Frequently asked questions
I just got a new puppy. Which pages should I read first?
- Dog Health, which includes my advice on feeding, vaccinations, and health care. These pages are very important, because if you start your puppy off on the wrong foot, he will probably experience health problems later on. Starting off RIGHT is essential!
- Dog Training, which includes my advice on respect training, housebreaking, and socialization. Again, you must start your puppy off on the right foot by teaching him what he needs to know and you must avoid doing the wrong things with him so that he doesn't develop bad habits that will be much harder to fix later on.
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How do I choose the right breed for my family?
Start with Which Dog Breed is Best For You?
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Can you help me decide which dog breed is best for me?
Yes, I offer personal consultations on choosing the best dog breed for your family and lifestyle. Learn more about my Dog Breed Consulting Service.
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Do crossbred or mixed breed dogs make good pets?
Well, first you need to know what a purebred dog really is -- and what crossbred and mixed breed dogs really are. You might think you know, but I bet you'll be surprised by my articles: The Truth About Purebred Dogs, The Truth About Crossbred Dogs, and The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs.
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Do male dogs or female dogs make better pets?
Ah, let the debate begin! Honestly, male dogs have pros and cons, and female dogs have pros and cons. Visit Male Dogs versus Female Dogs
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If I just want a dog for a pet, not for showing or breeding, does it matter whether he has AKC registration papers?
First you need to know what registration papers really mean -- and don't mean. You might THINK you know -- but you might be wrong! Find out the truth about AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?.
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There's an adorable puppy at the pet shop. The store manager assures me they only buy from responsible breeders. Could this be true?
No. There are NO responsible breeders -- none whatsoever -- who would ever place one of their puppies in a pet shop for resale. To find out more about pet shop puppies, visit Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store.
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How do I find a good breeder?
It's hard! The sad truth is that the vast majority of people offering puppies for sale are unknowledgeable, irresponsible, completely clueless -- or all of the above. Visit Dog Breeders: How To Find a Good Breeder.
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How do I pick the best puppy from a litter?
You can do puppy personality tests. Visit How To Choose a Good Puppy.
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I'm interested in adopting a dog rather than buying from a dog breeder. How do I find dogs for adoption?
You can find dogs available for adoption from dog rescue groups or from the animal shelter. Visit Adopting a Dog From Rescue and Adopting a Dog From The Animal Shelter.
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What's a good training schedule for training puppies? What things should I teach, and when?
Here's the puppy training schedule I use: Puppy Training Schedule.
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How do I housebreak my dog?
The key to housebreaking your dog is confinement, confinement, confinement. Visit Housebreaking Your Puppy or Adult Dog.
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My dog has some behavior problems I'd like to solve.
Respect training solves behavior problems much better than obedience training. Visit Respect Training For Puppies and Adult Dogs.
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What's the best dog food to feed?
Homemade dog food. Visit The Best Dog Food For Your Dog. If you can't feed homemade dog food, there are only a few (very few!) commercial dog food brands I recommend. Visit The Second-Best Dog Food For Your Dog.
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I have to take my dog to the vet soon for shots. Which vaccinations does he really need?
The vaccinations that dogs really need have changed dramatically -- but most vets are not telling you the truth about this! Don't let your vet give your dog any more shots until you've read my article on Puppy Shots and Dog Vaccinations.
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What are the pros and cons of spaying and neutering my dog, and when should it be done?
Spaying and neutering are often recommended too early, which can lead to health problems later in life. Visit Spaying and Neutering.
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My vet doesn't agree with some of the things you've written about health care.
That just means he belongs to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). There are two competing veterinary organizations in the United States and they disagree on just about every aspect of canine health care. The health information on my web site comes from vets who belong to the American HOLISTIC Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA). In my opinion, AHVMA vets are better than AVMA vets. Visit Finding The Best Vet For Your Dog.
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I have a question about dogs that I don't see answered on your web site.
It's probably answered in one of my books!
- If it's a question about training or behavior, check out Teach Your Dog 100 English Words.
- If it's about health or feeding, see 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy.
- If it's about buying or adopting a puppy or adult dog, you want How To Buy a Good Dog.
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