For the Life of Your Dog

In his #1 New York Times bestselling autobiography Breaking the Surface, Greg Louganis included loving portrayals of his protectors and closest friends: his dogs. Now Greg, a breeder and trainer of Harlequin Great Danes, has teamed up with award-winning animal writer Betsy Sikora Siino to create an extraordinary and compassionate guide to dog ownership.Greg's distinctive philosophy and practical tips -- which have produced his best-in-breed winners -- illuminate every page of this special volume that puts the dog's best interests first. Here are insights into choosing a dog, basic care, training, exercise, and nutrition -- and an overview of every stage of a dog's life.Passionate in his opinions and wonderfully effective, Greg includes:
-- Cures for chewing, barking, biting, and other so-called behavior problems
-- Answers to the great housetraining disputes -- including the pros and cons of crating
-- Specific feeding programs for optimal nutrition -- and combating the greatest health threat to your dog: obesity
-- An exercise program for the canine athlete (and they're all athletes!)
-- Training tips for obedience, showing, and search-and-rescue
-- Preventive medicine, common illnesses from nose to tail, and age-related concerns
-- Advice on breeding, whelping, adopting your second (third, fourth...) dog, and more!FOR THE LIFE OF YOU DOG is an inspiring and eye-opening reference. Delivered with Greg's delightful candor, his sound advice makes it a classic for new and long-time dog owners -- and anyone who has ever loved a dog.

CONTENTS

Preface: The Dogs in My Life

Foreword

Introduction: My Life with Dogs

PART ONE: A LIFETIME COMMITMENT

1. A Member of the Family

2. A Responsible Owner

3. Weighing the Options: Mutts vs. Purebreds, Puppies vs. Older Dogs

4. The Big Decision: Evaluations and Lifetime Choices

PART TWO: THE JOYS AND PAINS OF PUPPYHOOD

5. Through a Puppy's Eyes

6. The Puppy Comes Home

7. Housetraining Made Easy

8. Early Education

9. Puppy Health and Well-Being

PART THREE: THE PRIME OF OUR LIVES

10. A Whole New World

11. The Home Routine

12. The Canine Athlete

13. Midlife Health and Well-Being

PART FOUR: THE GOLDEN YEARS

14. A Bond Like No Other

15. Geriatric Health and Well-Being

16. The Hard Good-Bye

17. The Circle of Life

Sharing Great References

Acknowledgments