Articles & Books From General Dogs

Puppies For Dummies
A guide to puppy ownership that's just as fun to read as your puppy is to play with Puppies For Dummies equips you with the latest advice on starting out right with a new puppy. Dog expert and influencer Sarah Hodgson offers dog parents trusted input on caring for a new companion, including updated information on creating good habits and routines, keeping your puppy healthy, and curbing common frustrations, anxieties, and aggressions, especially in the post-pandemic world.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 09-16-2024
If your dog suffers from anxiety, you’re not alone. Many factors contribute to your dog’s distress. For decades, dog anxiety was attributed to isolation distress, AKA separation anxiety, while reactions to people, dogs, noises, and other stimuli were dismissed as mere character flaws. Now, canine anxiety is studied, diagnosed, and treated compassionately to address a range of behaviors once considered maladaptive, such as destructiveness, leash reactivity, accidents, excessive barking, and aggression.
Dog Anxiety For Dummies
Find out whether your dog or puppy has anxiety, and learn what you can do to helpDog anxiety is common among all breeds, but different dogs can show different symptoms. Dog Anxiety For Dummies is for the millions of dog parents (and dog-parents-to-be) who want to help improve their pets' quality of life and relieve their suffering.
Article / Updated 09-09-2019
Some people still think that dogs don't think or experience emotions. Although it's true that dogs don't have the intellectual capacity of some other mammals like dolphins, they have other strengths and intelligence that we have yet to discover.Dog cognition has become a global obsession. In the past decade alone, a scientist has figured out ways to monitor dogs’ brain activity, decode their DNA, and do comparative analysis with human and other mammalian brains.
Article / Updated 09-02-2019
Does your dog communicate? Yes! Here’s an overview of your dog’s body talk: Consider how learning how to listen to your puppy will improve your relationship. Puppies are like kids — they are much more eager to listen to you if you learn to listen to their side of the story, too.A great influencer who shaped modern dog thinking long before it became scientifically cool to do so was Nicholas Dodman, DVM.
Article / Updated 09-02-2019
Puppies love to play and, like children, can learn most of their life lessons by playing games and having fun. Think back to your childhood: What are some of your fondest memories? Most everyone learns their most important life lessons — like how to share, use patience, and speak respectfully — in preschool or by playing sports and games with friends and family.
Article / Updated 09-02-2019
Are you a tech-head? Don’t let adopting a puppy slow you down. Check out the options described in this article for products that can make your life and your puppy's life safer, organized, and more fun. Never attach anything to your puppy that delivers a shock, spray, or vibrating sensation. Marketed as training tools, these items are inhumane and have lasting effects on your puppy’s otherwise trusting and cheerful demeanor.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 06-02-2025
Bringing a puppy into your life is exciting, but it’s also a big responsibility. Your job is to keep them safe, build their confidence, and help them navigate the world with ease. Puppies aren’t born knowing how to live alongside you, but they’re eager to learn. With clear guidance and positive reinforcement, they’ll grow into well-adjusted companions that others enjoy as much as you do.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 10-06-2021
Keeping your dog healthy and happy involves having the right supplies, toys, and medicine on hand, knowing when to take your dog to the vet, and practicing preventive care.Photo: Alvan Nee / UnsplashThings to Buy Before Bringing Your Puppy HomeIf you plan to get a new puppy (or just did), be sure to have the following essential items either before, or shortly after, you bring your puppy into its new home.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016
Choosing a dog breed may be the most important decision you make in your dog-adoption career. For example, couch potatoes shouldn’t adopt high-energy breeds such as the Siberian Husky. Shelters and pet-adoption services are fantastic, but if you just have to have that particular pure breed, approach potential breeders armed with the right questions.