Interesting look at puppies and their developing brain. Definitely worth a read for breeders and puppy owners. Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC of this book.

In Puppy Brian, Nichols shares her experiences as a golden retriever breeder. Her attention to details - antecedents, observational behavior, and trends over time - makes this an informative read for anyone welcoming a new dog, especially puppy, in their home.

As someone who regularly fosters slightly older puppies, this helped me think of some ways to fine-tune how we welcome them and work with them during their time with us.

The different examples of how she works with the dogs were insightful. I would have liked a little more in terms of suggestions for those of us that have broader life commitments, but you can take away ideas from the great amount of detail she shares.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Celadon for this ARC!

I’ve had many dogs throughout my life and my last two have been rescue dogs, so I am not a person that gets a dog from a breeder.

That being said, I was very impressed with this book and the way she thoughtfully discussed the position of how responsible breeders are necessary.

I really enjoyed the, explanations of how the brain develops and how different behaviors are developed over time.

I will recommend this book to all of my loving friends!

I think this is a good book if you never had a dog before. Lots of great info. I wish this would have been out when I got my dog years ago.

I do recommend.

My first introduction to a dog was shortly after when I came home from the hospital with my mother when I was born. I grew up with him, although he was a young Irish Setter, I took my naps on him. He was like Peter Pan’s Nana, my nursemaid, my constant companion, my babysitter, and my protector. Over the years, I have shared my life with many more dogs, but among those dogs he was a special dog, and he holds a special place in my heart. Smarter than most, he had been sent away by his first ‘owner’ to a place I can only compare it to as being like the story of Edgar Sawtelle, and then the couple decided they didn’t want him after all, and so he became ours.

I’ve had a dog, or dogs most of the years of my life since then. If I counted correctly, it comes to 15 dogs, unless I add in my daughter’s dog who came to live with me after her son was at the age where a Yorkshire terrier is no match for a toddler. So, 16.

While this author raises Golden Retrievers, there’s much in here that applies to other breeds, but having had two Goldens, I appreciated her guidance on how to navigate a puppy’s journey from the puppy stages to adulthood, and how she manages to raise <i>‘a happy healthy and emotionally resilient dog’</i> while still managing a family, and life, as well as keeping the reader engaged.

There’s a lot of information in these pages, but there’s also a lot of love in these pages, as well. If you have a dog, or are thinking about or planning to get a dog, especially a Golden Retriever, which is what breed she raises, she has a lot of wisdom to share in order for you to <i>raise a happy, healthy, and emotionally resilient dog.</i>

This covers a lot of territory, but it also shares a lot of sweet stories of her own journey of a life surrounded by dogs, while also sharing information with more important or practical information while still engaging the reader.


Pub Date: 30 Apr 2024


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Celadon Books

I recently got a puppy, and this book has been SO informative. Honestly, it is probably the best book I've read on the subject. I will be recommending (and buying) this for everyone in my life who needs some more puppy content. Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.

We have a family dog training business. This book seems like it might be a wordy undertaking, but trust me that all of the information is so very good. Dog parents tend to jump in without doing research ahead of time. They only start seeking information when they are overwhelmed or problems crop up.
I learned things from this book, and I loved that the potty/crate training schedules were given. People just don't take this enough to heart.
I promise you it's worth it.
I loved this book, and we'll be recommending it to anyone we know who is getting a new pup.
Thank you to Celedon Books and Net Galley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 5+ stars

A good book if you’ve never had a dog before. Some useful information for a person that has owned a dog in the past. A good refresher for someone getting a new puppy.

I’ve had many dogs throughout my life and my last two have been rescue dogs, so I am not a person that gets a dog from a breeder.

That being said, I was very impressed with this book and the way she thoughtfully discussed the position of how responsible breeders are necessary.

I really enjoyed the, explanations of how the brain develops and how different behaviors are developed over time.

I will recommend this book to all of my loving friends!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Puppy Brain is a great resource book for anyone with or wanting a puppy. Some books like this tend to gloss over or not cover all of the new dog questions, but this one really seemed to cover it all.

Since requesting this, I've put my puppy search on hold, but there is a lot of interesting and helpful information here for new dog owners and anyone interested in puppies.

Filled with wisdom, heart, and helpful insight into everything you need to know to train puppies, PUPPY BRAIN is simply a joy to read. I also loved the adorable black and white puppy photos and highly recommend PUPPY BRAIN to anyone who loves these precious creatures and wants to learn how to train them to become beloved happy family members. A treasure!

Excellent! Puppy Brain is the best pup parenting reference book that I’ve read, period. Being a seasoned dog owner, I’ve read a good share of books about raising and training dogs, but Puppy Brain is just perfect for new as well as seasoned dog owners.

The book covers everything from conception, birth, crossing the Rainbow Bridge, and anything in between. Not only did Puppy Brain reinforce what I already knew, it also provided superb advice on potty training, chewing, crate training, as well as discipline.

Dotted with cute black and white pictures of puppies and dogs, Puppy Brain is a must read, and must have reference tool for any dog owner. Five outstanding stars.

I received an ARC from Celadon Books. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon! I cannot wait to apply all the learnings from this book with my new puppy!