Review: 101 Essential Tips You Need to Raise a Happy, Healthy, Safe Dog

Every year new dog books appear on the horizon. Now, perhaps, more than ever.  The popularity of self-publishing has encouraged more people to write. E-books have carried it even further. Seldom are dog books published by mainstream publishers these days. But, then, the entire publishing business is in flux. More and more I have self-published books arriving by mail or e-book, all seeking review.

A fairly new entry in the self-published soft-cover category is 101 Essential Tips You Need to Raise a Happy, Healthy, Safe Dog by Jason Nicholas, BVetMed, Illustrated by Chuck Gonzales.  A short and snappy 56 pages, Nicholas, who calls himself The Preventive Vet, has divided the book into sections dealing with various issues, each packed with short, helpful tips for the new dog owner.

All of the entries are intended to help you prevent problems, recognize problems and how to handle emergencies.  Nicholas, based in Portland, Oregon, has included special QR codes throughout the book that is meant for readers who have a smart phone. Each time you use a code with your smart phone it takes you to a page on his website that further expands on the topic. 

I was particularly happy to see that he has explained why dogs shouldn't play with sticks and  a warning about feeding bones with care or "better yet, not at all."  These are all precautions from a veterinarian who has seen the results of these common practices.  

If I take issue with anything in the book it is what he didn't say in regard to collars.  Thankfully, Nicholas warns against leaving choke or prong collars on your dog because they can easily get caught on something and create a real crisis. Actually, such collars are aversive. They also can cause damage to the dog's trachea. This is especially problematic for a dog predisposed to a collapsing trachea but every dog has a trachea and there's no need to risk physical damage.  Dr. Nicholas does recommend positive training, which I was happy to see because that reinforces the human-animal bond and results in a happy dog without the risk of fallout that comes from old-fashioned aversives.

Along the way there are some examples to show what can happen under various circumstances but mainly it is a book filled with extremely useful tips, many that will be appreciated even by more experienced dog owners.

This book costs a reasonable $9.95 and is available online at Dr. Nicholas' website:

 http://www.thepreventivevet.com/pet-safety-books/101-essential-tips-you-need-to-raise-a-happy-healthy-safe-dog

From Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Tips-Raise-Happy-Healthy/dp/0988378116/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Some veterinary practices and training centers, mostly in Oregon, carry the book as well as one veterinary practice in Minnesota and one pet first aid and cpr center in Kentucky. And at New Season Markets in the Portland (OR) area.

Dr. Jason Nicholas
The Preventive Vet

He is quite amenable to veterinarians and trainers selling the book. Anyone who fits the criteria can contact him directly at: jason@thepreventivevet.com

Note: I received no compensation for this review other than a review copy of the book.