Am I Boring My Dog? (12 page)

And yes, there are doggie shrinks—called behaviorists. I’ll talk more about them in Chapter 6.

Be prepared. And try to stay calm.

Keep the number and address of your nearest emergency (24-hour) veterinary facility and the ASPCA’s poison control hotline (1-888-426-4435) on your refrigerator and in your wallet. Keep a credit card number handy, too; there’s a $60 fee for the poison hotline, and you’ll be expected to pay a deposit for emergency care. Also, have a couple of people lined up who’ll be able to help you get to the vet while you tend to your dog if necessary.

Put together or buy a first-aid kit (they’re available at mega pet stores or large discount retailers). It should include the following: