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When the North-West Mounted Police were first assigned to the Yukon and other northern areas, they quickly learned that they would not be patrolling by horseback.

The North Country had few roads. Travel was by river and lake. In the summer, that meant boats and canoes. In the winter, when the rivers were frozen, that meant dog teams. From the beginning, they adopted the native huskies and malamutes. Without the thick-coated huskies, which would curl up in the deep snow to sleep, the Mounties would never have accomplished their long winter patrols.

The Klondike Gold Rush began in August, 1896, when prospectors Skookum Jim, George Carmack and Tagish Charlie discovered a rich gold-bearing seam on Bonanza Creek in the Yukon Territory. Soon, Dawson City became a roaring boom town at the junction of the Klondike and Yukon Rivers. Thousands of prospectors, land speculators, saloon keepers, gamblers, dance hall girls, bankers and other fortune seekers arrived. The Mounties arrived with them to keep the Queen's Law. Their dog teams became an essential tool in keeping that law.

The first dogs that they purchased from local natives were a wild breed, truly "wolf dogs" -- the natives deliberately bred their huskies with wolves.

As Constable John B Watson wrote: "Though that young team earned my respect, they kept me on my toes with their temperments and there were a few times when they scared the hell out of me. I kept them well separated at all times and was particularly careful at feeding times to do it quickly and evenly, for then the wolf shows and etiquette disappears into thin air. "Their daily ration disappears so rapidly one wonders how they manage to digest it. Their winter ration was half a fish. I'd break a frozen salmon in two and each piece would average two pounds. In summer when they weren't working, I gave them boiled rice with rendered fat, and an occasional piece of dried salmon. Each animal wolfed its food first, and then would try to reach the next one's ration, but their chains kept them apart. Handling each one gave me a chance to read their moods and I tried not to play favourites. I seldom had to use the whip."

By 1898, the Force had over a hundred dogs, distributed at Dawson City, Whitehorse, Tagish, Tantalus and other small posts along the trails. The Mounties added Siberian huskies and Labrador dogs to their teams, these breeds proving to be more easily trained and safer to be around. By the turn of the 20th Century, patrols were extended well into the Arctic, the Land of the Midnight Sun. The Northern Patrols of the early years of the century were hard, often heroic journeys of a hundreds of miles per trip.

Constable Charles R Thornback wrote: "One of my dogs became sick and dragged along in its harness, hampering the others of its team, and it appeared too ill to continue. It had earlier shown signs of faltering, and there was nothing we could do for it. A bullet in the head was a merciful and immediate end to its suffering. Sorrowfully, I dug a deep hole in the snow, cut a few branches of spruce for its bed and cover, and buried it. "We were all attached to our dogs. We had worked with them for weeks, calling each by name. They displayed affection and faithfulness; they were obedient and hard working. The loss of a dog was not a small one."

In January of 1911, Inspector Francis J Fitzgerald left Fort McPherson on a patrol that was to end at Dawson City. With the Inspector were Constables Kinney and Taylor and a Sam Carter. They would go in history as the Lost Patrol. About halfway to Dawson, they seemed to lose the trail and became lost. They attempted to return to McPhereson. Their huskies would not eat the meat of the other dogs that had died. The Mounties fed them with what scraps of dried salmon that remained. Inspector Fitzgerald wrote in his diary: "Just after noon I broke through the ice and had to make a fire, found one foot slightly frozen. Killed another dog tonight; have only five dogs now, can only go a few miles a day..." A second patrol later found the frozen bodies of the four men.

By the 1920's, the North was becoming mechanized. The Bush Plane appeared. Later came vehicles that could handle the terrain, especially the snowmobile. The need for dog teams was gone. The Force, now renamed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, still kept a few Northern dogs. But they were kept for sport and public events. "On you huskies!" had become a cry of the past. But the need for all dogs was not ended. In fact, the new Dog Service would soon be a growing department in the Force. The German Shepherd had appeared. In the role of trackers of criminals, lost persons, even explosives and narcotics, the Shepherd became an essential new member.

When the days of the great Northern Patrols ended, the need for the famous huskies was also gone.

But the Mounties were using dogs for new purposes. Even in the early years, dogs were used for some search and rescue by the North-West Mounted Police. Bloodhounds and other tracking dogs would be borrowed from local citizens to help find criminals or lost people. In the early 1930's, the Mounties, now renamed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, formed the Special Dog Section.

Delbert Young described how it came about: "Sergeant Cawsey owned a particularly clever German Shepherd he called Dale. He had trained Dale to retrieve objects, and also to scent out and locate articles he had hidden. The Sergeant was so proud of his big Shepherd he used to show the dog, taking him everywhere he went so that soon the sight of Sgt. Cawsey in his patrol car with the handsome dog beside him were a familiar sight. A step further and he was employing the dog to assist him in police work. So successful were the first experiments that the Dog Section was formed with Dale as its first member.

"The case of the Sleepy Car Thief was one of several solved by the sensitive nose of Dale. A vehicle had been stolen, driven and then abandoned by the side of the road. Cawsey let Dale sniff the car over, then put him on the trail of the thief who, at the time, was five miles away in his bed. Not for long did the man sleep soundly. Dale tracked him to his very door. Sgt Cawsey rapped sharply. Shortly thereafter, a sleepy-eyed crook found himself in custody."

The RCMP Dog Section was officially formed in 1935, with Dale and two other dogs, Black Lux and Sultan. In 1937, Commissioner MacBrien, satisfied with the value of police dogs, ordered an RCMP training school for dogs and handlers to be established at Calgary. In 1940, the RCMP won its first case involving dog search evidence. The RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre was established at Innisfail, Alberta in 1965. The training staff comprises one officer in charge, one staff sergeant program manager, one staff sergeant senior trainer, five sergeant trainers, one acquisition sergeant, two corporal pretrainers and a support staff of six public service employees.

The German Shepherds of the Special Dog Section have become renowned for their successes. On the morning of August 31, 1989, a devastating gas explosion rocked a building in Ottawa, creating considerable structural damage. Much of the building still standing was unusable and in danger of collapsing. Although most of the tenants who were in the building at the time of explosion had been safely evacuated, there were still some people trapped inside. Rescuers worked quickly and carefully searched for trapped victims, while under the threat of a second explosion.

Constable Joseph Guy Denis Amyot, a Dog Handler at A Division (Ottawa), Ottawa Airport Detachment, was off duty when he heard the news reports of the explosion.Volunteering his services and those of police service dog Jocko, he entered the building accompanied by Captain Gerard Patry of the Ottawa Fire Department to search the debris for victims trapped beneath the rubble. Despite the dangers, they searched the most heavily damaged portion of the building for a missing boy, who was later found alive in the rubble. In recognition of his courage and professionalism, Constable J.G.D. Amyot was awarded a Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery. Captain G. Patry of the Ottawa Fire Department was awarded a Commissioner's Commendation to a Civilian for his courage and assistance to Constable Amyot.

Only purebred German Shepherds are considered for the RCMP Police Dog Services. Male dogs are favoured but some females are chosen. In addition to being in perfect physical condition, they must have particular personality traits which make them suitable for police work: even temperament, hunting instinct and sound character are essential. All RCMP dogs are taught to protect their handlers, themselves or to apprehend upon command. Any that display reluctance to do so are not accepted. The German Shepherd breed displays the versatility, strength and courage that makes it eminently suitable for Canadian police work. Their heavy coats allow them to work under extreme climatic conditions. In addition, their presence seems to have an inhibitive psychological effect on potential wrongdoers. German Shepherds trained to apprehend will invariably make a successful arrest despite the fact they are trained only to hold, never to be savage.

In 1999, the RCMP started a pilot breeding program to produce a working strain of dog most suitable for law enforcement duties. One pup from this program has already graduated to field service and a number of others are currently in training. "We have a higher success rate and a higher retainment rate with dogs we breed and train ourselves," says Insp Lawrence Aimoe, the officer in charge of the Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alberta. With 125 police dog teams across Canada, the RCMP needs up to 35 replacement dogs every year. With a recent infusion of $1.18 million in funding, the centre will now be able to expand its breeding program, relying less on dogs they buy on the open market. Currently, one in four dogs the centre breeds goes on to become a police dog. Aimoe says increased funding will enable the centre to raise the success rate to one in three. And while the centre will have produced 100 puppies this year alone, it hopes to boost that number to 120 a year by 2007.

By breeding its own, the centre eliminates the unpredictability that can come with dogs it buys from brokers. "We don't know their medical history, what training they've had or what their socialization has been," says S/Sgt Patrick MacIsaac, the centre's program manager, who also has 14 years of experience as a dog handler. "When we put them into training, we may come across some behavioural issues and this can impede the training process." Although the dogs the centre buys are guaranteed to complete the tasks for which they are acquired, Aimoe says some ultimately have to be sent back. And brokers are sometimes unable to provide dogs that meet the RCMP's strict standards and skill requirements.

Aimoe says most other police forces around the world generally look for dogs that can serve one or two functions. But RCMP dogs--mostly German shepherds--must be multi-purpose, able to perform a minimum of four profiles, or tasks, including tracking, searching, guarding, locating drugs or explosives and apprehending criminals. Some of the dogs are even able to fulfill search and rescue duties during avalanches and other disasters. To ensure its dogs are on the path to perfecting these skills, the centre begins training within two days after a puppy is born up until it is eight weeks old. It is then tested to determine if it has the potential to become a police dog. If the puppy passes, it enters the imprinting program, where prospective handlers must raise it before it returns to the centre for the final stages of training. The increased funding will allow the centre to improve the imprinting program as additional staff will be able to monitor the animals more closely, weeding out unsuitable dogs at an earlier stage.

The breeding and accompanying imprinting programs have even reduced the time it takes to train a dog handler, from 80 days down to oftentimes just 40 days, says S/Sgt Warren Ganes, the centre's senior trainer. "Because handlers are raising and pre-training their own puppies themselves, they're not starting at day one," says Ganes, who has overseen the training of hundreds of dogs. Because the breeding process is a science, an expert is necessary to examine blood lines and isolate which animals have the genes that will produce the best police dog candidates. With additional resources, the centre can now dedicate one person solely to this task. Agencies around the world are beginning to recognize the quality of RCMP dogs--including the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which visited the centre in 2002. "Our dogs had the traits that they wanted to further enhance their own dog program," says MacIsaac.

The centre has since provided the RAAF with semen from its own breeds, which has already produced a few litters of puppies. "I think we're going to see a lot more international collaboration with other agencies looking to exchange genetic material," MacIsaac says. "This is just the beginning."

The use of dogs in police work is by no means new. It has been traced as far back as the fourteenth century to St. Malo, France; however, it was not until 1895 that the French police made serious attempts to properly train dogs for police work.

In 1896, Germany became interested in the idea and chose the German Shepherd dog.

The German Shepherd Dog is respected and admired throughout the world for its versatility, intelligence, and loyalty. It has existed as a recognized breed for a relatively brief period of time compared to other dog breeds. The early shepherd dogs of Germany were of several types suited to their environments. Coat length and texture, color, and build all varied but these types all possessed ruggedness, intelligence, soundness, and the ability to do specialized work. Although dogs have worked alongside police forces for quite some time, formal training for police dogs is relatively recent.

By the First World War, dogs were being trained for military duties, as messengers and guard dogs. In the early 1930's, one of the first Dog Sections was formed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Canadian author Delbert Young described how it came about: "Sergeant Cawsey owned a particularly clever German Shepherd he called Dale. He had trained Dale to retrieve objects, and also to scent out and locate articles he had hidden. The Sergeant was so proud of his big Shepherd he used to show the dog, taking him everywhere he went so that soon the sight of Sgt. Cawsey in his patrol car with the handsome dog beside him were a familiar sight. "A step further and he was employing the dog to assist him in police work.

So successful were the first experiments that the Dog Section was formed with Dale as its first member." Today, the most common breed for police work is the German Shepherd. The most important aspect of training is a very close bond with its handler, as a dog's natural instinct is to please its pack leader -- in this case, its handler. A police dog's sense of smell is more valuable than his bite. A German Shepherd's sense of smell is much stronger than any human. Police dogs are called K-9's. There are many different types of jobs for a police dog to do.

They can sniff out drugs, bombs, and human bodies. They are also good at search and rescue and protecting people. K-9 dogs are considered police officers and are cared for and respected just like any other police officer. In New Jersey a law called "Solo's Law" was passed making it a crime to shoot and kill a K-9 dog. The law was named for a K-9 named Solo who was killed in the line of duty. Once dogs can pass the tests for strength, sociability, and behavior they then go to a handler to live and train. It takes 14 weeks for dogs to learn to sniff out a new smell. Police start to train the dogs while playing hide-and-seek with a white towel. Then, they introduce new smells so they can find things like drugs, dead bodies, and even bombs! If a dog finds a bomb, he immediately sits down and doesn't jump or go wild. In fact, the chemical (nitrate) they search for is found in VCR tapes, shoe polish, fertilizers, and ... if you can believe it ... in soda!

In the US, there is a nationwide effort going on to get bullet proof vests for k-9's. Dogs are carefully chosen and generally placed with their handlers while still puppies. Training begins with obedience and tracking exercises. They are also trained to chase and attack; although they are allowed to be aggressive, they are not trained to be vicious, and are trained to obey their handler. Police dogs are commonly used today for searching and tracking, as well as in crowd situations or also in prisons where their presence can be intimidating as needed. But it should be remembered that one of the criteria for selction of police dogs is not their aggressive nature - but their intelligence and ability to be trained.

A sequel to his CESAR'S WAY, Cesar Millan's BE THE PACK LEADER is already a best seller.

Filled with practical tips and techniques as well as real-life success stories from his clients (including the Grogan family, owners of Marley from MARLEY & ME) and his popular television show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, Cesar helps you understand and read your dog's energy as well as your own so that you can move beyond just correcting behavioral issues and take your connection with your dog to the next level. In eight essential chapters, Cesar outlines a practical course of not only improving your dog but improving yourself...

In Chapter One, "Identifying Instability," Cesar writes: "How do you know that your dog is unstable? If you are like the majority of my clients, you just know. Your dog gets aggressive with other dogs on walks and at the dog parks. Or howls for hours when you leave the house. Or compulsively runs away. All this is puzzling to you, because the family dog from your childhood was perfect -- or that is the way that you remember him. In the amber glow of your memory, your beloved Blackie was mellow, obedient, and content to stay in the background.

"He was naturally social, and always got along with strange people and dogs. He fetched and returned the tennis ball, walked beside you to school, and never peed in the house. So why does your current dog dig up your garden? Why does he hide under the table when the garbage truck drives by? What in the world is up with him when he manically spins in circles when he gets excited? Of course, like most of my clients with unstable dogs, you simply accept that your dog was born with something missing -- or has some sort of mental disorder. Or, if your dog was adopted from a rescue organization, you create a story -- that he had such a traumatic experience in his past placements that he will never be able to forget the terrible abuse he suffered during those dark, lonely years before he met you. "So of course, he will never be stable, and you should not complain, but instead, remain tolerant and feel really sorry for him when he pees all over your sofa whenever you turn the television on. How could you criticize him when he bites anyone who comes near his food dish, knowing what he's been through in his short but traumatic life? You decide you have to pay the price to live with an unstable dog, because of everything that happened to him before. You owe it to him."

In reference to us, he writes, "We are human beings and one of the most beautiful things about our species is that we have empathy. When someone -- including an animal --who we care about is in distress, we feel bad for them. We hurt when they hurt. But in the animal world, hurt is a weak energy. Feeling sorry is a weak energy. The kindest thing we can do for our animals who have suffered in the past is to help them move forward into the present. In short, that uncontrollable, neurotic monster you are living with is just waiting for you to help guide him on the way to becoming one of the world's greatest dogs!" Good advice.

And, in referring to us humans, he adds, "As humans, we naturally strive to create symbols and put names on things, and we tend to associate personality with names. As far as current science knows, we are the only species that started describing our world with symbols, artwork, and most of all, with labels and names. Today, we Homo sapiens have millions of different languages and symbols that we use to communicate with each other. Just look around you -- we have the little man and woman on restroom signs; the no smoking logo; even the American flag, to tell us where we are and how we should be relating to our environment at that moment. We have millions of different words and phrase combinations to describe things.

As people, we tend to organize and personalize pretty much everything that happens around us. It's how we understand things, how we see the world through our human eyes. For example, we give hurricanes names. We classify flowers and trees. "In the dog world, however, trees don't have names. They have a scent, and they have a specific use for the dog in its environment. Is this tree poison or will eating the bark of this tree make my stomach feel better? Is this tree at a crossroads so I can mark it with my scent? they think. This how a dog views the tree - from the point of view of her survival,.

Dogs don't need names to understand and identify each other, either. They look at the big picture -- their own survival and the survival of the group. Your personality -- your 'name' to your dog -- is how you fit in his life; your energy, your scent, your role in the pack is what is important. "Dogs don't have a name within the pack; they have a position within the pack. Some people who study dogs would name the ranks, 'alpha, beta, omega,' and so forth. Other labels that we create would define them as number one, number two, number three, and number four. Many people misunderstand me and say that I'm looking at dogs simplistically, as if it's all about dominance. What they fail to realize is I believe that all the dogs are important within the pack. Dominance doesn't mean the alpha dog is better than the others. In charge, yes; better, no.

Every dog serves a purpose within the pack. The one in the back is the most sensitive of all; he's often the one that keeps everybody aware of possible intruders. The one in the front -- the pack leader - makes sure everybody gets fed, finds food and water, and is defended from rivals or other predators. It's not a democracy, but it's definitely all about the whole being better than the sum of all the parts.

It's all about the 'we.'" Cesar's thoughts on discipline are fundamental to his teaching: "Once again, we're back to the part of the fulfillment formula that many of us have a problem with - discipline. Discipline isn't about showing a dog who's boss; it's about taking responsibility for a living creature you have brought into your world. Many of my clients think that if they set any boundaries for their dogs, they automatically become the bad guy. "That's certainly the problem John and Jenny Grogan had. Without discipline, they could not accomplish respect. They could not give Marley the rules, boundaries, and limitations he needed in order to live a more peaceful life. He ended up full of what they saw as 'personality quirks' but what I would call instability. By giving a dog rules, boundaries, and limitations, you don't kill his spirit. You just give him the structure he needs in his life in order to find peace -- and allow his true dog self to emerge. Your dog can be that 'great dog' you imagine -- but you've got to be the one to lead him there!"

BE THE PACK LEADER is available in hardcover, with a trade paperback edition coming.

"Red light, morning light. High ceiling canted overhead. Lazy click of toenails on wood. Between the honey-colored slats of the crib a whiskery muzzle slides forward until its cheeks pull back and a row of dainty front teeth bare themselves in a ridiculous grin." Thus boy meets dog in David Wroblewski's new novel THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE.

We've been blessed by a number of classic dog-centered novels, like Jack London's THE CALL OF THE WILD, James Oliver Curwood's KAZAN THE WOLF DOG, Eric Knight's LASSIE COME HOME, Fred Gipson's OLD YELLER and Farley Mowat's THE DOG WHO WOULDN'T BE. Written over a period of ten years by first-time novelist David Wroblewski, THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE becomes an instant addition to the great canine-centered novels.

As a work of literature, this is an amazing new work. One of the most original works of the new century. As a "dog story," it's not just a retelling of the classics -- it's a new way of looking at us and our dogs -- a masterpiece.

David Wroblewski grew up in rural central Wisconsin, not far from the Chequamegon National Forest, where THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE is set. He earned his master's degree from the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers. Over the years he has lived in La Crosse, Minneapolis, and Austin, Texas. Currently, he makes his home in Colorado with the writer Kimberly McClintock, their dog Lola, and their cat Mitsou.

THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE tells a powerful tale: A young mute, Edgar, who can communicate with his family dogs, flees into the Wisconsin Northwoods with three of those dogs, after his uncle has murdered his father.

Here is a sample of Wroblewski's lyric style and power of storytelling, from the point of view of the dog named Almondine:

"All that winter and all through the spring Almondine had known something was going to happen, but no matter where she looked she couldn't find it. Sometimes, when she entered a room, there was the feeling that the thing that was going to happen had just been there, and she would stop and pant and peer around while the feeling seeped away as mysteriously as it had arrived. Weeks might pass without a sign, and then a night would come, when, lying nose to tail beneath the window in the kitchen corner, listening to the murmur of conversation and the slosh and clink of dishes being washed, she felt it in the house again and she whisked her tail in long, pensive strokes across the baseboards and silently collected her feet beneath her and waited. When half an hour passed and nothing appeared, she groaned and sighed and rolled onto her back and waited to see if it was somewhere in her sleep.

"She began investigating unlikely crevices: behind the refrigerator, where age-old layers of dust whirled into frantic life under her breath; within the tangle of chair legs and living feet beneath the kitchen table; inside the boots and shoes sagging in a line beside the back porch door, none with any success, though freshly baited mousetraps began to appear behind the appliances, beyond the reach of her delicate, inquisitive nose. "Once, when Edgar's parents left their closet door open, she'd spent an entire morning crouched on the bedroom floor, certain she'd finally cornered the thing among that jumble of shoes and drapes of cloth. She lost patience after a while and walked to the threshold, scenting the musty darkness, and she would have begun her search in earnest, but Trudy called from the yard and she was forced to leave it be. By the time she remembered the closet later that day the thing was gone and there was no telling where it might have gotten to.

"Sometimes, after she'd searched and failed to find the thing that was going to happen, she stood beside Edgar's mother or father and waited for them to call it out. But they'd forgotten about it -- or more likely, had never known in the first place. There were things like that, she'd learned, obvious things they didn't know. The way they ran their hands down her sides and scratched along her backbone consoled her, but the fact was, she wanted a job to do. By then she'd been in the house for almost a year, away from her littermates, away from the sounds and smells of the kennel, with only the daily training work to occupy her. Now even that had become routine, and she was not the kind of dog who could be idle for long without growing unhappy. If they didn't know about this thing, it was all that much more important she find it and show them.

"In April she began to wake in the night and wander the house, pausing beside the vacant couch and the blowing furnace registers to ask what they knew, but they never answered. Or knew but couldn't say. Always, at the end of those moonlight prowls, she found herself standing in the room with the crib (where, at odd moments, she might discover Trudy rearranging the chest of drawers or brushing her hand through the mobile suspended over it.) From the doorway her gaze was drawn to the rocking chair, bathed in the pale night light that filtered through the curtained window. She recalled a time when she'd slept beside that chair while Trudy rocked in the dark. She approached and dropped her nose below the seat and lifted it an inch, encouraging it to remember and tell her what more it knew, but it only tilted back and forth in silence.

"It was clear that the bed positively knew the secret, but it wasn't saying no matter how many times she asked; Edgar's parents awoke one night to find her dragging away the blanket in a moment of spite. In the mornings she poked her nose at the truck, the traveler, as she thought of it sitting petrified in the driveway, but it too kept all secrets close, and made no reply.

"And so, near the end of that time, she could only commiserate with Trudy, who now obviously longed to find the thing as much as Almondine, and who had, for some reason, begun to spend her time lying in bed instead of going to the kennel. The idea, it seemed, was to stop hunting for the thing entirely and let the house yield up its secret on its own."

This novel contains numerous references to Shakespeare, Rudyard Kipling, Stephen King and a 1934 dog-breeding book titled WORKING DOGS. In one of Edgar's favorite passages from THE JUNGLE BOOK, Bagheera tells Mowgli that he was once a caged animal, until "one night I felt that I was Bagheera - the Panther - and no man's plaything, and I broke the silly lock with one blow of my paw and came away."

Author David Wroblewski makes use of the latest research and discoveries in canine behavior and training, something that writers like Jack London and Fred Gipson didn't have. Does that make THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE better? No. But it certainly belongs in the pack. It's worth the read.

Some dog owners claim that males are typically more aggressive and destructive, particularly in small spaces. Female dogs are said to be easier to train and more affectionate.

Depending on the dog breed, these stereotypes may be true or not. Choosing a female dog means either taking the initiative to spay, or deal with the issue of the dog being in heat. Failure to take action for doggie birth control means that you're constantly trying to find homes for cute litters of puppies.

Female dogs don't have menopause, so unlike the human female, dogs can have puppies practically all their lives. You'll spend weeks every year trying to guard your female from males who can catch the scent from blocks away. On the other hand, if you have a pure bred dog that you want to breed, then having a female dog can become a financial advantage. Male dogs insist on marking their territory, whether it's around your house or in the yard. They do this by urinating on their "spot" so they can find it again. You can try to train a dog not to mark his territory, but you're asking him to go against his instincts. If you have another male dog in the house, expect a battle for who rules the house, particularly if both want to be alpha dogs.

Even a smaller male dog will challenge or irritate the larger male - just to prove who was in the house first. Dogs of opposite genders tend to get along better than dogs of the same gender. While female dogs are not as vicious toward each other as male dogs, some females don't want to share their space with another dog. Female dogs are generally easier to house train than male dogs, although that can vary by breed and by the skill of the dog trainer. Male dogs are seen as more lively and active, but certain breeds are "high strung" in both males and females. Ask the average person shopping for a dog and you'll find many are looking for a female dog.

They probably believe the notion that female dogs are less aggressive and easier to train. However, they forget that female dogs can be highly temperamental. Breeders tend to favor male dogs as an easier pet to manage. Gender isn't the only predictor (or even a good predictor) of how a dog will behave. Breeds that are known to be calm and tolerant, tend to be that way whether male or female. Other breeds that are feisty, nippy and difficult to handle are that way for males and females. Since there's no scientific evidence that predicts the characteristics of males compare with females, then the decision about dog gender is essentially subjective. Chances are, your memories of a childhood pet or a friend's pet that you wish you had is what's influencing your choice now.

Maybe you recall the gentle female Collie who lovingly cared for litter after litter of puppies as the ideal dog. Or you think about the rough and tumble large male dog that could run hard, play tirelessly and keep up with the most inquisitive children. If that's what leads you to decide whether a male or female is the best dog to have, then go with your feelings. For you, that will be the right choice.

Chocolate brown eyes, a warm nose and eager licking are classic images of an adorable puppy. From children to burly men, a puppy can level the playing field fast. There's something soothing about a little puppy who just wants to snuggle in your arms.

What dog owner hasn't thought, "I wish he would stay a puppy forever?" In less than a year, that tiny fur ball could weigh more than your teenage son and eat more than he does, too! If you bring home your puppy at a very young age, you have the opportunity to train him to function within your environment. You also get to enjoy those hilarious moments when a puppy makes discoveries like chasing his own tail or catching a ball.

These times are so memorable. If you believe the old adage, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," then you definitely want to start with a puppy and raise him the way you want him to mature. As dogs age, they take on more of the natural characteristics of their breed. Even ferocious guard dogs were once cuddly puppies with looks that could melt hearts. Once grown, that same dog can stare a hole through an intruder instantly be prepared to rip his hearts out to protect his territory (and his owners).

Show dogs may be gentler, but they require intense, repetitive training. If you want the show dog to perform on command, you can't confuse him with occasional babying behaviors. Dogs who have roles to play take those roles seriously. To keep a sense of the puppy pet for a lifetime, you can choose a small lap dog. Some breeds are content with frequently being held and petted. They have the patience to sit with idle owners for hours in front of the TV. Actually, they have more patience with inactivity as adult dogs than they have as puppies. The nature of being a puppy is like that of being a toddler - it's a time for exploring, running and making mistakes. Puppies are so excited about every new thing - whether it's a toy or a butterfly floating in the air - that they quickly forget the command you gave. They wander around, even outside the protective boundaries of your yard. Life with a puppy can be both wonderful and exhausting. A puppy desperately wants your love and approval, so you have to correct it without being harsh. You can't compare one puppy to another, even if they are the same breed.

Each puppy has its own personality and abilities, so he'll progress with training at his pace, not the same pace as his siblings or the dog you owned previously. Dogs, like humans, can be charming babies and irritating adults - or just the opposite. So be prepared to love the dog you have for a lifetime.

Dog grooming is an art that goes from basic pet care to almost spa-like pampering. The essential grooming requirements depend on the dog's breed and its characteristics. The first thing a pet owner deals with is dog hair.

Long hair dogs that shed need more frequent grooming than short hair dogs or those who only shed seasonally. Dogs with curly or frizzy hair need daily care to detangle the hair and remove debris or foliage that gets caught in the coat while the dog is outdoors. Sending your dog to a groomer each week gets expensive. But if you want the best for your dog, you can even hire mobile dog groomers who have a full grooming station in their vans. The groomer parks in your driveway and does the complete grooming onsite. This is a great convenience and avoids the "wet dog" smell lingering in your bathroom. To save money, you can also learn to do many of the basic grooming techniques yourself. Dog grooming isn't just a luxury - it's a necessity.

A dog that doesn't get proper grooming in a timely manner is at risk for illness, gingivitis, parasites and damage to both fur and skin. Your dog may not be thrilled about getting a bath, but you can't let that stop you. Bathing is a health issue for dogs just as it is for people. You wouldn't stop bathing your toddler just because she screams at bath time, would you? If you aren't sure about the right techniques for bathing, brushing and detangling your dog's fur, find a good online resource or ask if you can watch the dog groomer work. You may also take a class from a pet store or vet's office to learn the correct procedures - as well as get some expert tips on how to deal with your dog's anxiety or fears during grooming. The skin under the dog's fur can be highly sensitive. Avoid aggressive scrubbing while bathing your dog or you can remove too much of the natural oils that protect both skin and hair follicles. Adding powder or scents that aren't formulated for use with dogs adds the potential for skin irritation or infection. If a product isn't made for dogs or the type of fur on your dog breed, then make it a rule never to use it.

Be patient when grooming. Take time to talk gently to your pet, rub his head or tummy and lend a playful quality to the grooming session. If you're rushed or impatient, then don't even start the grooming. Your dog will pick up on your attitude and be fearful or difficult to manage. Even if your dog spends most of his time outdoors, you still need to do basic grooming. Without regular bathing, your dog is at the mercy of fleas and parasites that thrive on his lack of cleanliness. Use the right tools. Don't use your old hairbrush on your dog. Get special brushes and combs that are made for your dog's fur. You don't save money using your castoffs if you damage the dog's skin and create a big vet bill.

You might save some money by bringing the dog to a groomer monthly or alternate weeks, while you handle the bath and simple hair brushing on the other weeks. Dog grooming is an essential part of maintaining your dog's health - as well as his good looks...

You may like to supersize your coffee and get extra toppings on your pizza, but when it comes to choosing a dog, bigger doesn't always mean better. Dog breeds differ by heritage in what they require.

Some breeds, like hunters, are genetically programmed to crave the open spaces and outdoor exercise. Other breeds (like toy dogs) make ideal "lap dogs," enjoying the casual lifestyle without needing much space or time to run and play outdoors. The size of your dog has to match the size of your living space. A German Shepherd is a wonderful watch dog for your city apartment, but you must give that dog time in the park to run and be active every day. If you're too tired or lazy to give this beautiful dog the exercise it needs, then buy an alarm system, not a guard dog.

A toy dog like a poodle or Chihuahua is content in your apartment and requires less outdoor time. If you have a secured balcony with solid, high railing, that may be enough outdoor time for a small dog, supplemented with at least one daily outdoor walk. Don't let the dog's appearance or temperament fool you. A greyhound is a gentle dog that's also very quiet, which is good for attached living spaces. But that gentle greyhound must have daily exercise in enough area to run and play.

Greyhounds can run up to 45 mph, so you don't want them turning your family room into a track for running. Neither you nor the dog will be pleased with the result. Size has everything to do with dog maintenance. That cute, furry puppy that you fell in love with at the pet store that barely nibbles puppy chow, grows up to be a 120-pound St Bernard that will eat you out of house and home. To keep him in 8-10 scoops of high quality dog food daily, you'll be spending the price of a daily steak dinner - only you don't get to eat the steak. Your huge dog also pushes around furniture like feathers.

When there's nothing to do and you're running late, the large dog may decide to deconstruct the living room just for fun. On the flip side, plenty of toy dogs take up their own closet in little designer costumes, knit sweaters and clever playthings. They also have chic beds, including those that are canopied or French provincial. The doggie stuff can take up far more space in your home than the dog does. If you have more than one dog, regardless of breed, you need to provide sleeping space for each dog. Don't expect them to crowd together. They need space just like you do. They also need personal territory for sleeping, relaxing and hiding their toys or bones.

Dogs that remain outdoors need their own doghouses to protect them while sleeping or in bad weather. You aren't sharing your bedroom with the neighbors, so why would you expect your dog to share his doghouse with the new dog? Consider the space and care needs of each dog when you bring a second or third dog into the family.

Dog training is very important if you would like to ensure that you and your new pet will be able to live in harmony. Dog training can correct or modify a number of the dog's natural behaviors, making the dog much more suited to life being taken care of in your home. There are a number of different ways available to train your dog and by following these 7 basic dog training tips, you will find that the training goes smoothly and is fun for both you and your dog.

1. If you are unsure of how to train your dog, seek help. Individuals that would like to train their dog often have no idea how dog training is conducted or how the personality of their dog will factor into the training process. There are a number of different books and reference materials available to help a person train their dog, and if the owner is still unsure or uncomfortable with the training methods, they can ask a professional dog trainer for assistance and additional dog training tips.

2. Negative reinforcement is the least effective training method. One of the dog training tips that most dog training professionals wish more people knew is that using negative reinforcement or punishment to train the dog is the least effective way to get the dog to obey you, but is the most effective way of making the dog fearful or aggressive towards you and others.

3. Making dog training fun also makes the training more effective. Another one of the most important dog training tips to remember is that dogs love to please and are eager to learn in all stages of life, so making the dog training fun for the dog not only makes the training more enjoyable but also makes the lesson easier to learn for your dog.

4. Don't be afraid to use small treats as rewards. Giving the dog a small treat for a job well done will not hurt the training process and will make the training more enjoyable for the dog. The treat chosen as the reward should only be given during the training process and on the successful completion of the task the dog was asked to do.

5. Research training products extensively before deciding which to purchase. There are a large number of different training products on the market today and some of these products are intended for a specific use, not for general obedience training. Some of the products will have features that are not necessary to the training that you are trying to conduct, while some others may have features that will make your training sessions easier.

6. Dog training takes time. Just as you didn't learn how to read in a day, your dog will not master a command or a trick within the space of a day. It takes time for a dog to remember and execute a desired behavior after it has been introduced to them, so this important dog training tip is to give the training time to work and the dog time to understand what you are asking him to do.

7. If at first you don't succeed, try again. This last tip of the important dog training tips is that if your dog fails to understand a training method or a command, try a different teaching method. Just like different people learn in different ways, different dogs learn in different ways as well.

Not all dogs are created equal. The differences in temperament and personality among dog breeds can be as varied as the differences in people. Finding the right match between the dog breed and the owner or family is the key to success in bringing a dog into your home. Dogs come in many varieties that are naturally introduced to the dog world as well as those created specifically by cross-breeding, such as a Labradoodle (a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle). The obvious question to ask yourself is, what size dog can your home handle? A home with a large yard out in the suburbs can offer enough room for a large dog to run and play.

Do you want a dog that is sturdy, yet cuddly and plays well with children? Are you hoping to get a guard dog for your home or business? Do you want to develop a show dog to enter competitions? Or do you just want a loyal companion, small enough to be comfortable in an apartment and calm enough to sit with his head on your lap in the evening? These are practical considerations to think about as you search for the right dog breed. How many humans live in your home?

A single person who works long hours needs to choose a dog breed that can manage with lots of alone time indoors - perhaps a dog that enjoys toys and entertains himself. A family with small children needs a medium to large-size dog that is gentle by nature and patient with children. For small children, a dog is like a toy - they don't understand it's a living, breathing being that can get hurt by roughhousing. Some breeds would not tolerate the antics of small children, but would be great with older children. A dog for older adults needs to be low maintenance, calm and undemanding. Dogs can also be divided into two important categories - those that shed and those that don't. Shedding is a huge complaint of dog owners.

Dog hair clings to furniture, clothing and guests who sit anywhere in the house. Short haired dogs may look easier but they can shed, too. Shedding can be divided into barely sheds, seasonal only shedding or constant shedding. Size of the breed is both a height and weight issue. Smaller dogs weigh under 10 pounds, medium dogs weigh 11-25 pounds, large dogs weigh 26-50 pounds and extra large dogs weight 51-80 pounds. Extremely large dogs, like Mastiffs and St. Bernards, can tip the scale at 100-180 pounds. Can your furniture stand that much dog?

In choosing a breed, don't decide on the dog as it appears a puppy - make your choice based on the size the dog will grow to as an adult. Big dogs are big eaters. If you bring home a Mastiff, you may need a second job just to pay for the dog food and care. Care requirements are another important consideration. Some dog breeds require more grooming and care than others. Dogs that have fancy trim, like poodles or show dogs may spend more time in the spa than you do.

Even ordinary family dogs may need weekly (or even daily) grooming to keep their coats from tangles and to maintain good physical health. Take time to research the dog breed, size, temperament and grooming requirements before you make a choice. It's only fair to the dog you choose that you be prepared to care for basic needs, plus provide the love and attention that only you can give.

More dog information and training tips are available at Training Dogs For Obedience 123. All the content on the site is free to help you train your dog or puppy!

"How do you avoid choosing the wrong dog? How do you choose the right dog for you and yours? What do you need to consider? There's so much information out there. There are thousands of internet sites on dogs alone. There's a massive jumble of confusing facts and data. It's a cat's cradle of dog facts out there! So, I think there are 2 obvious courses of action.

"As I see it, the 2 courses of action are that you can either do a foolish thing or a wise thing.

"The foolish thing would be to take a chance and get the dog that looks the cutest to you, or to get the dog that grows to a size that fits your home, or to get the dog that moults the least. Don't get me wrong, these are all valid considerations, but they shouldn't be your only reason for choosing the type of dog you buy. There's so much more to think about, which brings me to the wise thing.

"The wise thing is to do your research. You need to think about your own situation and then find the perfect dog breed for you. You need to find out about behaviour, about traits, and about training for dog breeds. You need to discover whether a particular dog is a high-energy breed or a mellow breed. You need to find out how much exercise and space the dog needs. You need to learn how intelligent a dog breed is and how easy (or difficult!) it will be to train. You need to understand if the breed you fancy has any special care requirements or health issues." --Alex Harris, author of DOGS OF THE WORLD

Affenpinscher
Afghan Hound
Africanis
Aidi
Airedale Terrier
Akbash Dog
Akita Inu
Alaskan Malamute
American Cocker Spaniel
American Eskimo Dog
American Water Spaniel
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Australian Terrier
Azawakh
Bandog
Barbet
Basenji
Basset Fauve de Bretagne
Basset Hound
Beagle
Beauceron
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Shepherd Dog
Bergamasco
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Fris�
Black and Tan Coonhound
Black Russian Terrier
Bloodhound
Bluetick Coonhound
Boerboel
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Bosnian Tornjak
Boston Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Brazilian Terrier
Briard
Brittany
Bull Terrier
Bulldog - American Bulldog
Bulldog - English Bulldog
Bulldog - French Bulldog
Bulldog - Olde Englishe Bulldogge
Bullmastiff
Cairn Terrier
Canaan Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dog (Catahoula Cur / Catahoula Hog Dog)
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cesky Terrier
Chart Polski
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested Dog
Chinook
Chow Chow
Cockapoo
Collie - Rough Collie
Collie - Smooth Collie
Collie - Bearded Collie
Collie - Border Collie

Coton de Tulear
Curly Coated Retriever
Dachshund
Dalmatian
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Deerhound
Dobermann (Doberman Pinscher)
English Cocker Spaniel
English Mastiff
English Pointer
English Setter
English Shepherd
English Springer Spaniel
English Toy Terrier
Entlebucher Mountain Dog/Sennenhund
Eurasier
Fila Brasileiro
Finnish Spitz
Flat-Coated Retriever
Foxhound - American Foxhound
Foxhound - English Foxhound
Fox Terrier - Miniature Fox Terrier
Fox Terrier - Toy Fox Terrier
Fox Terrier - Smooth Fox Terrier
Fox Terrier - Wire Fox Terrier
German Shepherd Dog
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Spitz
German Wirehaired Pointer
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Goldendoodle
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
Grand Bleu de Gascogne
Great Dane
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Greenland Dog (Greenland Husky)
Greyhound
Hamiltonst�vare
Harrier
Havanese
Hovawart
Hungarian Vizsla
Ibizan Hound
Icelandic Sheepdog
Irish Setter
Irish Terrier
Irish Wolfhound
Jack Russell Terrier
Jagdterrier
J�mthund
Japanese Chin
Japanese Spitz
Kangal Dog
Karelian Bear Dog
Keeshond
Koolie
Korea Jindo Dog
Kuvasz
Labradoodle
Labrador Retriever
Lakeland Terrier
Lancashire Heeler
Leonberger
Lhasa Apso
Maltese
Mastiff
Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintle)
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Miniature Pinscher
Mudhol Hound
Munsterlander - Large Munsterlander
Munsterlander - Small Munsterlander
Newfoundland
Newfoundland - Landseer
Norfolk Terrier
Norwegian Buhund
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Lundehund
Norwich Terrier
Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
Old Danish Pointer
Old English Sheepdog
Old English Bulldog / Olde English Bulldogge
Otterhound
Papillon
Parson Russell Terrier
Patterdale Terrier
Pekingese
Perro de Presa Canario
Peruvian Hairless Dog
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Pharaoh Hound
Pit Bull
Polish Lowland Sheepdog (Polski Owczarek Nizinny)
Pomeranian
Poodle
Portuguese Podengo
Portuguese Water Dog
Pudelpointer
Pug
Puli
Pumi
Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Pyrenean Shepherd
Raeferio Do Alentejo
Rat Terrier
Redbone Coonhound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saarlooswolfhond
Saluki
Samoyed
Sarplaninac
Schipperke
Schnauzer - Giant Schnauzer
Schnauzer - Standard Schnauzer
Schnauzer - Miniature Schnauzer
Schnoodle
Scottish Terrier
Seppala Siberian Sleddog
Shar Pei
Shetland Sheepdog
Shiba Inu
Shih Tzu
Siberian Husky
Skye Terrier
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Spinone Italiano
Spitz
St. Bernard
Stabyhoun
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Swedish Vallhund
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Terrier
Treeing Walker Coonhound

Ungava Husky (Wolf Dog)
Utonagan
Volpino Italiano
Weimaraner
Welsh Corgi - Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Welsh Corgi - Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Whippet
Wirehaired Pointed Griffen
Xoloitzcuintle - see Mexican Hairless
Yorkshire Terrier