga fancy suit. Dog breeds have developed over thousandsof years through selective breeding, which deliberately

emphasizes certain traits and weeds out others. All breedsof dog were originally bred to do a certain job, whether itsherding livestock (Border Collies), hunting lions in the jungle (Rhodesian Ridgebacks), pulling supplies forhundreds of miles across arctic tundra (Siberian Huskies)or simply looking pretty and keeping us humans company(the toy breeds).

Of course, these jobs have very little impact on modern-day life for the vastmajority of people - most of us just want a dog for simple companionship. But youstill need to carefully consider the jobs that your preferred breed(s) of dog wereintended to do, because this has a big impact on how well hell be suited to yourhousehold and lifestyle. A Husky will do perfectly well without the opportunity topull sledges across the snow, for example, but he still has an inherent need toexplore and run endlessly - which is something that a city-dweller would needto think about before adopting one.

A lot of us are attracted to particular breeds of dog because of the way thatthey look, which is nothing to be ashamed of - its only natural to pursue thethings that catch our eye, after all. Whats really important is that you followup this initial attraction with a little research so you can get an idea of whether

or not that particular breeds hardwired attributes (guarding, chasing, herding,tracking, and so on) can be easily incorporated into your life - because if not,you both may be unhappy.

The best thing you can do is talk to some breeders of the particular breed thatscaught your fancy. Ask them about the types of people who do best with thebreed, what the breeds requirements are, how much exercise they need, whatthe more troublesome aspects of the breed are. Basically, make sure you knowwhat youre getting before you get it.


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For a start, you might take a look at the Kingdom of Pets breed library:

www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/dogbreeds/).

You can also browse online, ask your dog-owning friends, or a vet. And theresalways the good old local library. There is more than enough dog-breedinformation out there.

More information on nding and selecting breeders is given in Section C:Selecting a Breeder.

Where to Find Your Dog or Puppy

When it comes to nding your perfect puppy or dog, there are several choices

open to you (both good ones and bad ones):

Reputable breeders

Adoption or rescue shelters

REPUTABLE BREEDERS

Sometimes called private breeders ornoncommercial breeders, "real" breedersare in the business for the love of dogs, not

the prot (dog-breeding is rarely a protablebusiness when performed ethically).

A good breeder will:

Raise the puppies inside the house, or in a place where they canbecome accustomed to humans from a young age.

Restrict themselves to one or two breeds only.

Question you extensively about your lifestyle, experience, and the

proposed environment for the puppy before allowing you to take oneof the pups.

Screen the dogs for genetic disease, and provide certication of thisupon request.

Breed no more than a couple of litters per year. Each individual femalewill be bred only once per year.

Buying a puppy from a proper breeder ensures as much as possible that yourpurebred pup is healthy, well-socialized, and doesn't have any preexisting

mental or physical problems.


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RESCUE SHELTERS

Rescue shelters, or adoption shelters, are an excellent option for nding a pet.

The dogs in these establishments are more often than not there through nofault of their own - they've been discarded by their original owners for any oneof a huge number of reasons (nancial problems, relationship breakup, a newbaby, the owners have moved house, etc).

It's true that a lot of rescue-shelter dogs are jumpy and nervous the second timearound; they've suffered a huge trauma - having effectively been 'orphaned' -and will naturally need some time to adjust. It's estimated that an abandoneddog takes between six weeks and four months before he or she shakes offthe symptoms of trauma caused by abandonment (anxiety, depression, looking

around for familiar people and sights).

Often the dogs in adoption shelters are an ideal choice for rst-time owners,because they're already housetrained and have also usually been trained tosome degree in obedience commands. This is an incredible weight off a noviceowner (as anyone who's ever had to housetrain a puppy will agree!).

Another benet of choosing to get your dog from a rescue shelter is that thedogs you'll nd there - even the purebred ones - are much less expensive thanthose purchased from a breeder (think $50 instead of $500).

Good shelters have some form of veterinary care on hand as well. Some willneuter / spay the dogs they take in, and most all will do this as a service includedin the modest adoption fee. The animals come to their new owners injury- anddisease-free, which is a fantastic bonus (especially when considering the hugenumber of heart-breaking genetic diseases that most purebreds are prone to).At the very least, you'll be notied of any existing conditions before purchase,and will be given an idea of the care and expense required for treatment.

In addition to all these benets, the emotional reward that comes from takingin an abandoned animal is often the best part of all. A lot of dogs adoptedfrom shelters are so grateful to be given a second chance (yes, dogs do feelgratitude) that they quickly form intense bonds of love and loyalty with their newowners - bonds that can be even more intense than those experienced by anowner who's raised a 'brand-new' puppy.

Where Not To Find Your Dog

There are a lot of valid reasons to avoid choosing any of the below options asthe place to nd your dog:


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Puppy mills

Pet stores

Backyard breeders

PUPPY MILLS

Puppy mills are essentially puppy factories. The production of 'popular-breed'dogs is a prot-making business for some people, which means that there isno quality of life for the dogs and puppies involved, little to no attention paidto hygiene or nutrition, and the puppies raised aren't socialized or shown anyaffection. These puppies are also prone to disease if not unwell already.

These same puppies are then taken from their mothers well before they shouldbe (usually around ve weeks of age) and shipped - sometimes for hundreds ofmiles - across country, where they end up in a little glass box in a pet store.

These puppies are not good choices for pets. They almost always come withserious behavioral problems and neuroses, and are usually suffering frommalnutrition and a variety of other close-quarters diseases.

The team at Kingdom of Pets strongly discourages purchasing a puppy froma puppy mill - no matter how sorry you feel for the poor puppies, to do so onlysupports this growing business and encourages others to join in.

PET STORES

Pet stores are the only establishments supplied by puppy mills - in effect, they'rethe reason that puppy mills exist.

Puppies in pet stores are conned to small glass cages, either by themselves orwith one or two other puppies. They receive little to no exercise, little handling,and little socialization. The average puppy arrives at a pet store at ve weeksold, and stays there until he is twelve weeks old - by the time he's adopted,that's more than half his life spent in virtual solitary connement.

Pups from pet stores have the same problems that puppy-mill puppieshave emotional problems, behavioral upsets, and diseases. They're usuallyproblematic dogs to raise, as it takes a LOT of work to counteract the damageinicted by the conditions at the mill and the pet store.

To top it all off, people who buy from pet stores are often impulse-shoppers:they see a cute puppy in the store window and buy it on the spot, without athought for preparation, information, the puppy's history, or how to successfullyrear a dog. Instant gratication is hard to resist, but a dog is not a commodity

that can be purchased without forethought.


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BACKYARD BREEDERS

This is an all-encompassing term for people who breed dogs on a non-

commercial level with little to no thought for genetic health, desirable traits, orthe wellbeing of the dogs and puppies involved.

Common mistakes made by a typical backyard breeder might include:

Rearing the litters away from the house, where the pups have nochance to become accustomed to people and daily living.

Feeding puppies on the nutritional equivalent of sawdust and water, tominimize costs and maximize prots.

Breeding females too often, which produces underweight and unhealthypups, and shortens the mother's lifespan.

Backyard breeders sometimes prey on inexperienced buyers by making claimswithout backing them up: for example, claiming that litters have been screenedagainst genetic disease, but failing to provide certication.

Remember that plenty of genetic diseases don't show up until the dog is oneor two years old, so it's not possible to screen for everything in each individualpup (which is why parents and grandparents are required to be screened). Agood breeder won't have a problem informing you about any genetic diseasethe breed is prone to, and will offer advice on the best course of action shouldthe need arise.

At What Age Should You Get Your Dog?

Its generally agreed that puppies need to stay with their mothers and littermatesuntil theyre at least eight weeks of age. This isnt just an arbitrary number - thereasons for doing so are convincing.

Taking a puppy away from its litter before eight weeks is actually damaging to

the pup. All puppies must have the chance to learn those vital pack-interactionskills from their brothers and sisters, but the main problem with such an earlyadoption is the lack of learned bite-inhibition.

When puppies play with their littermates, they play rough - biting and wrestling.Any puppy bitten too hard will squeal sharply, and refuse to continue playingwith the biter. This is how puppies learn to control the force with which theybite - its a valuable lesson, and one most effectively taught by other dogs at ayoung age. Without the opportunity to learn bite control, dogs grow up withoutunderstanding the damage that can be inicted by a careless bite, which can bea major problem in an adult dog.


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You can also adopt a puppy thats older than the standard eight to ten weeks.The basic advantages of adoption for both age groups are outlined below.

BENEFITS OF CHOOSING A YOUNG PUPPY (8 TO 16 WEEKS) OVER ANOLDER ONE:

The pup has no behaviors set, good or bad. You control the inuenceshe or she gets and which behaviors are encouraged

Puppies adapt readily to your life and your home.

Youre a part of the pups life from his rst day away from his motherand siblings - this encourages a strong bond.

Your dog will never again be as physically appealing and downrightadorable as he is during early puppyhood. Never underestimate thecuteness of a young puppy!

BENEFITS OF CHOOSING AN OLDER PUPPY (16 WEEKS AND UP) OVERA YOUNG ONE:

Older pups have more control over their bowels and bladder, whichmakes housetraining a lot easier.

They may have had some training already in obedience work.

Personality traits are starting to emerge: you can get a better idea ofwhat kind of dog he or she is growing up to be.

Choosing Your Puppy From a Litter

Before choosing a puppy, its good to have a basic idea of canine interaction andcommunication if at all possible. Without understanding the underlying causesbehind a lot of puppy behavior, its easy to make mistakes when confronted witha squirming, playful crowd of cute pups - mistakes that, more often than not,turn out to be both exhausting and heartbreaking to deal with.

A lot of people make the mistake of choosing a puppy because they feel sorryfor it. When theres a pup sitting all by himself in the corner, not playing with theother puppies, its natural to want to adopt that puppy and try to x him. This isa commendable impulse, but its important to understand the consequences ofsuch an action before doing something you might regret.


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A healthy, normal puppy is moderately self-condent, energetic, and playful. Heshould be involved to at least some extent with other puppies. If theres a pupthats isolated from or ignored by the others, there is a very good reason for it -

and one that you probably dont want to involve yourself with. He might be sick,he might be malnourished, or he might have serious behavioral problems.

By all means, adopt the trouble puppy of the litter, but dont do it out of amisguided sense of pity and charity - know what youre getting into, because alltoo often these are the pups that grow up to be abandoned or sent to the shelterbecause the owners cant cope.

The dominant puppy of the litter can be just as much of a handful, but fordifferent reasons. The pup that comes romping right up to you without a care

in the world isnt just friendly - hes dominant by nature, a natural alpha-dog,and is showing this by leading the other pups over to you. This is usually theone that grows up to be stubborn, bossy, feisty, scrappy - all qualities that areendearing to the right owner, but do you have enough experience with dogs tocope with these time-consuming and sometimes frustrating character traits?

Spend some time with the pups - this will help you to get a feel for the ones youconnect with best. If possible, visit several times and at different times of theday to see how they behave when theyre playing, feeding, wide awake, andtired out.

Once youve got an idea of the one you want, take him a short distance awayfrom the other pups (to prevent him becoming distracted) and play with him. Ishe curious or scared? Does he investigate or back away? Is he happy to behandled and stroked, or does he struggle, whimper, and try to get away? Payingattention to details like these is how you can tell what type of personality thispup is likely to have.

Take this opportunity to quickly check him over for possible illness, as well.Look him over from nose to tail: his skin should be smooth and free of lumps orbumps, fur should be shiny and thick with no thinning or bald spots (aside from

the tummy and inside of legs), eyes should be clear of discharge, ears shouldsmell sweet and look clean, and his teeth should be white and sharp.


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C. Where to Adopt From

So, as discussed in the previous section, there are essentially two good placesto get your dog from: a breeder and an adoption shelter. But how to choose theright one?

Choosing The Right Adoption Shelter

This is a lot simpler than going to a breeder - you dont have to worry aboutpedigree certication or following any of the other paper trails in place forpurebred dogs.

It really boils down to whether or not you feel comfortable with the environmentof the shelter. Are the staff friendly and caring? Are they happy to answer allyour questions, or do they make you feel as though youre getting in the way?What about the kennels or runs for the dogs - are they clean and hygienic?

Unfortunately, a lot of shelters are understaffed, which means that sometimesthe dogs arent able to get all the exercise and human contact that they need.This isnt necessarily the fault of the shelter. Usually, theyre run on governmentmoney and donations, which makes for a pretty slim existence.

Regardless of how prosperous the shelter appears, you should still get a sense

that the staff have a true afnity with the animals there and that the wellbeing ofthose animals is of paramount importance.

It doesnt take much to get an idea of how well the animals are treated andcared for by staff: stop and talk to a few of them, have a look around the shelter.Even a brief conversation with some of the staff will enable you to make surethat they care about the dogs, and that theyre genuinely committed to theirwork. A shelter with competent, caring staff is more likely to provide you with ahealthy, well-balanced dog.

Most shelters have a screening process for applicants, and retain the right torefuse applications at their discretion. Adoption shelters have their own standardswhen it comes to selecting appropriate homes for abandoned animals, andwill only choose owners that they consider to be in the best interests of theanimal. This is nothing personal; its a safety-net thats in place to ensure thatthe dogs placed out have as high a chance as possible of being matched with asuitable new owner. This lessens the chances of that dog being returned to theshelter again, which is often devastating for that dog. Expect a question-answersession.


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Choosing A Breeder

Finding a good dog breeder isnt necessarily a difcult thing to do. To trackdown the breed you like, there are several resources at hand:

Dog shows. If there are dog shows near you, go along and have alook. You can see the dogs rst-hand, and have plenty of opportunityto talk to the breeders and handlers. Find out about dog shows nearbyby contacting the American Kennel Club (AKC) or United Kennel Club(UKC).

Breed clubs. These cater for specic breeds, and handle showing,breeding, and often special training and activity groups. Contact them

and they will be able to tell you about the closest breeders to you.

Talk to dog owners. If you see a dog you like, ask the owner for arecommendation - where did they get their dog? Would they recommendthat breeder?

Other breeders. If you get hold of one breeder who doesn't havethe right puppy for you, they should be able to point you in the rightdirection of other breeders who can help.

Once you've tracked a breeder down, go along and have a look. Some breeders

- especially those specializing in rare breeds - are happy to send their dogslong-distance without you being required to turn up for an interview rst. Thismight be handy, but you also run the risk of purchasing a sub-quality dog froma sub-quality breeder.

Where at all possible, you should pay a visit and inspect the premises thoroughly,including kennels. Pay attention to any dogs you see - do they seem clean andwell cared-for? Are they happy and sociable? Are the surroundings hygienicand clean?

You can expect to be questioned by the breeder about your lifestyle and whether

you've had dogs before, whether you have a crate for the puppy, why you chosethis particular breed, how long the dog will be left alone for during the day, andother matters which indicate how competent and caring an owner you're likelyto be.

In return, there are several important questions that you'll want to ask beforetaking a puppy home:

What kind of people tend to do best with this breed?


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How much exercise do the dogs need?

Are there any special care requirements for these particular dogs, or

the breed in general?

At what stage are the pup's vaccinations up to (the rst batch of shots,the second batch, and so on)?

What genetic diseases is this breed prone to? (This is something you'llprobably want to check out yourself before you go to see the breeder- but it never hurts to ask.)

Have the parents and grandparents of the pup been screened againstthese diseases? If so, can you see the certication? (For things like

hip and eye problems, both grandparents on both sides should becertied as well, since testing has been in place for both these ailmentsfor the longest time.)

Can you meet the parents?

Meet the Parents

Meeting both of the parents of the litter youre looking at isnt always possible- frequently the sire (the father) has been hired out from his owners, so wontbe on the premises. But if you can meet both parents, then so much the better:youll get an idea of the temperament, health, and general condition of yourpups parents, which is a reliable forerunner of how your own puppy is likely toturn out a few years down the track.

At the least, try to meet the mom - pups are raised by their mothers, and learna lot of their disposition traits and habits from her.

Ask, and see for yourself, whether shes friendly to dogs and people - bothfamiliar and unfamiliar - and what basic temperament she has. If shes nervous, jumpy, or aggressive, you may want to think again before taking one of her

puppies, as traits such as these are sometimes passed on from the mother.

Authentication and Registration

A pedigree puppy should already be registered by the breeder, and before youmake a rm commitment you should ask to see the authentication papers anddocumentation. Even if you dont care about pedigree in itself, you may wellbe paying pedigree prices so its worth making sure youre getting value formoney.


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If and when you do purchase the puppy, the breeder must also provide you withregistration papers to prove that the puppy has been ofcially re-registered inyour name.

Vaccinations and General Health

All puppies need three sets of inoculations, which are spaced out over severalweeks. This is to prevent them from falling prey to fatal diseases like rabies,adenovirus, and parvovirus. Nursing puppies receive antibodies to thesediseases via the mothers milk - but when weaned, the protection fades off overseveral weeks.

Because over-inoculation (inoculating when antibodies are already present)

is harmful to dogs and puppies, its necessary to wait until all the mothersantibodies have worn off, but to time it so that there isnt too long of anunprotected period: its generally accepted that eight weeks is the ideal age forthe rst set of shots.

Because you shouldnt adopt a puppy that is younger than eight weeks, the pupshould already have had the rst shots by the time you adopt him. At the least,there will have been an appointment made for vaccinations by the breeder.

Make sure you receive evidence of inoculations and checkups in the form ofa vaccination card from the vet, or the vet records. This should also specify

whether the pup has been wormed (which he should certainly have been, sinceall puppies are born with worms), when he is due for his next round of shotsand any other treatments, and certify his condition at the time the vet sawhim (including the absence or presence of any indicators of possible geneticdisease).

Dietary Needs

Puppies have delicate stomachs that are easily upset by a change in routine.Ask the breeder or adoption shelter that you got your pup from what brand of

food hes accustomed to, and what his feeding schedule is.

Beware of anyone who tells youthat the puppy has been free-fed. This is where a bowl of foodis placed out for the dogs, allowingthem to eat at will during the day.Its bad practice among youngerdogs, as it encourages foodaggression in the litter, and is areal hindrance when it comes to


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enforcing a housebreaking schedule. Without a regimented feeding schedule,a young puppy has no chance to accustom his internal clock to any sort ofroutine. So his hunger pangs and toilet needs will remain extremely

unpredictable.

If you wish to change your pups food, do so gradually: mix a little bit of thenew food in with the old, and gradually increase this over a period of one to twoweeks until his old food has been completely replaced.

Most adoption shelters and breeders will supply you with a diet sheet and oneor two days worth of food to get you started. The diet sheet will detail amountsand times that the puppy is fed, but as a general rule of thumb:

Pups under seven months get three meals a day, and should eat untilsatised at each meal.

Puppies and dogs over seven months should get two meals per day.

You technically can feed adult dogs on just one meal per day, but itsbest to break this up into two meals to prevent digestive upset, lowblood sugar, and bloat.

Keep an eye on your dog or puppy and monitor how well hes doing on hiscurrent brand of food. Is his coat shiny and free of akes, dull spots, and bald

patches? Are his eyes shiny and bright? Does he have lots of energy?

If you feel your dog would do better on another brand or diet, you can changehim over as long as you do so gradually (as you would for a puppy). To be onthe safe side, you may wish to consult your vet beforehand.

Following Up

Most, if not all, adoption shelters and breeders will want to hear from you ifproblems should arise with the puppy. If your pup turns out to be incompatiblewith your lifestyle, most breeders and adoption shelters will prefer that you to

return the puppy to them. Many are also available for advice on health andtraining for some time after adoption.

Before taking the puppy home, make sure you ask whether you can contactthe breeder or shelter if problems do occur. (Of course, if you have any urgentquestions - for example, you think your puppy or dog might be sick or injured -then call the vet, not the breeder or shelter.)


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D. Breed Groups

Its a good idea to choose a breed of dog based on its suitability for yourpersonality and lifestyle. There are many breeds within each group, each havingtheir own distinct characteristics, abilities, and requirements. Some informationon these may assist you in narrowing down the candidates for your eventualchoice of pet.

Working Dogs

Includes: Rottweiler, Doberman, Boxer, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland

These dogs are bred to perform serious jobs likeguard work, protection, search and rescue, andpolice work. They tend to be highly intelligent andphysically very powerful, requiring plenty of mentaland physical exercise to keep them happy andrelaxed.

Dogs in this category usually have strong guarding and territorial instincts,which makes early and extensive socialization with humans and animals anabsolute necessity.

Working breeds do best with owners who have some previous experience withdogs. They can be demanding pets. In the right hands, they make excellentand affectionate family dogs, as theyve been bred to work very closely withhumans.

Sporting Dogs

Includes: Pointer, Retriever, Weimaraner, Spaniel, Labrador

Sporting dogs are bred to work in close contact withhumans, which makes them excellent candidatesfor obedience training - theyre usually eager toplease and quick on the uptake. These qualitiesmake them excellent family dogs, and good choicesfor a rst-time owner.

Some sporting dogs were bred to work fairlyindependently from their owners and hunters, andso have a strong instinct to explore and roam.Thorough training in recall is important with thesporting breeds before theyre allowed off-leash,


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since they have little natural instinct to return to their owner once they are off!

As a general rule, sporting dogs need plenty of exercise. That means several

walks per day, and as many opportunities to run as possible.

Herding Dogs

Includes: German Shepherd, Border Collie, Queensland Heeler, Briard, OldEnglish Sheepdog.

Herding dogs are bred to control large groups of unruly and sometimesdangerous livestock, and in some cases to protect them from predators andthieves.

This is a demanding job, bothphysically and mentally -herding dogs must becapable of makingindependent decisions aswell as following extensive,complicated instruction fromtheir handlers. As a result,herding breeds are usuallyvery intelligent, highly

athletic, and require plenty ofmental and physicalstimulation to keep themhappy.

These dogs usually make fantastic companion animals. But their hardwiredherding instincts are not uncommon (such as chasing and rounding up familymembers or other animals, and nipping at your heels). These can be difcult todeal with, though not impossible to untrain.

Hounds

There are two different groups in the hound category: scent hounds and sighthounds.

SIGHT HOUNDS

Includes: Afghan, Basenji, Greyhound, Whippet, Saluki

Sight hounds are bred to hunt in packs, so theyre generally pretty sociablewith other dogs. As a rule, theyre leggy, slim, and extremely fast. Sight hounds

Sheba the German Shepherd


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should notbe allowed to run off-lead without reliable recall training, as oncethey take off you have little chance of catching them again.

These dogs require a fair amount of exercise on a daily basis to keep themhappy and healthy, and need as much opportunity to run - preferably off-lead -as you can provide.

Sight hounds tend to be sensitive in nature, and respond well to mild, gentle,and consistent training. They also have a fairly independent streak, and can bealoof with strangers. Thorough socialization is necessary from a young age tocombat timidity and shyness.

SCENT HOUNDS

Includes: Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Foxhound, Coonhound

Scent hounds were bred to track by scent, ratherthan sight, and so are predisposed to be distractedby the smells around them. For this reason, theyshouldnt be taken off-lead unless theyre thoroughlytrained in the recall command. A hound thatsscented something tempting will go haring offwithout a backwards glance.

Scent hounds can be very difcult to housetrain, partly because they were bredto live outside in kennels with other dogs - an environment with little requirementfor instinctive cleanliness.

Scent hounds also tend to be loud, with distinctive baying and howling soundsthat carry for miles. Despite this, they seem to have little instinct to put thisvocalization to use as watchdogs - strangers can usually come and go with littleto no disturbance from a scent hound.

Scent hounds dont require huge amounts of exercise, with a vigorous daily walksufcing for the most part. With characteristically gentle, affectionate natures,

they make excellent family pets.

Terriers

Includes: Jack Russell, Border Terrier, Cairn, Airedale, Miniature Schnauzer,Skye, Bull, and other breeds with the word terrier in the name.

Terriers are an extremely high-energy group. Their typical independenceand bossiness can make them a challenge to train, but they make up forthis sometimes-frustrating tendency by being reliably cheerful, funny, and

affectionate companions.

Hounds need exercise


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Dogs in this breed category were bred to hunt and kill quick-moving, ferociousvermin animals (badgers, foxes, ferrets, and so on). Because of this, they havea high prey drive and will chase most small creatures that venture into their

yard. They can also be aggressive with other dogs.

Terriers are generally a long-lived group, with few serious genetic defects.

Toy Dogs

Includes: Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Pug, Chihuahua,Pomeranian

Toy dogs are sometimes referred toas companion breeds, as they werebred for the sole purpose of keepinghumans company. Toy dogs are usuallybright, comical and affectionate, with bigpersonalities.

Toy breeds are also infamous for theirdifculty in accepting housetrainingrules and regulations. The cause for thisinconvenient trait is generally acceptedto be a combination of stubbornness and

the tiny size of the dogs internal organstheyre so small that it can actually bephysically difcult for them to control theirbladders or bowels for more than a fewhours at a time.

These dogs arent generally recommended for households with young children,as they dont take kindly to rough treatment or teasing. In addition, theyre veryfragile and can be seriously injured or even killed from being dropped, sat on,or trodden on.

E. Responsible Ownership

Owning a dog is a big responsibility. As well as the general care of your dog,which includes exercise, feeding, and frequent companionship, you must alsoconsider your dogs behavior both in private and public.

Its your responsibility as a dog owner to ensure that your pet behaves in anappropriate manner that complies with council bylaws and regulations.

A Pomeranian on show


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Your dog is, effectively, an ambassador for other dogs of his breed, and for alldogs everywhere. Every time a dog behaves well in public, it helps to minimizethe impact of negative publicity incurred by irresponsible dog owners and their

ill-behaved, poorly trained, and inadequately socialized dogs.

The basic message is this: the manner in which your dog is raised and traineddoesnt just matter to you. It matters to every person and animal that your dogencounters throughout his life.

Its your responsibility to ensure that he is trained, socialized, and taught tobehave in a civilized and acceptable manner. Not only will this reect well onyou and other dog owners, but it will help to counteract the increasingly negativeviews and rules which are being enforced with regard to dogs. Finally, being

capable of participating socially can only have a signicant and positive effecton your dogs life.

General Rules for Responsible Ownership:

Register, license, and microchip your dog. Ensure that he wears his collar andtags whenever hes in public, and preferably at all times.

Socialize him extensively with other dogs and humans from a youngage.

Ensure that he receives his shots for rabies, adenovirus, and parvovirus,and that these are kept up to date with regular checkups at the vet.

Train him thoroughly in at least basic obedience - this is necessary ifyour dog is ever to venture beyond your yard.

Make sure your property is fully fenced.

Clean up after your dog when he relieveshimself in a public place.

If your dog begins to exhibit behavioral problems, especially those which maycause irritation or harm to others, takesteps to remedy the problem.

Chow Chow makegreat pets


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F. Review of DOG 101

In this chapter, we looked at some of the issues that surround the initial phasesof dog ownership. As a review, the main points that were covered have beenoutlined below.

Considerations before buying a dog:

How much time you can commit to spending with your dog.

The nancial implications of ownership.

Your physical activity and energy level.

Your own personality and what you would like from a companion.

Selecting your puppy or dog:

Research the breeds you like before choosing one.

Adopt your puppy from a breeder or rescue shelter.

Puppies miss out on valuable lessons if theyre taken from theirmothers before eight weeks.

Consider your choice of puppy carefully and make sure you understandthe trouble that certain behaviors suggest.

Visit the litter several times before making a nal choice.

Where to Adopt From:

Visit the shelter or breeder and ensure that youre happy with the levelof hygiene and comfort enjoyed by the animals.

Try to meet the puppys parents - at least meet the mother, ifpossible.

Conrm registration of pedigree where applicable.

Ask for proof that the puppys been cleared of any genetic or otherdiseases, and that the rst set of shots has been administered.

Conrm dietary requirements from the breeder or adoption shelter.

Follow up with the breeder or shelter if there are problems after

adoption.


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DOG 102: Caring for Your Dog

The arrival of a new dog into the household is an exciting time for everyoneconcerned. The early days together are likely to be pretty demanding. Suddenly,youre both thrown headlong into a life together - usually without much of anidea of each others personalities!

Where a new dog is concerned, you should always expect the unexpected.Particularly if youve never had a dog before, the next few weeks are most likelygoing to hold some surprises for you.

Getting a dog is a big decision and a big commitment: its not every day that youtake on total responsibility for anothers health and happiness. The adjustment

period isnt always easy; the sudden change in lifestyle, as well as the inevitablestresses and messes of the rst couple of weeks, can be draining.

To prevent these ups and downs from negatively impacting your dogshomecoming and making the event unduly stressful for either of you, wevedetailed some tips below on the things you may wish to plan for - both beforeand during your dogs rst days in your household.

In this section, were going to give you some practical advice about thepreparations youll need to make before bringing your new puppy or dog home.

A little bit of forethought will go a long way - it doesnt take long for the newfamily member to get into a lot of trouble if you havent done your homework!

Following the advice detailed below will help you to prevent some of the commonproblems associated with a dogs early days in a new house. Preparing yourself,your family, and your house will make the transition as smooth as possiblefor humans and dogs alike, and will make the whole experience a lot moreenjoyable and stress-free for everyone concerned

A. Bringing Your Puppy or Dog Home

The day has nally dawned - it is time forthe new family member to move in andget to know everyone properly. However,before you go rushing off in excitement,you need to ensure that everything isjust right. Your new pets transition to hisnew home should be as smooth aspossible to minimize the trauma for himand frustration for you.


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The course of events during the homecoming itself will set a precedent for yourdogs mindset and emotional balance while she adjusts over the next couple ofweeks and months.

Dont set her up for failure: taking a little bit of time to prepare yourself andyour home for her arrival will lessen the likelihood of you getting frustrated orstressed. Your dog takes her emotional cues from you: the happier and calmeryouare, the happier and calmer your dog will be.

Getting everything ready and organized for such a life-changing event takestime, so thinking ahead is an absolute must.

Preparing the House

It is important to remember that your new pet will be in an unfamiliar environmentand may therefore get in to all sorts of places that may be unsuitable or evendownright dangerous. This is a particular concern if you are getting a puppy, asthey can t into places where you would not even think to look!

Making sure your house is adequately puppy-proofed will not only ensure thelong-term existence of your more prized possessions, but could also make thedifference between life and death for your dog. A lot of tempting chewablesaround the house - electrical cords, bottles containing cleaners and chemicals,even some houseplants - could seriously harm or even kill your dog. Taking a

few minutes before she arrives to scope the house from a puppys point of viewshould help you safeguard both your home and her health.

Remove or hide the more tempting and dangerous items from her reach.Basically, removing anything that could pose a risk should be made safe andsecure. Wires should be tacked along the walls or hidden underneath carpet, allcupboard doors should be securely shut, medications and cleaners should bewell out of reach, and - lastly - make sure that anything you particularly value isplaced off-limits, behind a closed door or above head height!

If you have kids, make sure that all toys - especially small items such as piecesfrom a board game - are out of the way, as your dog or puppy could swallowthese. Even houseplants will need to be moved out of his reach, as they couldmake your pet sick if he chews them.

You should pre-select an area that is going to be your new dogs space -somewhere he can seek sanctuary if things get a bit hectic. This is where youshould put his toys and bedding. Make sure that you also put some newspaperdown around this area in case your dog or puppy has an accident, which couldwell happen if he is feeling nervous about his new environment.


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Preparing the Garden

The yard poses a whole new array of possible threats for a curious new dogor puppy. Is it completely and securely fenced? Are any plants toxic? Do youfertilize your yard using dog-friendly chemicals? Have you recently sprayedweed killer? Do you ever set snail bait or use rat poison?

Spending a little time now thinking about the hazards that your yard mightpresent to a dog could save you both a lot of grief later on. Plenty of the problemsthat a dog is likely to encounter outside are both serious and rapid-onset, soprevention is denitely better than a cure!

Firstly, check that there are no holes or gaps in your garden fence. Remember,

the gap does not need to be very big for a small pup - he could escape in aninstant from a hole that you did not even realize was there.

Secondly, make sure that all garden tools and chemicals are safely locked awayin the garden shed, out of your pets reach. Also, make sure that you are usingonly pet friendly products in the garden in case your dog or puppy decides tochew on the grass when he does go out.

SOME COMMON PLANTS THAT ARE TOXIC TO DOGS:

Here is a short list of some of the more common garden plants that are toxic to

dogs.

Daffodils

Hyacinth

Elephant ears

Poinsettia

Onion

Tomato plant

Most lilies

Oleander

Rhododendron

This list isnt complete: there are a lotof plants that are poisonous to dogs.In addition, some dogs have sensitivities or allergies to plants that pose noproblem at all to most other dogs. For a complete list, speak to your vet.


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Puppy Shopping

When it comes to puppies, a lot of the time you wont know you needed aparticular item until you need it right then and there!

Plenty of uncomfortable situations can be avoided simply by being prepared -just try taking your puppy to the vet for an emergency visit without a lead (shewont be admitted into the waiting room) or cleaning a mess off the oor withoutthe correct cleaning agent (its virtually impossible!)

If youve never had a dog before, it is unlikely that you will have all of thenecessary items required to cater for your new pet. There are some things thatyou will need immediately, such as dishes, food, litter and tray. Therefore, it is a

good idea to write a list a week or so before your new pet is due to move in toensure that you have everything you need at hand. Some of the items on yourlist should include:

Puppy or dog food (the type you buy should be based upon the dietinstructions provided by the breeder or vet. Make sure you stick to thefood recommended, as changing your pets diet before he has evensettled in could give him an upset stomach).

Dishes for water and food .

Safe dog or puppy toys (these will help him settle and take his mindoff the move). You can get a variety of toys, some which will be suitablefor unsupervised chewing (large rawhide bones, rubber Kong toys,rope toys, anything durable that cant have pieces chewed off andswallowed) and some which he can only play with while youre present(soft toys, rubber bones, smaller rawhide bones, tennis balls, etc).

Carrier/crate (you will need this in order to bring your puppy or doghome safely. You will also need it to transport your pet to the vet forcheck-ups and treatment when required).

Bedding : youll need at least three or four towels for him to lie downon in the crate, more if possible.

Collar and leash

Identity barrel or tag : ideally, this should have your dogs name, youraddress and phone numbers (home and cellphone, if youve got one),and the phone number of your vet.

Items for grooming (make sure any shampoos or grooming spraysare suitable for puppies unless you are getting an older dog).


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Cleaning agents suitable for use with animals : regular cleaningsprays and detergents arent suitable for use on any accidents yourdog or puppy might make inside. Most of these contain ammonia,

which actually makes the problem worse - and doesnt remove thesmell enough to prevent your dog from reserving the area for futuretoileting.

Not all of these items will be required on the actual day that your dog arrives,but there are some that will be. There is certainly no harm in getting everythingin one go, as this will ensure that you have everything you need if and whenyou need it.

Handling and Grooming

Dogs that arent accustomed to being handled, groomed, brushed, and clippedfrom a young age are usually suspicious of any attempts later in life to keep themlooking neat and tidy, and forcing the issue will always result in a frightened,agitated dog - and a stressed-out you!

To avoid this, you need to get your dog used to physical interaction with humans.Get him used to contact all over his body, so that he does not feel alarmed whenhe has to be handled for grooming or veterinary treatment.

Pick up his paws and hold them in your palms; accustom him to his face and

jaws being touched; practice opening his mouth (for very short periods of time!);and rub his tummy. Remember to treat and praise him whenever he allows youto do this. It will keep him relaxed and let him know what you want of him.

A simple weekly grooming session will help to keep your dog or puppy cleanand fresh, and will enable you to pick up on any potential problems, such asinfestations, infections, or injuries. Use grooming time to check your pets ears,nose, mouth, and eyes for any signs of discharge, as well as checking his coatand skin for redness and signs of eas or other parasites. For the best groomingmethods see the bonus book Grooming Made Easy.

If you have children, you must teach them how to properly handle your newpet. If you have a small pup, incorrect handling could pose the risk of injury.When he is picked up, you should make sure that his whole body is properlysupported. Children can have a habit if trying to dangle small pets when they tryand pick them up and this should be avoided.

Start Training Early: Deal With Chewing and Biting

Puppies like to chew - on anything readily available! To preserve your possessionsand sanity (not to mention safeguard your dogs health), you need to take steps

to prevent this problem as soon as your puppy sets foot in your house.


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Chewing is ne if he is using a proper dog chew or toy, but you may nd himtrying to bite and chew slippers, shoes, furniture and anything else that crosseshis path. This is something you should deal with right away otherwise it could

become a serious problem.

Getting your puppy or dog accustomed to house rules will provide an effectivebasis for his training. It will teach him to respect you and your home, and willlet him know who is boss. Bear in mind that if you have anything that you reallywould not like to see chewed - such as that new pair of shoes that cost youa weeks wages - it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that it is out ofharms way. Your puppy will not know an expensive shoe from a $2 dog toy fromthe local pet shop, so the onus is on you.

If you do catch your pet trying to chew or bite on something totally inappropriate,remove the item from him and rmly say No! Then redirect him immediatelytowards an appropriate chew or toy (hand him a tasty alternative). Praise himthoroughly as soon as his jaws close around the new toy.

You must never shout at or smack your pet for chewing on somethinginappropriate, as you will simply frighten him and make him distrustful. Removingthe source of his chewing and being rm but calm will sufce.

Eating Habits and Diet

Changing your dogs meal times or food type can result in an upset stomach(either vomiting or diarrhea or both.)

Theres also an emotional component to the feeding schedule of your dog:all dogs are happiest when their lives are routine. They like to know when toexpect their meals, how much theyre going to be fed, and what kind of foodtheyre going to get. This regularity helps them to organize their day and to feelmore secure about life in general.

If you combine a shift to a new home and owner with a change in feedingroutine (whether its the type of food or how often meals occur), its just puttingtoo much pressure on your dog.

To avoid increasing your dogs insecurity and nervousness, as well as anunpleasant bout with diarrhea and/or vomiting, you need to maintain the eatingschedule and food brand that he had before coming to you,

If and when you do change your pets diet it should be done gradually to allowhim time to get used to the new tastes and textures, otherwise he may suffer anadverse reaction or even stop eating altogether.


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Because your puppys diet will be very dependent upon his breed, age andsize, it is impossible to nd a one diet suits all solution, and you must thereforeensure that your pets diet is catered for in accordance with his own personal

needs.

If you have any doubts about what your dog or puppy should be eating, youshould not hesitate to contact your vet and ask for advice. It is vital that your pet- especially as a puppy - receives a well-balanced and nutritious diet to promotehealthy development. Your pets breeder should already have developedan appropriate diet for you to follow for your dog. However, if you have anolder dog, or did not get your dog from a breeder, the vet will recommend anappropriate eating plan to ensure that your pet gets the vitamins and mineralsthat he needs.

Exercise and Rest

Under-exercised dogs are prone to a host of emotional and physical problems.Dogs that arent walked regularly are agitated, more prone to aggression, morelikely to develop separation anxiety, almost guaranteed to destroy large partsof your home through destructive chewing and digging, and in general areunhappy creatures.

On top of this, dogs are physically designed to be t, active creatures. An under-exercised dog will have slack, untoned muscles (making him more prone to

joint dysplasia and soft-tissue strains), weak bones, and is much more likely todevelop diabetes and obesity.

To avoid these unpleasant problems, all you have to do is walk your dog.Exercise him regularly and as vigorously as his age and breed will permit.

While some dog breeds require a lot of exercise others such as some of thelarger breeds (for example, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Newfoundlands)can not be properly exercised until they are fully grown at about sixteen toeighteen months old. With these breeds, their bone growth can be adversely

affected if they are exercised too much early on in their lives.

Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, he is going to need a balancedcombination of regular exercise and plenty of rest. Puppies, in particular, needto get their rest so you must make sure that you do all you can to make thispossible.

Exercise can involve all types of physical activity, not just going for walks.Interactive play (for example, fetch) is a particularly good form of exercise, as itallows your pet to bond more closely with you. Regular walks are, of course, partof every puppys agenda and will provide both you and your dog with regular,

healthy activity.


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Your pets rest area - the place where you have his toys and bedding - shouldbe a place where he can go to get some sleep, have a lazy hour or two, andsimply chill out. We all need a little down time alone now and again, and your

dog or puppy is no different. You should respect this, and make sure that anychildren know not to go after the puppy and try to wake him up when he is tryingto sleep.

Listed below are several benets of exercise and what to watch out for whenexercising your dog.

Exercise will slow the onset of aging problems such as arthritis,rheumatism, or digestive problems. Just as exercise is recommendedfor the human heart and lungs, it is also recommended to keep your

dog's heart in shape and respiratory system working well.

As generally dogs like to chase things, chew and dig to relieveboredom, making your dog run around the park chasing a tennis ballmay discourage him from feeling that he has to chase inappropriateobjects, such as cars. Similarly, it may make him less inclined to chewthings or dig holes.

Exercise is a great stimulant, especially if your dog has been cooped upall day. It will prevent him getting bored, depressed, and frustrated.

Do not make him do too much exercise in hot weather as dogs canoverheat much easier than humans can.

Reduce the amount of exercise you give your dog if he is sufferingfrom anemia, a blood disorder that deprives cells of oxygen supply.Long slow walks are required if he has kennel cough.

If he has prostate problems, he may need to be outside to urinatemore often. Be careful not to overdo it, as he could be tender.

Exercise will tire him out, which can be a good thing if he is prone to

barking a lot or has problems sleeping at night.

If he is constipated, walking and exercise will help by freeing up hisdigestive system and getting the blood owing. Exercise is a greathelp in reducing the amount of atulence that he produces.


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Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition common in larger dogs wherethe hip joint does not t as well as it should. Excessive wear and tearon the joint can lead to arthritis in the joint, which leaves your dog with

sore hind legs and a painful back. It is important that larger dogs getenough exercise to keep the hip muscles strong, but be careful not tooverdo it. It is a good idea to add specic joint supplements to yourlarge dog's food.

If you feel that your dog is suffering from anxiety, then exercise andgames can help by taking his mind off the problem.

House Training

A dog thats been inadequately housetrained is likely to have recurrent issueswith soiling in the house. Housetraining isnt just something that comes withage - unless you teach him otherwise, your dog is going to spend the rest of hislife urinating and defecating at will throughout your home.

Fortunately, its not hard to housetrain your dog. Youll need to be prepared for amonth or two of concerted effort - but really, it all boils down to paying attentionto your dogs feeding and exercise schedule, and watching his body languagewhen hes inside.

You need to be patient and understanding when housetraining your dog - just

as you would when potty-training a toddler. Screaming and shouting is not theanswer; instead, your must exercise diplomacy and patience. If your dog looksas though he is ready to do his business, you should quickly take him to thebathroom area, whether this is the garden or a litter tray.

The signs to look out for that may indicate when your dog needs to go to thebathroom are:

Circling and snifng the oor

Restless pacing

In addition to these signs, there are certain times of the day when it is best totake him to the designated area, whether or not he looks as though he needs togo. This will get him into the habit of heading for the appropriate place himselfwhen he does need to relieve himself. These times include:

As soon as he wakes up in the morning

After any activity, play, or exercise

Within ten minutes of eating or drinking


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Offering your puppy or dog praise and atreat whenever he takes himself to thedesignated area will reinforce this training,

as he will associate doing his business inthe litter tray or garden with getting treats.

Housetraining is covered in more detailin the bonus book All the House TrainingMethods and Tricks.

Socializing

It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of adequately socializing your

dog. As soon as hes had his inoculations, he needs to meet as many differenthumans and dogs, in as many different types of situations, as you can introducehim to.

Without this all-important social interaction, your dog will never have the chanceto form a balanced, realistic view of the outside world. He will grow up to beupset and frightened by new people, dogs, and situations, because hes neverhad the chance to learn that theres nothing to be afraid of.

Unsocialized dogs typically demonstrate their fear in one of two ways: they areeither excessively highly-strung and nervous whenever they encounter anyone

or anything new; or they react with exaggerated and unpredictable aggressionin around new people and animals. Both of these reactions are undesirable andunsafe - scared dogs are just as likely to bite as aggressive ones.

Even if an unsocialized dog doesnt pose a real risk to anyone, hell still lead alife of relative misery - imagine being scared stupid every time you encountereda new sight or sound! In addition to this, dogs are social animals: theyre happierand more relaxed with regular opportunities to interact with other dogs.

The rst thing you should do in your efforts to socialize your dog is to take himto puppy preschool. This is the ideal way to initiate your dog into the real world:he gets to learn basic obedience commands while meeting plenty of new dogsand people, but in a safe, controlled environment.

Bear in mind that your dog should not be allowed to mix with unvaccinated dogsuntil he has been fully inoculated, so if he hasnt yet had any vaccinations youmust be very wary of where he goes and which other animals he mixes with ashe will be extremely susceptible to disease.


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B. Diet and Nutrition

Up until the quite recent past, dogs were viewed more as an object than a realpet - something that lived in the yard, and was expected to eat whatever wasput out for it.

Today, theres more of a trend to view our dogs as true companions: they livein the house with us, sometimes sleeping on the bed, and more owners todaycare about the food their dogs are getting than ever before.

What you feed your dog on has a massive impact on his future health andlongevity. Unfortunately, a great deal of the pet food available on the market is

of a substandard quality and isnt something that a dog can realistically thriveon for a long period of time (imagine how healthy youd be if you ate nothing butfast food all your life!).

You can avert a huge number of diseases, ameliorate the effects of others, andslow down the aging process itself, simply by feeding your dog high-qualityand nutritionally sound food. Your vet will recommend the brands most suitablefor your dogs age, breed, and any medical conditions or sensitivities he mayhave.

Meal Times

Our recommendation would be that you have regular meal times for your dogas opposed to leaving food for him to eat whenever he wants. Dogs preferconstancy and routine so regular feeding times will help your dog become morerelaxed and settled. Feeding your dog after you and your family have eaten willhelp establish and maintain your position of dominance over him.

Premium Dog Food

Not enough emphasis can be put on the need to feedyour dog premium dog food. These premium foodsshould come from a specialist dog food provider, suchas your pet store or the vet, as normal supermarket dogfood, while often still being called premium, is of alesser quality.

As mentioned previously, get your local vetsrecommendation for a premium food that will suit yourdog. Premium brands have high levels of protein, as thenumber one ingredient in their dog food is meat. Whilethese foods may initially cost more, you will not have to


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feed your dog as much because of the higher nutrient level. This means that,in the long run, they are probably just as economical as cheaper, low proteinfoods, with less chance of your dog suffering ill effects.

Things to Watch For

Many dog food manufacturers have taken a very responsible approach toproviding healthy and safe dog food. However, you should check the ingredientslisted on the packaging of your dog food. One ingredient you should check foris dye, and if it is present then do not feed the food to your dog as some fooddyes have been shown to cause cancer. If you can you should also avoid dogfood that has preservatives listed as an ingredient.

As long as your dogs diet is balanced then there is no reason why you cannotfeed your dog the same food for its entire life other than the fact that variety maymake mealtime more interesting for him.

In some cases, you may nd that your dog is a very fussy eater (usually thishappens with smaller dogs) and will go for days without eating. Generally, thisis not a problem for your dog, as in the wild, they were quite used to eating onlyonce or twice a week and developed relatively large stomachs in which to storefood. In addition, your dog will eventually eat, as the wild dog instincts for foodare never that far below the surface.

Dogs do occasionally eat grass, weeds, and plants. This is quite normal andcan add to the amount of dietary ber your dog consumes. More ber meansbetter food ow through your dogs digestive system, which in turn will reducethe chances of bowel cancer occurring.

Puppies

Puppies should be fed three or four times a day until they reach eight weeksold, at which time one or two feedings a day will be enough. Early on though,you may have to persuade him to start eating. For puppies it is a good idea to

use mealtimes as an extension of the training ground. As soon as he is used totaking food from his bowl you should:

Make him wait for his meal until after you have eaten.

Make him sit before he can start eating.

Every now and again, take his food away from him before he startseating. Praise him while doing so and then give it back. This will lessenhis possessiveness of his food and other things generally.


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Older Dogs (6 months plus)

By the time your dog reaches 6 months old, you should be feeding him twice aday. Make sure that the amount of food that you give your dog is enough for himconsidering his size and activity level. If you can feel fat over your dogs ribsthen you should either feed him less or exercise him more. On the other hand,his ribs should not be protruding out, as this is a sign that he has not beeneating enough.

As a general rule: you should be able to see his lasttwo ribs, and you should be able to easily feel therest of them (i.e. the ribs are reasonably close tothe surface, without a thick padding of fat to obscure

them.)

It is important that you do not give your dog tidbitsand morsels of food outside of his regular mealtimes unless you have a specic reason for doingso, such as a specic training routine that requiresa food reward.

If you are in doubt about any part of your dogs diet,at any stage of his life, then consult a vet.

C. Canine Growth Stages

Your dogs needs will change and evolve withevery stage of his life. A good basic knowledge ofyour dogs development will help you to providehim with the care, attention, affection, discipline,food, and exercise thats appropriate to his ageand condition.

In addition to this, knowing the rate at which your dogs learning abilities andpersonality develop will assist you in preventing some of the common behavioralproblems (disobedience, aggression, dominance) that are associated withaccelerated or delayed learning.

In short, you need to know the rate at which your dog will likely develop:asking too much of him at a young age would be like asking an eight year oldhuman to attend college, while neglectingaspects of your dogs development(like socialization, housetraining, or obedience training) will result in a poorly-behaved, insecure, and rambunctious dog that doesnt know his own place inthe household.


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Its a good idea for you to arm yourself with a basic knowledge of the caninerate of development, as this will help you to meet your dogs needs as andwhen they arise.

Your puppys temperament and personality should be fully developed by thetime he reaches around twelve weeks of age, and he will have become the dogthat you will hopefully be spending many happy years with. Below you will ndthe growth and developmental stages that he will go through to reach his fullpotential.

New Born to Two Weeks of Age

This is a very delicate time of a puppys life, and a time when you should avoid

over-handling or picking up the pup. Very soft strokes and speaking aroundhim gently is ne, but other than this, you must let him get plenty of rest and lethim stay close to his mother. The pups primary concerns during this stage willbe warmth, food, and sleep, and his mother will provide the rst two. The thirdis your responsibility, and you can ensure he gets plenty of sleep by keepingnoise to a minimum and leaving the puppy alone with his mother, where he canenjoy rest and sleep without disturbance.

Three to Four Weeks of Age

This is the stage at which your puppy will really start to notice the new world

around him, and take an interest in what is happening. He should start to walkduring this stage, albeit falteringly, and he will start to use his voice for yapping,whining, etc. By this age, it is okay to handle the pup more and to expose himto everyday noise, but you should bear in mind that he still very young and willstill need plenty of peaceful rest. You can also start to wean the puppy at thisage by providing his rst taste of puppy food.

Five to Seven Weeks of Age

During this stage of his life, your puppy will develop even more of an active

interest in his environment as well as in playing and socializing with his siblingsand wi

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