The first question to answer when bringing a newly acquired dog into the home is: "What shall we call him—or her?" This delightful little book offers guidelines and suggestions to help pet owners come up with the perfect answer. For instance, what is the canine’s type and character? (It would be plain silly, for example, to name a Great Dane Fluffy; or to call a male canine of any breed, Brenda.) But you might want to make a fashion statement, or say something about yourself when you name that pooch. (For instance, a music lover might bless his puppy with a name like Beethoven or Vivaldi.) Perhaps the author’s wisest suggestion is to hold a family conference, simply to make certain that everybody—including the dog—is comfortable with the new name. Here, in any event, are 1000 ideas for naming that puppy. They’re listed alphabetically, and enhanced with dozens of endearing color photos....

An obedient dog is a happy dog in a happy family environment. The new edition of this instructive book gives dog owners insights into the canine mind, explains the various reasons why a dog is likely to misbehave, and describes humane and effective methods to correct bad behavior. Problems discussed include aggressive behavior toward visitors and strangers, jealousy of new babies arriving in a family, excessive barking, destruction of household objects, resistance to housebreaking, pulling on the leash, eating problems, and many others. The author also presents a chart listing 28 common breeds, with suggestions for physical exercise, capsule descriptions of temperament, and the type of owner the animal is best suited to—beginners, experienced handlers, or experts. The book is filled with color photos and drawings, as well as informative sidebars....