By Dr. Rosemary Stolzer-Bolton, DVM
About This E-Book
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