Are you thinking about taking on the huge responsibility of owning a dog?

This book is a comprehensive guide for children aged 8+ to caring for a new puppy or a dog - including animals taken from a rescue centre such as Battersea Cats & Dogs Home. It covers all aspects such as choosing the right pet for you, making it feel at home, daily care, what to feed him/her and how best to communicate and train your dog.

The book is endorsed by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home - the most famous animal refuge charity in the country - and illustrated with images from Battersea's photo library and by the quirky cartoons of Jason Chapman, who has been the illustrator for the Home for a number of years.

• 1: Introduction: Owning a Dog
• 1: Chapter 1: Choosing your Dog
• 1: A big decision
• 1: Popular Breeds
• 1: Where to Pick your Pet
• 1: Chapter 2: Bringing Your Dog Home
• 1: Get Prepared
• 1: The First Day
• 1: Meeting the Family
• 1: Meeting Other Pets
• 1: Settling In
• 1: Food and Feeding
• 1: A balanced diet
• 1: A Dog’s Dinner
• 1: Play and Exercise
• 1: Building trust
• 1: Outside Play
• 1: Understanding your Dog
• 1: Socialisation and Training
• 1: First steps in socialisation
• 1: Housetraining
• 1: Basic Training
• 1: Leads and Walks
• 1: Being a Dog
• 1: Handling and Grooming
• 1: Grooming
• 1: Brushing
• 1: Bathing
• 1: Health Care
• 1: Common Ailments
• 1: Holidays
• 1: Getting Older
• 1: Glossary
• 1: Dogs and the Law
• 1: Helpful Organisations and websites
• 1: Index