Diana Janette Andersen - Getting to Know Dogs: Choosing, Caring For, and Living with Mans Best Friend

Animalinfo Publications 2013

Animalinfo Publications

PO Box 605,

Kalamunda,

WA 6976 Australia

ISBN 978 1 921537 23 3

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means without the permission of Animalinfo Publications.

Disclaimer

This book is intended for information only. The publisher and author do not imply any results to those using this book, nor are they responsible for any results brought about by the usage of the information contained herein. The publisher and author disclaim any personal liability, loss, or risk incurred as a result of the use of any information or advice contained herein either directly or indirectly. Furthermore, the publisher and author do not guarantee that the holder of this information will generate the same results as each dog is an individual that may have many variables.

Photography - Diana Andersen, Animalinfo Publications

Front Cover: Keeshonds at the Beach

Back Cover: German Shorthaired Pointer

Below: Havanese Dog

Contents

About the Author

Diana Andersen

Although I began my working life as a professional designer with a background in photography, I have always been passionate about animals and have never been without their companionship. This passion for animals eventually became a profession, working as a zoo keeper while also breeding birds at home, doing rescue and rehabilitation for endangered cockatoos, and breeding and showing Australian Cattle Dogs, purely for the enjoyment of participating in a recreational activity with my dogs.

As my expertise with animals increased so did requests for me to share the information with others through speaking engagements, magazine articles, and books. I could never say no to anyone who called for advice on problems relating to their animals. With people turning to the internet for animal information, I became concerned, and frustrated at times, with the amount of inaccurate information being circulated. Information was becoming available from people that had little real experience or expertise with the animals they were writing about. While I could distinguish a great deal of what was good from what wasnt, I doubted that many less experienced people could.

Although my books had been published by other companies in the past, I founded Animalinfo Publications in 2007. I felt that my design, photography and web skills could be used to my advantage to produce quality books, e-books and other information products that would meet and surpass international standards. The aim was to provide predominantly online information which was accurate, well researched, and sourced from professionals working with animals. I believe that fewer animals would be in need of rescue and re-homing if people made well informed decisions about the animals that they intend to share their lives with and are provided with good information on maintaining their health and wellbeing.

Producing this book and the others available from Animalinfo Publications has also allowed me to spend more time on another of my passions, observing and capturing the spirit of animals through the camera lens. I hope you enjoy the information and photographs provided in this book, and please, visit our website at www.animalinfo.com.au .

One of my wonderful Australian Cattle Dogs, Tyson.

Acknowledgements

Cathy Lambert, Rae Joy & Lisa Mantellato

Cathy, Rae and Lisa have provided invaluable support in establishing Animalinfo Publications. They have all devoted their professional, and much of their personal lives, to working with animals. Cathy and Lisa work with native species breeding programs at Perth Zoo in Western Australia, breeding endangered species for release back into their native habitat, and Rae, a qualified vet nurse, worked with the Animals Asia Foundation at the Moon Bear Rescue Centre in Vietnam. Amongst other things, they have collectively provided much of the research needed for the health sections of this book and provided a great deal of the health and breed information that can be found on our website.

Cindy Ludwig, Canine Connection LLC

Cindy Ludwig, M.A. is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner based in Dubuque, Iowa specialising in force- free positive reinforcement training. Apart from behaviour consultation, modification and training classes, Cindy is also involved with service and therapy dog training and assessment. Her expertise and advice has been invaluable in reviewing the behaviour and training information contained in this book. Cindy also contributes articles to the Animalinfo Publications website. Cindys contact details can be found in the Resources section at the end of this book.

Great Dane (left), Golden Retriever (right)

Red and White Border Collies

Introduction

Cute isnt he? But is he the right dog for you?

So you have decided to get a puppy? If the answer is yes, then you have already made your first mistake! You should have said that you have decided to get a dog. Puppies physically mature at a truly alarming rate. Unfortunately, from a behavioural standpoint, they can take a great deal longer to reach maturity. While they are no longer small, cute and cuddly, they can still have unexpected accidents on the floor, chew up inappropriate and valuable items, and invent a multitude of other little activities designed to gain your attention and try your patience!

The biggest mistake people make is to look for a puppy before realistically assessing their own situation to determine whether they are ready to bring a dog into their family and can meet the responsibilities associated with owning a dog. Puppies are cute - there can be no argument about that. However, if you purchased the puppy pictured above because you just couldnt resist, and you live in a small inner city townhouse, you have probably just made a terrible mistake.

Its not that there is anything wrong with the breed, far from it. However, this is a working breed that needs room to move, is tenacious and energetic, and likes to be with its owner at all times. Confined to a small yard and left alone all day, this breed, and many others, will often become noisy and destructive.

Owning a dog can be a rewarding experience that I thoroughly recommend but only if you choose the right companion for your situation. They are not a status symbol, something to match the decor of your house, or a disposable item to be dropped of at the local rescue shelter when you cant afford to meet its needs, or it has become an inconvenience. To get the most out of owning a dog, first and foremost you need to be realistic!

Australian Cattle Dog Puppy (left), Staffordshire Bull Terrier (right)

To get the most out of owning a dog, it is important to choose a dog whose temperament and activity level is suited to your lifestyle.