For the Life of Your Dog: A Complete Guide to Having a Dog From Adoption and Birth Through Sickness and Health [Paperback]

In his #1New York Timesbestselling autobiographyBreaking 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 guide to dog ownership.
Greg's distinctive philosophy and practical tips -- hich have produced his best-in-breed winners -- illuminate every page of this special volume that puts thedog'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 for combating the greatest health threat to your dog: obesity
• An exercise program for the canine athlete (and they'reallathletes!)
• 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 Your Dogis 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.Greg Louganis is a four-time Olympic gold-medal diving champion. His #1New York Timesbestselling autobiography,Breaking the Surface,was published in 1995. He lives in California with his husband.CHAPTER ONE: A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY

People used to accuse me of hiding behind my dogs. There was probably some truth in that. When I'm standing next to a harlequin or white Greatl£Ã