TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction 1
- Chapter One: Bichon Frise Origin 3
- History 3
- Physical Characteristics 5
- Temperament 5
- Common Behaviors of Bichon Frise 7
- Possible Problem Behaviors of Bichon Frise 9
- Chapter Two: Choosing a Bichon Frise 11
- Purchasing Your New Pet 11
- Breeders 11
- Pet Stores 12
- Rescue 13
- Choosing a Reputable Breeder 13
- Selecting a Healthy Bichon Frise Puppy 15
- Chapter Three: Owning a Bichon Frise 19
- Dog Equipment Basics and Essentials 19
- Collars and ID Tags 20
- Leashes and Harnesses 20
- Bedding 21
- Naming your puppy 26
- Puppy-Proofing Your Home 27
- Toxins to Be Aware of in Your Home 29
- Checking for Toxins in Puppy Toys 30
- First Introductions 31
- Introducing Your Puppy to Children 32
- Where Will Your Puppy Sleep? 35
- Chapter Four: Nutrition for Bichon Frise 37
- Changing Types of Food 38
- Keeping a Routine 40
- How Much and What to Feed 41
- Making Your Own Bichon Frise Food 43
- Foods to Avoid 44
- Weight and Diet 46
- Feeding Obese Bichon Frises 49
- Diabetic Bichon Frises 50
- Chapter Five: Raising and Training a Bichon Frise 53
- Crate Training 54
- Why Crate Training Your is Important 54
- How to Begin Crate Training 55
- Picking the Perfect Crate 56
- Where to Place your Dog Crate 57
- Furnishing the Crate 57
- Positive-Reinforcement Training 58
- Punishment-Based Training 59
- Clicker Training 60
- Teach your Bichon Frise bathroom schedule 65
- Try paper training 65
- Teach them not to bite 66
- Practice good leash manners 67
- Beware of other dog syndrome 67
- Teach your Bichon how to sit and lie down 67
- Teach your Bichon to come 68
- Get involved in other training opportunities 68
- Mentally Stimulating Activities for Bichons 69
- Separation Anxiety 70
- Prevention of Separation Anxiety 75
- Troubleshooting Separation Anxiety 78
- Extra Helpings for Separation Anxiety Training 83
- Giving your Bichon Frise a Treat 85
- Chapter Six: Grooming Your Bichon Frise 87
- Grooming 87
- Bathing 89
- Trimming the Nails 96
- Cleaning the Ears 96
- Brushing the teeth 98
- Chapter Seven: Vet Care Your Bichon Frise 101
- Common Health Issues 101
- First Aid 103
- Heat Exhaustion 106
- Essential Exercise 107
- Visits to the Vet 108
- Vaccinations 109
- Chapter Eight: Showing Your Bichon Frise Dog 113
- Showing Bichon Frise Dogs 114
- How To Become an AKC Champion 115
- What to Know Before You Show 115
- Preparing Your Dog for Show 117
- Chapter Nine: Breeding Your Bichon Frise 119
- Breeding Checklist 119
- Finding the Perfect Partner for Your Bichon Frise 120
- Pregnancy and Beyond 123
- Whelping 125
- Registering the Puppies 130
- Chapter Ten: Other Care Needs 133
- Bichon Frise Safety in Cars 133
- Ventilation and Overheating 134
- Cold 135
- Conclusion 137
- Glossary of Dog Terms 139
- Photo Credits 149
- References 151
