Puppies For Dummies
5. Edition June 2025
416 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
A guide to puppy ownership that's just as fun to read as your puppy is to play with
Puppies For Dummies equips you with the latest advice on starting out right with a new puppy. Dog expert and influencer Sarah Hodgson offers dog parents trusted input on caring for a new companion, including updated information on creating good habits and routines, keeping your puppy healthy, and curbing common frustrations, anxieties, and aggressions, especially in the post-pandemic world. This timely and uplifting guide covers everything from choosing a puppy that fits your lifestyle to preparing your home, selecting the right products, and mastering age-appropriate training to set your pup up for a lifetime of success.
* Knowing what to expect when bringing a puppy into your home
* Understanding how to communicate and read your puppy's body language
* Establishing routines for housebreaking, socialization, and sleep training
* Addressing challenges like jumping, nipping, barking, anxiety, and aggression
This Dummies guide is your go-to resource on how to best integrate a puppy into your life--and how to make sure that pup stays happy and healthy.
Part 1: Choosing a Dog to Love for a Lifetime 5
Chapter 1: Celebrating the Wonderful World of Puppies 7
Chapter 2: Envisioning What You Want in a Dog 17
Chapter 3: Deciding Where to Get Your Puppy 37
Part 2: Starting Off on the Right Paw 61
Chapter 4: Understanding the Nature of Puppyhood 63
Chapter 5: Preparing for the Big Day 81
Chapter 6: Bringing Puppy Home 103
Chapter 7: Enlisting External Help 115
Chapter 8: Establishing Good Habits and Routines 125
Chapter 9: Setting Your Socialization Goals 149
Chapter 10: Adapting to Life Changes 163
Part 3: Training with a Positive Spin 173
Chapter 11: Taking Baby Steps: 8 to 14 Weeks 175
Chapter 12: Teaching Your Preadolescent Puppy: 14 Weeks to 6 Months 189
Chapter 13: Surviving Puberty: 6 to 9 Months 209
Chapter 14: The Teenage Years: 9 Months to 1 Year 229
Part 4: Dealing With Frustrating Behaviors 255
Chapter 15: Conquering Common Frustrations 257
Chapter 16: Curbing Anxiety and Aggressive Responses 287
Part 5: Keeping Your Puppy Happy and Healthy 311
Chapter 17: Maintaining Healthy Habits 313
Chapter 18: Identifying and Preventing Common Ailments 335
Chapter 19: Preventing Illness or Injury and Handling Emergencies. 347
Part 6: The Part of Tens 359
Chapter 20: Ten Fun Games 361
Chapter 21: Ten Crowd-Pleasing Tricks. 369
Index 381
