The Ultimate Guide to Dog Care. Tammy Gagne
Dedication
To Jemma, who has taught me that some of the best things in life aren’t planned.
The Ultimate Guide to Dog Care
Project Team
Editor: Amy Deputato
Copy Editor: Joann Woy
Design: Mary Ann Kahn
Index: Elizabeth Walker
LUMINA MEDIA™
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Copyright © 2016 Lumina Media, LLC™
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Lumina Media, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Gagne, Tammy, author.
Title: The ultimate guide to dog care : everything you need to know to
keep your dog happy and healthy / Tammy Gagne.
Description: Irvine, CA : Lumina Media, 2016. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016025653 (print) | LCCN 2016034754 (ebook) | ISBN
9781621871507 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781621871514 ()
Subjects: LCSH: Dogs.
Classification: LCC SF427 .G249 2016 (print) | LCC SF427 (ebook) | DDC 636.7--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016025653
This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein. The techniques and suggestions are used at the reader’s discretion and are not to be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If you suspect a medical problem, consult your veterinarian.
INTRODUCTION
The bond between people and dogs represents one the strongest interspecies relationships in the history of the world. To many humans, no other animal is quite as endearing as the canine companion. Our dogs greet us after hard days of work, they join us for relaxing days of play, and they ease our suffering when we are sad or sick. Just by being there, dogs often make our daily lives brighter.
I have always considered people who share their homes with dogs to be among the luckiest individuals. To know a dog’s friendship is to understand unconditional love, compassion, and appreciation for the simplest yet best things in life. Few things are as exciting or rewarding as becoming a dog owner. Whether you have had dogs since childhood or you are adding a dog to your household for the first time, you will never find a truer friend than this cold-nosed, four-legged, furry companion.
1: Selecting Your New Dog
Canine Considerations
Deciding that you are ready to become a dog owner is just the first step in the process of adding a canine companion to your life. You must also consider the age, sex, and, of course, breed or type of dog that will be the best match for your household.
Puppy or Adult?
Young dogs offer many advantages, not the least of which is an overwhelming amount of cuteness. From their puppy breath to the adorable way puppies run—as if their back ends haven’t quite mastered moving at the same pace as their front legs—young dogs quickly steal our hearts with their juvenile ways. Their youthful charm is only part of their appeal, however. Buying or adopting a puppy also comes with the potential of a clean slate and a long lifetime. In many ways, a puppy becomes the adult dog that his owner helps him to become. And, with a dog’s typical life span being more than a decade, puppy owners get to enjoy the fruits of their training efforts for many years to come.
Of course, puppy ownership also comes with its share of challenges. Young dogs need an extensive amount of training. From teaching your new pet where to relieve himself to dealing with the inappropriate chewing that often accompanies the teething process, puppyhood can be a mighty stressful time for everyone in the household. Puppies also have an incredible amount of energy. Keeping a pup exercised and occupied can be draining at times, even for the most active owners. An adult dog may seem much cuter in the middle of the night when he is sleeping instead of stirring or needing to make another trip to his potty spot like a puppy would.
Adult dogs have established temperaments. Owners can stack the odds in their favor by selecting a puppy of a particular breed or with a specific personality type, but neither of these things guarantees that a pup will retain his most desirable traits into adulthood. Spending time with an adult dog who is available for adoption offers more insight into the kind of pet he will be. As his new owner, you may have missed the puppy stages, but you get to open your heart and home to an animal who needs it. And many adult dogs still have years of love and companionship left to offer their new owners.
An adult dog may already be housetrained or know some obedience commands.
Male or Female?
Ask a dozen people whether male or female dogs make better pets, and you are bound to get half a dozen votes for each. Males and females are definitely different in some substantial ways, but which gender you prefer is likely a personal matter. Many people base their preference on positive experiences they have had in the past. If you have always owned female dogs and have enjoyed them, you may understandably want another female pet.
Female dogs typically mature more quickly than males. This trait often makes them easier to train when they are younger. Some people mistake this fast track to maturity for a higher intelligence level, but it truly isn’t a matter of brainpower. Males catch up eventually. They just might have a few more housetraining mishaps in the meantime.
A female dog’s anatomy creates some added challenges. Unless she is spayed, a female dog will go into heat about twice a year. The bloody discharge that goes along with the estrus cycle can stain carpets and furniture, although owners can place canine diapers on their pets to protect their belongings. Heat usually lasts about two to three weeks, and it can also trigger unwanted attention from male dogs in your area. Owners must keep female dogs separate from these suitors or risk an unwanted pregnancy.
Male dogs also offer their share of both advantages and challenges. Many pet owners insist that male dogs are more affectionate than females. At the same time, males are known for displaying more problem behaviors, such as mounting and marking. Owners can help prevent many of these issues, however, by having their dogs neutered. In addition