Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog

259 Pages·2006·23.44 MB·English

by  Darlene Arden

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Small Dogs, Big Hearts
A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog
Revised Edition
Darlene Arden
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Small Dogs, Big Hearts
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Praise for This Book
Small Dogs, Big Hearts is an invaluable treasure of information. . . . It includes every aspect of puppy
care from infancy through adulthood. It is precise, beautifully written, and easily understood by both
the professional dog exhibitor and the owner of a beloved family pet. Every person who contem-
plates purchasing a dog or who has a dog should own this book.
—Victor Joris, AKC Toy Group Judge
Darlene Arden has come up with an informative book which, just like the little creatures that inspired
it, manages to be of serious intent and at the same time entertaining. A thorough instruction manual
for small dogs in general, it delves into the breed-specific joys and idiosyncrasies of these mini-sized
canine charmers as well.
—Lilian S. Barber, Author, The Italian Greyhound, 21st Century
“For anyone who has owned a small dog, the best book ever written has been written by Darlene
Arden.”
—Martha Smith, Providence Journal Bulletin
“At last, we have a book devoted to toy dogs written by an authority on toy dog care. . . . This book
would be a worthwhile addition to any dog fancier’s library.”
—Glenna Fierheller, Dogs in Canada
“Darlene Arden’s new book demonstrates that small dogs can be well-adjusted bundles of joy in the
hands of knowledgeable owners.”
—Rosemary Herbert, The Boston Herald
Arden’s breezy, unassuming portrait of the Rodney Dangerfields of dogdom captures everything
from their blue-collar feistiness to their charming insouciance.”
—Ranny Green, The Seattle Times
“Arden does an impressive job sniffing out facts peculiar to small dogs, from housebreaking to house
manners.”
—Steve Dale, “My Pet World,” The Chicago Tribune
“A fascinating, comprehensive book about the care and nurturing of small dogs by an author who
argues successfully that the needs of toy dogs are vastly different from those of their bigger counter-
parts.”
—Betty Harrison, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Copyright © 2006 by Darlene Arden. All rights reserved.
First published as The Irrepressible Toy Dog, Copyright © 1998 by Darlene Arden.
Howell Book House
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
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The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of
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ranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable
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professional services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. Neither
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Arden, Darlene.
Small dogs, big hearts : a guide to caring for your little dog / Darlene Arden.-- Rev. ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN-13 978-0-471-77963-6 (paper: alk. paper)
ISBN-10 0-471-77963-6 (paper: alk. paper)
1. Dogs. 2. Toy dogs. I. Title.
SF427.A73 2006
636.7--dc22
2006008512
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Second Edition
Book design by Elizabeth Brooks
Cover design by Wendy Mount
Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services
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Small Dogs, Big Hearts
A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog
Revised Edition
Darlene Arden
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For Marcia Polimer Abrams, my mother, my best friend, my treasure, my everything, who
made all things possible. When the gift is so great, the loss is beyond devastating. It is
unimaginable. Unfathomable. I will never stop loving you and missing you. You are my
heart. This book is for you with all my love.
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This book has been written to provide information about the subject matter presented. It is
presented with the understanding that the publisher and the author are not engaged in ren-
dering medical, behavioral, or other professional services. The handling, training, medicating,
and housing of animals, particularly of dogs with unknown histories, is not without risk. The
advice offered here necessarily cannot apply to every animal and is no substitute for individ-
ual attention by a licensed veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, or certified animal behavior-
ist. If veterinary or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent
professional should be sought for an in-person consultation.
The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or
entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indi-
rectly by the information contained in this book.
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Contents
Foreword by Betty White xiii
Acknowledgments xiv
Introduction 1
Part I The Very Beginning
•
Chapter 1 The Toy Neonate 6
Caring for the New Puppy 6
Vaccines 11
Building the Bond 14
The Start of Housetraining 15
More Socialization 16
Chapter 2 Early Puppyhood 19
Early Training 20
Introducing Children 21
Pride and Groom 23
The Name of the Games 25
vii