Their advice, always practical, addresses common concerns that range from choosing your dog to dealing with your dog's aggression while on leash. Siegel and Margolis do a good job of dispelling standard myths of dog ownership: You have to hit your dog to correct him (never hit your dog with anything!); a wagging tail means a happy dog (yes, but it can also indicate excitement or nervousness); you have to wait six months to train a puppy (actually, you can start as early as seven weeks). Each chapter is devoted to different topics, such as "Housebreaking," "Children and Dogs," "The Dog Outdoors," "The Dog Indoors," "Your Dog's Health," and "He's Driving Me Crazy." They tell you where to find a dog, how best to choose one, and provide a checklist of the equipment and supplies your new puppy will need. They have great advice on introducing your dog to the new baby -- or the new cat or the second dog. Some of their advice may be familiar, but other tips were new to me, though I've had dogs for years. For example, for a teething puppy, twist a washcloth into a rope, soak it in water, and put it in the freezer; you'll soon have something cold for puppy to chew on that will soothe his gums. Another example: To find out how tolerant your dog will be with young children, they suggest a three-step sensitivity test to find out how high or low his pain tolerance is. Then you can monitor your dog with children accordingly. To desensitize a dog who is afraid of loud noises, they recommend a commercial audiotape of environmental sounds of things that frighten the dog. (I plan to try this with my own dog, who is oblivious to the sounds of a vacuum but panics when he hears a skateboarder or rollerblader.) The sections on dog health and grooming are also filled with helpful details, as is the chapter on traveling with your pet. (Ginger Curwen) From the Publisher We all love our dogs, and why wouldn't we? Dogs give us unconditional love in exchange for a bowl of food, a hug, and a warm place to sleep. Living with a dog in peace and harmony provides a unique, satisfying feeling and brings with it enjoyment and companionship. But when things go wrong for the family dog, you need to know what to do, and having Solutions will make all the difference. Most dog owners don't know Shih Tzu from Shinola when it comes to raising a happy dog. In Solutions, you'll learn how to keep your dog healthy, feed it properly, cope with misbehavior, and understand housebreaking mistakes. In addition, you'll find helpful advice about toys, travel, training, and boarding. For the thousand and one things that come up every day with your dog, you need Solutions. From the successful dog-writing team of Matthew Margolis, famous dog trainer and TV personality, and Mordecai Siegal, prolific dog writer and pet expert, comes this easy-to-use, enjoyable, and invaluable guide for every dog owner. Publishers Weekly Loving, Learning About and Losing Animals Understanding how much our actions impact a dog's behavior is the key to enjoying a long and loving life together, according to Mordecai Siegal, an award-winning author of 26 books, and Matthew Margolis, expert trainer and host of PBS's Woof, It's a Dog's Life. In their warm, instructive and well-organized guide, Solutions: For Your Dog--and You, they explain everything from preparing to adopt a dog, to dog training, to saving a dog who has stopped breathing. Agent, Mel Berger. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. Synopsis We all love our dogs, and why wouldn't we? Dogs give us unconditional love in exchange for a bowl of food, a hug, and a warm place to sleep. Living with a dog in peace and harmony provides a unique, satisfying feeling and brings with it enjoyment and companionship. But when things go wrong

 Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group 068486472X / 9780684864723
Hardcover As New Condition New York 

Price: 15.88 USD