Dogs For Dummies - Softcover

For readers considering a purebred dog, Spadafori provides extensive information on selecting a breed that will fit an owner's lifestyle, including sources of possible breeders such as magazines, Internet sites, and AKC breed clubs, and tips for screening breeders to weed out the unscrupulous or the ignorant. She strongly encourages adoption of shelter animals, though, pointing out that many of the dogs who wind up in shelters are healthy, young, and lovable animals who would make excellent pets for the right people. She recommends proceeding with caution when shopping pet stores for puppies due to the high percentage of pet store puppies that come from puppy mills where animals are bred indiscriminately and often kept in horrifying conditions. Likewise, she discourages purchasing puppies from "backyard breeders" believing that this only encourages irresponsible pet ownership by giving owners a reason to keep breeding their pets rather than altering them.

Once a breed or type of dog has been selected, Dogs for Dummies moves on to the practical aspects of ownership, including bringing home a puppy or adult dog, feeding and grooming, veterinary care from puppyhood to old age, training and dealing with behavioral problems, and traveling with pets. One of the most interesting chapters of the book debunks common myths about dogs--that a barking dog won't bite, for instance. Spadafori even includes a chapter on silly tricks to teach your dog and another on "must-see" dog sites on the World Wide Web.

Dogs For Dummies™ is your handy guide to selecting, buying, and caring for the puppy or dog that's right for you! This fun reference covers all the dos and don'ts as well as the rights and responsibilities of dog ownership, providing you with plenty of tips on everything from how to train your dog to what kind of toys, food, and treats to buy!

Inside, you'll discover how to:

• Choose the right dog to fit your lifestyle
• Purchase a puppy or dog from a reputable breeder
• Adopt a dog or puppy from a shelter or rescue group
• Buy all the doggie equipment and accessories you need, including toys, bones, bowls, collars, and leashes
• Raise and maintain a healthy and happy dog through proper diet and exercise
• Choose a veterinarian who's right for you and your dog
• Solve your dog's simple behavior problems or determine whether obedience school is needed
• Make traveling with your dog a breeze