German Shepherds For Dummies

Discover how to raise, train, and enjoy your German Shepherd with this fantastic resource. Everybody thinks they know the German Shepherd. Many of us grew up with Rin Tin Tin, or we saw German Shepherds in nightly news reports breaking up riots, or we saw them in neighbors' backyards protecting children. But that only scratches the surface of one of the most fascinating and confusing breeds on earth. Whether it's selection, nutrition, routine health care, training, competition, or just having fun, there's more to it with a German Shepherd than with other breeds. And if you're thinking about adding one to your family, or you already have one, you need to know all you can about this breed. Which is where German Shepherds For Dummies comes in. Is this noble and intelligent breed the right dog for you and your family? German Shepherds For Dummies provides the answer to this and all your questions about getting, caring for, and living with this loveable breed. Lifelong German Shepherd owner and longtime German Shepherd breeder, trainer, and exhibitor, Carline Coile, PhD ,gets you up and running with what you need to know to: * Find and communicate with reputable breeders * Choose the right German Shepherd for you * Housebreak and socialize your new puppy * Educate yourself and your dog * Handle behavioral problems * Participate in competitions Dr. Coile provides insights into the German Shepherd temperament and loads of sensible, easy-to-follow advice, along with fun facts and Shepherd trivia, amusing and informative anecdotes, and tips on how to have a great time with your dog. Discover how to: Understand how to communicate with your German Shepherd Train your German Shepherd Find a good trainer and attend classes Deal with hereditary health problems Feed and exercise your German Shepherd Recognize, prevent and treat common health problems Have loyal friend for life The indispensable guide for you and your German Shepherd, German Shepherds For Dummies is the only book you'll need to help you have the best possible experience with this handsome and sensitive breed of dog. P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you’re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of German Shepherds (9780764552809). The book you see here shouldn’t be considered a new or updated product. But if you’re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We’re always writing about new topics!

Introduction 1 Part 1: Getting to Know German Shepherds 5 Chapter 1: Making the Decision of a Lifetime 7 Chapter 2: Setting the Standard for the Breed 15 Part 2: Finding the German Shepherd for You 25 Chapter 3: Looking for Love in All the Right Places: Breeders and Shelters 27 Chapter 4: Picking the Perfect Puppy 39 Part 3: Bringing Up Baby 51 Chapter 5: Shopping for Dog Stuff 53 Chapter 6: Welcoming Your Dog Home 65 Chapter 7: Feeding Your German Shepherd 77 Chapter 8: Training Your Dog 87 Chapter 9: Dealing with a “Bad Dog” 103 Chapter 10: Grooming Your Dog 119 Part 4: Keeping Your Dog Healthy 131 Chapter 11: Working with Your Dog’s Other Best Friend: His Veterinarian 133 Chapter 12: Dealing with GSD Hereditary Health Problems 147 Chapter 13: Taking Care of a Sick Shepherd 163 Chapter 14: Caring for an Aging Shepherd 179 Part 5: Having Fun with Your German Shepherd 187 Chapter 15: Exercising Your Dog 189 Chapter 16: Showing Off Your Dog 201 Chapter 17: Putting Your Shepherd to Work 217 Part 6: The Part of Tens 225 Chapter 18: Ten (or So) Tips for Traveling with Your Dog 227 Chapter 19: Ten Fun Games You Can Play with Your Shepherd 237 Appendix A: Glossary 243 Appendix B: Resources 249 Appendix C: The Official AKC Breed Standard for the German Shepherd Dog 255 Appendix D: GSD Abbreviations 261 Index 275