What To Expect When Adopting A Dog

A guide to successful dog adoption for every family. Addresses questions such as whether dog adoption is right for you, how to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group, how to prepare your home for a new member, integrating the dog into your home, family, lifestyle, and more.

Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.

Over the past decade, Kathy Callahan's family has taken in more than a hundred rescue puppies. This delightful photo-filled book features the wonderful stories that emerged as these foster pups were suddenly surrounded by a nurturing family complete with patient adult dogs and curious cats. With a gift for capturing the moment in both words and images, Callahan brings readers inside the poignant and ultimately uplifting work of fostering. This inspiring read is indeed about puppies, but it's also about family and human connection. It's about finding your own way — through that one special thing you can do to light a candle, instead of cursing the darkness.

The viral Facebook sensation Susie's Senior Dogs has amassed over 500,000 fans as it advocates for the adoption of elderly dogs. Now Erin Stanton (Susie's owner) has written a heartwarming, compelling collection of "happy ending" adoption stories for our oldest and dearest canine pals. In this collection of success stories culled from the nearly 500 matches SSD has facilitated, Erin Stanton—and Susie—talk to dozens of adopters who've learned what a perfect companion a senior dog can be. From Rudy, the 12-year-old Puggle who's a calm and sturdy first dog for two young boys, to Rocky, the shy German Shepherd who now escorts his owner on daily walks around their ranch, Susie's Senior Dogs celebrates dogs from all walks of life. And of course, we'll hear Susie's own story woven throughout! Featuring both internet "dog stars" like Chloe Kardoggian and Wolfgang, as well as brand-new, never-told stories of senior dogs getting a new lease on life, Susie's Senior Dogs will keep readers smiling and tails wagging! This beautiful, upbeat book includes sidebars, Q&As, "Susie's Top Tips" and more, making it the perfect keepsake for animal lovers of all ages.

How do you welcome an adult or adolescent dog into your home and incorporate this new individual into your family. The authors guide you through the first steps of this new relationship, with advice on training and a section on solving common behavioral problems.

A renowned dog trainer gives you the positive training tools you need to share a lifetime of fun, companionship, and respect with your dog. Plus, you'll get: information on the importance of observing, understanding, and reacting appropriately to your dog's body language; instructions on how to phase out the use of a clicker and treats to introduce more advanced training concepts; a diary to track progress; suggestions for treats your dog will respond to; and a glossary of training terms.

The definitive resource on dogs from North America's largest non-profit pet adoption website. Includes photos! The Total Dog Manual covers everything from how to choose your pet to appropriate training methods and environments, to understanding behavior and selecting the right food, toys, and care for your new family member. From understanding a dogs’ anatomy and those deep-down doggie instincts to grooming tips, this team of experts provides all you need to understand your furry friend. Behavior: Why do dogs jump so much? What do wolves have to do with anything? Find these answers and more to better understand how dogs “talk” to each other—and to us—and how to communicate more effectively with your pets. Training: Tired of your dog slobbering on your face? Trying to minimize mouthing? Want to teach an old dog new tricks? Find instructions and top tips on curbing bad habits, the latest thinking on teaching basic commands, and how to deal with the challenges and rewards of introducing a puppy or adult dog to a new home and family. Care: Is his fur a tangled mess? What kind of collar tag should you get? What supplies does a new puppy need? What do you do during a thunderstorm or with an elderly animal? Learn everything you need to know to keep your dog safe and happy, including tips on security, vacations and travel, and major upheavals such as moving homes or stressful situations. This easy-to-use manual, filled with delightful photos, is an ideal reference no matter what your dog’s age or breed.

Training the Best Dog Ever, originally published in hardcover as The Love That Dog Training Program, is a book based on love and kindness. It features a program of positive reinforcement and no-fail techniques that author Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz used to train the White House dog, Bo Obama, and each of Senator Ted Kennedy’s dogs, among countless others. Training the Best Dog Ever relies on trust and treats, not choke collars; on bonding, not leash-yanking or reprimanding. The five-week training program takes only 10 to 20 minutes of practice a day and works both for puppies and for adult dogs that need to be trained out of bad habits. Illustrated with step-by-step photographs, the book covers hand-feeding; crate and potty training; and basic cues—sit, stay, come here—as well as more complex goals, such as bite inhibition and water safety. It shows how to avoid or correct typical behavior problems, including jumping, barking, and leash-pulling. Plus: how to make your dog comfortable in the world—a dog that knows how to behave in a vet’s office, is at ease around strangers, and more. In other words, the best dog ever.