The Total Dog Manual

David Meyer, Dr. Pia Salk and the Editors of AdoptAPet.com bring you the definitive resource for dog owners.The Total Dog Manual has everything from how to choose and understand your pet as well as appropriate training methods and environments, to selecting the right food, toys, and care for your new family member.

From understanding a dogs’ anatomy and those deep-down doggie instincts to training methods and grooming tips - the experts have provided you with everything you need understand your furry friend.

Behaviour Why do dogs jump so much? What do wolves have to do with anything? What supplies do you need before you bring home a new puppy? Find these answers and so much more to better understand how dogs “talk” to each other—and to us—and how to communicate more effectively with your pets.

Training Tired of your dog slobbering on your face? Trying to minimize mouthing? Want to teach an old dog new tricks? Look no further for the instructions and top tips on curbing bad habits, the latest thinking on teaching basic commands, and how to deal with the challenges and rewards of introducing a puppy or adult dog to a new home and family.

Care Is his fur a tangled mess? What kind of collar tag should you get? What do you do during a thunderstorm or with an elderly animal? Learn everything you need to know to keep your dog safe and happy, including tips on security, vacations and travel, and major upheavals such as moving homes or stressful situations.

All the information you need to understand your dog is now at your fingertips. The Total Dog Manual’s easy to follow format and the step-by-step training methods makes this your foolproof guide to dog care.

Dr. Pia Salk specializes in social justice and the human-animal bond. She is an AdoptAPet.com spokesperson and a contributing writer to their website, her writing was also included in the recently published book,Pet Loss and Human Emotion. She is a frequent guest on the Martha Stewart Show and was a regular guest contributor to The Maratha Stewart blog “The Daily Wag”. She has been featured onAnimal Planet’s Hurricane Heroes and 20/20 for her animal rescue efforts following hurricane Katrina.



Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com) is North America's largest non-profit pet adoption website. We help over 13,600 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to millions of adopters a month, for free. We also provide useful and informative information on the human/companion animal relationship to help keep pets healthy and permanently in their loving homes. Our blog has articles, and our YouTube channel has useful pet training as well as entertaining videos, all produced by our expert staff of professionals in animal training and behavior, as well as human psychology.