Preparing for Puppy: The 5 Books I Keep Coming Back To
We are hopefully welcoming a new puppy into our home next month. As a slightly nervous pet guardian who hasn’t had a puppy in 14 years, I’ve been doing what many anxious people do best: reading. A lot. Anxiety loves information, right?
The funny thing is, I’m also a retired dog trainer who worked complex behavior cases and saw some of the worst-case scenarios imaginable. Because of that experience, I’m trying very hard not to project everything I know can go wrong onto this future puppy or onto myself.
Instead, I want to be present. Intentional. I want to enjoy every single, messy, adorable, exhausting, wonderful moment of raising a puppy again.
In all of my reading, I found a handful of books and resources that I keep returning to, especially during those “wait, am I prepared for this?” moments. There are many excellent puppy books out there, but these are the five I have found most helpful.
1. Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog: How to Go Beyond Training and Raise Your Best Friend by Kathy Callahan
Hands down, this is the best book I have ever read about bringing a puppy into your home and understanding what your puppy is experiencing. Kathy Callahan helps you see the world through your puppy’s eyes while building the foundation for a trusting, connected relationship from day one.
If you only read one puppy book, make it this one.
2. Your Puppy’s First Two Weeks: A Journal & Guided Companion for Raising a Calm, Confident Puppy by Kelli Floyd
This lovely e-book presents a nervous-system-aware approach to those earliest days together. It focuses on helping your puppy feel safe, regulated, and understood during what can be an overwhelming transition.
One of my favorite features is the journal format, which helps you track patterns, behaviors, routines, and observations so you can truly get to know your puppy as an individual.
3. Your Puppy and You: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising a Freak’n Awesome Dog by Irith Trietsch Bloom, Laura Leslie Hills, Cassi Jo Perez, Maria Christina Schultz, and Casey H. Perez
When it comes to practical application and a true “how-to” training guide, this one is hard to beat. As the title suggests, it offers step-by-step instructions and helpful guidance for raising a well-adjusted puppy.
The illustrations are especially helpful, making it easy to understand exactly what the authors are teaching and how to apply it in real life.
4. Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stress-Free Husbandry by Deb Jones
I would be remiss if I didn’t include the bible of cooperative care.
If you want to help your dog feel more comfortable with handling, grooming, nail trims, vet visits, and everyday care, Deb Jones is the go-to expert. This book changed the landscape for both pet professionals and pet guardians by teaching us how to make necessary care less stressful and more collaborative for our pets.
Trust me. Future you and your veterinarian will thank you.
5. Meet Your Dog: The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior by Kim Brophey
If you want to better understand what motivates your dog and how that motivation shapes behavior, this is the book to read.
Brophey explores four key influences on behavior: learning, environment, genetics, and self. One of the most fascinating parts of the book is how it helps you better understand breed tendencies and what dogs were originally bred to do. Understanding why your dog behaves the way they do can help you meet their needs more effectively and strengthen your relationship in the process.
So, that’s my current puppy prep reading stack.
Will I still probably overthink a few things when this little fluff ball comes home? Absolutely. But I’m also reminding myself that puppies are not projects to perfect. They’re relationships to build.
My goal this time around is simple: raise a puppy thoughtfully, stay curious, laugh often, and soak in every sweet, chaotic moment.
If you have a favorite puppy book or resource, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. I’m still reading.