Taking on a new dog or puppy, especially for the first time, can be a tricky business. What size, breed or sex of dog is suitable for your family? How much and what should you feed him? How much exercise does he need? How do you tell if he's under the weather? Help is at hand (and paw!). Jackie Marriott, author of "How to Have an Obedient Dog", has been advising owners on dog behaviour and training problems for most of her life - so who better to answer your doggy dilemmas? The pros and cons of puppies or older dogs, and pedigree or cross-breed are fully discussed, along with everything you need to know to prepare your home, family and lifestyle for the new arrival. Basic training methods are given, along with common health problems that may develop and afflict your canine companion. Also included is a beautifully illustrated section on the many different breeds.

Author Biography

Jackie Marriott's interest in dogs started many years ago thanks to her grandfather, Jack Hobbs (more well-known as a cricketer for Surrey and England), since he was always keen on dogs. Now both Jackie and her husband Vic, who is also a Dog Training Instructor, run their own Dog Training Club in Hove, Sussex, as well as taking private clients for her new Puppy Pals (Play and Learning Scheme) initiative. Besides being very involved with dog training, Jackie is in great demand from her own animals - 3 dogs (Bernese Mountain dogs) and 11 cats! Jackie and her husband also enjoy horses and have even appeared in Wild West Shows and Medieval Jousting Tournaments! Following the success of her book How to Have an Obedient Dog, Jackie wrote The Right Way to Keep Dogs in response to the growing numbers of people who were taking on their first-ever pet dog without really knowing what was in store for them. Proper dog care, like parenting, is not something which comes naturally - the right ways to look after a new canine companion need to be learned from an expert, and who better than Jackie Marriott!