Product Description

Small dogs can bring big rewards!

Small dogs are charming, intelligent, and loving, but they can also be overly energetic, manipulative, and stubborn. How do you ensure that your little dog becomes a fun, feisty best friend rather than a tiny terror?

Small Dogs, Big Hearts is an updated and expanded edition of the classic The Irrepressible Toy Dog. It features the very latest, safest, and fastest training methods for little dogs. There's no need to use training methods from the past that don't work well with most dogs, let alone little ones who view the world and their owners from a very different vantage point. You'll find everything you need to know to train your little dog, from housetraining to house manners, in this updated volume.

Small Dogs, Big Hearts follows the small dog from puppyhood through the senior years, giving advice on important topics such as:

• socialization
• housetraining
• behavior
• nutrition
• healthcare
• pampering your pint-sized pooch

With lots of adorable photos, you'll see small dogs at their most charming while you learn to bring out the best in your little bundle of love.

Darlene Arden is widely acknowledged as an authority on small dogs, and is the author of many books and articles about dogs and their care. A member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, she is a certified animal behavior consultant and a regular contributor to Animal Radio Network.

Words of Appreciation for this book and its predecessor include:

"The voice of experience speaks about the hidden (and not so hidden) life of Toy dogs. Darlene Arden's sensible and practical advice is a must for would-be Toy dog owners. -Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, Tufts University, Author of The Dog Who Loved Too Much

"Small Dogs, Big Hearts is an invaluable treasure of information… It includes every aspect of puppy care from infancy through adulthood. It is precise, beautifully written, and easily understood by both the professional dog exhibitor and the owner of a beloved family pet. Every person who contemplates purchasing a dog or who has a dog should own this book." - Victor Joris, AKC Toy Group Judge.

"Darlene Arden has come up with an informative book which, just like the little creatures that inspired it, manages to be of serious intent and at the same time entertaining. A thorough instruction manual for small dogs in general, it delves into the breed-specific joys and idiosyncrasies of these mini-sized canine charmers as well."- Lilian Barber, Author, The Italian Greyhound, 21st Century.

"For anyone who has owned a small dog, the best book ever written has been written by Darlene Arden." - Martha Smith, Providence Journal Bulletin.

"At last, we have a book devoted to Toy dogs written by an authority on Toy dog care…This book would be a worthwhile addition to any dog fancier's library." - Glenna Fierheller, Dogs in Canada.

"Arden's breezy, unassuming portrait of the Rodney Dangerfields of dogdom captures everything from their blue-collar feistiness to their charming insouciance." - Ranny Green The Seattle Times.

"If you've never considered yourself a 'small dog person,' this book could change your mind. If you've always loved Toys, you'll feel vindicated. And if you're considering a change of dog to a smaller breed this book will help you to avoid what could be fatal mistakes. The Irrepressible Toy Dog provides good advice for anyone with a dog, but for the Toy person it's a gift of understanding that will shatter the myth that all little dogs are or should be nasty, snappy brats. Brava!" -Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. 

A Howell Dog Book of Distinction.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #135015 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-26
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Back Cover
Small dogs can bring big rewards!

Small dogs are charming, intelligent, and loving, but they can also be overly energetic, manipulative, and stubborn. How do you ensure that your little dog becomes a fun, feisty best friend rather than a tiny terror?

This revised and updated edition of the classic The Irrepressible Toy Dog follows the small dog from puppyhood through the senior years, giving advice on important topics like:

• socialization
• housetraining
• behavior
• nutrition
• healthcare
• pampering your pint-sized pooch

With lots of adorable photos, you'll see small dogs at their best while you learn to bring out the best in your little bundle of love.

Small Dogs, Big Hearts also features the very latest, safest, and fastest training methods for little dogs. There's no need to use training methods from the past that don't work well with most dogs, let alone little ones who view the world and their owners from a very different vantage point. You'll find everything you need to know to train your little dog, from housetraining to house manners, in this updated volume.

About the Author
Darlene Arden is widely acknowledged as the authority on small dogs. She is the author of many books and articles about dogs and their care. A member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, she is a certified animal behavior consultant and a regular contributor to Animal Radio Network.

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Customer Reviews

great general reference for small furkids
I purchased this book as an expectant toy breed mother. It is a light hearted but informative book on the joys and pitfalls of having a toy breed in your house. I was a little disappointed in the lack of information on my particular puppy, a Chinese Crested, but then I didn't expect a lot of info on the Cresteds since most people know little about them. For more breed specific information, it's advisable to get a breed specific book. However this is a great reference for those who are looking at the toy breeds and don't know a lot about them. It's an easy read and the general information is great. The breed specific information is just enough to perhaps help someone choose which breed is a good fit for their family.

Ms. Arden has done it again...
As the owner of 4 small dog rescues, I have found all of Darlene Arden's books extremely helpful and "small dogs, big hearts" is certainly no exception. It is filled with valuable information and should be a must read for anyone who has or is even remotely thinking about getting a small dog. Like all her books, this one is well written in Ms. Arden's easy to follow and understand style. I especially like the fact that this book contains mixed breeds and all the pictures are a wonderful addition.
I applaud Darlene Arden for emphasizing that these small breeds are not toys to be played with, but real dogs with real dog issues and needs.

Very Good Resource, Extensive Health Info
I was very anxious to get this book. In fact by the time I realized there was a second edition of the Irrepressible Toy Dog, I had been waiting several months. This lead me to several other small dog/ breed specific books. This book is definitely top notch However, I was a little biased having read similar information in several other books before reading this book. This made me less excited about its content, however I have to say that it is extremely well compiled, lots of good information and has the best health section on small breed specific disease that I have seen to date. The picture sections are cute, however it could have included more breeds instead of the same breeds over and over. It however was not as much fun as other books, and lacks in the training section when compared to other books. It is a great overall guide on toy dogs and every toy dog owner should keep a copy for a reference guide.