About the Book

Puppy Brain by Kerry Nichols

Genre: Nonfiction

Publication Date: April 30, 2024

Book Review

This book is both a how-to guide on how to raise a puppy and an exploration of how their experiences shape them. While Kerry Nichols is a dog breeder, and all the dogs that have joined my home since I have become an adult have been rescues, I still found the information very interesting and valuable.

It gave me affirmations of what I was doing right with my scared rescue (Don’t invade her space! Let her come to me!) and areas that I could improve (Make nail trims more fun!). Hearing how Kerry introduces new situations and builds resilience in her puppies gave me insight into what probably went wrong in my dog Rue’s life in the two years before she came to me.

I loved how the author framed it:

But to me, what’s ideal for a dog is a life where she is honored for who she is and not expected to become something she’s not. It’s a life where her most basic needs are deeply satisfied and one in which her emotional wellness is prioritized so that she develops resilience.

I think all dog owners could benefit from the sections on dog body language. I lived with dogs for years before I fully understood all the ways they communicate with us, and it wasn’t really until Rue that I understood the full breadth of dog body language. As the author so aptly states:

If humans don’t read a puppy’s body language, that puppy will escalate the language until the humans do understand.

I enjoyed the sections where the author delved into the science of brain elasticity and how those early experiences can shape dogs for years to come. The author’s thousands of hours spent with litters of puppies shines through, giving best practices that we can use no matter what age our dog is when they enter our life.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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