The New Puppy Handbook

From first-night nerves to a confident first year

Bringing home a puppy is joyful—and full of questions. What should you do on the first night? How do you handle accidents, biting, chewing, and interrupted sleep? The New Puppy Handbook offers calm, practical guidance to help you feel more prepared and build good habits one day at a time.

Emily Hartwell walks you through the first year, from puppy-proofing your home and choosing useful supplies to establishing routines for toileting, meals, sleep, and crate comfort. Learn how to introduce training with patience, respond to common puppy behaviors, and support confidence through safe socialisation, play, and age-appropriate activity. You’ll also find guidance on grooming, everyday health care, walks, family interactions, and what to do when progress feels difficult.

Puppies learn at different paces, and setbacks are part of growing up. This empathetic guide encourages realistic expectations, consistent routines, and reward-based training—not perfection or punishment. Practical checklists, trackers, and first-year milestones help you turn advice into manageable next steps. For health and behavior concerns, you’ll learn when to seek advice from your veterinarian or a qualified professional.

Whether your puppy has just arrived or you’re preparing for the big day, discover how to understand your new companion, navigate everyday challenges, and lay a thoughtful foundation for a happy life together.