K9 Complete Care: A Manual for Physically and Mentally Healthy Working Dogs

K9 Complete Care is aimed at the owners, trainers and handlers of working dogs, although there is much here for pet owners as well. Experienced trainers Resi Gerritsen and Ruud Haak provide a detailed overview of caring for a working dog. They begin by looking at whether dogs should be trained for work, and what considerations should apply before a dog is put to work. Safe warm-up and cool down exercises are offered, as well as ways to improve your dog’s general fitness level and ability to endure the stresses of K9 work.

The authors also examine various areas of dog health, including skin, coat, eyes, ears, nose, teeth, feet and anal and genital areas. Each section includes information on common diseases and parasites, as well as possible injuries and ailments and how to handle them. Also included are tips for basic care such as taking a dog’s temperature and other vital signs, administering medication, care for injured or ailing dogs, and how to prolong the careers of older working dogs.