Expert authors Liz Palika, vet Deb Eldredge, and breeder Joanne Olivier team up to cover all the questions new owners tend to have and many they don't think to ask, including:- What to ask the breeder before bringing your puppy home- Which vaccinations your puppy needs and when to get them- How to make potty training as smooth (and quick) as possible- What do to when your puppy cries at night- Why and how to crate train your puppy- When socialization should happen and how to make sure it does- When your puppy is ready to learn basic commands-like Sit, Stay, and Come-and the best way to teach them- When and how to go about leash training- How much exercise your puppy needs to stay physically and mentally healthy- What, how much, and when to feed your puppy to give him the nutrition he needs without the extra weight he doesn't- When your puppy is ready for obedience training and how to make sure it works- How and how often to bath your puppy, brush his coat, clip his nails, and brush his teeth.- How to know what requires a trip to the vet and what doesn't- What causes problem behaviors, when to expect them, and how to correct them

    Before you get to the end of your leash, turn to this friendly and relatable reference that’s the next best thing to talking to a dog-owning friend who's seen it all. In Oh My Dog, animal rights activist Beth Ostrosky Stern has compiled tips and invaluable advice from experts—and from her own experience as dogowner—to sooth concerns, answer questions big and small, and help you and your dog get the most out of your relationship. From the moment you even consider getting a dog, to caring for your old friend when his puppy years are far behind him, Oh My Dog covers every angle of dog ownership, including: - Which breeds would be good match for me? - What do I look for in a vet? - How do I make sure our first night together is as stress-free as possible? - What activities will help me bond with my dog?- Is my dog showing sign of illness?- What should I know before I head to a doggie day care or park? - How do I read pet food labels? - What should I do in an emergency?Choc full of informative side bars, questionnaires, to-do lists, and much, much more, Oh My Dog is the answer-filled field guide for anybody who owns a dog or is considering getting one. Beth Ostrosky Stern

    Let's face it, comparing cats and dogs is like, well, like comparing apples and oranges. They are different, and they have different needs. A dog is a pack animal that needs a leader. By nature a dog expects to get rubbed and wrestled with. Dogs like to horse around. A cat does not. A cat is a solitary predator and needs its space. But what both cats and dogs do need is your love and attention. Just because a cat is, by nature, independent doesn't mean that he or she doesn't need your praise or physical affection. There are a lot of myths about cats -- like the one above -- that lead to their mistreatment. By learning more about what makes a cat a cat, you will be better able to give your feline the space, care, and love that he or she needs. And this sentiment couldn't be truer when it comes to training your cat. Hitting or yelling at your cat when he scratches his claws on your nice new couch just doesn't make sense. Your cat is only being a cat. He needs to scratch his nails so they can stay healthy and strong. Also, scratching helps a cat relieve stress and relax. Imagine being yelled at and hit for sprawling out on the couch with a magazine and a glass of nice red wine after a long day's work. You must align your training expectations with your cat's needs if you want to have a happy, well-trained cat. Johnson-Bennett advises you to "get on her level emotionally, physically, and mentally in order to map out an effective training plan." She outlines three basic methods for training: positive reinforcement (rewarding kitty for good behavior), remote control (spraying kitty with a water gun when she jumps on the kitchen counter), and redirection (getting kitty to scratch on a scratching post instead of your expensive couch). By using these training methods in the first place, you will get a head start in establishing good behavior, and in the process you and your cat will become closer.If you want to learn more about your cat and what you can do to strengthen and enjoy your relationship with each other, then Think Like a Cat should really be on your reading list. From years of experience as a vet technician and as an adoring cat owner, Johnson-Bennett knows her stuff. And she covers it all in this book -- from grooming, training, health, and nutrition to emergency care, games, and toys. So get ready to hear a lot more purring around the house!—Jen Forman

    They will be the highlight of the day for both you and your dog! Short, fun sessions are ideal for a dog, especially when they end with success! Each 10-minute game will boost your dog's intelligence as his or her brain is challenged with new behaviors. Kyra Sundance teaches how to use positive, reward-based techniques that foster an anxiety-free environment where your dog is an eager and willing participant. Simple instructions and photos take the guesswork out of training, while tips and equipment suggestions answer your questions. Using both specialized props and things around the house, help your dog build:Confidence (Weenie Bobbing, Tunnel, Hoop Jump, Platform Jump, and more)Mental Focus (Memory Game, Treasure Hunt, Massage, Dog Yoga, and more)Coordination (Ladder Work, Seesaw, Wobble Board, Jumping Figure-8s, and more)Strength (Tug, Assisted Upright Walking, Sit High, and more)Direction-Following Skills (Roll out the Carpet, Soap Bubble Chasing, Paintbrush Painting, and more)Enjoy special time with your dog every day with this dynamic, engaging curriculum!Also by Kyra Sundance, learn to do even more with your dog with: 101 Dog Tricks; The Dog Tricks and Training Workbook; 51 Puppy Tricks; 101 Dog Tricks, Kids Edition; Dog Training 101; The Pocket Guide to Dog Tricks; Kyra’s Canine Conditioning; and The Joy of Dog Training.

    Behaviourist, Shay Kelly shows you how to become your dog’s best friend by providing simple, fun activities to spark their mind and enrich their life. A lack of mental stimulation is a leading contributory factor in dog behavioural problems. Ensuring that our dog's needs are met is the first step in avoiding and rectifying problematic behaviour. Shay's Buddhist values and behaviour knowledge combine to deliver practical, kind, and scientific advice.

    At the age of 36, Caroline Knapp, author of the acclaimed bestseller Drinking: A Love Story, found herself confronted with a monumental task: redefining her world.She had faced the loss of both her parents, given up a twenty-year relationship with alcohol, and, as she writes, "I was wandering around in a haze of uncertainty, blinking up at the biggest questions: Who am I without parents and without alcohol? How to form attachments, and where to find comfort, in the face of such daunting vulnerability?" An answer materialized in the most unlikely form: that of a dog. Eighteen months to the day after she quit drinking, Knapp stumbled upon an eight-week-old puppy at a local animal shelter, took her home, and named her Lucille. Now two years old, Lucille has become a central force in Knapp's life: "In her," she writes, "I have found solace, joy, a bridge to the world."Caroline Knapp has been celebrated as much for her fresh insight into emotional and psychological issues as she has been for her gifts as a writer. In Pack of Two, she brings the same perception and talent to bear on the rich, complicated terrain of human-animal relationships. In addition to mining her own experience with Lucille, Knapp speaks to a wide variety of dog people--from animal behaviorists and psychologists to other owners whose dogs have deeply affected their lives--about this emotionally complex, sometimes daunting, often profoundly healing alliance. Throughout, she explores the shift in canine roles from working partners to intimate companions and looks, too, at how this new kinship, this wordless bond, becomes a template for what we most desire ourselves.

    The second part examines what most people describe as problem behaviour, which is just normal canine behaviour exhibited in the wrong place. The book concludes with an A-Z of common problems, their causes and cures.In the 1980s and 1990s John Fisher revolutionised dog training, first in England, then in the US. With his self-deprecating manner and 'Oh! So British' sense of humour he taught us to 'Think Dog'.

    Today, they are family members and surrogate children. A little over a century ago, pets didn't warrant the meager legal status of property. Now, they have more rights and protections than any other animal in the country. Some say they're even on the verge of becoming legal persons.How did we get here—and what happens next?In this fascinating exploration of the changing status of dogs and cats in society, pet lover and award-winning journalist David Grimm traces the rich and surprising history of our favorite companion animals, from their wild origins to their dark days in the middle ages to their current standing as the most valued animals on Earth. As he travels across the country—riding along with Los Angeles detectives as they investigate animal cruelty cases, touring the devastation of New Orleans as he searches for the animal survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and coming face to face with wolves and feral cats—Grimm explores the changing social attitudes that have transformed pets into family members, and the remarkable laws and court cases that have elevated them to quasi citizens.The journey to citizenship isn't a smooth one, however. As Grimm finds, there's plenty of opposition to the rising status of cats and dogs. From scientists and farmers worried that our affection for pets could spill over to lab rats and livestock to philosophers who say the only way to save society is to wipe cats and dogs from the face of the earth, the battle lines are being drawn. We are entering a new age of pets-one that will not only fundamentally change our relationship with these animals, but transform society itself.For pet lovers or anyone interested in how we decide who gets the coveted status of "person", Citizen Canine is a must read. It is a pet book like no other.

    But what exactly is enrichment? The concept is pretty straightforward: learn what your dog’s needs are, and then structure an environment and routine that allows them to engage in behaviors they find enriching. To truly enrich your dog’s life, you should offer them opportunities to engage in natural or instinctual behaviors. Aside from the limitations we have to place on a dog in today’s modern, busy world, the biggest constraint to enriching your dog’s life is your imagination!What the experts say about Canine Enrichment:Don’t let the word “enrichment” in the title fool you into thinking that the scope of this book is too narrow or not something you will find valuable. It focuses comprehensively on meeting your dog’s needs and is written in a holistic, science-based, practical, straightforward, and easy-to-understand way. I love this book!Ken Ramirez, author of Animal Training: Successful Animal Management Through Positive ReinforcementCanine Enrichment is a deep dive into what dogs really need and how we can provide it. It’s a great book for dog lovers who want to go beyond the standard superficialities of “dogs need exercise.” Just the chapter on agency is worth the price of the book!Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB Emeritus, author of The Other End of the Leash and The Education of WillThe scope of this book is ambitious and the authors deliver, navigating the subject of enrichment with depth and relevance. Caregivers will gain critically important perspectives and practical information to improve the lives of their animals.Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Utah State University, and founder of Behavior Works, LLCAllie Bender, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA, and Emily Strong, CDBC, CPBT-KA, SBA, are certified behavior consultants who work with all companion animal species. They co-founded and operate Pet Harmony, LLC, and First Train Home.

    This book will assist those who want to prepare for their dog's future in an easy-to-use format that will guide them through the process of telling the "story" of their dog's life, for their pet's "Next Guardian." None of us can predict the future, but in the event situations arise such as death, health impairment, or left with no other choice but to give them up, this book will be there to assist your beloved pet with the transition from one home to another.

    John Ciribassi, DVM, DACVB, coeditor of Decoding Your DogCelebrity dog trainer and YouTube star Zak George creates the most watched dog training content in the world and has helped millions of people with their dogs. In this problem-based guide, he makes it easy to look up and solve the exact behavioral issue that you're struggling with--whether you're dealing with a new puppy, an adult dog you've had for years, or a recently adopted rescue. He also helps you prevent many of these problems from becoming established in the first place. Packed with case studies and examples from Zak's videos so you can see his dog and puppy training tactics in action, this book contains step-by-step instructions for dealing with:- Chewing- Jumping up- Barking- Play biting- Begging- Not listening- Thunderstorm phobia- Separation anxiety- Aggression- And much more!Delving deeply into why dogs do what they do and how to work through any problems that might arise, Zak proves that it's never too late to correct behavioral issues.

    Displaying Lorenz's customary humanity and expert knowledge of animals, Man Meets Dog is also a deeply personal and entertaining account of his relationships with his own four-legged friends. With charming sketches on almost every page, Man Meets Dog offers a delightful insight into animal and human thinking and feeling. An essential companion for all lovers of dogs (and cats!).

    Turid Rugaas is a noted expert on canine body language, notably "calming signals" which are signals dogs give to other dogs and humans to denote stress and to attempt defuse situations that otherwise might result in fights or aggression. Written in practical, down-to-earth, logical language. Companion DVD, 'Calming Signals: What Your Dog Tells You', DTB788, is also available.

    Find everything you need top know in this fun guide that includes information on pre-agility training, detailed advice on correction-free training and step-by step agility training techniques. Also learn how to make your own agility obstacles use a clicker as a motivational tool, and officially enter agility trials. Participation in agility competitions can build a strong, enduring bond between you and your dog, Read The Beginners Guide to Dog Agility to learn the ins and outs of this exciting hobby.

    Bekoff skillfully blends extraordinary stories of animal joy, empathy, grief, embarrassment, anger, and love with the latest scientific research confirming the existence of emotions that common sense and experience have long implied. Filled with Bekoff’s light humor and touching stories, The Emotional Lives of Animals is a clarion call for reassessing both how we view animals and how we treat them.