Puppy book: what would you want?

[gertrudebiggles]

Shamelessly posting for my brother who has been a mixed animal vet for a couple of decades and has decided to write a puppy guidebook while he takes a year off and travels France.

He doesn't have mumsnet!

His question: If you purchase a puppy guidebook written by a vet, what Qs would you really want answered?

He's thinking to include all the basics (training, socialising, food) but also a guide on picking insurances, first aid, toxic foods, vaccines etc.

For those who've recently had a puppy, is there anything you think would be good to hear about? Or to get a vet's view on?

He's quite no nonsense and says it how it is and has always worked in an independent practice, never the big corporates. It won't be an airy fairy book!

Definitely a theme here of vet distrust; which is quite sad. DB is (in my humble opinion) a really excellent vet and person.
He's forever bringing home animals to nurse, taking on waifs and strays and he's just a big soft touch really.
He offers payment plans and keeps his costs low. He's lucky he can do this because he owns the practice. People demand so much though.
I've worked in the clinic as a receptionist and it was a total eye opener.

He's been in the animal world so long he's got much more to offer than some of these new trainers popping up locally, I'll say that for sure. Anyone can call themselves a trainer.

He's pretty jaded though. A lot of people not wanting to pay for things, verbal abuse... to be honest, it's the main reason he's buggering off to France for a year for his 50th birthday.

I do appreciate all the more practical comments. Great suggestion Re the safe chews. My own pup has broken canines due to a bloody tennis ball

I think he needs to read the existing puppy books (if he hasn't already) and it should become clearer what the gaps are, or what is out of date. I had The Perfect Puppy, which was useful, but also followed the puppy advice on the Dog Training Advice and Support facebook page - they've self-published a book of their training guides on amazon (Dog Training and Behaviour Solutions), and some of the trainers who contributed are also vets, so he might find that covers a lot of the sort of thing he has in mind.

Thanks @BarnacleBeasleyI've sent him this comment, really helpful

Another thought is that titling the book to encourage buying pre puppy is the way to go.
The whole puppy industry is a nightmare to navigate for newcomers.
I would particularly want to see...

Information about finding a good rescue

How to find a good breeder

Health tests/ genetic testing and xrays that are done by good breeders and how to find which tests apply to what breed.

The fact that poodle crosses should also have the applicable health tests for both breeds.

The importance of breeding for sound temperament.

How crosses are not guaranteed healthy and you can get the worst traits of both breeds.

How puppy farmers convince buyers they are not puppy farmers.

Common red flags. When to walk away.

Importing rescues and the possible health dangers and possible lack of rescue back up.

And also choosing a breed suitable for your lifestyle. Researching breeds history and thinking how this will affect day to day life.

Nature or nurture. How DNA matters.

Safe management of issues. Being your dogs advocate. Keeping your dog safe when things go wrong.