These days, people's dogs have become bona fide members of the family. Moving from the kennel to the couch, they share our beds, family rooms, and holidays; and they are recipients of our kindest and utmost concern. A pet partnership is a lifetime commitment. Do it right, and your dog will become an important and valuable part of the family for many years. Do it wrong, and you've broken a sacred covenant between humankind and another living being. Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is for you if you are looking to adopt a dog, trying to improve the relationship with the one you have, or attempting to come up with fun things to do with your canine companion. This book is also for people who want to Choose the right veterinarian Explore the dog-breeding business Find breed-rescue groups Identify canine health problems Look for a purebred It's a "doggy-dog" world, and this easy-to-use guide will help you navigate it. Improve your chances at pet success by knowing how to raise and live with your dog properly. Discover which breed best suits your lifestyle, and if a puppy or adult dog is best for you. Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, also covers the following topics and more: Caring for an aging dog Choosing collars, harnesses, halters, and leashes Considering euthanasia Feeding Fido the right way House training puppies and adult dogs Keeping up appearances with good grooming Participating in canine competitions Preparing your dog for a disaster Traveling with your dog Award-winning author Gina Spadafori says the lack of accurate information—not the lack of effort or concern—is often the reason for doomed people-pet pairings. With her help, you can avoid the agony. Dogs For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is full of useful tips, how-to advice, illustrations, and photographs (both color and black-and-white). You deserve a healthy, happy, and well-mannered canine companion; and you'll be the owner every pet wants and deserves—informed, responsible, and loving.
Author
Gina Spadafori has been writing about animals for more than 30 years as a reporter, syndicated columnist and book author. More recently, she signed on to work as a veterinary medical writer for Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI). She has written 16 books, many of which have been top-sellers, co-authored with “America’s Veterinarian” Dr. Marty Becker. Spadafori also wrote the first three books in the “For Dummies” pet-care line, including Dogs For Dummies. Dogs For Dummies was her first book, given the President’s Award for the best writing on dogs and the Maxwell Medallion for the best general reference work, both by the Dog Writers Association of America. The award-winning Cats For Dummies, co-authored with Dr. Paul Pion, was named one of the best moments for cats in the 20th Century by Cat Fancy magazine. She has also edited books, managed teams of journalists and provided marketing expertise for both established companies and start-ups. She has been a frequent contributor to many top publications and media platforms, and her work is read by millions every week. Her books have been translated into many languages, including French, Serbian, Danish, Japanese, Spanish, Korean and Russian. In 2007, she was one of a small group of journalists credited with breaking open the pet-food recall story, leading to her and her work being the focus of prominent features in USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. In the fall of 2013, she began a new career writing for the veterinary community on behalf of Veterinary Pet Insurance. The work allows her to continue one of her favorite things: Attending veterinarian conferences and staying current on both best-practice and cutting-edge veterinary medicine. She is also working on The McKenzie Project, a genetic project intended to reduce the incidence of soft-tissue sarcoma in flat-coated retrievers. Convinced she was born to be a farmer, Gina recently purchased a house on a small acreage with agricultural zoning and a barn. There is room for fruit trees, gardens and all her animals—dogs, cats, horses, chickens, ducks and dairy goats. This property, which will be a work in progress for the rest of her life, is now Rancho Buena Fe´, a/k/a Good Faith Ranch.
