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Puppy's First Steps: The Whole-Dog Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, Well-behaved Puppy
The new gold standard in raising puppies for the enlightened dog owner: a unique whole-dog approach combining health, training, and behavior
If you feel bombarded with conflicting advice about what to feed your new puppy or uncomfortable rapping her under the chin, if the idea of a choke collar makes you wince even though you’ve heard it’s the right way to go, here at last is advice you can trust -- and embrace. The faculty of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, one of the most prestigious and pioneering veterinary schools in the world, now shares its accumulated knowledge and experience in this groundbreaking whole-dog approach to raising the healthiest, happiest, most well-behaved puppy possible.
The authors of Puppy's First Steps are singularly qualified to look at a puppy from all angles, physical, emotional, and behavioral. In contrast to a single breeder's or trainer's theory about what is effective most of the time, the recommendations in this book are scientifically proven to work. This integrative body-and-mind approach stands out from the one-size-fits-all mentality that pervades the dog-training world. And the advice here delivers not just during the puppy's first year -- the most essential twelve months of a dog's development -- but throughout the dog's life, ensuring a strong, happy bond between you and your new best friend for years and years to come.
Puppy's First Steps features:
* How to test a puppy’s temperament before you decide which one to take home
* The most nutritious, safest food for your puppy
* To crate or not to crate?
* Socializing your puppy with other people and dogs
* Easy-to-implement training methods based on reward, not punishment
* Housetraining in less than a week
* Overcoming puppy’s fears and phobias
* Keeping your puppy happy while you’re at work
* What to do in a medical emergency
You'll want to get your puppy off on the right foot, and now the best advice is in your hands. Comprehensive yet accessible, sensitive, and, above all, practical, Puppy’s First Steps is the only book a puppy owner will need.
If you feel bombarded with conflicting advice about what to feed your new puppy or uncomfortable rapping her under the chin, if the idea of a choke collar makes you wince even though you’ve heard it’s the right way to go, here at last is advice you can trust -- and embrace. The faculty of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, one of the most prestigious and pioneering veterinary schools in the world, now shares its accumulated knowledge and experience in this groundbreaking whole-dog approach to raising the healthiest, happiest, most well-behaved puppy possible.
The authors of Puppy's First Steps are singularly qualified to look at a puppy from all angles, physical, emotional, and behavioral. In contrast to a single breeder's or trainer's theory about what is effective most of the time, the recommendations in this book are scientifically proven to work. This integrative body-and-mind approach stands out from the one-size-fits-all mentality that pervades the dog-training world. And the advice here delivers not just during the puppy's first year -- the most essential twelve months of a dog's development -- but throughout the dog's life, ensuring a strong, happy bond between you and your new best friend for years and years to come.
Puppy's First Steps features:
* How to test a puppy’s temperament before you decide which one to take home
* The most nutritious, safest food for your puppy
* To crate or not to crate?
* Socializing your puppy with other people and dogs
* Easy-to-implement training methods based on reward, not punishment
* Housetraining in less than a week
* Overcoming puppy’s fears and phobias
* Keeping your puppy happy while you’re at work
* What to do in a medical emergency
You'll want to get your puppy off on the right foot, and now the best advice is in your hands. Comprehensive yet accessible, sensitive, and, above all, practical, Puppy’s First Steps is the only book a puppy owner will need.
286 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2007
5 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 27, 2011
I always wish there were more reviews to the non-fiction books I pick up. I'm totally part of the problem in this scenario since I don't review them very often either so here's my best attempt.
The book opens up assuming you do not yet have a puppy. It discusses puppy-mills and pet store puppies, reasons to adopt and signs a breeder is one to trust. I fear most people will not buy a book like this until there's an actual puppy running around so it might be a guilt trip for some readers, but at the same time, it's never too late to educate a person. Maybe your first dog came from a pet store and therefore very likely a puppy-mill. Now you know better for next time. My first dog as a child came from a pet store. I don't regret having her in my life, but I've long regretted the participation in the cycle.
The next chapter is about breeds of dogs and types of dogs, what sort of dog will fit into your lifestyle. Again, this might be a day late and a dollar short because I still picture people buying this book post-puppy apocalypse, but it still can do some good. It will give you insight into the dog you do have if you didn't understand the breed you bought at the beginning. The information will help both of you cope better and meld into each other's lives. For those of us, however, who know all this stuff (working dog vs. sporting dog vs. toy breed) it might be boring. It wasn't boring for me... but I am a nerd on an epic scale.
There's a lot of information in the book about diet and excercise, about positive and negative reinforcement, rewards systems. I use a clicker because of this book and it works like a charm. (Well, it works almost as well as the sound of the treat jar opening.) I learned that there wasn't much difference between dry food and wet food, that people who feed their dogs strict raw food diets are either misinformed or work exceptionally hard creating a balanced diet. The book also taught me to use 'quit it' instead of 'no' because of the distinctive sounds and because of just how common the word 'no' is in our vocabularies... although he'll ignore quit it whenever he feels like it. I have what you'd call a willfull dog.
My childhood dog was not a dog-to-dog sort of dog. She loved people and children, but the only gratification she got from a public dog run was guarding the humans from their own pets so she could get all the love and attention. I know now that it's our fault for not socalizing her more when she was younger. My current puppy is exceptionally well-socalized. (I spend at least an hour at the dog run six days a week with the little bastard.) He also has no fears. Part of this is, of course, his personality. The rest of it is the book teaching me how to handle situations where he was tentative. He's not afraid of lightning or thunder, muscle cars or motorcycles, other dogs or strangers. He sits on the vacuum cleaner when I am trying to clean. The only thing he's currently tentative about is heading downstairs. I'm sure he'll be over that next week just because he's so plucky about everything.
I credit this book with 50% of his fearlessness, which will be priceless over the next few years. My puppy credits this book for sending him to the dog run so often he thinks it's his own yard. The only consistent negative complaint: sometimes the authors baby-talked about dogs, which made me question how seriously I should be taking the book. I'm fine with you calling your dog fluff-a-butt, but it didn't fit the tone of this book. Overall, it was helpful and interesting. I grew up with my last dog and everything was decided by my parents. I never thought much about dry food vs. wet food etc etc. It was good for a first time solo owner.
The book opens up assuming you do not yet have a puppy. It discusses puppy-mills and pet store puppies, reasons to adopt and signs a breeder is one to trust. I fear most people will not buy a book like this until there's an actual puppy running around so it might be a guilt trip for some readers, but at the same time, it's never too late to educate a person. Maybe your first dog came from a pet store and therefore very likely a puppy-mill. Now you know better for next time. My first dog as a child came from a pet store. I don't regret having her in my life, but I've long regretted the participation in the cycle.
The next chapter is about breeds of dogs and types of dogs, what sort of dog will fit into your lifestyle. Again, this might be a day late and a dollar short because I still picture people buying this book post-puppy apocalypse, but it still can do some good. It will give you insight into the dog you do have if you didn't understand the breed you bought at the beginning. The information will help both of you cope better and meld into each other's lives. For those of us, however, who know all this stuff (working dog vs. sporting dog vs. toy breed) it might be boring. It wasn't boring for me... but I am a nerd on an epic scale.
There's a lot of information in the book about diet and excercise, about positive and negative reinforcement, rewards systems. I use a clicker because of this book and it works like a charm. (Well, it works almost as well as the sound of the treat jar opening.) I learned that there wasn't much difference between dry food and wet food, that people who feed their dogs strict raw food diets are either misinformed or work exceptionally hard creating a balanced diet. The book also taught me to use 'quit it' instead of 'no' because of the distinctive sounds and because of just how common the word 'no' is in our vocabularies... although he'll ignore quit it whenever he feels like it. I have what you'd call a willfull dog.
My childhood dog was not a dog-to-dog sort of dog. She loved people and children, but the only gratification she got from a public dog run was guarding the humans from their own pets so she could get all the love and attention. I know now that it's our fault for not socalizing her more when she was younger. My current puppy is exceptionally well-socalized. (I spend at least an hour at the dog run six days a week with the little bastard.) He also has no fears. Part of this is, of course, his personality. The rest of it is the book teaching me how to handle situations where he was tentative. He's not afraid of lightning or thunder, muscle cars or motorcycles, other dogs or strangers. He sits on the vacuum cleaner when I am trying to clean. The only thing he's currently tentative about is heading downstairs. I'm sure he'll be over that next week just because he's so plucky about everything.
I credit this book with 50% of his fearlessness, which will be priceless over the next few years. My puppy credits this book for sending him to the dog run so often he thinks it's his own yard. The only consistent negative complaint: sometimes the authors baby-talked about dogs, which made me question how seriously I should be taking the book. I'm fine with you calling your dog fluff-a-butt, but it didn't fit the tone of this book. Overall, it was helpful and interesting. I grew up with my last dog and everything was decided by my parents. I never thought much about dry food vs. wet food etc etc. It was good for a first time solo owner.
January 22, 2017
Absolutely the best book on raising a puppy. So much useful information and things you would never even think of! Great time lines on vaccines, housetraining, nutrition etc. Full of dos and don'ts. Best thing I've read and feel better prepared!
February 10, 2020
Clear, sensible instructions with rational included. Good info.
May 29, 2012
I'll start by saying that if my cheap, library-reliant self actually plunks down cold, hard cash for a book, it's a great book. This is a great book.
I knew I'd like this book around the time they referred to teaching your dog manners as a way to prevent "uppityness." Oh my. Everything is covered, from thinking about getting a dog, getting a dog, then figuring out how to raise that dog. I love that it is the perfect balance of entertainment and information. The editing is superb. I really love that everything they write about is based on research and evidence. Not based on "in my experience" or "intuition," but actual data. As a consequence, they're not particularly dogmatic, which I appreciated. They're more like, "We like to do training method X at Tufts--it's our preference. But there's plenty of evidence out there that indicates that methods Y or Z would work well also." They really push the idea that you should follow the guidelines in a way that is reasonable, and in a way that fits with your specific dog. To me, that is wonderful.
If you're a type-A obsessive who would stay up worrying over whether you're doing it right (which I do), this is a very good book for you. Not sure if your dog is getting too fat or too skinny? Well, they've provided a series of drawings you can use as a reference. Worried you aren't doing the hand signals right? This book's got pictures!
In short, if you pick up (and pay for) one dog development and training book for your library, this is it.
I knew I'd like this book around the time they referred to teaching your dog manners as a way to prevent "uppityness." Oh my. Everything is covered, from thinking about getting a dog, getting a dog, then figuring out how to raise that dog. I love that it is the perfect balance of entertainment and information. The editing is superb. I really love that everything they write about is based on research and evidence. Not based on "in my experience" or "intuition," but actual data. As a consequence, they're not particularly dogmatic, which I appreciated. They're more like, "We like to do training method X at Tufts--it's our preference. But there's plenty of evidence out there that indicates that methods Y or Z would work well also." They really push the idea that you should follow the guidelines in a way that is reasonable, and in a way that fits with your specific dog. To me, that is wonderful.
If you're a type-A obsessive who would stay up worrying over whether you're doing it right (which I do), this is a very good book for you. Not sure if your dog is getting too fat or too skinny? Well, they've provided a series of drawings you can use as a reference. Worried you aren't doing the hand signals right? This book's got pictures!
In short, if you pick up (and pay for) one dog development and training book for your library, this is it.
February 2, 2015
This is a great starting point for first time puppy owners! I grew up with dogs and even had a young dog of my own, but recently my wife and I decided to get our first puppy that was only 7 weeks old. It has a good wealth of advice ranging from common sense, to highly specific medical and technical knowledge (and varying degrees between). I skipped or skimmed some parts that didn't apply (advice about male dogs since ours is female, advice about picking a puppy since we already had one, etc), but for the most part everything I read was informative and useful. 4/5
September 2, 2019
We had just gotten a bulldog puppy so I found this book great to read in chunks as I sat with the puppy napping. Really liked the chapter on how the puppy views the world and the importance of socialization. Helps you understand more about their viewpoint.
Pretty helpful book about puppies and the world they live in. A little too general in parts. They only have 1 page about teething which goes on for 6-9 months! And just one suggestion about how to help with it. Yet go on for pages on how to get the dog to sit.
Pretty helpful book about puppies and the world they live in. A little too general in parts. They only have 1 page about teething which goes on for 6-9 months! And just one suggestion about how to help with it. Yet go on for pages on how to get the dog to sit.
November 4, 2022
This book has helpful information that I haven't found in other puppy books. I found a lot of helpful information about different types of dog classes, puppy toys, desensitization, and medical issues. The basic training section was lacking but I have found that information to be plentiful in other books.
October 30, 2017
It was too wordy and a very dense read for me. Sometimes it was difficult to navigate. I personally prefer books that are more like guides and easy to simply flip to what you need for training
June 12, 2018
Everything you need to know and everything in between about raising a "good" dog.
April 1, 2020
Really helpful in using science & studies to clarify a lot of puppy questions, myths and more.
August 2, 2020
Information was dated (2007), but I found the book helpful and at times funny.
December 22, 2021
I got a puppy!
December 19, 2024
So great to re-read this 10 years later as we're getting our new puppy Oslo!! Great book with lots of great info and well written.
July 17, 2009
Even though I'm a cat person, we got a dog. This book helped me SO much to understand why dogs do certain things and how to treat them. It was right on point about a lot of things, like how if you don't take the time to properly train your dog, you won't enjoy him as much as you could. I've been working with my puppy diligently because of that advice and I do enjoy him more than I thought because he's well behaved and therefore not annoying. The one thing to be aware of is that it is about PUPPIES. We checked this book out at the library the day after we got our puppy and the book began with a chapter of things to do BEFORE you get your puppy that would have been good advice. It reads really easily, I read every word like it was a novel. The author even has an appropriate sense of humor. It was extremely helpful and I can't imagine any other book being any better.
March 22, 2012
I felt that this book told me what to do or what should be taught but not how to do it or how to teach my dog. Being a new dog owner, I need step by step instructions! I did find a few helpful tidbits here and there.
It bothered me that this book advised me to have my new puppy sleep in my bed the first few nights and then try to move him to the crate. I have a hard time believing that a new puppy who is not yet housebroken should sleep in my bed. Wont that confuse him when a few days later I want him to sleep in a crate? Lucky for me I had already brought my new puppy home and had him successfully sleeping in a crate before I read this book.
It bothered me that this book advised me to have my new puppy sleep in my bed the first few nights and then try to move him to the crate. I have a hard time believing that a new puppy who is not yet housebroken should sleep in my bed. Wont that confuse him when a few days later I want him to sleep in a crate? Lucky for me I had already brought my new puppy home and had him successfully sleeping in a crate before I read this book.
February 19, 2010
I thought this was a great book to get some good ideas from after getting a new puppy. It also gave soem valuable insight into the reasons for certain behaviors. A lot of the ideas seemed practical and made sense I also liked how it gave you some different ideas on training and didn't just say this one way is the best and only way to do it. If anyone asked me what book to get to help them train a puppy, I would tell them this one.
January 18, 2013
Christmas puppies call for a nice little refresher course in puppy rearing - this book does a good job of guiding you every step of the way, from choosing your pet to raising her up to be a good canine citizen. The information is solid, coming from the veterinary faculty at Tufts University, and the set up iseasy to absorb, with lots of vital info in boxed features and chapters that are relevant and pleasant to read.
October 27, 2009
I didn't read it cover to cover, but I read the parts that I needed to. I have found that I have failed already in many areas of having a dog. I guess I should have read it before getting a dog. The areas that I did read more of weren't as helpful as I would have liked them to be. I need a book on patience now.
September 11, 2011
This was one of the best dog books. it was very thorough and promoted positive training not because they wuv the widdle puppies but because it is scientifically proven to work. also, i really appreciated the food advice. I only wish it had more to say about adult dogs, and wasn't so puppy specific.
January 18, 2018
Just got a new puppy and wanted to read up on the care and feeding of... I came upon this book at the library, and after a few chapters, decided I wanted to own it. Excellent advice from Vets and animal behavior experts at Tufts Univ. Vet School. So much great info! Heartily recommend this book for anyone with a dog.
July 7, 2021
This is a very good book to read before getting a puppy. I found a lot of things explained there that I did not know before. Very informative and well structured. The only thing I wish this book was clear about is when the puppyhood normally ends and regular dog care begins. I thought it was about 6 months or so but was not sure. I hoped this book would confirm it , but it did not.
February 15, 2008
This is a good comprehensive book for new puppy owners. It offers loads of practical advice and lots of additional information that I was surprised to find out.
This is the best puppy book I have seen.
This is the best puppy book I have seen.
March 30, 2012
My favorite part of this book was the discussion on puppy behaviors. It was cool to learn what grunting really means, or what bowing his head from my hand means. Great book for new dog owners and new puppy people.
December 2, 2014
This book has some very practical advice that for most people would seem like common sense. But if sense was common, everyone would have it. I believe everyone e should read this BEFORE they decide to get a dog. It's like having a child and as such, it requires a good deal of work.
December 30, 2020
written by the vets at tufts university, this book is a great guide to helping raise a puppy! rory loves it.
March 1, 2009
There were a couple tidbits of useful info, but I object to any dog book that refers to your pet as your baby.
August 23, 2010
Great advice for bringing a new puppy home: choosing a mixed breed or pure bred, temperament testing, the car ride home, crate training, basic training, introducing new pup to other pets/children...
January 12, 2012
This is the best of all the new puppy books I've read. Highly recommended even if this isn't your fist dog.
June 15, 2012
This book gave a description for overall care of a puppy. It's something I definitely plan to refer back to in the future!
February 5, 2013
This is a great training book for anyone getting a new puppy. It's super-informative, gives great tips, and has really helpful info for the new puppy parents.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews