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Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog , Revised Edition
 
 
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Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog , Revised Edition [Paperback]

Darlene Arden (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 26, 2006
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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Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog , Revised Edition + Little Dogs: Training Your Pint-Sized Companion + The Little Dogs' Activity Book: Fun and Frolic for a Fit Four-Legged Friend
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Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Howell Book House; Revised Edition edition (June 26, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0471779636
  • ISBN-13: 978-0471779636
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, Journalist, Author, Learning Facilitator in Kutztown University's Dog Training and Management Certificate Program and frequent media guest, Darlene Arden's passion for helping animals live longer and better lives shines through in all she does. Whether she's writing books or articles, speaking to breed clubs and other animal-related groups, attending veterinary conferences to increase her own knowledge and as a presenter, or interacting with individual pet owners, her goal is always the same -- to enhance the lives of dogs and cats. In her "spare time" she is a World Canine Freestyle Organization Judge, Referee, and Advisory Board member and she produces and hosts a local cable television program. Find her on the web at: www.darlenearden.com

 

Customer Reviews

23 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
 (4)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Small Dogs, Great Book, July 16, 2006
By 
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog , Revised Edition (Paperback)
Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog, by Darlene Arden, is simply a wonderful book. It takes the reader on a journey from puppyhood to adulthood and old age, in sickness and in health. Arden carefully points out the many ways in which the Toy breeds have unique needs that larger dogs do not have, at the same time emphasizing that they are indeed dogs and so benefit from training in exactly the same ways as larger dogs.
One of the most interesting points pertinent to this is the discussion of dog training in Britain, where dogs are ubiquitous but also welcome everywhere, because dog owners in the United Kingdom take for granted that all dogs should be well socialized and trained regardless of their size. This is particularly important in the case of Toy breeds, because they can turn into obnoxious little monsters if they are untrained and spoiled. We've all run into these Lap Sharks; they aren't that way because they're small, but because they haven't been trained.
The book contains a wonderful section on nutrition, noting that the energy needs, pound for pound, of a tiny dog are much higher than those of a large dog because of their higher metabolism rate. Furthermore, the author explains the special needs of Toy dogs when they are faced with medical problems, surgery and anesthesia. For example, during surgery, fluid levels and internal temperature control are critical in these dogs. Little dogs, when they fast for surgery, may experience precipitate decreases in blood sugar.
There is a fascinating section, with photos, on the various breeds of Toy dogs, their characteristics, personalities and any genetic problems. Also, in mid-book, there is an unbeatable group of color photos, page after page, absolutely delightful.
The author concludes with an appendix that includes traveling with small dogs; clothing (little dogs get cold!); supplies, toys and training aids; treats; and stuff for you, the owner.
I can't say enough good thinngs about this fine book. You'll like it even if you don't have a Little dog; you'll like it even if you don't have a dog at all.
Diane M. Smith, CVT (certified veterinary technician)
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Resource, Extensive Health Info, January 1, 2007
By 
Jessica Sabre "poodles rock" (Fort Collins, CO United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog , Revised Edition (Paperback)
I was very anxious to get this book. In fact by the time I realized there was a second edition of the Irrepressible Toy Dog, I had been waiting several months. This lead me to several other small dog/ breed specific books. This book is definitely top notch However, I was a little biased having read similar information in several other books before reading this book. This made me less excited about its content, however I have to say that it is extremely well compiled, lots of good information and has the best health section on small breed specific disease that I have seen to date. The picture sections are cute, however it could have included more breeds instead of the same breeds over and over. It however was not as much fun as other books, and lacks in the training section when compared to other books. It is a great overall guide on toy dogs and every toy dog owner should keep a copy for a reference guide.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for first-time toy dog owners, August 22, 2006
By 
Pap Mom (Sarasota, FL United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Little Dog , Revised Edition (Paperback)
I hate to be the voice of negativity among all the GREAT raves that this book got. I actually bought this book based on the reviews by other customers. It is a good book and specifies unique needs of small (especially toy) dogs. HOWEVER, as is often the case with an all encompassing book, this book would be great for first-time owners of toy dogs. I enjoyed the original edition which convinced me to get a toy dog (Papillons). If you are an experienced toy dog owner, you would only get a few things out of this book. This is the problem I find with these kind of books. It gets repetitive for the avid dog-book reader. The book doesn't address the intelligence of dogs and just glosses over each breed's characteristics. The photos in the books were great though.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
The ever-growing popularity of small dogs that I predicted when I wrote The Irrepressible Toy Dog has certainly come to pass. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Shih Tzu, Italian Greyhounds, Kennel Club, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Border Terrier, Chinese Cresteds, English Toy Spaniel, Toy Fox Terrier, United Kingdom, Boston Terriers, Colorado State University, Lhasa Apsos, Great Dane, Queen Victoria, Toy Group
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