{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"categoryState":{"relatedCategories":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2023-02-01T16:01:08+00:00"},"categoryId":33964,"data":{"title":"Pets","slug":"pets","image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964}],"parentCategory":{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","slug":"home-auto-hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"}},"childCategories":[{"categoryId":33965,"title":"Birds","slug":"birds","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33965"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":34,"bookCount":4},{"categoryId":33966,"title":"Cats","slug":"cats","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33966"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":24,"bookCount":2},{"categoryId":33967,"title":"Dogs","slug":"dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33967"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":442,"bookCount":23},{"categoryId":33984,"title":"Fish","slug":"fish","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33984"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":24,"bookCount":3},{"categoryId":33985,"title":"Ferrets","slug":"ferrets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33985"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":8,"bookCount":2},{"categoryId":33986,"title":"Horses","slug":"horses","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33986"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":22,"bookCount":2},{"categoryId":33987,"title":"Rabbits","slug":"rabbits","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33987"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-2.fabfbd5c.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":10,"bookCount":1},{"categoryId":33988,"title":"Reptiles","slug":"reptiles","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33988"},"image":{"src":"/img/background-image-1.daf74cf0.png","width":0,"height":0},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":15,"bookCount":2}],"description":"With easy-to-follow advice about our feathered fliers, furry friends, canine companions, and cuddly cats, Dummies has the info you need to take the best possible care of your pet.","relatedArticles":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles?category=33964&offset=0&size=5"},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":580,"bookCount":40},"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"}},"relatedCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{"count":10,"total":580,"items":[{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T22:02:42+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-11-08T15:41:21+00:00","timestamp":"2022-11-08T18:01:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33967"},"slug":"dogs","categoryId":33967},{"name":"Breeds","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33968"},"slug":"breeds","categoryId":33968},{"name":"Terriers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33974"},"slug":"terriers","categoryId":33974}],"title":"Characteristics of Teacup Yorkies","strippedTitle":"characteristics of teacup yorkies","slug":"characteristics-of-teacup-yorkies","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Listen to the article: Download audio Some breeders have begun producing \"Teacup\" Yorkies that weigh 2 to 3 pounds. Compared to true Yorkshire Terriers, which w","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<figure style=\"margin: 0;\"><figcaption style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\">Listen to the article:</figcaption><audio src=\"/wp-content/uploads/characteristics_of-teacup-yorkies.mp3\" controls=\"controls\"><a href=\"/wp-content/uploads/characteristics_of-teacup-yorkies.mp3\">Download audio</a></audio></figure>\r\n\r\n<p>Some breeders have begun producing \"Teacup\" Yorkies that weigh 2 to 3 pounds. Compared to true Yorkshire Terriers, which weigh in at about 7 pounds, Teacup Yorkies are truly tiny. Before considering purchasing one, you need to be aware of some characteristics of Teacup Yorkies.</p>\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width:323px;\"><img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/139531.image0.jpg\" width=\"323\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Teacup Yorkies aren't true Yorkshire Terriers. They can also require specialized medical care.\"/><div class=\"imageCaption\">Teacup Yorkies aren't true Yorkshire Terriers. They can also require specialized medical care.</div></div>\r\n<p>Now there's nothing wrong with having a smaller Yorkie, as long as the breeder was using ethical breeding practices. Periodically, and for no apparent reason at all, some dogs are born very small; and they steal your heart because they're so in need of love and care.</p>\r\n<p>Some unscrupulous and unethical breeders, however, deliberately try to produce these little dogs and call them “Teacup” Yorkies, leading unwitting buyers to believe that Teacups are an actual variety of the Yorkshire Terrier breed. They're not.</p>\r\n<p>But be wary of any breeder who advertises or supposedly “specializes” in Teacup Yorkies. Here's why:</p>\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>There's no such thing as a Teacup Yorkie. </b>A Teacup Yorkie isn't an officially recognized by the AKC. It is simply too small to be a true Yorkshire Terrier. Anyone who tells you (or implies) otherwise either doesn't know what she's talking about or is lying.</p>\r\n </li>\r\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>A Yorkie who weighs 3 pounds or less often requires special care. </b>Extra-small Yorkies are more prone to serious health problems and birth defects (like portosystemic shunt or small kidneys — which you won't know about until much later).</p>\r\n </li>\r\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Although extra-small Yorkies are occasionally born, no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. </b>Because the breed standard is for 4 to 7 pound dogs, responsible breeders should only breed dogs that fall within this weight range. Breeding very small dogs is not safe for the mothers.</p>\r\n </li>\r\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Small size does <i>not </i>make these dogs more valuable. </b>A small Yorkie shouldn't cost more than a healthy, normal-sized one. In fact, it should cost less because it is not up to the breed standard. They should also only be sold after being neutered or spayed.</p>\r\n </li>\r\n</ul>","description":"<figure style=\"margin: 0;\"><figcaption style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\">Listen to the article:</figcaption><audio src=\"/wp-content/uploads/characteristics_of-teacup-yorkies.mp3\" controls=\"controls\"><a href=\"/wp-content/uploads/characteristics_of-teacup-yorkies.mp3\">Download audio</a></audio></figure>\r\n\r\n<p>Some breeders have begun producing \"Teacup\" Yorkies that weigh 2 to 3 pounds. Compared to true Yorkshire Terriers, which weigh in at about 7 pounds, Teacup Yorkies are truly tiny. Before considering purchasing one, you need to be aware of some characteristics of Teacup Yorkies.</p>\r\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width:323px;\"><img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/139531.image0.jpg\" width=\"323\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Teacup Yorkies aren't true Yorkshire Terriers. They can also require specialized medical care.\"/><div class=\"imageCaption\">Teacup Yorkies aren't true Yorkshire Terriers. They can also require specialized medical care.</div></div>\r\n<p>Now there's nothing wrong with having a smaller Yorkie, as long as the breeder was using ethical breeding practices. Periodically, and for no apparent reason at all, some dogs are born very small; and they steal your heart because they're so in need of love and care.</p>\r\n<p>Some unscrupulous and unethical breeders, however, deliberately try to produce these little dogs and call them “Teacup” Yorkies, leading unwitting buyers to believe that Teacups are an actual variety of the Yorkshire Terrier breed. They're not.</p>\r\n<p>But be wary of any breeder who advertises or supposedly “specializes” in Teacup Yorkies. Here's why:</p>\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>There's no such thing as a Teacup Yorkie. </b>A Teacup Yorkie isn't an officially recognized by the AKC. It is simply too small to be a true Yorkshire Terrier. Anyone who tells you (or implies) otherwise either doesn't know what she's talking about or is lying.</p>\r\n </li>\r\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>A Yorkie who weighs 3 pounds or less often requires special care. </b>Extra-small Yorkies are more prone to serious health problems and birth defects (like portosystemic shunt or small kidneys — which you won't know about until much later).</p>\r\n </li>\r\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Although extra-small Yorkies are occasionally born, no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. </b>Because the breed standard is for 4 to 7 pound dogs, responsible breeders should only breed dogs that fall within this weight range. Breeding very small dogs is not safe for the mothers.</p>\r\n </li>\r\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Small size does <i>not </i>make these dogs more valuable. </b>A small Yorkie shouldn't cost more than a healthy, normal-sized one. In fact, it should cost less because it is not up to the breed standard. They should also only be sold after being neutered or spayed.</p>\r\n </li>\r\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9542,"name":"Tracy L. Barr","slug":"tracy-barr","description":"Tracy Barr has been an editor, editorial manager, writer, and consultant on several Dummies books.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9542"}},{"authorId":10579,"name":"Peter F. Veling","slug":"peter-f-veling","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10579"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33974,"title":"Terriers","slug":"terriers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33974"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209445,"title":"Yorkshire Terriers For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"yorkshire-terriers-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209445"}},{"articleId":209323,"title":"Boston Terriers For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"boston-terriers-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209323"}},{"articleId":208710,"title":"Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"jack-russell-terriers-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208710"}},{"articleId":201551,"title":"The Long and the Short of Coat Styles for Your Yorkshire Terrier","slug":"the-long-and-the-short-of-coat-styles-for-your-yorkshire-terrier","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201551"}},{"articleId":201172,"title":"Identifying Health Problems Common to Jack Russell Terriers","slug":"identifying-health-problems-common-to-jack-russell-terriers","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201172"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;terriers&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-636a995f00b8b\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;terriers&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-636a995f0133d\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-11-08T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":195783},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2019-12-17T19:57:44+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-07-15T15:49:16+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:45+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Horses","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33986"},"slug":"horses","categoryId":33986}],"title":"Mind Games: Getting into the Horse Psyche","strippedTitle":"mind games: getting into the horse psyche","slug":"mind-games-getting-into-the-horse-psyche","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn about the world that horses live in—how they perceive the world around them through their senses—to understand and properly care for your horse.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"You need to comprehend the world that the horse lives in to be able to understand and properly <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/pets/horses/horse-health-nutrition-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">care for the horse</a>. Think about it: The world of horses is not composed of fast-food joints, unbalanced checkbooks, and vacations to far away countries. Instead, horses live in a world made up of hay and grass, buzzing insects, and assorted horsy politics.\r\n\r\nLooking at the world through a horse’s eyes can open up all sorts of avenues for communication between you and the horse. A good horse trainer or handler is a good <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/pets/horses/horse-terminology-describing-horses-correctly/\">horse communicator</a>. When you finally connect with your horse, you’ll find that suddenly, this huge, four-legged alien is very special.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" ><a name=\"_Toc105382480\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661911\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661645\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661588\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424820\"></a>Equine instincts</h2>\r\nHorses have a way of thinking about and viewing things that is uniquely their own. The evolution of horses as prey animals gives them a special viewpoint that helps them survive.\r\n\r\nThe components of this perspective (such as viewing the world as a series of threats, finding safety in numbers, and looking to an authority figure for guidance) make up the essence of the horse’s being. The human who understands and sympathizes with these sometimes unhuman-like ways of looking at the world is the person who becomes most adept at conversations with the horse.\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc105382481\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661912\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661646\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661589\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424821\"></a>Prey, not predator</h3>\r\nThe first thing you need to know about horses to really get into their heads is that horses are prey animals, not predators. (The one interesting exception to this fact is in Iceland, where Icelandic Horses have been seen catching and eating fish from the ocean.) In the wild, horses are at the top of most large predators’ dinner menus. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, evolved to be hunters. Consequently, the horse looks at the world differently than the domesticated dog and cat.\r\n\r\nNowadays, horses live in domestic situations where their biggest worries are horsefly bites, but try telling that to a horse. Long before humans ever considered building barns, haylofts, paddocks, and arenas, bolting from a potential threat is what literally saved the horse’s hide. This instinct to flee first and ask questions later is at the core of every equine personality.\r\n\r\nYou don’t need to spend much time around horses to witness the equine instinct to flee: In a nutshell, horses scare easily. They often spook at what humans view as the most benign of things: a plastic bag blowing in the wind, a low-flying plane passing overhead, or a car backfiring nearby. To humans, these distractions are minor, but to the ever-watchful horse, they are potentially life-threatening hazards.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">The ease with which horses spook may seem ridiculous, but the instinct to flee from trouble is at the center of a horse’s psyche. Although most domestic horses don’t have predators chasing them, they nevertheless have a powerful instinct to be on guard. Their brains are telling them that horse-eating monsters are out there, so they need to be on the lookout. If a real predator can’t be found, then, by golly, the horse will conjure up a hunter to run from.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc105382482\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661913\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661647\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661590\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424822\"></a>Let’s stay together</h3>\r\nClosely associated with the get-the-heck-out-of-Dodge-now instinct is the herd instinct, which is represented by the horse’s burning desire always to be with other horses. This need stems from the fact that in the wild, large numbers mean safety. It works like this: Pretend for a moment that you’re a horse, and a huge, terrifying saber-toothed tiger has selected horsemeat for his next meal. When a big cat starts chasing your herd looking for prey to take down, the chances of <em>you </em>being the horse that gets nailed are less when a whole herd of other horses surrounds you.\r\n\r\nIn addition to decreasing your odds of being the unlucky item on the big cat’s menu, being in a herd also means that you can find out about impending danger much sooner than you would if you were alone. After all, a herd of eyes is better than one measly pair.\r\n\r\nYet the horse’s love for other horses is not completely mercenary, however. You only need to watch a group of horses out in a field to discover that they genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Although each horse is an individual with his own distinct personality, horses nonetheless thrive on companionship and bond strongly with their herdmates. They groom each other with their teeth, take turns tail swishing flies from each other’s faces, and even play horsy games together, such as tag and I-dare-you-to-try-and-bite-me.\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc105382483\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661914\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661648\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661591\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424823\"></a>Follow the leader</h3>\r\nHorses are social creatures, and they even have their own societal rules. In any given herd of horses, some horses are dominant and others are submissive. Horses follow a precise pecking order, with one big kahuna at the top of the heap who lords over all the other horses. The individual personalities of various herd members, along with factors such as age and physical ability, determine which horses take on different roles within the herd. All in all, horse society doesn’t operate that much differently than human society.\r\n\r\nHuman beings, on the other hand, have benefited greatly from the horse’s intrinsic need for leadership. The horse’s penchant for dutifully submitting to authority is what ultimately enabled humankind to domesticate the horse thousands of years ago. After a human earns a horse’s respect (the same way a leader horse must earn the respect of his fellow horses), the horse views the human as an authority figure to be respected and followed in much the same way as he views the leader horse.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">When a human fails to gain a horse’s respect early on in their relationship, the horse automatically takes charge. From the horse’s perspective, every herd — even one made up of only two members — must have a leader. Although first impressions are important to horses, overrun humans can make up lost ground by becoming more assertive and telling the horse (in so many words), “I’m the one in charge now.”</p>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">In the same way that horses test the leader horses in a herd, they also periodically test their human companions to make sure that the humans still are worthy of leadership. Horses that misbehave often do so to challenge the authority of whoever is handling them, and they’re incredibly astute at determining the qualifications of those giving them orders. For a horse to feel secure, he must have strong leadership. If you don’t measure up in this department, or if the horse has a history of dealing with humans that don’t measure up as leaders, the horse will take the leadership position from you — and we promise you won’t like the results!</p>\r\nFor example, in horse/human relationships where the horse has taken charge, you often see horses leading humans around the stable instead of vice versa. Leader horses that are being ridden make the decisions about where and when to go, despite their riders’ pleas.\r\n\r\nEquine followers feel safest when they have a strong leader making decisions for them and helping them determine what is and isn’t dangerous. Human leadership accounts for why many horses find comfort in their associations with human beings. If we humans do things right, they see us as leaders. And if we say things are okay, then they must <em>be</em> okay.\r\n\r\nThe role of leader places a great responsibility on human shoulders, of course. We must convince the horse that we are confident and knowledgeable and worthy of their invaluable equine trust.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" ><a name=\"_Toc105382484\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661915\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661649\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661592\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424824\"></a>Equine senses</h2>\r\nFrom the horse’s perspective, you need to know — or literally see — how the horse takes in the world. Humans evolved to be hunters and gatherers, chasing down prey and finding appropriate plants to eat. Horses, on the other hand, are built to avoid hunters and eat nearly everything that grows around them. Given these fundamental distinctions, the horse’s senses are bound to have nuances that are somewhat different from those of a human.\r\n<h3>Horse's sense of <a name=\"_Toc105382485\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661916\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661650\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661593\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424825\"></a>sight</h3>\r\nSight is the most important equine sense. For a prey animal like the horse, in the wild, good eyesight means the difference between life and death. Literally seeing trouble coming is the best way the horse has to make it to safety before a predator gets too close.\r\n\r\nBecause horses have long, narrow heads with eyes on either side, they have the ability to take in more of the view than do humans. When their heads are facing forward, horses have a nearly 180-degree field of vision in each eye (as shown in the following figure). They can see in front of and almost all the way around their bodies, although they do have some blind spots.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_266764\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"416\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-266764\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/horses-sight.jpg\" alt=\"horse range of sight\" width=\"416\" height=\"500\" /> A horse can see this much when facing straight ahead.[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">One of a horse’s blind spots is directly behind, so you should never approach a horse from the back unless the horse already knows you’re there. If you’re already next to the horse and move toward his blind spot, keep one hand on him at all times so he is aware of your presence.</p>\r\nNo one knows for sure how far horses can see, mainly because horses have trouble pronouncing the letters on eye tests. Scientists who have done experiments in this field have made some educated guesses that horses can see pretty darn far, in the realm of at least hundreds of yards away. Horses can distinguish patterns, which means they’re able to take in fine details. They also perceive depth well.\r\n\r\nHorses also have much better night vision than humans. Many a rider has been out on a dark, moonless trail, dumbfounded by his or her horses’ ability to see where the pair is going despite the incredibly dim light.\r\n\r\nScientists know far less about horses’ color vision than they do about other areas of equine sight, but they’re certain that horses see many of the same colors that we see, with two exceptions: red and green. In fact, they believe that horses have the same color vision as humans who suffer from red-green color blindness. So red and green don't look the same to a horse as they do to a person with full color vision. That said, horses are still able to pick out the greenest grass in a field!\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc105382486\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661917\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661651\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661594\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424826\"></a>Horse's sense of hearing</h3>\r\nA species that survives by getting a head start on marauding predators needs a pretty good sense of hearing. The fact that horses have survived all the way to modern times is testimony to their incredible hearing, which is considerably better than a human’s.\r\n\r\nIf you look at the shape of the horse’s ear, you can see that it’s built sort of like a funnel. With this design, the ear can capture sound in its outer part and channel it down into the ear canal. The broad outer part of the horse’s ear very adequately takes in the slightest sound in the horse’s environment.\r\n\r\nThe horse’s ear also has an amazing ability to swivel. Just watch a horse’s ears sometime while the horse is busy eating or just hanging out. You’ll see one ear turn forward, while the other swings to the back. Sometimes both ears go forward at the same time, while at other times, both are poised to the rear. The purpose of all this twisting is simple — to take in as much information as possible at one time.\r\n\r\nUsing their extremely mobile ears, horses constantly monitor the world around them. Just imagine trying to pay complete attention to different sounds coming in to either ear at the same time. Impossible for a human, yet the horse does this on a steady basis. A horse can take in the sounds of a car driving by, children playing, a bird chirping, and a human approaching, all at once, from different places in the environment. The horse then processes that information and makes split-second decisions about whether to react — all the while picking out the best blades of pasture grass or meandering down a rocky trail. The process really is mind-blowing.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Loud, unfamiliar noises can send a relaxed horse into a tizzy. On the other hand, a placid, reassuring sound can ease a horse’s worries. It’s amazing to see how a frightened horse can be comforted by a soft, gentle voice from a calm and confident human. Keep this fact in mind when handling your horse in a particularly noisy or frightening environment.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Horse's sense of <a name=\"_Toc105382487\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661918\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661652\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661595\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424827\"></a>smell</h3>\r\nLike most nonhuman animals, horses have an acute sense of smell that they regularly employ to provide them with information on what is going on around them. Horses use their sense of smell in a number of different and important ways.\r\n\r\nPeople talk about smelling danger, but when it comes to the horse, this metaphor is literally the case. Nature equipped the equine with a strong olfactory sense that can tell the animal whether a predator is near. All it takes is a strong upwind breeze to bring a dangerous scent to the attention of a wild herd. After getting a whiff of the predator, the herd literally high-tails — their tails stick way up in the air as they flee — it out of there in a flash.\r\n\r\nHorses also use smell as part of their complicated social structure. Horses typically greet each other nose to nose, each taking in the odor of the other. Horses also come to recognize each other by scent and by sight. Mares and foals quickly memorize each other’s scents and use this information to help locate each other in a crowd of horses.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Most horses also greet humans in the same way. When you introduce yourself to a horse for the first time, notice how the horse reaches out his muzzle to sniff you. Given this olfactory penchant, the most polite way to approach a horse is with the back of your hand extended so the horse may take in your personal scent. Letting a horse breathe in your scent tells the animal that you are a fellow herdmate (not a predator), and usually makes the horse more agreeable to being handled.</p>\r\nThe equine sense of smell also comes in handy when it’s time to eat. Although horses also use their eyes and muzzles to ferret out the tastiest morsels in a pasture, sense of smell plays a part as well. One plant may look just like another to you, but a horse can get a sense of whether foliage tastes good by first getting a whiff of it.\r\n<h3>Horse's sense of <a name=\"_Toc105382488\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661919\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661653\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661596\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424828\"></a>touch</h3>\r\nThe equine sense of touch is an important (although often overlooked) element to the horse. Although many people think that horses have tough hides, they really don’t. Their skin obviously is tougher than human epidermis, but it still is rich with nerve endings. If it weren’t, how else could a horse possibly feel a tiny little fly landing on his body? Trust us, he can!\r\n\r\nIf you sit on a pasture fence and watch a herd of horses for a few hours, you’ll see plenty of evidence of how horses use touch to communicate with each other. Mothers reassure their babies with a brush of the muzzle; comrades scratch each other’s itches with their teeth. Whenever a message needs to be sent from one horse to another, visual cues and touch — or the threat of it — nearly always are used.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Humans also use touch to convey messages to the horse. A gentle rubdown, a pat on the shoulder, a vigorous massage in just the right place — these all are ways of saying, “I’m your friend,” to a horse. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get a similar tactile message in return.</p>","description":"You need to comprehend the world that the horse lives in to be able to understand and properly <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/pets/horses/horse-health-nutrition-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">care for the horse</a>. Think about it: The world of horses is not composed of fast-food joints, unbalanced checkbooks, and vacations to far away countries. Instead, horses live in a world made up of hay and grass, buzzing insects, and assorted horsy politics.\r\n\r\nLooking at the world through a horse’s eyes can open up all sorts of avenues for communication between you and the horse. A good horse trainer or handler is a good <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/pets/horses/horse-terminology-describing-horses-correctly/\">horse communicator</a>. When you finally connect with your horse, you’ll find that suddenly, this huge, four-legged alien is very special.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" ><a name=\"_Toc105382480\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661911\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661645\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661588\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424820\"></a>Equine instincts</h2>\r\nHorses have a way of thinking about and viewing things that is uniquely their own. The evolution of horses as prey animals gives them a special viewpoint that helps them survive.\r\n\r\nThe components of this perspective (such as viewing the world as a series of threats, finding safety in numbers, and looking to an authority figure for guidance) make up the essence of the horse’s being. The human who understands and sympathizes with these sometimes unhuman-like ways of looking at the world is the person who becomes most adept at conversations with the horse.\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc105382481\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661912\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661646\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661589\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424821\"></a>Prey, not predator</h3>\r\nThe first thing you need to know about horses to really get into their heads is that horses are prey animals, not predators. (The one interesting exception to this fact is in Iceland, where Icelandic Horses have been seen catching and eating fish from the ocean.) In the wild, horses are at the top of most large predators’ dinner menus. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, evolved to be hunters. Consequently, the horse looks at the world differently than the domesticated dog and cat.\r\n\r\nNowadays, horses live in domestic situations where their biggest worries are horsefly bites, but try telling that to a horse. Long before humans ever considered building barns, haylofts, paddocks, and arenas, bolting from a potential threat is what literally saved the horse’s hide. This instinct to flee first and ask questions later is at the core of every equine personality.\r\n\r\nYou don’t need to spend much time around horses to witness the equine instinct to flee: In a nutshell, horses scare easily. They often spook at what humans view as the most benign of things: a plastic bag blowing in the wind, a low-flying plane passing overhead, or a car backfiring nearby. To humans, these distractions are minor, but to the ever-watchful horse, they are potentially life-threatening hazards.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">The ease with which horses spook may seem ridiculous, but the instinct to flee from trouble is at the center of a horse’s psyche. Although most domestic horses don’t have predators chasing them, they nevertheless have a powerful instinct to be on guard. Their brains are telling them that horse-eating monsters are out there, so they need to be on the lookout. If a real predator can’t be found, then, by golly, the horse will conjure up a hunter to run from.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc105382482\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661913\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661647\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661590\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424822\"></a>Let’s stay together</h3>\r\nClosely associated with the get-the-heck-out-of-Dodge-now instinct is the herd instinct, which is represented by the horse’s burning desire always to be with other horses. This need stems from the fact that in the wild, large numbers mean safety. It works like this: Pretend for a moment that you’re a horse, and a huge, terrifying saber-toothed tiger has selected horsemeat for his next meal. When a big cat starts chasing your herd looking for prey to take down, the chances of <em>you </em>being the horse that gets nailed are less when a whole herd of other horses surrounds you.\r\n\r\nIn addition to decreasing your odds of being the unlucky item on the big cat’s menu, being in a herd also means that you can find out about impending danger much sooner than you would if you were alone. After all, a herd of eyes is better than one measly pair.\r\n\r\nYet the horse’s love for other horses is not completely mercenary, however. You only need to watch a group of horses out in a field to discover that they genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Although each horse is an individual with his own distinct personality, horses nonetheless thrive on companionship and bond strongly with their herdmates. They groom each other with their teeth, take turns tail swishing flies from each other’s faces, and even play horsy games together, such as tag and I-dare-you-to-try-and-bite-me.\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc105382483\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661914\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661648\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661591\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424823\"></a>Follow the leader</h3>\r\nHorses are social creatures, and they even have their own societal rules. In any given herd of horses, some horses are dominant and others are submissive. Horses follow a precise pecking order, with one big kahuna at the top of the heap who lords over all the other horses. The individual personalities of various herd members, along with factors such as age and physical ability, determine which horses take on different roles within the herd. All in all, horse society doesn’t operate that much differently than human society.\r\n\r\nHuman beings, on the other hand, have benefited greatly from the horse’s intrinsic need for leadership. The horse’s penchant for dutifully submitting to authority is what ultimately enabled humankind to domesticate the horse thousands of years ago. After a human earns a horse’s respect (the same way a leader horse must earn the respect of his fellow horses), the horse views the human as an authority figure to be respected and followed in much the same way as he views the leader horse.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">When a human fails to gain a horse’s respect early on in their relationship, the horse automatically takes charge. From the horse’s perspective, every herd — even one made up of only two members — must have a leader. Although first impressions are important to horses, overrun humans can make up lost ground by becoming more assertive and telling the horse (in so many words), “I’m the one in charge now.”</p>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips remember\">In the same way that horses test the leader horses in a herd, they also periodically test their human companions to make sure that the humans still are worthy of leadership. Horses that misbehave often do so to challenge the authority of whoever is handling them, and they’re incredibly astute at determining the qualifications of those giving them orders. For a horse to feel secure, he must have strong leadership. If you don’t measure up in this department, or if the horse has a history of dealing with humans that don’t measure up as leaders, the horse will take the leadership position from you — and we promise you won’t like the results!</p>\r\nFor example, in horse/human relationships where the horse has taken charge, you often see horses leading humans around the stable instead of vice versa. Leader horses that are being ridden make the decisions about where and when to go, despite their riders’ pleas.\r\n\r\nEquine followers feel safest when they have a strong leader making decisions for them and helping them determine what is and isn’t dangerous. Human leadership accounts for why many horses find comfort in their associations with human beings. If we humans do things right, they see us as leaders. And if we say things are okay, then they must <em>be</em> okay.\r\n\r\nThe role of leader places a great responsibility on human shoulders, of course. We must convince the horse that we are confident and knowledgeable and worthy of their invaluable equine trust.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" ><a name=\"_Toc105382484\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661915\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661649\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661592\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424824\"></a>Equine senses</h2>\r\nFrom the horse’s perspective, you need to know — or literally see — how the horse takes in the world. Humans evolved to be hunters and gatherers, chasing down prey and finding appropriate plants to eat. Horses, on the other hand, are built to avoid hunters and eat nearly everything that grows around them. Given these fundamental distinctions, the horse’s senses are bound to have nuances that are somewhat different from those of a human.\r\n<h3>Horse's sense of <a name=\"_Toc105382485\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661916\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661650\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661593\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424825\"></a>sight</h3>\r\nSight is the most important equine sense. For a prey animal like the horse, in the wild, good eyesight means the difference between life and death. Literally seeing trouble coming is the best way the horse has to make it to safety before a predator gets too close.\r\n\r\nBecause horses have long, narrow heads with eyes on either side, they have the ability to take in more of the view than do humans. When their heads are facing forward, horses have a nearly 180-degree field of vision in each eye (as shown in the following figure). They can see in front of and almost all the way around their bodies, although they do have some blind spots.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_266764\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"416\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-266764\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/horses-sight.jpg\" alt=\"horse range of sight\" width=\"416\" height=\"500\" /> A horse can see this much when facing straight ahead.[/caption]\r\n<p class=\"article-tips warning\">One of a horse’s blind spots is directly behind, so you should never approach a horse from the back unless the horse already knows you’re there. If you’re already next to the horse and move toward his blind spot, keep one hand on him at all times so he is aware of your presence.</p>\r\nNo one knows for sure how far horses can see, mainly because horses have trouble pronouncing the letters on eye tests. Scientists who have done experiments in this field have made some educated guesses that horses can see pretty darn far, in the realm of at least hundreds of yards away. Horses can distinguish patterns, which means they’re able to take in fine details. They also perceive depth well.\r\n\r\nHorses also have much better night vision than humans. Many a rider has been out on a dark, moonless trail, dumbfounded by his or her horses’ ability to see where the pair is going despite the incredibly dim light.\r\n\r\nScientists know far less about horses’ color vision than they do about other areas of equine sight, but they’re certain that horses see many of the same colors that we see, with two exceptions: red and green. In fact, they believe that horses have the same color vision as humans who suffer from red-green color blindness. So red and green don't look the same to a horse as they do to a person with full color vision. That said, horses are still able to pick out the greenest grass in a field!\r\n<h3><a name=\"_Toc105382486\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661917\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661651\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661594\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424826\"></a>Horse's sense of hearing</h3>\r\nA species that survives by getting a head start on marauding predators needs a pretty good sense of hearing. The fact that horses have survived all the way to modern times is testimony to their incredible hearing, which is considerably better than a human’s.\r\n\r\nIf you look at the shape of the horse’s ear, you can see that it’s built sort of like a funnel. With this design, the ear can capture sound in its outer part and channel it down into the ear canal. The broad outer part of the horse’s ear very adequately takes in the slightest sound in the horse’s environment.\r\n\r\nThe horse’s ear also has an amazing ability to swivel. Just watch a horse’s ears sometime while the horse is busy eating or just hanging out. You’ll see one ear turn forward, while the other swings to the back. Sometimes both ears go forward at the same time, while at other times, both are poised to the rear. The purpose of all this twisting is simple — to take in as much information as possible at one time.\r\n\r\nUsing their extremely mobile ears, horses constantly monitor the world around them. Just imagine trying to pay complete attention to different sounds coming in to either ear at the same time. Impossible for a human, yet the horse does this on a steady basis. A horse can take in the sounds of a car driving by, children playing, a bird chirping, and a human approaching, all at once, from different places in the environment. The horse then processes that information and makes split-second decisions about whether to react — all the while picking out the best blades of pasture grass or meandering down a rocky trail. The process really is mind-blowing.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Loud, unfamiliar noises can send a relaxed horse into a tizzy. On the other hand, a placid, reassuring sound can ease a horse’s worries. It’s amazing to see how a frightened horse can be comforted by a soft, gentle voice from a calm and confident human. Keep this fact in mind when handling your horse in a particularly noisy or frightening environment.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Horse's sense of <a name=\"_Toc105382487\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661918\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661652\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661595\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424827\"></a>smell</h3>\r\nLike most nonhuman animals, horses have an acute sense of smell that they regularly employ to provide them with information on what is going on around them. Horses use their sense of smell in a number of different and important ways.\r\n\r\nPeople talk about smelling danger, but when it comes to the horse, this metaphor is literally the case. Nature equipped the equine with a strong olfactory sense that can tell the animal whether a predator is near. All it takes is a strong upwind breeze to bring a dangerous scent to the attention of a wild herd. After getting a whiff of the predator, the herd literally high-tails — their tails stick way up in the air as they flee — it out of there in a flash.\r\n\r\nHorses also use smell as part of their complicated social structure. Horses typically greet each other nose to nose, each taking in the odor of the other. Horses also come to recognize each other by scent and by sight. Mares and foals quickly memorize each other’s scents and use this information to help locate each other in a crowd of horses.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Most horses also greet humans in the same way. When you introduce yourself to a horse for the first time, notice how the horse reaches out his muzzle to sniff you. Given this olfactory penchant, the most polite way to approach a horse is with the back of your hand extended so the horse may take in your personal scent. Letting a horse breathe in your scent tells the animal that you are a fellow herdmate (not a predator), and usually makes the horse more agreeable to being handled.</p>\r\nThe equine sense of smell also comes in handy when it’s time to eat. Although horses also use their eyes and muzzles to ferret out the tastiest morsels in a pasture, sense of smell plays a part as well. One plant may look just like another to you, but a horse can get a sense of whether foliage tastes good by first getting a whiff of it.\r\n<h3>Horse's sense of <a name=\"_Toc105382488\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661919\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661653\"></a><a name=\"_Toc100661596\"></a><a name=\"_Toc99424828\"></a>touch</h3>\r\nThe equine sense of touch is an important (although often overlooked) element to the horse. Although many people think that horses have tough hides, they really don’t. Their skin obviously is tougher than human epidermis, but it still is rich with nerve endings. If it weren’t, how else could a horse possibly feel a tiny little fly landing on his body? Trust us, he can!\r\n\r\nIf you sit on a pasture fence and watch a herd of horses for a few hours, you’ll see plenty of evidence of how horses use touch to communicate with each other. Mothers reassure their babies with a brush of the muzzle; comrades scratch each other’s itches with their teeth. Whenever a message needs to be sent from one horse to another, visual cues and touch — or the threat of it — nearly always are used.\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">Humans also use touch to convey messages to the horse. A gentle rubdown, a pat on the shoulder, a vigorous massage in just the right place — these all are ways of saying, “I’m your friend,” to a horse. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get a similar tactile message in return.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9776,"name":"Audrey Pavia","slug":"audrey-pavia","description":" <p><b>Connie Isbell</b> is a former editor and writer at<i>Audobon</i> magazine, as well as the editor of numerous pet books. <b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the author of many books on pets and animals, including the bestselling <i>Horses For Dummies</i> and <i>The Rabbit: An Owner&#39;s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.</i> She has been a frequent contributor to numerous pet publications, editor&#45;in &#45;chief of <i>Horse Illustrated,</i> and senior editor of <i>The AKC Gazette.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9776"}},{"authorId":10499,"name":"Janice Posnikoff","slug":"janice-posnikoff","description":" <p><b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the former editor of <i>Horse Illustrated</i> magazine and an award-winning writer of numerous articles on equine subjects. The author of seven books about horses, she has also contributed to <i>Thoroughbred Times, Horse &amp; Rider</i>, and many other animal magazines.</p> <p><b>Janice Posnikoff,</b> DVM, is a highly respected equine veterinarian with over 20 years experience. She is a graduate of the Western College of Veterinarian Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10499"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33986,"title":"Horses","slug":"horses","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33986"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Equine instincts","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Equine senses","target":"#tab2"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":267380,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Rare Breeds","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-rare-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267380"}},{"articleId":267375,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Pony Breeds and Warmbloods","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-pony-breeds-and-warmbloods","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267375"}},{"articleId":267369,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Gaited Horses","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-gaited-horses","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267369"}},{"articleId":267363,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Crossbreds and Draft Breeds","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-crossbreds-and-draft-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267363"}},{"articleId":267349,"title":"Meet the Top 10 Horse Breeds","slug":"meet-the-top-10-horse-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267349"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":267380,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Rare Breeds","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-rare-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267380"}},{"articleId":267375,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Pony Breeds and Warmbloods","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-pony-breeds-and-warmbloods","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267375"}},{"articleId":267369,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Gaited Horses","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-gaited-horses","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267369"}},{"articleId":267363,"title":"Beyond the Top 10 Horse Breeds: Crossbreds and Draft Breeds","slug":"beyond-the-top-10-horse-breeds-crossbreds-and-draft-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267363"}},{"articleId":267349,"title":"Meet the Top 10 Horse Breeds","slug":"meet-the-top-10-horse-breeds","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/267349"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282286,"slug":"horses-for-dummies-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119589402","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","horses"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119589401/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119589401/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119589401-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119589401/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119589401/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/horses-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119589402-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Horses For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><b>Connie Isbell</b> is a former editor and writer at<i>Audobon</i> magazine, as well as the editor of numerous pet books. <b><b data-author-id=\"9776\">Audrey Pavia</b></b> is the author of many books on pets and animals, including the bestselling <i>Horses For Dummies</i> and <i>The Rabbit: An Owner&#39;s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.</i> She has been a frequent contributor to numerous pet publications, editor&#45;in &#45;chief of <i>Horse Illustrated,</i> and senior editor of <i>The AKC Gazette.</i> <p><b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the former editor of <i>Horse Illustrated</i> magazine and an award-winning writer of numerous articles on equine subjects. The author of seven books about horses, she has also contributed to <i>Thoroughbred Times, Horse &amp; Rider</i>, and many other animal magazines.</p> <p><b><b data-author-id=\"10499\">Janice Posnikoff</b>,</b> DVM, is a highly respected equine veterinarian with over 20 years experience. She is a graduate of the Western College of Veterinarian Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9776,"name":"Audrey Pavia","slug":"audrey-pavia","description":" <p><b>Connie Isbell</b> is a former editor and writer at<i>Audobon</i> magazine, as well as the editor of numerous pet books. <b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the author of many books on pets and animals, including the bestselling <i>Horses For Dummies</i> and <i>The Rabbit: An Owner&#39;s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.</i> She has been a frequent contributor to numerous pet publications, editor&#45;in &#45;chief of <i>Horse Illustrated,</i> and senior editor of <i>The AKC Gazette.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9776"}},{"authorId":10499,"name":"Janice Posnikoff","slug":"janice-posnikoff","description":" <p><b>Audrey Pavia</b> is the former editor of <i>Horse Illustrated</i> magazine and an award-winning writer of numerous articles on equine subjects. The author of seven books about horses, she has also contributed to <i>Thoroughbred Times, Horse &amp; Rider</i>, and many other animal magazines.</p> <p><b>Janice Posnikoff,</b> DVM, is a highly respected equine veterinarian with over 20 years experience. She is a graduate of the Western College of Veterinarian Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10499"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;horses&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119589402&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b4187759\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;horses&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119589402&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b41881ce\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-07-15T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":266763},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2022-06-08T18:02:38+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-06-08T18:02:38+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:44+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Cats","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33966"},"slug":"cats","categoryId":33966}],"title":"If You’ve Always Wanted to Adopt a Cat, Now’s the Time","strippedTitle":"if you’ve always wanted to adopt a cat, now’s the time","slug":"if-youve-always-wanted-to-adopt-a-cat-nows-the-time","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Before you bring home the first adorable kitten you see, read this article to learn about cat ownership and different cat characteristics.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online, cat content reigns supreme — but their internet popularity doesn’t seem to translate into real-world adoptions. According to the Human Society of the United States, just 35 percent of households own cats (versus 54 percent for dogs). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So if you’ve been thinking of adding a furry friend to the family, why not consider the kitty? And not just because <a href=\"https://www.americanhumane.org/initiative/adopt-a-cat-month/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>June is National Adopt a Cat Month</strong></a> — adopting a low-maintenance mouser has perks all year-round. Just imagine the mood boost of watching silly cat videos online 24-7, and you’ll begin to understand just how much a four-legged friend can enhance your well-being. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_293139\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"wp-image-293139 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/AdoptACat-WithinArticlePhoto-little-plant-zVaq4TezwLo-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Gray kitten in the crook of a woman's arm\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> © little plant / Unsplash.com[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" ><b>The benefits of cat ownership</b></h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pet can be a crucial addition to our support networks, as many first-time pet parents discovered during pandemic lockdowns. The companionship of a beloved pet has been proven to </span><a href=\"https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-being-cat-lover#2.-Stress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alleviate stress, loneliness, depression, and anxiety</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats can even help us process grief: Talking to a pet in our time of need can help us sort through our complicated feelings without fear of judgment. Cats are also unlikely to become distressed by our distress, making them more of a comfort than an additional worry. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But cats don’t just benefit your emotional heart — they benefit your physical heart, too. One study found that cat owners were 30 percent less likely to die from a heart attack than people who have never owned them, while another found that cat owners were at reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While these outcomes may be due to overall lifestyle differences, it’s safe to say that cats deserve at least </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the credit: Cat purrs have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and even support bone density and healing. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best of all, almost anyone can enjoy the benefits of owning a cat. Unlike dogs, cats are perfectly content with a 100 percent indoor lifestyle (in fact, it’s much safer for them — and the local environment — if they don’t venture out). Cats are also quiet and small, making them ideal for apartment living. And, as long as they have fresh food, water, and litter, cats are relatively autonomous. Their low-maintenance ways make them a great pet for anyone from older adults to people who work long hours away from home. </span>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" ><b>Choosing a cat (or kitten)</b></h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On average, cats live between 12 and 18 years — so you’ll want to choose your new family member wisely. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">READ MORE: </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/how-to-recognize-good-health-in-kittens-and-cats-269515/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Recognize Good Health in Kittens and Cats</span></a>\r\n<h3><b>Adopting a kitten</b></h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While kittens are indisputably adorable, they may not be well suited to your experience, lifestyle, or family. That’s because kittens are cats in training: They don’t yet have the grace and self-sufficiency of adult cats and need more attention, patience, and gentleness as they grow. Spending their formative months in a loud, chaotic environment can impact a kitten’s behavior for life, so be realistic about your lifestyle (and keep out of the reach of children). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">READ MORE: </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/choosing-a-cat-or-kitten-which-is-better-for-you-200778/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing a Cat or Kitten: Which Is Better for You?</span></a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_293140\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"wp-image-293140 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/AdoptACat2-WithinArticle-sabri-tuzcu-KHBvwAnWFmc-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Sleeping cat on top of yellow sofa\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> © Sabri Tuzcu / Unsplash.com[/caption]\r\n<h3><b>Adult cats</b></h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats become adults around the age of 1: still cute, but much less of a mystery. With their personalities generally set, it’s easier to identify the snuggly couch potato or playful hunter of your dreams. Do you want a cat that gets along with other animals? A cat that vocalizes? A mature cat provides the best chance of finding the right fit. Of course, their greatest strength could also be a curse — like humans, adult cats with behavioral issues will be more set in their ways. Be sure to inquire about any potential challenges before committing. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And in case you were wondering, adult cats are as capable of developing love and affection for their owners as kittens are (as long as the feeling’s mutual). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">READ MORE: </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/cats-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-208933/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats for Dummies Cheat Sheet</span></a>\r\n<h3><b>Breed characteristics</b></h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People often fall in love at first sight with their future cat, committing to a life together without knowing much about them. Understanding a bit about the different breeds can help you narrow the field and find the right cat for your household. Some breeds require more grooming than others, for example, while some are more tolerable for people with allergies.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">READ MORE: </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/cat-characteristics-by-breed-269506/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat Characteristics by Breed</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When in doubt, lean on the experts: Shelter and rescue workers know which cats hate being picked up, which are suitable for young children, and which will get along with your aging dog. Some cat rescues even have foster programs that allow you to live with your potential cat-to-be for a trial period, giving you both a glimpse of your future together. </span>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" ><b>The fix is in</b></h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Owners failing to neuter or spay their cats is one of the biggest causes behind the rising number of homeless cats in the U.S. While no one feels good about subjecting their little one to surgery, it’s really in everyone’s long-term interest: According to the ASPCA, </span><a href=\"https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fixed cats are at lower risk for all kinds of behavioral issues and health problems</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including various cancers. Spaying or neutering is also much less expensive than raising or rehoming a litter of kittens (not to mention, less stressful). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While many shelters and rescues perform these and other necessary medical procedures prior to adoption, be sure to request your kitty’s medical records before taking them home. </span>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more guidance on becoming a cat parent, check out the book </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/book/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/cats-for-dummies-3rd-edition-282065/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats for Dummies</span></i></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>","description":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online, cat content reigns supreme — but their internet popularity doesn’t seem to translate into real-world adoptions. According to the Human Society of the United States, just 35 percent of households own cats (versus 54 percent for dogs). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So if you’ve been thinking of adding a furry friend to the family, why not consider the kitty? And not just because <a href=\"https://www.americanhumane.org/initiative/adopt-a-cat-month/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>June is National Adopt a Cat Month</strong></a> — adopting a low-maintenance mouser has perks all year-round. Just imagine the mood boost of watching silly cat videos online 24-7, and you’ll begin to understand just how much a four-legged friend can enhance your well-being. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_293139\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"wp-image-293139 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/AdoptACat-WithinArticlePhoto-little-plant-zVaq4TezwLo-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Gray kitten in the crook of a woman's arm\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> © little plant / Unsplash.com[/caption]\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" ><b>The benefits of cat ownership</b></h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pet can be a crucial addition to our support networks, as many first-time pet parents discovered during pandemic lockdowns. The companionship of a beloved pet has been proven to </span><a href=\"https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-being-cat-lover#2.-Stress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alleviate stress, loneliness, depression, and anxiety</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats can even help us process grief: Talking to a pet in our time of need can help us sort through our complicated feelings without fear of judgment. Cats are also unlikely to become distressed by our distress, making them more of a comfort than an additional worry. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But cats don’t just benefit your emotional heart — they benefit your physical heart, too. One study found that cat owners were 30 percent less likely to die from a heart attack than people who have never owned them, while another found that cat owners were at reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While these outcomes may be due to overall lifestyle differences, it’s safe to say that cats deserve at least </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the credit: Cat purrs have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and even support bone density and healing. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best of all, almost anyone can enjoy the benefits of owning a cat. Unlike dogs, cats are perfectly content with a 100 percent indoor lifestyle (in fact, it’s much safer for them — and the local environment — if they don’t venture out). Cats are also quiet and small, making them ideal for apartment living. And, as long as they have fresh food, water, and litter, cats are relatively autonomous. Their low-maintenance ways make them a great pet for anyone from older adults to people who work long hours away from home. </span>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab2\" ><b>Choosing a cat (or kitten)</b></h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On average, cats live between 12 and 18 years — so you’ll want to choose your new family member wisely. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">READ MORE: </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/how-to-recognize-good-health-in-kittens-and-cats-269515/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Recognize Good Health in Kittens and Cats</span></a>\r\n<h3><b>Adopting a kitten</b></h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While kittens are indisputably adorable, they may not be well suited to your experience, lifestyle, or family. That’s because kittens are cats in training: They don’t yet have the grace and self-sufficiency of adult cats and need more attention, patience, and gentleness as they grow. Spending their formative months in a loud, chaotic environment can impact a kitten’s behavior for life, so be realistic about your lifestyle (and keep out of the reach of children). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">READ MORE: </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/choosing-a-cat-or-kitten-which-is-better-for-you-200778/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing a Cat or Kitten: Which Is Better for You?</span></a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_293140\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"wp-image-293140 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/AdoptACat2-WithinArticle-sabri-tuzcu-KHBvwAnWFmc-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Sleeping cat on top of yellow sofa\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\" /> © Sabri Tuzcu / Unsplash.com[/caption]\r\n<h3><b>Adult cats</b></h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats become adults around the age of 1: still cute, but much less of a mystery. With their personalities generally set, it’s easier to identify the snuggly couch potato or playful hunter of your dreams. Do you want a cat that gets along with other animals? A cat that vocalizes? A mature cat provides the best chance of finding the right fit. Of course, their greatest strength could also be a curse — like humans, adult cats with behavioral issues will be more set in their ways. Be sure to inquire about any potential challenges before committing. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And in case you were wondering, adult cats are as capable of developing love and affection for their owners as kittens are (as long as the feeling’s mutual). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">READ MORE: </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/cats-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-208933/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats for Dummies Cheat Sheet</span></a>\r\n<h3><b>Breed characteristics</b></h3>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People often fall in love at first sight with their future cat, committing to a life together without knowing much about them. Understanding a bit about the different breeds can help you narrow the field and find the right cat for your household. Some breeds require more grooming than others, for example, while some are more tolerable for people with allergies.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">READ MORE: </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/cat-characteristics-by-breed-269506/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat Characteristics by Breed</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When in doubt, lean on the experts: Shelter and rescue workers know which cats hate being picked up, which are suitable for young children, and which will get along with your aging dog. Some cat rescues even have foster programs that allow you to live with your potential cat-to-be for a trial period, giving you both a glimpse of your future together. </span>\r\n<h2 id=\"tab3\" ><b>The fix is in</b></h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Owners failing to neuter or spay their cats is one of the biggest causes behind the rising number of homeless cats in the U.S. While no one feels good about subjecting their little one to surgery, it’s really in everyone’s long-term interest: According to the ASPCA, </span><a href=\"https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fixed cats are at lower risk for all kinds of behavioral issues and health problems</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including various cancers. Spaying or neutering is also much less expensive than raising or rehoming a litter of kittens (not to mention, less stressful). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While many shelters and rescues perform these and other necessary medical procedures prior to adoption, be sure to request your kitty’s medical records before taking them home. </span>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more guidance on becoming a cat parent, check out the book </span><a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/book/home-auto-hobbies/pets/cats/cats-for-dummies-3rd-edition-282065/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats for Dummies</span></i></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":34739,"name":"Stephanie Georgopulos","slug":"stephanie-georgopulos","description":"Stephanie Georgopulos is a writer, editor, and consultant based in Los Angeles, CA.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/34739"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33966,"title":"Cats","slug":"cats","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33966"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"The benefits of cat ownership","target":"#tab1"},{"label":"Choosing a cat (or kitten)","target":"#tab2"},{"label":"The fix is in","target":"#tab3"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":291828,"title":"How to Tell Whether Your Cat Is Feline Officer Material","slug":"how-to-tell-whether-your-cat-is-feline-officer-material","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","cats"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/291828"}},{"articleId":269520,"title":"10 Cool Cat-Related Places to Visit","slug":"10-cool-cat-related-places-to-visit","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","cats"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269520"}},{"articleId":269515,"title":"How to Recognize Good Health in Kittens and Cats","slug":"how-to-recognize-good-health-in-kittens-and-cats","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","cats"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269515"}},{"articleId":269506,"title":"Cat Characteristics by Breed","slug":"cat-characteristics-by-breed","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","cats"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269506"}},{"articleId":269501,"title":"Cats—Indoors versus Outdoors Controversy","slug":"cats-indoors-versus-outdoors-controversy","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","cats"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269501"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;cats&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b4035331\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;cats&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b4035c7f\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-05-18T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":293135},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:58:47+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-27T17:08:03+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:41+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33967"},"slug":"dogs","categoryId":33967},{"name":"Training","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33982"},"slug":"training","categoryId":33982}],"title":"Housetraining For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"housetraining for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"housetraining-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Keep this Cheat Sheet handy as you're housetraining your puppy or adult dog. It includes tips for indoor and outdoor potty training.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Potty-training your puppy or adult dog doesn’t just prevent canine bathroom accidents in your house; housetraining also helps you make sure your dog stays healthy. With the right tools and some potty-training tips and tricks, you and your pup can set the stage for a long and happy life together.","description":"Potty-training your puppy or adult dog doesn’t just prevent canine bathroom accidents in your house; housetraining also helps you make sure your dog stays healthy. With the right tools and some potty-training tips and tricks, you and your pup can set the stage for a long and happy life together.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10543,"name":"Susan McCullough","slug":"susan-mccullough","description":" <p><b>Susan McCullough</b> is the author of the bestselling <i>Housetraining For Dummies</i> and the award&#45;winning <i>Senior Dogs For Dummies.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10543"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33982,"title":"Training","slug":"training","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33982"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":196560,"title":"How to Successfully Housetrain a 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List","slug":"your-dogs-housetraining-wish-list","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196551"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":269557,"title":"Dog Training: Teach Your Dog to Hide in a Box","slug":"dog-training-teach-your-dog-to-hide-in-a-box","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269557"}},{"articleId":269550,"title":"Dog Training: Find the Pea under the Right Cup","slug":"dog-training-find-the-pea-under-the-right-cup","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269550"}},{"articleId":269545,"title":"Dog Training: Teach a Dog to Shake and High Five","slug":"dog-training-teach-a-dog-to-shake-and-high-five","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269545"}},{"articleId":269540,"title":"Dog Obedience Training Class","slug":"dog-obedience-training-class","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269540"}},{"articleId":269534,"title":"How to Select a Dog Training Model","slug":"how-to-select-a-dog-training-model","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/269534"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282288,"slug":"housetraining-for-dummies-2nd-edition","isbn":"9781119610298","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/111961029X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/111961029X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/111961029X-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/111961029X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/111961029X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/housetraining-for-dummies-2nd-edition-cover-9781119610298-165x255.jpg","width":165,"height":255},"title":"Housetraining For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"10543\">Susan McCullough</b></b> is the author of the bestselling <i>Housetraining For Dummies</i> and the award&#45;winning <i>Senior Dogs For Dummies.</i></p>","authors":[{"authorId":10543,"name":"Susan McCullough","slug":"susan-mccullough","description":" <p><b>Susan McCullough</b> is the author of the bestselling <i>Housetraining For Dummies</i> and the award&#45;winning <i>Senior Dogs For Dummies.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10543"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;training&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119610298&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3d6f19c\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;training&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119610298&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3d6fc14\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":196560,"title":"How to Successfully Housetrain a Dog","slug":"how-to-successfully-housetrain-a-dog","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196560"}},{"articleId":196553,"title":"Dog Housetraining Tools","slug":"dog-housetraining-tools","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196553"}},{"articleId":196550,"title":"Training Your Dog to Potty Outdoors","slug":"training-your-dog-to-potty-outdoors","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196550"}},{"articleId":196559,"title":"Training Your Dog to Potty Indoors","slug":"training-your-dog-to-potty-indoors","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196559"}},{"articleId":196551,"title":"Your Dog’s Housetraining Wish List","slug":"your-dogs-housetraining-wish-list","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","training"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/196551"}}],"content":[{"title":"How to successfully housetrain a dog","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Housetraining a puppy or adult dog is just a matter of being consistent, paying attention, and following your dog’s instincts about bathroom behavior. Here are some tips to help you housetrain your dog:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Choose a dedicated potty spot for your dog. If you have a cloth scented with your dog’s urine, place it on the ground the first time you take your dog out. Scent-marking encourages your dog to go to the bathroom there.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Follow an established routine and take your dog to potty after he wakes up in the morning, before and after meals, after playtime, after naps, and at bedtime.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Walk him on leash straight to his potty spot and give the prompt or cue you’ve chosen, such as “do your business” or “go potty.”</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">If he doesn’t go within 5 minutes, take him back inside, put him in his crate, and try again in about 15 minutes.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">When he’s done, praise your dog enthusiastically and give him a tiny treat.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Between potty breaks, watch for signs that your dog needs to go out — coming to a sudden halt, circling, sniffing in a dedicated manner, or dropping his bottom. If you do see him about to go, distract him and take him to his potty spot as quickly as possible.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Confine your dog if you can’t watch him.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Dog housetraining tools","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Before you can start housetraining your puppy or adult dog, you have to get your home ready. Depending on how you plan to housetrain your dog, here’s a list of equipment you may need to get the job done:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Crate:</b> A correctly sized crate is just large enough for your dog to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down in.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Newspapers or dog litter:</b> These items can serve as crucial components for a dog&#8217;s indoor potty spot.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Baby gates:</b> Secure baby gates keep your dog from venturing into areas of your house where you don’t want her to be.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Plastic bags:</b> Oblong bags, like those that cover newspapers or enclose loaves of bread, are extremely helpful when picking up dog poop.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pet stain cleaner:</b> A cleaner designed especially for pet stains is essential to cleaning up doggie bathroom accidents.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Black light:</b> This handy device helps you find urine stains that elude human detection but serve as invitations for dogs to repeat their bathroom boo-boos.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Collar:</b> A flat buckle or snap collar not only provides a place to attach your dog’s leash, but holds essential identification tags.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Leash:</b> A 6-foot-long leash of leather, cotton, or nylon keeps your pooch tethered to you when you take her outdoors to do her business.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Doggie door:</b> After your dog is fully housetrained, this item allows her to go outside to potty when she needs to.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Fencing:</b> A secure fence that’s 4 to 6 feet high can keep your dog in her yard and keep other dogs out of it.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Doggie jacket or sweater:</b> A jacket or sweater keeps your four-legged friend warm when she has to potty outdoors in cold weather.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Training your dog to potty outdoors","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If you’re training your dog or puppy to go potty outside, the outdoor potty area can be a designated spot in your backyard or wherever you allow your dog to do his business.</p>\n<p>Here are some housetraining dos and don’ts to help your outdoor trainee get to know his bathroom manners faster and more effectively:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do set up your dog’s crate before you bring him home.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do choose your dog’s outdoor potty area before you bring him home.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do notice your dog’s pre-potty routine.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do take your puppy out at least every one to two hours when you first bring him home.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do use the same words and take the same route to the potty spot every time you take your dog out.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do praise and treat your dog for using his outdoor potty spot.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do distract your dog if he’s about to unload in the house, and get him outside to his potty place as quickly as possible so he can do his business where he’s supposed to.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t punish your dog for having a potty accident.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t give your untrained puppy or dog the run of the house unless you’re right there to watch him.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t place your dog in prolonged solitary confinement, either in the crate or in your yard.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t distract your puppy when he’s eliminating in his potty area.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t expect your puppy to hold it all day while you’re at work.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Training your dog to potty indoors","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>You may want to housetrain your puppy or adult dog to go to the bathroom in an indoor potty area. A dog potty or dog toilet can be some newspapers spread on the floor, a dog litter box, or some other device located in a designated area of your home.</p>\n<p>Here are some housetraining tips that make indoor housetraining a breeze:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Consider indoor training if you live in a high-rise apartment, can’t get around easily, and/or have a very small dog.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Consider your needs, your dog’s needs, and your home’s layout when deciding where to put the indoor potty.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Get a crate for your indoor trainee so that she learns to regulate her potty maneuvers.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Use scent and repetition to teach your dog that the indoor potty is the only surface upon which she should pee or make a deposit.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Be patient if you move the potty from outdoors to indoors.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t let your puppy roam freely unless you can watch her.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t get angry at your puppy for making a mistake; get mad at yourself for giving her a chance to do so.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t take your indoor trainee outside for a walk or for playtime until after she’s done her business.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Your dog's housetraining wish list","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Here’s a key housetraining tip: Whether you’re potty-training a puppy or adult dog, the housetraining process works best if you think about how your canine companion thinks, feels, and learns.</p>\n<p>To get what you want from your dog, you first have to tune in to what your dog wants. Your dog can’t write down items for a wish list, but if she could, here’s what she might say she needs from you to succeed in housetraining:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Empathy</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Optimism</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Consistency</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Rewards</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Attention</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Love</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Solve","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-27T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209512},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:48:36+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-27T16:48:04+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:41+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33967"},"slug":"dogs","categoryId":33967},{"name":"General Dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33983"},"slug":"general-dogs","categoryId":33983}],"title":"Understanding Your Dog For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"understanding your dog for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"understanding-your-dog-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learns the basics of communicating with your dog, including useful commands, reading body language, and discipline dos and don'ts.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Recognizing why and how your dog behaves can help you to take on the role as pack leader to give your dog the cues, guidance, and consistency she needs to shape and develop good behaviors.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding your dog's body language and the proper methods of discipline, along with using basic, yet helpful, commands will go a long way in developing your pooch into a well-behaved companion.","description":"Recognizing why and how your dog behaves can help you to take on the role as pack leader to give your dog the cues, guidance, and consistency she needs to shape and develop good behaviors.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding your dog's body language and the proper methods of discipline, along with using basic, yet helpful, commands will go a long way in developing your pooch into a well-behaved companion.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9192,"name":"Stanley Coren","slug":"stanley-coren","description":" <b>Stanley Coren</b> is best known to the public for his popular books on dogs and on general psychological issues. However, within the scientific world, he&#8217;s also a highly respected scientist, a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.<br /> His engaging writing style and his broad knowledge about the behavior of dogs and people have made his books <i>The Intelligence of Dogs, Why We Love the Dogs We Do, What Do Dogs Know?</i>, <i>How to Speak Dog, The Pawprints of History, How Dogs Think, Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?</i>, and <i>Why Does My Dog Do That?</i> all bestsellers.<br /> Roger Caras, President of the ASPCA, and himself a bestselling author of dog books, noted &#8220;Stanley Coren has an incredible gift &#8212; the ability to take the most complex matters and make it all seem so simple and clear.&#8221; Perhaps this is why Coren was named Writer of the Year by the International Positive Dog Training Association and is a sought-after contributor to a number of national dog and pet magazines, including <i>Pets Magazine, Modern Dog, AnimalSense, Dog and Puppy Basics,</i> and <i>AKC Gazette.<br /> </i>Many professional associations have recognized Coren&#8217;s work with service dogs, and he&#8217;s received awards from several major police dog organizations, including the California Canine Narcotic Dog Association and the British Columbia Police Canine Association. His work with and knowledge of dogs has often caught the attention of the media, and he&#8217;s been the subject of feature articles in <i>People Magazine, USA Today, Time Magazine, Maclean&#8217;s, US News &amp; World Report, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post,</i> and others. His affable manner has also made him a popular guest with the broadcast media, and he&#8217;s been featured on numerous television programs, including <i>Oprah, Larry King Live, Dateline, 20/20, Maurie Povich, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose,</i> and the <i>Today Show.</i> He currently hosts the national TV series <i>Good Dog!</i> in Canada. <p><b>Sarah Hodgson,</b> president of Simply Sarah Incorporated, has been a trainer of dogs and their people in Westchester, New York, and Southern Connecticut for more than 20 years. She&#8217;s the author of eight dog-training books, including <i>Puppies For Dummies, Dog Tricks For Dummies, Puppies Raising &amp; Training Diary For Dummies, Teach Yourself Visually Dog Training, You and Your Puppy</i> (co-authored with James DeBitetto), <i>DogPerfect,</i> 2nd Edition, <i>PuppyPerfect,</i> and <i>Miss Sarah&#8217;s Guide to Etiquette for Dogs &amp; Their People</i>. In addition, Sarah has produced two videos, patented a dog training leash (the Teaching Lead), and invented many other products to simplify the shared lives of dogs and people.<br /> Sarah is frequently featured as a dog training specialist on network television, radio, and print media, including <i>The New York Times,</i> NBC, CBS, Animal Planet (Disney syndicate), FOX, CNN, WOR, Hollywood Pets, <i>Parenthood</i> magazine, and others. She has worked with many famous persons&#8217; dogs, including TV personality Katie Couric, actors Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Chazz Palminteri, Chevy Chase, and Lucie Arnaz; business moguls George Soros, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Mottola, and Michael Fuchs; and sport greats Bobby Valentine and Alan Houston.<br /> In addition, Sarah is a behavior consultant and education facilitator at the Adopt-A-Dog shelter in Armonk, New York, where she holds training and socialization programs, conditioning each of the dogs within a fully decorated home environment before their formal adoption.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9192"}},{"authorId":9193,"name":"Sarah Hodgson","slug":"sarah-hodgson","description":" <b>Stanley Coren</b> is best known to the public for his popular books on dogs and on general psychological issues. However, within the scientific world, he&#8217;s also a highly respected scientist, a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.<br /> His engaging writing style and his broad knowledge about the behavior of dogs and people have made his books <i>The Intelligence of Dogs, Why We Love the Dogs We Do, What Do Dogs Know?</i>, <i>How to Speak Dog, The Pawprints of History, How Dogs Think, Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?</i>, and <i>Why Does My Dog Do That?</i> all bestsellers.<br /> Roger Caras, President of the ASPCA, and himself a bestselling author of dog books, noted &#8220;Stanley Coren has an incredible gift &#8212; the ability to take the most complex matters and make it all seem so simple and clear.&#8221; Perhaps this is why Coren was named Writer of the Year by the International Positive Dog Training Association and is a sought-after contributor to a number of national dog and pet magazines, including <i>Pets Magazine, Modern Dog, AnimalSense, Dog and Puppy Basics,</i> and <i>AKC Gazette.<br /> </i>Many professional associations have recognized Coren&#8217;s work with service dogs, and he&#8217;s received awards from several major police dog organizations, including the California Canine Narcotic Dog Association and the British Columbia Police Canine Association. His work with and knowledge of dogs has often caught the attention of the media, and he&#8217;s been the subject of feature articles in <i>People Magazine, USA Today, Time Magazine, Maclean&#8217;s, US News &amp; World Report, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post,</i> and others. His affable manner has also made him a popular guest with the broadcast media, and he&#8217;s been featured on numerous television programs, including <i>Oprah, Larry King Live, Dateline, 20/20, Maurie Povich, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose,</i> and the <i>Today Show.</i> He currently hosts the national TV series <i>Good Dog!</i> in Canada. <p><b>Sarah Hodgson,</b> president of Simply Sarah Incorporated, has been a trainer of dogs and their people in Westchester, New York, and Southern Connecticut for more than 20 years. She&#8217;s the author of eight dog-training books, including <i>Puppies For Dummies, Dog Tricks For Dummies, Puppies Raising &amp; Training Diary For Dummies, Teach Yourself Visually Dog Training, You and Your Puppy</i> (co-authored with James DeBitetto), <i>DogPerfect,</i> 2nd Edition, <i>PuppyPerfect,</i> and <i>Miss Sarah&#8217;s Guide to Etiquette for Dogs &amp; Their People</i>. In addition, Sarah has produced two videos, patented a dog training leash (the Teaching Lead), and invented many other products to simplify the shared lives of dogs and people.<br /> Sarah is frequently featured as a dog training specialist on network television, radio, and print media, including <i>The New York Times,</i> NBC, CBS, Animal Planet (Disney syndicate), FOX, CNN, WOR, Hollywood Pets, <i>Parenthood</i> magazine, and others. She has worked with many famous persons&#8217; dogs, including TV personality Katie Couric, actors Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Chazz Palminteri, Chevy Chase, and Lucie Arnaz; business moguls George Soros, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Mottola, and Michael Fuchs; and sport greats Bobby Valentine and Alan Houston.<br /> In addition, Sarah is a behavior consultant and education facilitator at the Adopt-A-Dog shelter in Armonk, New York, where she holds training and socialization programs, conditioning each of the dogs within a fully decorated home environment before their formal adoption.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9193"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33983,"title":"General Dogs","slug":"general-dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33983"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":199879,"title":"Living with a Blind Dog","slug":"living-with-a-blind-dog","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199879"}},{"articleId":199111,"title":"Understanding a Dog's Sense of Smell","slug":"understanding-a-dogs-sense-of-smell","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/199111"}},{"articleId":161204,"title":"Reading Your Dog's Body Language","slug":"reading-your-dogs-body-language","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/161204"}},{"articleId":161183,"title":"5 Dog Discipline Do and Don'ts","slug":"5-dog-discipline-do-and-donts","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/161183"}},{"articleId":161184,"title":"6 Useful Commands for Your Dog","slug":"6-useful-commands-for-your-dog","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/161184"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":263905,"title":"How Your Puppy Communicates","slug":"how-your-puppy-communicates","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/263905"}},{"articleId":263900,"title":"Your Dog's Intelligence and Emotions","slug":"your-dogs-intelligence-and-emotions","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/263900"}},{"articleId":263888,"title":"Bringing Puppy into the Digital Age","slug":"bringing-puppy-into-the-digital-age","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/263888"}},{"articleId":263883,"title":"10 (or So) Dog Games to Play","slug":"10-or-so-dog-games-to-play","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/263883"}},{"articleId":209530,"title":"Dogs For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"dogs-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209530"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282647,"slug":"understanding-your-dog-for-dummies","isbn":"9780471768739","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471768731/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0471768731/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0471768731-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0471768731/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0471768731/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/understanding-your-dog-for-dummies-cover-9780471768739-168x255.jpg","width":168,"height":255},"title":"Understanding Your Dog For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<b data-author-id=\"9192\">Stanley Coren</b> is best known to the public for his popular books on dogs and on general psychological issues. However, within the scientific world, he’s also a highly respected scientist, a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.<br> His engaging writing style and his broad knowledge about the behavior of dogs and people have made his books <i>The Intelligence of Dogs, Why We Love the Dogs We Do, What Do Dogs Know?</i>, <i>How to Speak Dog, The Pawprints of History, How Dogs Think, Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?</i>, and <i>Why Does My Dog Do That?</i> all bestsellers.<br> Roger Caras, President of the ASPCA, and himself a bestselling author of dog books, noted “Stanley Coren has an incredible gift — the ability to take the most complex matters and make it all seem so simple and clear.” Perhaps this is why Coren was named Writer of the Year by the International Positive Dog Training Association and is a sought-after contributor to a number of national dog and pet magazines, including <i>Pets Magazine, Modern Dog, AnimalSense, Dog and Puppy Basics,</i> and <i>AKC Gazette.<br></i>Many professional associations have recognized Coren’s work with service dogs, and he’s received awards from several major police dog organizations, including the California Canine Narcotic Dog Association and the British Columbia Police Canine Association. His work with and knowledge of dogs has often caught the attention of the media, and he’s been the subject of feature articles in <i>People Magazine, USA Today, Time Magazine, Maclean’s, US News &amp; World Report, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post,</i> and others. His affable manner has also made him a popular guest with the broadcast media, and he’s been featured on numerous television programs, including <i>Oprah, Larry King Live, Dateline, 20/20, Maurie Povich, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose,</i> and the <i>Today Show.</i> He currently hosts the national TV series <i>Good Dog!</i> in Canada. <p><b data-author-id=\"9193\">Sarah Hodgson,</b> president of Simply Sarah Incorporated, has been a trainer of dogs and their people in Westchester, New York, and Southern Connecticut for more than 20 years. She’s the author of eight dog-training books, including <i>Puppies For Dummies, Dog Tricks For Dummies, Puppies Raising &amp; Training Diary For Dummies, Teach Yourself Visually Dog Training, You and Your Puppy</i> (co-authored with James DeBitetto), <i>DogPerfect,</i> 2nd Edition, <i>PuppyPerfect,</i> and <i>Miss Sarah’s Guide to Etiquette for Dogs &amp; Their People</i>. In addition, Sarah has produced two videos, patented a dog training leash (the Teaching Lead), and invented many other products to simplify the shared lives of dogs and people.<br> Sarah is frequently featured as a dog training specialist on network television, radio, and print media, including <i>The New York Times,</i> NBC, CBS, Animal Planet (Disney syndicate), FOX, CNN, WOR, Hollywood Pets, <i>Parenthood</i> magazine, and others. She has worked with many famous persons’ dogs, including TV personality Katie Couric, actors Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Chazz Palminteri, Chevy Chase, and Lucie Arnaz; business moguls George Soros, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Mottola, and Michael Fuchs; and sport greats Bobby Valentine and Alan Houston.<br> In addition, Sarah is a behavior consultant and education facilitator at the Adopt-A-Dog shelter in Armonk, New York, where she holds training and socialization programs, conditioning each of the dogs within a fully decorated home environment before their formal adoption.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9192,"name":"Stanley Coren","slug":"stanley-coren","description":" <b>Stanley Coren</b> is best known to the public for his popular books on dogs and on general psychological issues. However, within the scientific world, he&#8217;s also a highly respected scientist, a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.<br /> His engaging writing style and his broad knowledge about the behavior of dogs and people have made his books <i>The Intelligence of Dogs, Why We Love the Dogs We Do, What Do Dogs Know?</i>, <i>How to Speak Dog, The Pawprints of History, How Dogs Think, Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?</i>, and <i>Why Does My Dog Do That?</i> all bestsellers.<br /> Roger Caras, President of the ASPCA, and himself a bestselling author of dog books, noted &#8220;Stanley Coren has an incredible gift &#8212; the ability to take the most complex matters and make it all seem so simple and clear.&#8221; Perhaps this is why Coren was named Writer of the Year by the International Positive Dog Training Association and is a sought-after contributor to a number of national dog and pet magazines, including <i>Pets Magazine, Modern Dog, AnimalSense, Dog and Puppy Basics,</i> and <i>AKC Gazette.<br /> </i>Many professional associations have recognized Coren&#8217;s work with service dogs, and he&#8217;s received awards from several major police dog organizations, including the California Canine Narcotic Dog Association and the British Columbia Police Canine Association. His work with and knowledge of dogs has often caught the attention of the media, and he&#8217;s been the subject of feature articles in <i>People Magazine, USA Today, Time Magazine, Maclean&#8217;s, US News &amp; World Report, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post,</i> and others. His affable manner has also made him a popular guest with the broadcast media, and he&#8217;s been featured on numerous television programs, including <i>Oprah, Larry King Live, Dateline, 20/20, Maurie Povich, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose,</i> and the <i>Today Show.</i> He currently hosts the national TV series <i>Good Dog!</i> in Canada. <p><b>Sarah Hodgson,</b> president of Simply Sarah Incorporated, has been a trainer of dogs and their people in Westchester, New York, and Southern Connecticut for more than 20 years. She&#8217;s the author of eight dog-training books, including <i>Puppies For Dummies, Dog Tricks For Dummies, Puppies Raising &amp; Training Diary For Dummies, Teach Yourself Visually Dog Training, You and Your Puppy</i> (co-authored with James DeBitetto), <i>DogPerfect,</i> 2nd Edition, <i>PuppyPerfect,</i> and <i>Miss Sarah&#8217;s Guide to Etiquette for Dogs &amp; Their People</i>. In addition, Sarah has produced two videos, patented a dog training leash (the Teaching Lead), and invented many other products to simplify the shared lives of dogs and people.<br /> Sarah is frequently featured as a dog training specialist on network television, radio, and print media, including <i>The New York Times,</i> NBC, CBS, Animal Planet (Disney syndicate), FOX, CNN, WOR, Hollywood Pets, <i>Parenthood</i> magazine, and others. She has worked with many famous persons&#8217; dogs, including TV personality Katie Couric, actors Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Chazz Palminteri, Chevy Chase, and Lucie Arnaz; business moguls George Soros, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Mottola, and Michael Fuchs; and sport greats Bobby Valentine and Alan Houston.<br /> In addition, Sarah is a behavior consultant and education facilitator at the Adopt-A-Dog shelter in Armonk, New York, where she holds training and socialization programs, conditioning each of the dogs within a fully decorated home environment before their formal adoption.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9192"}},{"authorId":9193,"name":"Sarah Hodgson","slug":"sarah-hodgson","description":" <b>Stanley Coren</b> is best known to the public for his popular books on dogs and on general psychological issues. However, within the scientific world, he&#8217;s also a highly respected scientist, a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.<br /> His engaging writing style and his broad knowledge about the behavior of dogs and people have made his books <i>The Intelligence of Dogs, Why We Love the Dogs We Do, What Do Dogs Know?</i>, <i>How to Speak Dog, The Pawprints of History, How Dogs Think, Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?</i>, and <i>Why Does My Dog Do That?</i> all bestsellers.<br /> Roger Caras, President of the ASPCA, and himself a bestselling author of dog books, noted &#8220;Stanley Coren has an incredible gift &#8212; the ability to take the most complex matters and make it all seem so simple and clear.&#8221; Perhaps this is why Coren was named Writer of the Year by the International Positive Dog Training Association and is a sought-after contributor to a number of national dog and pet magazines, including <i>Pets Magazine, Modern Dog, AnimalSense, Dog and Puppy Basics,</i> and <i>AKC Gazette.<br /> </i>Many professional associations have recognized Coren&#8217;s work with service dogs, and he&#8217;s received awards from several major police dog organizations, including the California Canine Narcotic Dog Association and the British Columbia Police Canine Association. His work with and knowledge of dogs has often caught the attention of the media, and he&#8217;s been the subject of feature articles in <i>People Magazine, USA Today, Time Magazine, Maclean&#8217;s, US News &amp; World Report, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post,</i> and others. His affable manner has also made him a popular guest with the broadcast media, and he&#8217;s been featured on numerous television programs, including <i>Oprah, Larry King Live, Dateline, 20/20, Maurie Povich, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose,</i> and the <i>Today Show.</i> He currently hosts the national TV series <i>Good Dog!</i> in Canada. <p><b>Sarah Hodgson,</b> president of Simply Sarah Incorporated, has been a trainer of dogs and their people in Westchester, New York, and Southern Connecticut for more than 20 years. She&#8217;s the author of eight dog-training books, including <i>Puppies For Dummies, Dog Tricks For Dummies, Puppies Raising &amp; Training Diary For Dummies, Teach Yourself Visually Dog Training, You and Your Puppy</i> (co-authored with James DeBitetto), <i>DogPerfect,</i> 2nd Edition, <i>PuppyPerfect,</i> and <i>Miss Sarah&#8217;s Guide to Etiquette for Dogs &amp; Their People</i>. In addition, Sarah has produced two videos, patented a dog training leash (the Teaching Lead), and invented many other products to simplify the shared lives of dogs and people.<br /> Sarah is frequently featured as a dog training specialist on network television, radio, and print media, including <i>The New York Times,</i> NBC, CBS, Animal Planet (Disney syndicate), FOX, CNN, WOR, Hollywood Pets, <i>Parenthood</i> magazine, and others. She has worked with many famous persons&#8217; dogs, including TV personality Katie Couric, actors Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Chazz Palminteri, Chevy Chase, and Lucie Arnaz; business moguls George Soros, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Mottola, and Michael Fuchs; and sport greats Bobby Valentine and Alan Houston.<br /> In addition, Sarah is a behavior consultant and education facilitator at the Adopt-A-Dog shelter in Armonk, New York, where she holds training and socialization programs, conditioning each of the dogs within a fully decorated home environment before their formal adoption.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9193"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;general-dogs&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780471768739&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3d6555d\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;general-dogs&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780471768739&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3d65fef\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":161184,"title":"6 Useful Commands for Your Dog","slug":"6-useful-commands-for-your-dog","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/161184"}},{"articleId":161183,"title":"5 Dog Discipline Do and Don'ts","slug":"5-dog-discipline-do-and-donts","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/161183"}},{"articleId":161204,"title":"Reading Your Dog's Body Language","slug":"reading-your-dogs-body-language","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","general-dogs"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/161204"}}],"content":[{"title":"6 useful commands for your dog","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Though a dog can recognize up to 165 different commands, or words, your goals need not be so lofty.</p>\n<p>Below are six directions (which you can teach verbally and/or with gestures) that are most useful for navigating your life together. After you have these directions firmly planted in your dog&#8217;s memory bank, they form the foundation for controlling his behavior. Their use reassures your dog of his place in your family and vital inclusion in your world.</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Word Cue</th>\n<th>Daily Uses</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Follow</td>\n<td>When walking about town or off your property, or to encourage<br />\nattention in your home</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Wait-okay</td>\n<td>To get your dog to stop and check in before entering or exiting<br />\nyour home or new buildings, as well as when you cross the street<br />\nand approach stairs</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>No (and other derivations, such as not now, leave it, don&#8217;t<br />\nthink about it)</td>\n<td>To alert your dog that any given impulse is not in her best<br />\ninterest (for example, stealing food, chasing an object or animal,<br />\nand so on)</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Stay</td>\n<td>Enforces impulse to control; ideally used when you need your<br />\ndog to be still or to relax</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Down (and Settle down)</td>\n<td>Directs your dog into a submissive, relaxed pose or to her<br />\nbed</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Come</td>\n<td>The human phrase equivalent of the word &#8220;Huddle&#8221;</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"},{"title":"5 dog discipline dos and don'ts ","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>No one wants to frighten their dog, but many people do just that, often under the guise of disciplining them. Some people yell at their dog or puppy, though these methods have been proven ineffective. Others are locked into a vicious cycle of physical corrections, though they have no educational value and often instill aggression or make matters worse.</p>\n<p>If the goal of discipline is to teach a dog better manners, then the effort to communicate as much must be closely examined. Here&#8217;s what doesn&#8217;t work and why, and what you can do instead:</p>\n<p><b>Don</b><b>&#8216;</b><b>t stare.</b> Unless your gaze conveys deep affection, staring is perceived as confrontational and threatening. Don&#8217;t confuse your dog. He&#8217;ll learn to fear or challenge you.</p>\n<p><b>Don</b><b>&#8216;</b><b>t chase.</b> Imagine rushing at another person in the same manner. This technique induces fear or confrontation, not understanding. It&#8217;s ineffective in communicating anything, except perhaps that you&#8217;ve lost your mind.</p>\n<p><b>Don</b><b>&#8216;</b><b>t grab, drag, or hold.</b> When you grab, hold, or drag a dog, his only option is to defend himself. Though you may contain him in the moment or vent frustration, it will lead to out of control behavior.</p>\n<p><b>Do stay calm, setting the example to model.</b> You should be the one setting an example of how to act in all situations. Give your dog a good example to follow.</p>\n<p><b>Do direct your dog. </b>Your dog can&#8217;t read your mind. Teach your dog basic commands, such as to stay, follow your lead, and come.</p>\n<p><b>Do provide alternatives.</b> Give your dog every opportunity to behave well. Provide ample activities to occupy his energy and curiosity. When you discourage one activity (such as jumping), encourage something else, such as fetching a toy or sitting.</p>\n"},{"title":"Reading your dog's body language","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Your dog is communicating a lot through her body postures and also tuning in to your body language more than you might imagine. Regulating how you hold your posture and recognizing your dog&#8217;s body language can enable a fluent dialog between the two of you. The figures below illustrate common dog postures.</p>\n<p class=\"Tip\">Remember that if your dog is shrunk and low, she&#8217;s feeling insecure or scared. If her weight is pitched forward, she&#8217;s confident, on alert, or in defense mode. If her head is hung low, but her body is relaxed, the message is loud and clear: &#8220;I&#8217;m exhausted!&#8221;</p>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/397668.image0.jpg\" alt=\"Common dog postures showing dominance and aggression.\" width=\"535\" height=\"357\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Common dog postures showing dominance and aggression.</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"imageBlock\" style=\"width: 535px;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/397669.image1.jpg\" alt=\"Common dog postures showing fear and submission.\" width=\"535\" height=\"385\" /></p>\n<div class=\"imageCaption\">Common dog postures showing fear and submission.</div>\n</div>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-27T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":207805},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:58:26+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-26T18:00:16+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:40+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33967"},"slug":"dogs","categoryId":33967},{"name":"Breeds","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33968"},"slug":"breeds","categoryId":33968},{"name":"Terriers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33974"},"slug":"terriers","categoryId":33974}],"title":"Yorkshire Terriers For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"yorkshire terriers for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"yorkshire-terriers-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Getting a Yorkshire terrier puppy? Learn how to find a reputable breeder, puppy proof your home, and the pet emergency numbers to have handy.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Picking the perfect Yorkshire terrier starts with purchasing the dog from a reputable breeder and looking for the characteristics that define the breed standard. Puppy-proofing your home and keeping animal emergency phone numbers handy will keep your Yorkshire terrier safe and happy.","description":"Picking the perfect Yorkshire terrier starts with purchasing the dog from a reputable breeder and looking for the characteristics that define the breed standard. Puppy-proofing your home and keeping animal emergency phone numbers handy will keep your Yorkshire terrier safe and happy.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9542,"name":"Tracy L. Barr","slug":"tracy-barr","description":"Tracy Barr has been an editor, editorial manager, writer, and consultant on several Dummies books.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9542"}},{"authorId":10579,"name":"Peter F. Veling","slug":"peter-f-veling","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10579"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33974,"title":"Terriers","slug":"terriers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33974"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209323,"title":"Boston Terriers For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"boston-terriers-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209323"}},{"articleId":208710,"title":"Jack Russell Terriers For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"jack-russell-terriers-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208710"}},{"articleId":201551,"title":"The Long and the Short of Coat Styles for Your Yorkshire Terrier","slug":"the-long-and-the-short-of-coat-styles-for-your-yorkshire-terrier","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201551"}},{"articleId":201172,"title":"Identifying Health Problems Common to Jack Russell Terriers","slug":"identifying-health-problems-common-to-jack-russell-terriers","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201172"}},{"articleId":201095,"title":"Knowing What an Ideal Yorkshire Terrier Looks Like","slug":"knowing-what-an-ideal-yorkshire-terrier-looks-like","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201095"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;terriers&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3ce0800\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;terriers&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3ce124e\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":195795,"title":"Picking a Reputable Yorkshire Terrier Breeder","slug":"picking-a-reputable-yorkshire-terrier-breeder","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195795"}},{"articleId":195793,"title":"Standard Physical Characteristics of a Yorkshire Terrier","slug":"standard-physical-characteristics-of-a-yorkshire-terrier","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195793"}},{"articleId":195794,"title":"Puppy-Proofing the House for Your Yorkshire Terrier","slug":"puppy-proofing-the-house-for-your-yorkshire-terrier","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195794"}},{"articleId":195772,"title":"Pet Emergency Phone Numbers","slug":"pet-emergency-phone-numbers-2","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","terriers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195772"}}],"content":[{"title":"Picking a reputable breeder","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>It’s not hard to find a dog breeder, but you want to find a reputable one when picking out your Yorkshire terrier. Look for a breeder who does the following:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Breeds only animals who are healthy and have good, stable dispositions</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Waits to breed until they have a waiting list of buyers for the puppies or is breeding for a new puppy they can show</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Begins socializing the puppies shortly after they’re born</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Has the puppies undergo health checks by a vet and gets their initial shots</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Waits until the puppies are a minimum of 12 weeks old before separating them from their mother</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Sells puppies out of their own home</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Investigates the people they sell puppies to</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Makes health records and medical checks of the dam, sire, and puppy available to you</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Gives you the registered names and numbers of the puppies’ dam and sire</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Insists on spay/neuter agreement for non-show-quality puppies or specifies limited registration in the American Kennel Club (AKC) for the puppy</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Offers a written guarantee for the health and temperament of the puppy</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Does other things (shows their dogs, participates in breed clubs, and so on) with the dogs besides breed them</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Standard physical characteristics of a Yorkshire terrier","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>These traits describe the general appearance of the ideal (or breed standard) Yorkshire terrier recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Look for these characteristics when choosing your Yorkshire terrier:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Coat: </b>Long, straight, and silky</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Color: </b>Blue on back; tan on face, chest, and legs</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Size: </b>No more than 7 pounds</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Temperament: </b>Self-assured and intelligent</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Head: </b>Small and slightly flat on top</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Nose: </b>Black</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Ears: </b>Small, pointed, and erect</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Body: </b>Compact with short, level back</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Tail: </b>Docked and slightly higher than back</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Puppy proofing your home","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Your new Yorkshire terrier puppy will be curious. He will chew, pull and jump around your home. Make sure you safe guard around your house by eliminating hazardous chemicals and securing items. Pay close attention to these things:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Cleaning supplies</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Paints, varnishes, and paint thinners</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Motor oil and antifreeze</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Laundry detergents and bleach</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Fertilizers and insecticides</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Poisonous house and garden plants (for a list, go to <a href=\"http://www.hsus.org/ace/11777\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.hsus.org/ace/11777</a>)</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Other danger spots include:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Power cords</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Unsteady or wobbly furniture</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Low-hanging table runners or cloths</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Holes or gaps in fences</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Pet emergency phone numbers","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If your Yorkshire terrier, or any pet, needs emergency care, keep these numbers near your phone so you’re not fumbling around for the telephone book. Don’t forget to program the numbers into your cell phone.</p>\n<p><b>Vet’s Office:____________________________</b></p>\n<p><b>Emergency Care:_______________________</b></p>\n<p><b>Breeder:</b>_______________________________</p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https://www.aspca.org/news/what-expect-when-calling-aspca-animal-poison-control-center\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center</a>: </b>(888) 426-4435 (a $75 consultation fee may apply)</p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-26T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209445},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:54:29+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-26T17:57:07+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:40+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33967"},"slug":"dogs","categoryId":33967},{"name":"Breeds","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33968"},"slug":"breeds","categoryId":33968},{"name":"Other Breeds","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34352"},"slug":"other-breeds","categoryId":34352}],"title":"Shih Tzu For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"shih tzu for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"shih-tzu-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn some essentials of caring for your shih tzu, including necessary supplies, emergency contacts, and healthy treats for your little dog.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Prepare your home for your shih tzu’s arrival by purchasing some essential (and fun!) dog supplies. Keep your shih tzu happy and healthy by having emergency contact numbers handy and feeding your dog healthy treats in moderation.","description":"Prepare your home for your shih tzu’s arrival by purchasing some essential (and fun!) dog supplies. Keep your shih tzu happy and healthy by having emergency contact numbers handy and feeding your dog healthy treats in moderation.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10061,"name":"Eve Adamson","slug":"eve-adamson","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10061"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34352,"title":"Other Breeds","slug":"other-breeds","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34352"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209526,"title":"Pugs For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"pugs-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","other-breeds"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209526"}},{"articleId":208913,"title":"Boxers For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"boxers-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","other-breeds"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208913"}},{"articleId":201610,"title":"Traveling with Your Dog by Jet Plane","slug":"traveling-with-your-dog-by-jet-plane","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","other-breeds"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201610"}},{"articleId":201587,"title":"The Adolescent and Adult Boxer","slug":"the-adolescent-and-adult-boxer","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","other-breeds"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201587"}},{"articleId":201527,"title":"Shih Tzu: The Ultimate Companion Dog","slug":"shih-tzu-the-ultimate-companion-dog","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","other-breeds"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201527"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;other-breeds&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3cd787c\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;other-breeds&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3cd80eb\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":189007,"title":"Shih Tzu Shopping List","slug":"shih-tzu-shopping-list","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","other-breeds"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/189007"}},{"articleId":189006,"title":"Pet Emergency Contacts","slug":"pet-emergency-contacts","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","other-breeds"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/189006"}},{"articleId":189005,"title":"Perfect Snacks for Your Shih Tzu","slug":"perfect-snacks-for-your-shih-tzu","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","other-breeds"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/189005"}}],"content":[{"title":"Shih tzu shopping list","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Before you bring home your new shih tzu, go shopping for pet supplies. Use the following list as a guide for picking up feeding, grooming, and general pet care items for your dog.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Premium puppy or adult dog food: kibble, canned, or both</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Dog treats (optional)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls (they stay cleaner than plastic)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Natural bristle brush (stay away from nylon)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Pin brush</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Stainless steel Greyhound comb (two sizes of teeth, one narrow and the other wider)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Shampoo specifically designed for dogs</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Coat conditioner</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Spray conditioner for use on dry coat during brushing</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Moisturizing eye drops (if vet-recommended)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Tear-stain remover (for light-coated dogs)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Hair accessories for the topknot. (Small plastic bands designed for small, long-coated dogs avoid hair breakage.)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Clippers, scissors, and mat splitter (if you&#8217;re grooming your own dog)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Toenail clippers</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Small crate or kennel</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Pet carrier or shoulder bag</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Bedding</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Lightweight leash</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Collar or harness</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Identification tags</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Safe toys with no small parts that can break off and become a choking hazard</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Pens or baby gates</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Pet bed and other furniture</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Luxury items like jewelry, clothing, fancy spa products, and shih tzu paraphernalia for <i>you</i></p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Pet emergency contacts","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>If an emergency occurs, your shih tzu has the best chance of recovery if you act quickly and appropriately. To prepare yourself and your family for a pet emergency, fill out this list of pet contacts, keep a copy in your wallet and keep a copy handy, like on your refrigerator.</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Veterinarian</b></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Name:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Phone:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Address:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Emergency Veterinary Clinic</b></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Name:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Phone:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Address:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b><a href=\"https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center</a>:</b> (888) 426-4435</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>(Have your credit card number ready, too — a $75<br />\nconsultation fee may apply)</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Pet Sitter</b></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Name:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Phone:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Doggy Daycare or Boarding</b></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Name:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Phone:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Address:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>People willing to help in case of emergency</b></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Name:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Phone:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Name:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Phone:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Name:</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Phone:</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"},{"title":"Perfect snacks for your shih tzu","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>It&#8217;s hard to resist giving your shih tzu a treat every time you look into those adorable, pleading eyes, but treats should be doled out sparingly — no more than two a day. Shih tzus can become overweight easily because of their small size. Look for healthy dog treats like these found right in your own fridge:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">One or two blueberries</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Very small broccoli florets (about an inch long)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">One baby carrot</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Tiny bits of cooked chicken, turkey, or fish</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Small pieces of strawberry</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Small chunks of hardboiled egg white</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Tiny pieces of raw apple</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Spoonful of nonfat plain yogurt</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Spoonful of lowfat cottage cheese</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">A couple of Cheerios</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Two years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-25T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208705},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:54:22+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-26T15:34:21+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:40+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Reptiles","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33988"},"slug":"reptiles","categoryId":33988},{"name":"Iguanas","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33990"},"slug":"iguanas","categoryId":33990}],"title":"Iguanas For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"iguanas for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"iguanas-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"You've got a new iguana — now what? Make sure you've got all the proper equipment and know when your iguana needs to visit a vet.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Before you bring home your new pet iguana, purchase all the necessary supplies and equipment, and make sure the enclosure is roomy enough for your iguana’s size. Daily baths are part of iguana care, so be sure you know how to bathe your iguana correctly, and be on the lookout for certain conditions that require a trip to the veterinarian.","description":"Before you bring home your new pet iguana, purchase all the necessary supplies and equipment, and make sure the enclosure is roomy enough for your iguana’s size. Daily baths are part of iguana care, so be sure you know how to bathe your iguana correctly, and be on the lookout for certain conditions that require a trip to the veterinarian.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10194,"name":"Melissa Kaplan","slug":"melissa-kaplan","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10194"}},{"authorId":10195,"name":"William K. Hayes","slug":"william-k-hayes","description":"","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10195"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33990,"title":"Iguanas","slug":"iguanas","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33990"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":201539,"title":"Reading an Iguana's Body Language","slug":"reading-an-iguanas-body-language","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","reptiles","iguanas"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201539"}},{"articleId":201501,"title":"Recognizing Common Iguana Injuries","slug":"recognizing-common-iguana-injuries","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","reptiles","iguanas"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201501"}},{"articleId":201251,"title":"Getting the Basics about Iguanas","slug":"getting-the-basics-about-iguanas","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","reptiles","iguanas"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201251"}},{"articleId":201228,"title":"Giving an Iguana a Bath","slug":"giving-an-iguana-a-bath","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","reptiles","iguanas"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/201228"}},{"articleId":188528,"title":"When to Take Your Iguana to a Veterinarian","slug":"when-to-take-your-iguana-to-a-veterinarian","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","reptiles","iguanas"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/188528"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;reptiles&quot;,&quot;iguanas&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3ca2987\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;reptiles&quot;,&quot;iguanas&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3ca3400\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":188505,"title":"Essential Supplies for Your Iguana","slug":"essential-supplies-for-your-iguana","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","reptiles","iguanas"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/188505"}},{"articleId":188516,"title":"Minimum Iguana Enclosure Dimensions","slug":"minimum-iguana-enclosure-dimensions","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","reptiles","iguanas"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/188516"}},{"articleId":188515,"title":"How to Give Your Iguana a Bath","slug":"how-to-give-your-iguana-a-bath","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/188515"}},{"articleId":188528,"title":"When to Take Your Iguana to a Veterinarian","slug":"when-to-take-your-iguana-to-a-veterinarian","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","reptiles","iguanas"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/188528"}}],"content":[{"title":"Essential supplies for your iguana","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Being completely ready before you bring home your iguana is essential, and a lot goes into creating the proper iguana home. To make things as stress-free as possible for you and the iguana make sure the new enclosure and furnishings are set up early. Here&#8217;s a list of necessary equipment and supplies (which is the same no matter how old the iguana is):</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>The enclosure</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 55–100-gallon enclosure</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 reptile under-tank heat pad or human heating pad</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1–2 daytime overhead heat sources (white basking lights, a basking light and ceramic heating element [CHE], or an incandescent household light bulb)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1–2 nighttime overhead heat sources (nocturnal heat light and/or CHE)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 light fixture for each overhead heat source (porcelain sockets are required for CHEs)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 UVB-producing fluorescent tube long enough to stretch across the width of the enclosure</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 fluorescent light fixture</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">2–5 appliance timers to automate the heat and fluorescent lights</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1–2 table lamp dimmer switches (or <i>rheostats</i>) or a hard-wired thermostat to regulate the heat source output</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1–2 power strips (6–8 outlets each)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">3 thermometers to be placed in the enclosure to monitor temperatures</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">2–3 units of suitable substrate, including extras to rotate in and out as they become soiled</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 hide box (a box your iguana can hide in)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 branch or shelf for basking</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Food, vitamins, and supplements</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Fresh supply of iguana-friendly food</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Multivitamin</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Calcium supplement</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>First-aid supplies</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 container of blood-stop powder or a box of cornstarch</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 bottle of Betadine (povidone-iodine)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 tube of triple antibiotic ointment</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 reptile veterinarian</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Other stuff</b></p>\n<ul class=\"level-two\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 water bowl</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 food plate</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1–2 food storage containers for salads and greens</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 set of cleaning and disinfecting supplies (sponges, paper towels, gloves, cleaner, disinfectant, etc.)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 pair of claw trimmers</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 room humidifier</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">1 cloth sack, cardboard box, or animal carrier to transport your iguana home and to the vet</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>It&#8217;s quite a list, huh? And this is just the minimum start-up equipment and supplies you need. Now you understand why getting all the supplies and equipment home and assembled before you bring the iguana home is so important.</p>\n"},{"title":"Minimum iguana enclosure dimensions","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Don&#8217;t make the mistake of starting with an iguana enclosure that&#8217;s too small &#8211; iguanas grow quickly. The following table shows you the minimum enclosure dimensions needed based on the average size in snout-vent length (SVL) and snout-tail length (STL) for the first seven years. So, unless your iguana is full grown, when its STL is more than two-thirds the enclosure width, it&#8217;s time for a new enclosure.</p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>SVL (in inches))</th>\n<th>STL (in inches)</th>\n<th>Minimum Dimensions (in feet)</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2.5–7</td>\n<td>9–18</td>\n<td>3 x 1 x 1.5</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8–10</td>\n<td>20–28</td>\n<td>3.5 x 1 x 2.3</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11–12</td>\n<td>28–36</td>\n<td>4.5 x 1.5 x 3</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12–14</td>\n<td>30–42</td>\n<td>5.25 x 1.75 x 3.5</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14–16</td>\n<td>35–54</td>\n<td>6.75 x 2.25 x 4.5</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>18–20</td>\n<td>45–60</td>\n<td>7.5 x 2.5 x 5</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20–22</td>\n<td>50–66</td>\n<td>8.25 x 2.75 x 5.5</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20–24</td>\n<td>50–72</td>\n<td>9 x 3 x 6</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n"},{"title":"How to give your iguana a bath","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Iguanas don&#8217;t clean or groom themselves. Iguanas in the wild brush against rough bark and plunge into water to remove dirt and parasites. Because a captive iguana probably doesn&#8217;t have bark to rub against or a body of water to dive into, it&#8217;s up to you to keep him clean but &#8220;bathing&#8221; your iguana doesn&#8217;t mean using soap on him<i> or</i> in the water. Keep your iguana clean by following these steps:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Run the water until it&#8217;s chest deep (the iguana&#8217;s, not yours!) at the deep end where the drain is.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">This depth makes the water about iguana-hip deep at the shallow end. If your iguana isn&#8217;t used to bathing, put less water in the tub.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Let him soak to his heart&#8217;s content.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">If you leave your iguana in the tub long enough for the water to start cooling off (a good bath temperature for iguanas is 85–90 degrees Fahrenheit [29–32 degrees Celsius]), run more warm water into the tub, draining off a little of the cool water.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">The noise of running water can be quite loud in a tub/shower enclosure. If your iguana gets stressed by this noise, fill a pitcher with warm water at the sink and pour it gently into the tub.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">When he&#8217;s done soaking, blot him off to remove the drips and send him on his way.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Thoroughly clean and disinfect the tub.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">If any individuals in your household are at high risk for contracting bacterial infections, have your iguana use a different bathroom than the at-risk family members use. Even if you take precautions to thoroughly clean and disinfect the tub, walls, and floor, accidents and distractions can and do happen.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Daily baths are good for iguanas because they soak, which is good for their skin and because of the higher humidity, they&#8217;re inhaling air that has more moisture in it. Another benefit is that many iguanas drink deeply when their bodies are in water. But perhaps the most popular reason iguana keepers bathe their iguanas daily is that most iguanas poop when they&#8217;re in water. Keeping the enclosure clean is very easy because it&#8217;s a lot easier to drain the bathtub, thoroughly rinse off the iguana, wash the bathtub out, and then disinfect it before the next use by human or iguana.</p>\n"},{"title":"When to take your iguana to a veterinarian ","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Iguana owners will need to visit a reptile veterinarian for medical diagnosis and intervention in certain situations. Take your iguana to a see a veterinarian — no matter how experienced you are with iguanas — if your pet has any of these conditions:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Lethargic</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Hurt or bleeding</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Paralysis</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Limbs and spine are swollen</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Problems with the tail or toes</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Feces are smelly or runny</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Neck and/or dewlap is swollen</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Bloated and not pooping</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Rapid weight loss</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Seizures</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-26T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":208680},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:56:11+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-26T13:34:25+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:40+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33967"},"slug":"dogs","categoryId":33967},{"name":"Breeds","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33968"},"slug":"breeds","categoryId":33968},{"name":"Pit Bulls","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33976"},"slug":"pit-bulls","categoryId":33976}],"title":"Pit Bulls For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"pit bulls for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"pit-bulls-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Keep your lovable pit bull healthy by performing regular health checks and knowing how to respond to a medical emergency.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Despite their bad reputation, pit bulls (American pit bull terriers and Staffordshire terriers) are a lovable breed that you’ll want to cherish and keep healthy for a long canine life. Doing regular health checks keeps you attuned to your dog’s condition, and if there is an emergency, knowing what to do can give you a hand in potentially saving your dog’s life.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_273941\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-273941\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/pit-bulls.jpg\" alt=\"pit-bulls\" width=\"556\" height=\"249\" /> © cynoclub / Shutterstock.com[/caption]","description":"Despite their bad reputation, pit bulls (American pit bull terriers and Staffordshire terriers) are a lovable breed that you’ll want to cherish and keep healthy for a long canine life. Doing regular health checks keeps you attuned to your dog’s condition, and if there is an emergency, knowing what to do can give you a hand in potentially saving your dog’s life.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_273941\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-273941\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/pit-bulls.jpg\" alt=\"pit-bulls\" width=\"556\" height=\"249\" /> © cynoclub / Shutterstock.com[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9962,"name":"D. Caroline Coile","slug":"d-caroline-coile","description":" <p><b>D. Caroline Coile, PhD,</b> is an enthusiastic dog breeder and exhibitor. She is the author of 34 dog books and many dog&#45;related magazine articles, and she&#39;s the winner of 20 national dog&#45;writing awards. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9962"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33976,"title":"Pit Bulls","slug":"pit-bulls","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33976"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":275346,"title":"How to Pick Your Pit Bull Pup","slug":"how-to-pick-your-pit-bull-pup","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","pit-bulls"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275346"}},{"articleId":275340,"title":"Is a Pit Bull Right for You?","slug":"is-a-pit-bull-right-for-you","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","pit-bulls"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275340"}},{"articleId":275334,"title":"How to Help Pit Bulls Age Well","slug":"how-to-help-pit-bulls-age-well","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","pit-bulls"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275334"}},{"articleId":275329,"title":"10 Ways to Help the Pit Bull’s Reputation","slug":"10-ways-to-help-the-pit-bulls-reputation","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","pit-bulls"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275329"}},{"articleId":275323,"title":"The Pit Bull’s Past","slug":"the-pit-bulls-past","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","pit-bulls"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/275323"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282475,"slug":"pit-bulls-for-dummies-2nd-edition","isbn":"9781119720904","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","pit-bulls"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119720907/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119720907/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119720907-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119720907/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119720907/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/pit-bulls-for-dummies-2nd-edition-cover-9781119720904-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Pit Bulls For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"9962\">D. Caroline Coile</b>, PhD,</b> is an enthusiastic dog breeder and exhibitor. She is the author of 34 dog books and many dog&#45;related magazine articles, and she&#39;s the winner of 20 national dog&#45;writing awards.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9962,"name":"D. Caroline Coile","slug":"d-caroline-coile","description":" <p><b>D. Caroline Coile, PhD,</b> is an enthusiastic dog breeder and exhibitor. She is the author of 34 dog books and many dog&#45;related magazine articles, and she&#39;s the winner of 20 national dog&#45;writing awards. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9962"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;pit-bulls&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119720904&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3c87007\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;pit-bulls&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119720904&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3c87a33\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":192400,"title":"Five-Minute Health Check for Your Pit Bull","slug":"five-minute-health-check-for-your-pit-bull","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192400"}},{"articleId":192399,"title":"Medical Basics and Emergency First Aid for Your Pit Bull","slug":"medical-basics-and-emergency-first-aid-for-your-pit-bull","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","pit-bulls"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192399"}}],"content":[{"title":"Five-Minute Health Check for Your Pit Bull","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Pit Bulls aren’t sickly dogs by any means, but you do need to keep an eye out for certain problems. You can keep your lovable Pit Bull in good health by checking the areas in the following list and addressing any problems that present themselves:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Mouth:</b> Red, bleeding, swollen, or discolored gums; loose or dirty teeth; ulcers of tongue or gums; bad breath</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Eyes: </b>Squinting, discharge, cloudiness, discolored whites, unequal or unresponsive pupils</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Ears: </b>Bad odor, redness, debris, crusted tips, head shaking or tilting, ear scratching</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Nose:</b> Thick or colored discharge; crusted top</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b> Feet: </b>Abrasions, split nails, swollen or misaligned toes</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Anal region: </b>Redness, swelling, discharge; also scooting or licking the area</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b> Skin:</b> Parasites, hair loss, crusts, red spots, lumps, sores</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b> General:</b> Lameness, incoordination, asymmetry of muscles, weight change, swellings, mammary or testicular changes, discharge from penis or vulva, swollen abdomen, coughing, gagging, lethargy, increased aggression, black or bloody stool; changes in urine or urination, appetite or water consumption</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Medical Basics and Emergency First Aid for Your Pit Bull","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>You want to keep your Pit Bull in the pink of health, and you want to be prepared to care for your dog in a canine emergency. Your basic, essential tools are phone numbers you can access at any time — your dog’s veterinarian and the animal emergency clinic.</p>\n<p>The following list shows parameters for a healthy Pit Bull:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Respiration:</b> 10-30 breaths per minute at rest</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Pulse:</b> 60-120 beats per minute at rest</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Temperature: </b>101.5 to 102.5 degrees F</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Capillary refill time:</b> Less than 2 seconds</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Gum color:</b> Pink (not white, red, bluish, yellowish, or with tiny red spots)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Hydration:</b> Skin should pop back into position within 3 seconds of being lifted.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>If your dog isn’t breathing, follow these steps to give your pooch artificial respiration:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Open and clear dog’s mouth and pull the tongue forward.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Seal you mouth over the dog’s mouth and nose and blow for two seconds. Repeat every four seconds.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n<p>To give your dog CPR if his or her heart stops, follow these steps:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Place one hand on top of the other on the dog’s left chest two inches up from and behind the elbow.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Press and release quickly about 100 times per minute.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Give two breaths into the nose every 15 compressions.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n<p>For other canine emergencies, use the information in the following list, and in any emergency, get your pet to a vet as soon as possible:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Obstructions: </b>Wrap your hands around the abdomen behind the rib cage and compress briskly. If the dog is unconscious, pull its tongue forward and explore the throat.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Drowning: </b>Hold the dog upside down so that water can run out; then give artificial respiration</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Bleeding:</b> Cover the wound with clean dressing and apply pressure. Elevate the wound site and apply a cold pack.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Heat stroke: </b>Wet the dog and place it in front of a fan. (Do not plunge the dog into ice water.) Offer water for drinking.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Bloat:</b> Go to an emergency veterinarian immediately. No home treatment available.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Antifreeze ingestion:</b> Go to an emergency veterinarian immediately. No home treatment available.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Rodent poisoning:</b> Go to an emergency veterinarian immediately. No home treatment available.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-26T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209003},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:56:26+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-20T19:53:23+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:39+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Pets","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33964"},"slug":"pets","categoryId":33964},{"name":"Dogs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33967"},"slug":"dogs","categoryId":33967},{"name":"Breeds","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33968"},"slug":"breeds","categoryId":33968},{"name":"Golden Retrievers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34323"},"slug":"golden-retrievers","categoryId":34323}],"title":"Golden Retrievers For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"golden retrievers for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"golden-retrievers-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Before bringing home a Golden Retriever, take steps to dog-proof your house. Know the signs of a serious medical problem or pet emergency.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Before bringing home your adorable Golden Retriever, take steps to dog-proof your house and surrounding areas. Know the signs of a serious medical problem or pet emergency, so you can contact <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/pets/choosing-a-veterinarian-for-your-pet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">your veterinarian</a> and, if needed, give the right amount of pet safe medications to your Golden Retriever.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_269016\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-269016\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/golden-retrievers.jpg\" alt=\"row of golden retrievers\" width=\"556\" height=\"371\" /> © Yuriy Golub / Shutterstock.com[/caption]","description":"Before bringing home your adorable Golden Retriever, take steps to dog-proof your house and surrounding areas. Know the signs of a serious medical problem or pet emergency, so you can contact <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/pets/choosing-a-veterinarian-for-your-pet/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">your veterinarian</a> and, if needed, give the right amount of pet safe medications to your Golden Retriever.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_269016\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-269016\" src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/golden-retrievers.jpg\" alt=\"row of golden retrievers\" width=\"556\" height=\"371\" /> © Yuriy Golub / Shutterstock.com[/caption]","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10380,"name":"Nona K. Bauer","slug":"nona-kilgore-bauer","description":"Nona Kilgore Bauer has shared her life with golden retrievers for more than 40 years. Her dogs have won many obedience and other working titles, and Nona is a 15-time Dog Writers Association of America nominee (and winner). She has written more than two dozen books on canine subjects, including the previous edition of Golden Retrievers For Dummies. 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Her dogs have won many obedience and other working titles, and Nona is a 15&#45;time Dog Writers Association of America nominee &#40;and winner&#41;. She has written over two dozen books on canine subjects, including the previous edition of</b> <i>Golden Retrievers For Dummies.</i></p>","authors":[{"authorId":35118,"name":"Nona K. Bauer","slug":"nona-k-bauer","description":" <p><b>Nona Kilgore Bauer</b> has shared her life with Goldens for more than 40 years. Her dogs have won many obedience and other working titles, and Nona is a 15&#45;time Dog Writers Association of America nominee &#40;and winner&#41;. She has written over two dozen books on canine subjects, including the previous edition of</b> <i>Golden Retrievers For Dummies.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35118"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;golden-retrievers&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119660514&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3b4e770\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;pets&quot;,&quot;dogs&quot;,&quot;breeds&quot;,&quot;golden-retrievers&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9781119660514&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3b4f11f\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":192795,"title":"How to Dog-Proof Your Home","slug":"how-to-dog-proof-your-home","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","golden-retrievers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192795"}},{"articleId":192794,"title":"Symptoms of Dog Emergencies","slug":"symptoms-of-dog-emergencies","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","pets","dogs","breeds","golden-retrievers"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192794"}}],"content":[{"title":"How to dog-proof your home","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Dog-proofing your home, yard, and garage is essential for keeping your Golden Retriever (and your house!) safe. Go through this list to create a pet-friendly place:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Keep medication bottles and cleaning supplies out of reach.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Don’t toss dental floss where your puppy can get into it.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Unplug electrical cords.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Beware of coins, socks, needles, and tinsel.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Watch out for stringy stuff like yarn and sewing gear.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Do not use roach or rodent poison or other pesticide in areas accessible to your puppy.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Keep the toilet lid down and never use toilet bowl cleaners.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Keep the diaper pail lid shut tight.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Hide all trash.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Hide your underwear.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Beware of certain chemicals, such as treated lumber products and flea control products.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Watch out for windows.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Hide the antifreeze.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Store weed killers, pesticides, and herbicides out of reach.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Ban cigarettes or at least keep those ashtrays clean.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Watch out for poisonous plants, such as Lily of the Valley, Oleander, Rhododendron, Japanese Yews, and Poinsettia.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Beware of herbicide hazards.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Symptoms of dog emergencies","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Keep this list handy to recognize your Golden Retrievers symptoms that signal a dog emergency or serious health problem so you can contact your veterinarian. Also, learn the types and dosages of medicines that are safe for your Golden:</p>\n<h2>Emergency!</h2>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Diarrhea for more than 24 hours</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Bloody diarrhea, diarrhea with vomiting, fever, or other symptoms</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Vomiting for more than 24 hours (save the vomitus)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Excessive panting, drooling, rapid pulse, dark red gums, frantic glazed expression (heatstroke)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Abdominal swelling, discomfort with labored breathing, restlessness, roaching the back, drooling, gagvomiting (bloat)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Very pale gums, shivering, lowered body temperature (under 100 degrees) (hypothermia)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Depression, shivering, weak pulse, listlessness, lowered body temperature (shock from loss of blood orinjury)</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Sudden swelling around the head or other body part</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Signs of serious health problems</h2>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Poor appetite</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Prolonged or pronounced limping</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Shortness of breath</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Extreme lethargy or sleeping habits</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Frequent urination</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Sudden weight loss</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Excessive water intake</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Straining to move the bowels</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Lumps or black mole-like growths on any body part</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Unexplained change in attitude: fearful, shy, or 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Terriers Characteristics of Teacup Yorkies

Article / Updated 11-08-2022

Listen to the article:Download audio Some breeders have begun producing "Teacup" Yorkies that weigh 2 to 3 pounds. Compared to true Yorkshire Terriers, which weigh in at about 7 pounds, Teacup Yorkies are truly tiny. Before considering purchasing one, you need to be aware of some characteristics of Teacup Yorkies. Teacup Yorkies aren't true Yorkshire Terriers. They can also require specialized medical care. Now there's nothing wrong with having a smaller Yorkie, as long as the breeder was using ethical breeding practices. Periodically, and for no apparent reason at all, some dogs are born very small; and they steal your heart because they're so in need of love and care. Some unscrupulous and unethical breeders, however, deliberately try to produce these little dogs and call them “Teacup” Yorkies, leading unwitting buyers to believe that Teacups are an actual variety of the Yorkshire Terrier breed. They're not. But be wary of any breeder who advertises or supposedly “specializes” in Teacup Yorkies. Here's why: There's no such thing as a Teacup Yorkie. A Teacup Yorkie isn't an officially recognized by the AKC. It is simply too small to be a true Yorkshire Terrier. Anyone who tells you (or implies) otherwise either doesn't know what she's talking about or is lying. A Yorkie who weighs 3 pounds or less often requires special care. Extra-small Yorkies are more prone to serious health problems and birth defects (like portosystemic shunt or small kidneys — which you won't know about until much later). Although extra-small Yorkies are occasionally born, no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. Because the breed standard is for 4 to 7 pound dogs, responsible breeders should only breed dogs that fall within this weight range. Breeding very small dogs is not safe for the mothers. Small size does not make these dogs more valuable. A small Yorkie shouldn't cost more than a healthy, normal-sized one. In fact, it should cost less because it is not up to the breed standard. They should also only be sold after being neutered or spayed.

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Horses Mind Games: Getting into the Horse Psyche

Article / Updated 07-15-2022

You need to comprehend the world that the horse lives in to be able to understand and properly care for the horse. Think about it: The world of horses is not composed of fast-food joints, unbalanced checkbooks, and vacations to far away countries. Instead, horses live in a world made up of hay and grass, buzzing insects, and assorted horsy politics. Looking at the world through a horse’s eyes can open up all sorts of avenues for communication between you and the horse. A good horse trainer or handler is a good horse communicator. When you finally connect with your horse, you’ll find that suddenly, this huge, four-legged alien is very special. Equine instincts Horses have a way of thinking about and viewing things that is uniquely their own. The evolution of horses as prey animals gives them a special viewpoint that helps them survive. The components of this perspective (such as viewing the world as a series of threats, finding safety in numbers, and looking to an authority figure for guidance) make up the essence of the horse’s being. The human who understands and sympathizes with these sometimes unhuman-like ways of looking at the world is the person who becomes most adept at conversations with the horse. Prey, not predator The first thing you need to know about horses to really get into their heads is that horses are prey animals, not predators. (The one interesting exception to this fact is in Iceland, where Icelandic Horses have been seen catching and eating fish from the ocean.) In the wild, horses are at the top of most large predators’ dinner menus. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, evolved to be hunters. Consequently, the horse looks at the world differently than the domesticated dog and cat. Nowadays, horses live in domestic situations where their biggest worries are horsefly bites, but try telling that to a horse. Long before humans ever considered building barns, haylofts, paddocks, and arenas, bolting from a potential threat is what literally saved the horse’s hide. This instinct to flee first and ask questions later is at the core of every equine personality. You don’t need to spend much time around horses to witness the equine instinct to flee: In a nutshell, horses scare easily. They often spook at what humans view as the most benign of things: a plastic bag blowing in the wind, a low-flying plane passing overhead, or a car backfiring nearby. To humans, these distractions are minor, but to the ever-watchful horse, they are potentially life-threatening hazards. The ease with which horses spook may seem ridiculous, but the instinct to flee from trouble is at the center of a horse’s psyche. Although most domestic horses don’t have predators chasing them, they nevertheless have a powerful instinct to be on guard. Their brains are telling them that horse-eating monsters are out there, so they need to be on the lookout. If a real predator can’t be found, then, by golly, the horse will conjure up a hunter to run from. Let’s stay together Closely associated with the get-the-heck-out-of-Dodge-now instinct is the herd instinct, which is represented by the horse’s burning desire always to be with other horses. This need stems from the fact that in the wild, large numbers mean safety. It works like this: Pretend for a moment that you’re a horse, and a huge, terrifying saber-toothed tiger has selected horsemeat for his next meal. When a big cat starts chasing your herd looking for prey to take down, the chances of you being the horse that gets nailed are less when a whole herd of other horses surrounds you. In addition to decreasing your odds of being the unlucky item on the big cat’s menu, being in a herd also means that you can find out about impending danger much sooner than you would if you were alone. After all, a herd of eyes is better than one measly pair. Yet the horse’s love for other horses is not completely mercenary, however. You only need to watch a group of horses out in a field to discover that they genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Although each horse is an individual with his own distinct personality, horses nonetheless thrive on companionship and bond strongly with their herdmates. They groom each other with their teeth, take turns tail swishing flies from each other’s faces, and even play horsy games together, such as tag and I-dare-you-to-try-and-bite-me. Follow the leader Horses are social creatures, and they even have their own societal rules. In any given herd of horses, some horses are dominant and others are submissive. Horses follow a precise pecking order, with one big kahuna at the top of the heap who lords over all the other horses. The individual personalities of various herd members, along with factors such as age and physical ability, determine which horses take on different roles within the herd. All in all, horse society doesn’t operate that much differently than human society. Human beings, on the other hand, have benefited greatly from the horse’s intrinsic need for leadership. The horse’s penchant for dutifully submitting to authority is what ultimately enabled humankind to domesticate the horse thousands of years ago. After a human earns a horse’s respect (the same way a leader horse must earn the respect of his fellow horses), the horse views the human as an authority figure to be respected and followed in much the same way as he views the leader horse. When a human fails to gain a horse’s respect early on in their relationship, the horse automatically takes charge. From the horse’s perspective, every herd — even one made up of only two members — must have a leader. Although first impressions are important to horses, overrun humans can make up lost ground by becoming more assertive and telling the horse (in so many words), “I’m the one in charge now.” In the same way that horses test the leader horses in a herd, they also periodically test their human companions to make sure that the humans still are worthy of leadership. Horses that misbehave often do so to challenge the authority of whoever is handling them, and they’re incredibly astute at determining the qualifications of those giving them orders. For a horse to feel secure, he must have strong leadership. If you don’t measure up in this department, or if the horse has a history of dealing with humans that don’t measure up as leaders, the horse will take the leadership position from you — and we promise you won’t like the results! For example, in horse/human relationships where the horse has taken charge, you often see horses leading humans around the stable instead of vice versa. Leader horses that are being ridden make the decisions about where and when to go, despite their riders’ pleas. Equine followers feel safest when they have a strong leader making decisions for them and helping them determine what is and isn’t dangerous. Human leadership accounts for why many horses find comfort in their associations with human beings. If we humans do things right, they see us as leaders. And if we say things are okay, then they must be okay. The role of leader places a great responsibility on human shoulders, of course. We must convince the horse that we are confident and knowledgeable and worthy of their invaluable equine trust. Equine senses From the horse’s perspective, you need to know — or literally see — how the horse takes in the world. Humans evolved to be hunters and gatherers, chasing down prey and finding appropriate plants to eat. Horses, on the other hand, are built to avoid hunters and eat nearly everything that grows around them. Given these fundamental distinctions, the horse’s senses are bound to have nuances that are somewhat different from those of a human. Horse's sense of sight Sight is the most important equine sense. For a prey animal like the horse, in the wild, good eyesight means the difference between life and death. Literally seeing trouble coming is the best way the horse has to make it to safety before a predator gets too close. Because horses have long, narrow heads with eyes on either side, they have the ability to take in more of the view than do humans. When their heads are facing forward, horses have a nearly 180-degree field of vision in each eye (as shown in the following figure). They can see in front of and almost all the way around their bodies, although they do have some blind spots. One of a horse’s blind spots is directly behind, so you should never approach a horse from the back unless the horse already knows you’re there. If you’re already next to the horse and move toward his blind spot, keep one hand on him at all times so he is aware of your presence. No one knows for sure how far horses can see, mainly because horses have trouble pronouncing the letters on eye tests. Scientists who have done experiments in this field have made some educated guesses that horses can see pretty darn far, in the realm of at least hundreds of yards away. Horses can distinguish patterns, which means they’re able to take in fine details. They also perceive depth well. Horses also have much better night vision than humans. Many a rider has been out on a dark, moonless trail, dumbfounded by his or her horses’ ability to see where the pair is going despite the incredibly dim light. Scientists know far less about horses’ color vision than they do about other areas of equine sight, but they’re certain that horses see many of the same colors that we see, with two exceptions: red and green. In fact, they believe that horses have the same color vision as humans who suffer from red-green color blindness. So red and green don't look the same to a horse as they do to a person with full color vision. That said, horses are still able to pick out the greenest grass in a field! Horse's sense of hearing A species that survives by getting a head start on marauding predators needs a pretty good sense of hearing. The fact that horses have survived all the way to modern times is testimony to their incredible hearing, which is considerably better than a human’s. If you look at the shape of the horse’s ear, you can see that it’s built sort of like a funnel. With this design, the ear can capture sound in its outer part and channel it down into the ear canal. The broad outer part of the horse’s ear very adequately takes in the slightest sound in the horse’s environment. The horse’s ear also has an amazing ability to swivel. Just watch a horse’s ears sometime while the horse is busy eating or just hanging out. You’ll see one ear turn forward, while the other swings to the back. Sometimes both ears go forward at the same time, while at other times, both are poised to the rear. The purpose of all this twisting is simple — to take in as much information as possible at one time. Using their extremely mobile ears, horses constantly monitor the world around them. Just imagine trying to pay complete attention to different sounds coming in to either ear at the same time. Impossible for a human, yet the horse does this on a steady basis. A horse can take in the sounds of a car driving by, children playing, a bird chirping, and a human approaching, all at once, from different places in the environment. The horse then processes that information and makes split-second decisions about whether to react — all the while picking out the best blades of pasture grass or meandering down a rocky trail. The process really is mind-blowing. Loud, unfamiliar noises can send a relaxed horse into a tizzy. On the other hand, a placid, reassuring sound can ease a horse’s worries. It’s amazing to see how a frightened horse can be comforted by a soft, gentle voice from a calm and confident human. Keep this fact in mind when handling your horse in a particularly noisy or frightening environment. Horse's sense of smell Like most nonhuman animals, horses have an acute sense of smell that they regularly employ to provide them with information on what is going on around them. Horses use their sense of smell in a number of different and important ways. People talk about smelling danger, but when it comes to the horse, this metaphor is literally the case. Nature equipped the equine with a strong olfactory sense that can tell the animal whether a predator is near. All it takes is a strong upwind breeze to bring a dangerous scent to the attention of a wild herd. After getting a whiff of the predator, the herd literally high-tails — their tails stick way up in the air as they flee — it out of there in a flash. Horses also use smell as part of their complicated social structure. Horses typically greet each other nose to nose, each taking in the odor of the other. Horses also come to recognize each other by scent and by sight. Mares and foals quickly memorize each other’s scents and use this information to help locate each other in a crowd of horses. Most horses also greet humans in the same way. When you introduce yourself to a horse for the first time, notice how the horse reaches out his muzzle to sniff you. Given this olfactory penchant, the most polite way to approach a horse is with the back of your hand extended so the horse may take in your personal scent. Letting a horse breathe in your scent tells the animal that you are a fellow herdmate (not a predator), and usually makes the horse more agreeable to being handled. The equine sense of smell also comes in handy when it’s time to eat. Although horses also use their eyes and muzzles to ferret out the tastiest morsels in a pasture, sense of smell plays a part as well. One plant may look just like another to you, but a horse can get a sense of whether foliage tastes good by first getting a whiff of it. Horse's sense of touch The equine sense of touch is an important (although often overlooked) element to the horse. Although many people think that horses have tough hides, they really don’t. Their skin obviously is tougher than human epidermis, but it still is rich with nerve endings. If it weren’t, how else could a horse possibly feel a tiny little fly landing on his body? Trust us, he can! If you sit on a pasture fence and watch a herd of horses for a few hours, you’ll see plenty of evidence of how horses use touch to communicate with each other. Mothers reassure their babies with a brush of the muzzle; comrades scratch each other’s itches with their teeth. Whenever a message needs to be sent from one horse to another, visual cues and touch — or the threat of it — nearly always are used. Humans also use touch to convey messages to the horse. A gentle rubdown, a pat on the shoulder, a vigorous massage in just the right place — these all are ways of saying, “I’m your friend,” to a horse. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get a similar tactile message in return.

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Cats If You’ve Always Wanted to Adopt a Cat, Now’s the Time

Article / Updated 06-08-2022

Online, cat content reigns supreme — but their internet popularity doesn’t seem to translate into real-world adoptions. According to the Human Society of the United States, just 35 percent of households own cats (versus 54 percent for dogs). So if you’ve been thinking of adding a furry friend to the family, why not consider the kitty? And not just because June is National Adopt a Cat Month — adopting a low-maintenance mouser has perks all year-round. Just imagine the mood boost of watching silly cat videos online 24-7, and you’ll begin to understand just how much a four-legged friend can enhance your well-being. The benefits of cat ownership A pet can be a crucial addition to our support networks, as many first-time pet parents discovered during pandemic lockdowns. The companionship of a beloved pet has been proven to alleviate stress, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Cats can even help us process grief: Talking to a pet in our time of need can help us sort through our complicated feelings without fear of judgment. Cats are also unlikely to become distressed by our distress, making them more of a comfort than an additional worry. But cats don’t just benefit your emotional heart — they benefit your physical heart, too. One study found that cat owners were 30 percent less likely to die from a heart attack than people who have never owned them, while another found that cat owners were at reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. While these outcomes may be due to overall lifestyle differences, it’s safe to say that cats deserve at least some of the credit: Cat purrs have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and even support bone density and healing. Best of all, almost anyone can enjoy the benefits of owning a cat. Unlike dogs, cats are perfectly content with a 100 percent indoor lifestyle (in fact, it’s much safer for them — and the local environment — if they don’t venture out). Cats are also quiet and small, making them ideal for apartment living. And, as long as they have fresh food, water, and litter, cats are relatively autonomous. Their low-maintenance ways make them a great pet for anyone from older adults to people who work long hours away from home. Choosing a cat (or kitten) On average, cats live between 12 and 18 years — so you’ll want to choose your new family member wisely. READ MORE: How to Recognize Good Health in Kittens and Cats Adopting a kitten While kittens are indisputably adorable, they may not be well suited to your experience, lifestyle, or family. That’s because kittens are cats in training: They don’t yet have the grace and self-sufficiency of adult cats and need more attention, patience, and gentleness as they grow. Spending their formative months in a loud, chaotic environment can impact a kitten’s behavior for life, so be realistic about your lifestyle (and keep out of the reach of children). READ MORE: Choosing a Cat or Kitten: Which Is Better for You? Adult cats Cats become adults around the age of 1: still cute, but much less of a mystery. With their personalities generally set, it’s easier to identify the snuggly couch potato or playful hunter of your dreams. Do you want a cat that gets along with other animals? A cat that vocalizes? A mature cat provides the best chance of finding the right fit. Of course, their greatest strength could also be a curse — like humans, adult cats with behavioral issues will be more set in their ways. Be sure to inquire about any potential challenges before committing. And in case you were wondering, adult cats are as capable of developing love and affection for their owners as kittens are (as long as the feeling’s mutual). READ MORE: Cats for Dummies Cheat Sheet Breed characteristics People often fall in love at first sight with their future cat, committing to a life together without knowing much about them. Understanding a bit about the different breeds can help you narrow the field and find the right cat for your household. Some breeds require more grooming than others, for example, while some are more tolerable for people with allergies. READ MORE: Cat Characteristics by Breed When in doubt, lean on the experts: Shelter and rescue workers know which cats hate being picked up, which are suitable for young children, and which will get along with your aging dog. Some cat rescues even have foster programs that allow you to live with your potential cat-to-be for a trial period, giving you both a glimpse of your future together. The fix is in Owners failing to neuter or spay their cats is one of the biggest causes behind the rising number of homeless cats in the U.S. While no one feels good about subjecting their little one to surgery, it’s really in everyone’s long-term interest: According to the ASPCA, fixed cats are at lower risk for all kinds of behavioral issues and health problems, including various cancers. Spaying or neutering is also much less expensive than raising or rehoming a litter of kittens (not to mention, less stressful). While many shelters and rescues perform these and other necessary medical procedures prior to adoption, be sure to request your kitty’s medical records before taking them home. For more guidance on becoming a cat parent, check out the book Cats for Dummies.

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Training Housetraining For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-27-2022

Potty-training your puppy or adult dog doesn’t just prevent canine bathroom accidents in your house; housetraining also helps you make sure your dog stays healthy. With the right tools and some potty-training tips and tricks, you and your pup can set the stage for a long and happy life together.

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General Dogs Understanding Your Dog For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-27-2022

Recognizing why and how your dog behaves can help you to take on the role as pack leader to give your dog the cues, guidance, and consistency she needs to shape and develop good behaviors. Understanding your dog's body language and the proper methods of discipline, along with using basic, yet helpful, commands will go a long way in developing your pooch into a well-behaved companion.

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Terriers Yorkshire Terriers For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-26-2022

Picking the perfect Yorkshire terrier starts with purchasing the dog from a reputable breeder and looking for the characteristics that define the breed standard. Puppy-proofing your home and keeping animal emergency phone numbers handy will keep your Yorkshire terrier safe and happy.

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Other Breeds Shih Tzu For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-26-2022

Prepare your home for your shih tzu’s arrival by purchasing some essential (and fun!) dog supplies. Keep your shih tzu happy and healthy by having emergency contact numbers handy and feeding your dog healthy treats in moderation.

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Iguanas Iguanas For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-26-2022

Before you bring home your new pet iguana, purchase all the necessary supplies and equipment, and make sure the enclosure is roomy enough for your iguana’s size. Daily baths are part of iguana care, so be sure you know how to bathe your iguana correctly, and be on the lookout for certain conditions that require a trip to the veterinarian.

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Pit Bulls Pit Bulls For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-26-2022

Despite their bad reputation, pit bulls (American pit bull terriers and Staffordshire terriers) are a lovable breed that you’ll want to cherish and keep healthy for a long canine life. Doing regular health checks keeps you attuned to your dog’s condition, and if there is an emergency, knowing what to do can give you a hand in potentially saving your dog’s life.

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Golden Retrievers Golden Retrievers For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-20-2022

Before bringing home your adorable Golden Retriever, take steps to dog-proof your house and surrounding areas. Know the signs of a serious medical problem or pet emergency, so you can contact your veterinarian and, if needed, give the right amount of pet safe medications to your Golden Retriever.

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