Product Description

The old rules don't always apply to adopted dogs, whose training, past behaviors, and health histories may be a mystery. At last, here's the one-stop bible that acknowledges their special needs and covers every detail of daily life. In chapters reviewed by experts in veterinary medicine, nutrition, and training, pet parents will learn:

• Where to find your perfect canine companion
• All about breeds and mixed breeds and how you can adopt any type of dog
• Smart guidelines for adoption success
• Realistic expenses of dog care
• What to expect when you bring your new pup home (and long after)
• How to prevent runaways and protect your dog from all types of harm
• Clicker, target stick, and other re-training methods
• Humane ways to modify undesirable behaviors
• How to introduce new diets and take the guesswork out of feeding
• Holistic and conventional medical treatments
• Daily hygiene and caring for your sick pup inside and out
• The impact of travel and changes at home
• What to do when it's time to say good-bye

Plus recipes, doggy workouts, heartwarming true stories of adopted dogs and their happy parents, information on saving dogs on a larger scale, and much, much more!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16823 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-01
• Released on: 2009-01-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780061435591
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author

Since 1996, Petfinder.com has facilitated more than twelve million pet adoptions. What began as one couple's New Year's resolution to "do something good" by uniting homeless pets with prospective adopters has become the largest searchable database of adoptable pets on the Web. More than one out of nine homes with pets in the U.S. contains an animal found on Petfinder.com. Kim Saunders is vice president of shelter outreach at Petfinder.com and is the proud adoptive parent of Kona, Mojo, and Mocha.

Customer Reviews

Incredible resource
As a pet rescue volunteer, I would recommend this book to any adopter. Most books about preparing for a new dog only deal with puppies and not adults. This book covers topics that are relevant to a rescued dog. It's also an easy read. The medical information is excellent and in language that everyday people can understand. This book should be purchased by anyone who wants to adopt a dog.

Excellent Comprehensive Guide
As if providing their lifesaving Internet adoption database wasn't enough of a service to homeless pets, the wonderful folks at Pet ... Finder have now provided an exceptional comprehensive dog care guide.

This book covers all aspects of dog care, with a special emphasis on the needs of the adopted dog. They take a realistic approach to everything, making care manageable. They don't even bother to mention compulsion based equipment or outdated training theories, because the advice they do give works, while building a bond of trust between you and your adopted dog. And they troubleshoot! Too many simpler guides provide only 1 option.

As a bonus, the book is an enjoyable read. How many dog care books are page-turners? What a gifted author!

I wanted to call this book "Perfect," but I can't. The main thing it lacks is a primer on reading your dog's body language - in particular, stress signals. Your adopted dog is more likely to be stressed, and being able to read those signals is critical. So, to make this book perfect, you have to supplement it with Turid Rugaas's exceptional and affordable On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals. I would also have liked more discussion on choosing quality commercial dog food (get Whole Dog Journal's annual guide).

If your dog has some really entrenched issues that need very specific help, you can buy additional, affordable pamphlets by either Turid Rugaas or Patricia McConnell.

Excellent book for all who share their lives with dog(s) or plan to aquire a dog
This is one of the most informative dog books for the novice dog owner or for someone who is thinking about adopting a dog. Lots of quality advise for experienced dog owners too!

It is written in an easy-to-understand style and well organized. I can find the information I need when I need it.

However I loaned my copy to a friend and hope they return the book - if not, then I will buy myself another copy

FYI, Mojo is one of my dog's playmates at Camp Gone to the Dogs.