The Seven Ages of Man's Best Friend: A Comprehensive Guide for Caring for Your Dog Through All the Stages of Life Book

	Picture Credits	x
	Acknowledgments	xi
	Introduction	13
	From Wolf to Wolfhound: The Evolution of the Modern Dog	16
	Puppy: 0-8 Weeks	23
	In the Wild	24
	The First Age: Overview	26
	The Early Hours - Birth and Beyond	26
	Suckling Machines - The FirstTen Days	27
	The First Turning Point - Ten Days Onward	28
	Three Weeks - The Extended Pack Forms	29
	Handling the Puppy	31
	Teaching Recognition - Giving a Dog a Good Name	33
	The Power of Play	34
	Cutting the Apron Strings - Weaning and Toilet Training	36
	Weaning	36
	Toilet Training: When, Where and How?	49
	Personality Testing	51
	Well-being	55
	A Healthy Start: Protecting Your Puppy from Illness	55
	Internal Parasites: Worming	55
	Eye Testing	58
	Teeth	62
	Feet	63
	Pioneer: 8-12 Weeks	65
	In the Wild	66
	The Second Age: Overview	68
	Feeling at Home in the Human World-The Young Dog's Needs	68
	A Safe Haven-What the Dog is Looking for in its New Den	70
	The First 48 Hours	70
	A Space of its Own	71
	Making the Home Safe and Secure	72
	A Place to Play	73
	"No Go" Zones	73
	A Place to Toilet	74
	Diet	75
	Canine Companionship	76
	The Dog's Senses - And How to Use Them to Your Advantage	77
	Smell	78
	Sound	79
	Breeds Apart - What Different Dogs Demand from Their Owners	80
	Physical Demands	80
	Spatial Demands	81
	Grooming Demands	81
	Dogs with Medical / Life-Span Demands	87
	Laying the Boundaries-Providing the Structure and Security a Young Dog Needs	87
	Training - Laying the Foundations	87
	The Art of Canine Communication: An Introduction	88
	Food Power	93
	Typical Problems	95
	Teething Troubles: Dealing with Biting	95
	Independence Anxiety	96
	Crying at Night	98
	Canine Rivalries	99
	Rivalries with Other Animals	101
	Well-being	102
	Vaccinations	102
	Grooming: The Key to Good Health	105
	The Home Vet: Checking on Your Dog's Health While Grooming	112
	Playboy: 3-9 Months	129
	In the Wild	130
	The Third Age: Overview	132
	Growing Up Fast-The Physical Change	132
	Watching Your Dog's Weight	133
	Body Scoring: How to Monitor Your Dog's Weight and Condition	134
	Dealing with Weight Problems	136
	Pushing the Boundaries	137
	Heel Work and Preparing for the Walk	138
	First Steps: Going Out on the Walk	143
	Moving into the Wider World - Typical Problems	157
	Canine Confrontations	157
	Fear of Noises on the Walk	158
	Introducing Dogs to Other Breeds	159
	Traveling: Getting Used to the Car	160
	Well-being	162
	Grooming / Health Care	162
	Puberty	162
	How to Tell When Your Dog Has Entered Puberty	162
	Neutering	165
	When Not to Neuter	165
	Single-Litter Mothers	166
	Overheated Hormones: Dealing with an Overamorous Dog	166
	Protege: 9-18 Months	169
	In the Wild	170
	The Fourth Age: Overview	172
	The Apprentice	172
	The Stay and Recall	173
	Off the Leash - Letting Your Dog Run Free on the Walk	175
	Freedom - FirstTime Off the Leash	176
	Accidents Will Happen	177
	Diagnosing the Problem	178
	Specific Injuries	179
	Useful Tip: Playing in the Snow: How to Avoid Ice Balls	184
	Dogs Behaving Badly - How to Deal with "Difficult" Dogs	185
	Taking Charge of the Four Key Areas	187
	How to Establish Leadership When Reuniting: Step by Step	189
	How to Be an Effective Leader	200
	Well-being	202
	Hip and Elbow Scoring	202
	Pretender: 18-28 Months	209
	In the Wild	210
	The Fifth Age: Overview	212
	Challenging Times	212
	Leadership Challenges	213
	Challenges on the Walk	214
	Challenges at Mealtimes	216
	The Ultimate Sanction - Countering Challenges to Your Leadership	217
	When and How to Banish a Dog	218
	Breeding	219
	To Breed or Not to Breed?	219
	Finding the Right Partner for Your Dog	221
	Successful Mating - Getting It Right	223
	Making a Detailed Birth Plan	225
	Pregnancy	225
	The Pup's Progress	225
	The Mother's Progress	228
	Phantom Pregnancies	231
	The Final Countdown	232
	Delivery Day - Helping Your Dog Through Whelping	233
	Items to Have on Hand	233
	How to Spot That Whelping Is About to Begin	234
	Whelping	234
	Litter Sizes	236
	Problem Deliveries	236
	When to Call the Vet	237
	Helping Out: How to Help the Mother	239
	Protector: 28 Months to Around 7Years	243
	In the Wild	244
	The Sixth Age: Overview	246
	The Die Is Cast	246
	The Best Days of Their Lives - Helping Your Dog Enjoy Its Prime	247
	Field and Working Trials	248
	Agility	248
	Flyball	249
	Obedience Competitions	250
	Dog Shows	250
	Doing What Comes Naturally	251
	Mixed-up Dogs	251
	Potential Behavioral Problems	252
	Severe Aggression	252
	Separation Anxiety	255
	Nervous Aggression at Mealtimes	257
	Toilet Troubles	258
	Car Chaos	261
	Rescue Dogs	262
	Living with a Rescue Dog	263
	Well-being	265
	Middle-Age Spread - Overweight Dogs	265
	How to Tell if Your Dog Is Overweight	265
	Dieting: How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight	266
	Problems Associated with Obesity	267
	Pensioner: Around 7Years and Beyond	271
	In the Wild	272
	The Seventh Age: Overview	274
	Longevity - How Long Will My Dog Live?	274
	Average Life Spans by Breed	275
	Your Dog's Age in Human Terms According to Size - A Guide	276
	Emotional Old Age	276
	Interacting with Other Dogs	278
	Growing Old Gracefully - Looking After an Aging Dog	279
	Patience	279
	Comfort	279
	Routine	280
	Companionship	280
	Exercise	281
	Diet	281
	Adapting the Dog's Diet to Old Age	281
	Overweight and Underweight Dogs	282
	Coaxing Old Dogs to Eat	282
	Special Needs	283
	An Elderly Dog's Best Friend - The Importance of the Vet	283
	Grooming	284
	What to Look For	285
	Well-being	287
	Medical Problems	287
	Cancer	288
	Senility	289
	Heart Conditions	290
	Bowel and Bladder Problems	290
	Sight and Sound - The Senses Fade	292
	Loss of Hearing	292
	Loss of Sight	294
	The Final Farewell	297
	Euthanasia	297
	A Fitting Farewell: What to Do with Your Dog	300
	A Fresh Start	300
	Further Information	302
	Contacts in the U.S.	302
	Contacts in the U.K.	303
	Other Contacts/Kennel Clubs	303
	Index	308