The Complete Puppy Owner's Guide

Your comprehensive veterinary guide to raising a healthy, well-adjusted puppy from day one through adolescence. Written by Dr. Rosemary Stolzer-Bolton, DVM, this 92-page guide covers the critical first 18 months of your puppy's life with evidence-based veterinary guidance. What's inside: • Bringing puppy home — puppy-proofing, the first 24 hours, crate setup & surviving night one • Choosing the right puppy — breed research, breeder vs shelter, health screening • First vet visit — what to expect, vaccination schedules, deworming protocols • Nutrition — age-appropriate feeding, commercial diet selection, safe and toxic foods • Housetraining — crate training, schedule-based methods, accident management • Socialization — the critical window (3-16 weeks), safe exposure strategies • Basic training — sit, stay, come, loose-leash walking & positive reinforcement • Teething & chewing — safe toys, redirecting, managing the bitey phase • Health & preventive care — spay/neuter timing, parasite prevention, dental care • Common illnesses — parvo, kennel cough, GI upset, skin infections, ear problems • Behavior problems — separation anxiety, resource guarding, fear periods • Grooming — bathing, nail trimming, coat care by breed type • Exercise & play — age-appropriate activity, mental stimulation, enrichment • Travel & boarding — car safety, crate acclimation, choosing a boarding facility • Breed-specific health — brachycephalic concerns, large breed joint issues, genetic screening • Emergency first aid — choking, toxin ingestion, heatstroke, wound care • Surviving adolescence — the 6-18 month regression, hormonal changes, patience strategies • Transitioning to adulthood — diet changes, exercise adjustment, ongoing health monitoring • Records & resources — vaccination logs, weight tracking, emergency contacts