From the balconies of Manhattan to the patios of Malibu to the backyards of Chicago, anybody with a few square feet of earth is doing their best to make their little corner of the world more gracious and beautiful. And the best thing is, you really don't have to be born with a green thumb to give life to a glorious garden. Anybody can do it with a little coaching. Which is where Gardening All-in-One For Dummies comes in.Puzzled by pruning? Baffled by bulbs? Can't tell a hosta from a hyacinth? Don't worry! This all-in-one reference delivers the know-how you need to transform your little patch of the outdoors into a blooming paradise. Drawing upon the expertise of the National Gardening Association, it gets you up to speed on:Basic gardening skills--from understanding your microclimate to using gardening tools to managing pests and common plant diseases How to design, plan and build a garden landscape that reflects your unique sense of style Selecting, planting and maintaining stunning roses Building a raised bed for your perennials and making them bloom in any climate Choose, grow and maintain annuals From amaryllis to spider dahlias to wood tulips--coaxing beauty from homely bulbs Enjoying nature's bounty by growing you own vegetables and herbs A veritable encyclopedia of gardening, this Gardening All-in-One For Dummies is an indispensable resource for novices and experienced gardeners alike. It brings together between the covers of a single volume seven great books covering:Gardening Basics Garden Design Roses Perennials Annuals Bulbs Vegetables and Herbs Your one-step guide to a beautiful garden, Gardening All-in-One For Dummies shows you how to experience the "purest of human pleasures" in your own backyard.

    You may think you know your cat as he purrs in your lap, but come across your pet in the street on a dark night and you might think that Bagpuss suffers from a dual personality.Every single feline pet carries an inheritance of amazing sensory capacities, vocal utterances, body language and territorial displays. By answering such questions as 'what does a cat signal with its ears? 'why does a cat rub up against your leg?' and 'why does a cat swing its head from side to side when staring at its prey?', Desmond Morris decodes the private world of the cat.Your cat is full of surprises and our finest zoologist is about to reveal their secrets in this beautifully repackaged edition of a much loved bestseller.

    The whole ordeal can seem overwhelming at first, but with a little guidance, you'll pull off a wedding people will remember for ages. Wedding Planning For Dummies, 2nd Edition demystifies and simplifies all the details that go into the Big Day, providing inspiration and innovative ideas to personalize your wedding celebration and, of course, make it fun for everyone--especially you! This one-stop guide is all you need to:Design a comprehensive schedule for a snag-free wedding day Keep track of expenses with a wedding budget Negotiate contracts and surf online for deals Get those pesky financial technicalities out of the way Plan a weekend wedding, a themed wedding, and other celebrations Select a suitable wedding party Plan for various customs and rites Get the decorative effect you want Throw a great reception with music, food, drink, and cake! Handle gifts, registries, rings, photos, and the honeymoon Packed with tips for saving money and common kitsch you should avoid, this is the ultimate guide to satisfying everyone on the Big Day. You'll discover the confidence you need to make the wedding of your dreams come true with Wedding Planning For Dummies, 2nd Edition!

    Kathy addresses everything needed to keep chickens simply, including coops, chick care, breed selection, chicken health, and beyond! Internationally known as The Chicken Chick, Kathy Shea Mormino brings an informative style and fresh perspective on raising backyard chickens to millions of fans around the world. An attorney by profession, Kathy is the founder and one-woman creative force behind her wildly popular and award-winning Facebook page and blog, The-Chicken-Chick.com. Now her practical, down-to-earth approach to chicken-keeping is available in book form. Sharing her years of hard-earned experience and collaborations with poultry veterinarians, nutritionists, and professors, she provides simple steps to care for these uncommon pets with confidence. Kathy’s personality permeates the book as she guides newbie, veteran, and would-be backyard chickeneers alike through all aspects of small-flock care—from getting into the hobby to housing, feeding, egg production, health, and much more. The result is accurate information presented in the fun and abundantly illustrated format that Mormino has delivered on her blog for years.

    Including expert information on common misconceptions about ferrets, Ferrets For Dummies also explores how to teach a ferret through "play training," and offers insight about their temperament. Provides facts about the ferret's family tree and ferret history Delves into ferrets and the law Includes extensive information about housing, feeding, and grooming this exotic animal About the Author: Kim Schilling (Palos Park, Illinois) owns 11 ferrets and is the founder and president of Animals for Awareness, a no-kill shelter specializing in unwanted and abandoned exotic animals.

    Tom Cox records the chaos of owning seven of the most charismatic, idiotic and duplicitous cats in the country.

    If it's quivering? She's happy to see you. But if it swishes ominously from side to side across your living room floor? Beware-your cat is annoyed.With nineteen bones and twelve muscles, cats' tails have countless ways of expressing their emotions. What Cats Want is here to uncover the meaning behind every movement, and the motivation beneath every quirk. Did you know, for example, that adult cats love to reconnect with their inner kitten? Or that cats prefer multiple watering holes over just one? Our cats are sophisticated-no matter what any dog lover says-and What Cats Want has the answers to every question asked by cat owners young and old.An invaluable new guide filled with creative tips and darling illustrations, What Cats Want provides a much-desired glimpse into the minds of our most mysterious pets.

    But these frisky little dogs aren't for everyone. Consummate lap dogs, they thrive on attention and constant contact with their owners, and are miserable when left alone. As pups they're extremely fragile, although they do outlive bigger breeds by many years. Housebreaking can be a problem with Chihuahuas, but on the other hand, they're very smart, love performing tricks and they never forget what they learn. Some have a tendency to shyness, but a well-socialized Chihuahua can be every bit as bold as a pit bull. Is this plucky little pooch the right dog for you and your family? Chihuahuas For Dummies provides the answer to this and all your questions about getting, caring for and living with this loveable breed. Award-winning breeder, trainer, author and long-time Chihuahua lover, Jacqueline O'Neil Beauchamp gets you up and running with what you need to know to:Find and communicate with reputable breeders Choose the right Chihuahua for you Housebreak and socialize your new puppy Educate yourself and your dog Handle behavioral problems Participate in competitions In friendly, down-to-earth language, Jacqueline provides insights into the Chihuahua temperament and loads of sensible, easy-to-follow advice, along with fun facts and Chihuahua trivia. Discover how to:Decide on whether a male or female is right for you Find and choose your new friend and bring him or her home Understand how to communicate with your Chihuahua Train your little peanut Find a good trainer and attend classes Deal with emotional conflicts Feed and exercise your little amigo Recognize, prevent and treat common health problems Have loyal friend for life The indispensable guide for you and your Chihuahua, Chihuahuas For Dummies is the only book you'll need to help you have the best possible experience with this saucy and affectionate breed of dog.

    Understand why your cat behaves the way it does so you can respond to their changing needs - Detailed descriptions of all aspects of behaviour, from scratching furniture to rubbing against people's legs - Specially commissioned colour photography - Question and answer tip boxes - Written by leading animal behaviourist for The Blue Cross

    McConnell added new information about the benefits of positive reinforcement AND the importance of realistic expectations. For instance, "sit" while waiting for the food bowl is NOT equivalent to "sit" when company comes to the door While it's almost twice the size of the original, the book is still easy to read, user-friendly and priced right for trainers and dog owners. It's the perfect guide for positive-based training classes or for new dog owners flying solo

    Harriman includes the latest in veterinary information and helpful how-to sections on care and feeding. 100 photos. Charts.

    Clicker training can improve your cat's health, activity and attitude toward life. It can make your cat happier and more affectionate. In the easy-to-read beginner's guide, Karen Pryor, the world's leading clicker training expert, tells you how to teach your cat: * to come when called * to play without biting or scratching * to stay off the table * to get along with dogs * to walk outside on a leash * to do cute tricks and games! All with a click and a treat!

    Those sad, puppy-dog eyes. Let’s face it: puppies can make anyone’s heart melt. But without proper training, they can make even the most doting doggie moms and dads’ blood pressure soar. So before your new puppy has you jumping through hoops, stop and ask yourself, “Just who is the trainer here?â€Dog Training for Dummies, 2nd Edition, shows you how to select the right training method for your puppy or adult dog, based on his unique personality, to reach your desired goals. Whether you want to teach Spike to sit, or want to help Rover master retrieving, this book gives training for you and your dog—to ensure a mutually respectful relationship with your four-legged family member. Discover how to: Understand your dog’s mind Recognize why positive reinforcement training is key Master basic training Survive the puppy period Deal with doggie don’ts Seek expert outside help And much more With step-by-step instruction in basic commands, guidance on how to eliminate unwanted behavior, and tips for making training fun for you and your pooch, Dog Training for Dummies is packed with all the latest techniques and resources you need to make your pal a Top Dog for life.

    First bred by the Chukchis, a semi-nomadic people of northeastern Siberia, to hunt reindeer and pull sleds, the Siberian is an active breed that loves the outdoors. Prized for their great beauty, intelligence, wonderful way with children and lack of "dog smell," they are also more free-spirited (and free-ranging) than many other popular breeds, and have a reputation for stubbornness and relentlessness in pursuit of a goal. Is this breed right for you and your family? Siberian Huskies For Dummies answers this and all your questions about getting, caring for and living with a Husky. Siberian devotee--she has eight of her own--Diane Morgan gets you up and running with what you need to know to:Find and deal with reputable breeders Choose the right Husky for you Hou sebreak and socialize your new puppy Educate yourself and your dog Handle behavioral problems Participate in competitions In friendly, down-to-earth language, Diane provides insights into the Siberian Husky temperament and loads of sensible, easy-to-follow advice on everything a Husky owner should know--along with fun facts and Husky trivia, amusing and informative anecdotes, and tips on how to have a great time with your Husky. Topics covered include:Understanding what makes the Siberian different from every other breed Deciding whether a male or female is right for you Understanding how to communicate with your Siberian Husky Training your Siberian Husky Grooming your Siberian Finding and establishing a good relationship with a veterinarian Breaking bad habits in your Husky Feeding and exercising your Siberian Husky Recognizing, preventing and treating common health problems Getting your Husky into sledding The indispensable guide for you and your Siberian Husky, Siberian Huskies For Dummies is the only book you'll need to help you have the best possible experience with this very ancient and venerable breed of dog.

    Cat lovers will be enthralled with his insights into the feline world, from the secret of catnip to the true meaning of a purr. Exploring the mysteries of animal communication, Caras explains cat vocabulary (nine consonants, five vowels) and the incredible phenomenon of psi-trailing, a cat's ability to find its way home after being transported several miles away. Filled with charming stories about the felines in his own life, the author helps us see wild and domestic cats for the remarkable creatures they are. The New York Times Book Review called this work, "As thorough and sensitive a tour of the cat's world as a human being can contrive".