Puppies (Idiot's Guides) - Softcover

Nothing's cuter or more fun than a new puppy. But it takes lots of work to get ready for them, to take good care of them, and to teach them to be a well-behaved member of the family. Idiot's Guides: Puppies gives readers everything they need to prepare for a new puppy and make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible, for the family as well as the puppy. In it, readers get:

- Dozens of fun-loving and helpful full-color photographs

- An assessment of what type of puppy is best for their home and lifestyle, plus tips on where to go to find one once they know what they are looking for.

- Steps for preparing for the new puppy before it arrives, including puppy-proofing the home and yard, buying the necessary tools and equipment, preparing kids and other pets, and setting up places for the puppy to sleep and eat.

- Tips on how much and when to feed your puppy, and how to choose among dry food, canned food, and home-cooked and natural options.

- Step-by-step training tutorials for housetraining, basic commands and manners, socialization, and solving problem behaviors such as biting and chewing.

- Expert medical advice from a veterinarian on what to watch for, and what to do when your puppy is sick or injured.

Connie Swaim is Director of Canine Training and Behavior for the Humane Society of Indianapolis. She is a Karen Pryor Academy-Certified Training Partner and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She is also a K9 handler for Midwest Search Dogs, a volunteer search-and-rescue organization.

Deb Eldredge, DVM, is a graduate of Cornell and winner of the Gentle Doctor Award for best client care. She is an award-winning writer, author of 10 pet books, and past president of the Dog Writers Association of America.