Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog: How to Go Beyond Training and Raise Your Best Friend

I've been working with dogs professionally for 20 years and this book should be in the hands of every new puppy guardian even before they get their puppy. If you've raised puppies before you still need this book, because that was likely 12- 15 years ago and there is so much you don't remember about the challenges of raising a baby with sharp teeth that doesn't wear diapers! The book is written with humor and a deep love of dogs. It is chock full of sensible advice and easily implemented ideas that will make raising your puppy manageable and fun. If you ever wondered why puppies act the way they do and how to help them grow into wonderful adult dogs this is THE book to read.

Anybody who recently adopted a puppy or may someday has to read this book. It's not only incredibly informative and truly a wealth of knowledge for people embarking on this new journey and undertaking, but it is also laugh-out-loud funny, and genuinely entertaining. It makes learning about a significant thing -- raising a living being -- very fun, but more importantly it gives you all the information you need to raise a puppy the right way and teaches you that it's easy to accomplish if you are thoughtful, empathetic, and dedicated to practicing what the author teaches. She clearly knows her stuff, so you cannot go wrong if you read this book.

This easy-to-read, funny, and insightful book is a true gift for anyone looking to better understand what they're getting into when bringing a new puppy home to be part of their family - so that they can better think through and prepare for how they'll go about raising Puppy from day one. Puppyhood is such an intense time, and this book will help shift your mindset toward empathy and understanding and away from frustration and a "what have we done?!" shriek in the middle of the night when your new baby cries out for what may seem like the millionth time. As a puppy trainer, serial puppy foster, and dog mom, I loved this book from start to finish. Kathy will open your eyes to so many truths about young puppies, and she helps illustrate how hard they work to understand their new homes, a language they don't yet understand, and 'rules' they can't possibly know. It's up to us to help them along in their journey as we all get to know one another and find common communications, and this book will guide you through the process.

This new book is easy to read, relatable, informative and entertaining. It is full of great practical tips and advice, given in an easy to understand, straightforward way. It is the perfect guide to answer all those questions and concerns you have when bringing a new puppy home. Also includes a super helpful Recommendations and Resources section. Highly recommend!

This is a must-have for anyone considering adding a new puppy to their family. In fact, I'd argue this book is essential reading for puppy AND adult dog owners alike. Callahan's wisdom and phenomenal breadth of knowledge as a dog owner, foster and trainer is evident throughout. She not only provides specific advice and tips, but encourages us to shift our perspective and mindset as dog owners. Her encouragement to lead with empathy helps inform and improve the way we care for our beloved canine family members. The writing is clear, concise, and filled with humor and warmth. It has helped us be better dog owners. Highly recommend!

What a wonderful guide for new puppy owners! This book is chock full of practical, concrete ways you and your dog can become best friends. Kathy Callahan explains why puppies nip and chew and how humans can redirect them without yelling "No!" all the time. She covers material that may not be intuitive for new puppy owners like how to make sure that new experiences aren't terrifying for the dog. This is an easy, funny read and the author's empathetic kindness for dogs and their humans shines through on every page. The specificity of her suggestions about setting up your house and your routine so everyone, human and canine can thrive is what really makes this book stand out. The philosophical approach of leading with empathy also works with children and spouses. Highly recommended!

As a dog trainer, I have been waiting years for this book - a modern, compassion-filled guide to living with a new puppy. I have been recommending to all my puppy owners with glee. This well-written guide is heartwarming, funny, and highly readable, cover to cover. A must have for anyone considering adopting a puppy. - MF, Seven Cedars Dog Training, Whidbey Island WA

This is probably the most easy-to-read training manual ever. Full of real-world, situational advice and tons of actually helpful tips, this book leaves no stone unturned in all things puppy training. The premise is simple: start with empathy. That theme runs throughout the book -- empathy for the puppy and yes, for the owner too! From the initial steps of considering getting a puppy to bringing it home, with very detailed information on setting up your home and getting through that first week, and beyond, Callahan uses her years of puppy training experience as well as science-based truths to guide readers on the rewarding path of positive reinforcement. Honestly, try this approach on your toddlers and teens! It's amazingly effective. 5 stars.

This is a resource worth BUZZZING about!Full of practical step-by-step guidance, explains the WHY of everything and reads like a friend is sitting beside you.It’s honest, direct, humorous and will provide you with invaluable insights that will prepare to you embrace puppyhood like “nobody’s business!”

This is the book I’ve been looking for - sane, sorted, down to earth and totally compassionate. More, it explains in totally jargon-free language that nobody can misinterpret, exactly what the emotional impact is on a new pup when we bring it home. Every breeder should have a pile of these to pass to prospective puppy owners. New families would welcome new pups who would grow into well-adjusted, happy, emotionally balanced adult dogs - and dog behaviourists the world over would breathe a sigh of relief….Get it, read it, recommend it, please.