Product Description

Small dogs can bring big rewards!

Small dogs are charming, intelligent, and loving, but they can also be overly energetic, manipulative, and stubborn. How do you ensure that your little dog becomes a fun, feisty best friend rather than a tiny terror?

Small Dogs, Big Hearts is an updated and expanded edition of the classic The Irrepressible Toy Dog. It features the very latest, safest, and fastest training methods for little dogs. There′s no need to use training methods from the past that don′t work well with most dogs, let alone little ones who view the world and their owners from a very different vantage point. You′ll find everything you need to know to train your little dog, from housetraining to house manners, in this updated volume.

Small Dogs, Big Hearts follows the small dog from puppyhood through the senior years, giving advice on important topics such as:

• socialization
• housetraining
• behavior
• nutrition
• healthcare
• pampering your pint–sized pooch

With lots of adorable photos, you′ll see small dogs at their most charming while you learn to bring out the best in your little bundle of love.

Darlene Arden is widely acknowledged as an authority on small dogs, and is the author of many books and articles about dogs and their care. A member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, she is a certified animal behavior consultant and a regular contributor to Animal Radio Network.

Words of Appreciation for this book and its predecessor include:

"The voice of experience speaks about the hidden (and not so hidden) life of Toy dogs. Darlene Arden′s sensible and practical advice is a must for would–be Toy dog owners. –Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, Tufts University, Author of The Dog Who Loved Too Much

"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 contemplates 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 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.

"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.

"If you′ve never considered yourself a ′small dog person,′ this book could change your mind. If you′ve always loved Toys, you′ll feel vindicated. And if you′re considering a change of dog to a smaller breed this book will help you to avoid what could be fatal mistakes. The Irrepressible Toy Dog provides good advice for anyone with a dog, but for the Toy person it′s a gift of understanding that will shatter the myth that all little dogs are or should be nasty, snappy brats. Brava!" –Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. 

A Howell Dog Book of Distinction.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #146489 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From the Publisher
The most complete reference for small dog owners.
Toy dogs, while small, have some big differences when it comes to the way they perceive the world and their health concerns and needs. Because everything is gigantic to them, they respond differently to training and to everyday environmental stresses. This doesn’t mean they need to be coddled, but they do need to be understood. Darlene spent more than a year researching the material in this book. The manscript has been reviewed by top veterinarians and behaviorists, many of whom have heartily endorsed it on the back cover. Her extensive health care section marks the first time a book has looked exclusively at the special needs of small dogs. Not just for Toy breeds, this book is an invaluable reference for anyone with a dog under 20 pounds.

From the Back Cover
Small dogs can bring big rewards!

Small dogs are charming, intelligent, and loving, but they can also be overly energetic, manipulative, and stubborn. How do you ensure that your little dog becomes a fun, feisty best friend rather than a tiny terror?

This revised and updated edition of the classic The Irrepressible Toy Dog follows the small dog from puppyhood through the senior years, giving advice on important topics like:

• socialization
• housetraining
• behavior
• nutrition
• healthcare
• pampering your pint–sized pooch

With lots of adorable photos, you′ll see small dogs at their best while you learn to bring out the best in your little bundle of love.

Small Dogs, Big Hearts also features the very latest, safest, and fastest training methods for little dogs. There′s no need to use training methods from the past that don′t work well with most dogs, let alone little ones who view the world and their owners from a very different vantage point. You′ll find everything you need to know to train your little dog, from housetraining to house manners, in this updated volume.

About the Author
Darlene Arden is widely acknowledged as the authority on small dogs. She is the author of many books and articles about dogs and their care. A member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, she is a certified animal behavior consultant and a regular contributor to Animal Radio Network.

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Customer Reviews

Essential reading
This is a comprehensive reference book for all dog owners or would-be dog owners, not just those interested in small dogs. While the book is full of essential information regarding the specific requirements of the smallest canines, I believe that owners of larger dogs can learn from these pages how to make sure their animals live in harmony with their smaller cousins.

Every time I pick the book up and dip in, I find another little gem, about training, games, health...you name it, it is all here, with a really good index at the back.

This is the book I would recommend first to anyone who owned or was planning to own, a small dog.

And one last thing - I love the cover!

Very easy to read and understand
When I first saw the cover of this book I thought I am going to enjoy this. I just had a feel for it. Having just purchased a puppy I was itching for some views and thoughts on how to bring up a young dog in the best possible way. Darlene Arden's book gave me an easy to read book, just what I was after. It is the sort of book you can pick up for five minutes at a time and then put back down again only to return to later. There are many sub-sections dealing on things like health problems and feeding as well as making you, the reader have a better understanding of owning a pet at the end of it. If you are not sure of what type of 'toy' to get, there is a useful section at the back covering most breeds.

I LOVE this book!!!!
The Irrepressible Toy Dog is a must for anyone with a toy breed dog or anyone considering one. This book has been well researched and thoughtfully written. I spend great deal of my time on the Internet answering questions from Yorkshire Terrier owners and recommend this book to every one of them. Toy breed dogs are very different from the larger breeds and require many different considerations, and a very different approach to their health care and companionship. I would also like to see this book in the reference library of every veterinarian. Thank you Darlene Arden. You've made an exceptional and wonderful contribution to the health and welfare of the toy breeds