Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Dog

xviii, 382 pages. Illustrations. Appendix Index. Autographed Copy sticker on front cover. Signed with sentiment on title page. Reads Best of Luck--woof! Sheila Boneham. Sheila Webster Boneham writes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, much of it focused on animals, nature, and travel. Her Animals in Focus mystery series features animal photographer Janet MacPhail, her Australian Shepherd Jay, and her tabby cat Leo. Their lives and adventures are based largely on the author's long experience as a competitor in canine and equine sports, rescuer, shelter volunteer, breeder, therapy volunteer, author of dog & cat books, and life-long animal lover. Sheila has also published seventeen nonfiction books about animals, including the highly regarded Rescue Matters! How to Find, Foster, and Rehome Companion Animals. Six of Sheila's books have been named best in their categories by the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writers Association, and several others have been finalists in the groups' annual competitions. In her teens and twenties, she showed hunters and jumpers, and was Indiana Hunt Seat Equitation Champion for 3 years. In addition to her own dogs, Sheila has fostered many rescued dogs and a few cats, and helped found two rescue programs. A strong advocate of responsible breeding as well, Sheila has bred highly successful Australian Shepherds under the kennel name "Perennial." Sheila trains and competes in several canine sports, and her dogs have also served as therapy dogs in schools, hospitals, libraries, and nursing homes. A comprehensive guide to acquiring, living with, and caring for a dog, from puppyhood through old age. -- In clear, concise, and fun-to-read language, it tells readers everything they need to know, including how to select and acquire a dog, set up house, deal with health care, nutrition, exercise, grooming, breeding (or not), basic and more advanced training, and more. According to the Info Please Almanac, dogs are the most popular pets in the U.S. The market for dog owners, and potential dog owners, is huge. The Complete Idiot's Guide "RM" to Getting and Owning a Dog provides a clear, concise, and fun-to-read reference on everything readers need to know, including how to select and acquire a dog; set up house; deal with health care; provide good nutrition, exercise, training, and grooming; handle breeding; and more. This book will also help readers answer questions concerning pedigrees, games, dog etiquette and social rules, traveling, and dealing with the death of a beloved pet. Includes a Doggy Dictionary, Further Reading, Dogs Online, and Major Doggy Organizations.…