The Happy Puppy Handbook

The early chapters help readers decide whether they are ready for a dog and how to choose a breed, a breeder and a puppy. Mattinson then explains how to prepare the home, what equipment to buy, and what to expect in the first days and nights, including crying, crate training and establishing routines. The tone is reassuring, and she addresses common worries directly.

Later chapters cover house training, socialization with people and other animals, handling, feeding and health care, and solutions to typical problems such as biting, chewing and jumping up. The training methods are based on positive reinforcement with rewards rather than punishment, and the first exercises, such as coming when called and walking on a lead, are explained step by step. The book is illustrated with photographs and is easy to dip into when a problem arises.

Friendly, thorough and practical, a reliable companion for the puppy months. Many owners find it useful to read before the puppy arrives and then keep it within reach during the busy first weeks, when questions come up almost daily. About 224 pages in the Ebury paperback.