Browse the Dog Information Index:

• I. Is It Only Puppy Love?

  • Why Do You Want a Dog?

    • Companionship

    • A Playmate for the Kid(s)

    • A Friend for Your Other Dog

    • To Replace a Former Pet

    • A Gift for a Friend

    • Breeding or Showing

  • Why Would a Dog Want You?

  • What Breed is Right for Me?

  • Other Considerations

    • Male or Female

    • Puppy, Adolescent or Adult

    • One Dog or Two

    • Show Dog or Pet

  • Where to Find a Dog

    • Locating a Responsible Breeder

    • Pet Shop

    • Animal Shelter

    • Rescue Organization

  • The Economics of Owning a Dog

  • Old Enough to Leave Home

  • Choosing a Healthy Puppy

    • Physical Checkup

    • Personality Test

  • Getting Your Papers in Order

    • Contracts

    • Registration Papers

    • Health Certificates

• II. A Shopping List for New Dog Owners

  • Food Bowls and Water Dishes

  • Automatic Waterers and Feeders

  • Beds

    • Sleeping Mats or Pads

  • The Crate

  • Baby Gates

  • Toys

  • Collars and Harnesses

  • Leashes

    • Nylon

    • Leather

    • Cotton

    • Chain

    • Retractable

  • ID Tags

  • Grooming Tools

    • Combs

    • Brushes

    • Breakers and Blades

    • Shears and Scissors

    • Nail Clippers

• III. Nutrition

  • The Essentials of Nutrition

    • Protein

    • Fat

    • Carbohydrate

    • Vitamins

    • Minerals

    • Water

  • Feeding Your Dog

    • What

    • When

    • How Much

  • Snacks and Treats

  • Chewables

  • Special Diets

  • Cooking for Your Dog

  • Supplements

  • Switching Diets

• IV. Keeping Your Dog Healthy

  • Vaccinations

  • Types of Immunity

    • Passive

    • Acquired

  • Kinds of Vaccinations

    • Modified-live

    • Killed

  • Vaccination Methods

  • Vaccination Schedule

  • Internal Parasites

    • Toxoplasma gondii

    • Coccidia

    • Worms

  • External Parasites

    • Fleas

  • Neuter or Spay

  • Dental Hygiene

  • Medicating Your Dog

  • When to Call the Vet

  • First-Aid Kit

  • Caring for an Older Dog

    • Changes in Attitude

    • Weight Management

    • Exercise

    • Saying Good-bye

• V. Training and Behavior

  • House Rules

    • The Welcoming Party

    • The Crate Divide

    • Introducing the Collar or Harness

    • House-Training Without Tears

    • Introducing Children & Other Pets

  • Obedience Training

    • When to Begin Training

    • The Alpha-dog Principle

    • Training Tips

    • What's in a Name?

  • Leash Training

    • Introducing the Leash

    • Now Heel This

  • Handful of Useful Commands

    • Come

    • Sit

    • Stay

    • Down

• VI. General Information

  • The Proposal For The National Breeders Alliance