Puppy Brain: How Our Dogs Learn, Think, and Love

How do you raise a happy, healthy, and emotionally resilient dog? Full of actionable guidance, Puppy Brain will show you how to create a harmonious, fulfilling relationship with your pet, from Kerry Nichols, founder of Nicholberry Goldens.

Do you want to learn how to help your dog feel safe? Do you dream of owning a dog who enjoys meeting new people and exploring new places? Kerry Nichols, founder of Nicholberry Goldens, brings readers into the whelping box and onto the frontlines of a puppy’s developmental journey with her trademark clarity and wit.

With guidance about everything from crate training to spaying and neutering, Puppy Brain distills the latest insights and breakthroughs from canine research into practical, actionable, evidence-based guidance.

Through years of research into brain development and the use of intentional rearing protocols that focus on honoring a puppy’s choices and needs, Kerry has developed an approach that results in a harmonious, fulfilling relationship with our dogs rather than one steeped in rote obedience. Puppy Brain will reshape the way you think about your dog and show you how to meet your dog’s most basic needs.

With irresistible photos, clear guidance, and engaging humor, Puppy Brain reveals the best training practices based on how your dog’s mind works. As her hundreds of thousands of followers can attest, Kerry’s guidance will help you raise dogs who are confident, loving, and happy. The perfect gift for dog lovers and psychology enthusiasts alike, Puppy Brain is the definitive resource for anyone looking to raise their puppy with respect and love.

What experts are saying about Puppy Brain :
“The first twelve months is the most important time frame in a puppy’s life, when it comes to setting the stage for your dog’s long term mental, emotional and behavior wellbeing. This book shows you how to prepare for a successful first year, building a rock-solid foundation that will last a lifetime.”
Karen Shaw Becker, Wellness Veterinarian and co-author of #1 New York Times bestseller The Forever Dog

"Nichols combines an understanding of behavioral and developmental science with practical experience into a philosophy and method of establishing a strong, functional bond with your canine companion. She has a wonderful talent for explaining the seemingly unexplainable aspects of the human/animal bond."
Bruce W. Christensen, Veterinarian and Specialist in Canine Reproduction, Founder Kokopelli Veterinary Center

"This book goes far beyond the how-to’s of raising a puppy, delving into the decisions we make for our dogs from the beginning all the way to the end of their life. Heartwarming and educational, Puppy Brain is a must-read for anyone wanting a healthy and fulfilling relationship with their dog."
Lisa Lippman DVM, celebrity veterinarian and co-founder of Pet Loss Community

"This book provides a perfect road map to teach your puppy how to adjust and enjoy every interaction they may encounter. If you have a desire to understand what gives your dog their unique habits and traits, Kerry Nichols will take you on a fascinating journey from a puppy’s first breath through each stage of their development into adulthood. It is her passion to produce happy, healthy dogs who have the genetics, discipline and temperament to thrive as steadfast companions. I loved Puppy Brain and learned so much!"
Rose Nielsen, Author and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles Therapy Dog Program Liaison

Kerry Nichols is a former attorney turned canine educator and advocate whose journey into the world of dogs began nearly fifteen years ago. With the founding of Nicholberry Goldens, she devoted herself to raising the healthiest Golden Retrievers possible. This evolved into a mission to instill emotional resilience and agency in her own puppies, a pursuit she now shares with an audience of hundreds of thousands of followers across social media. Her methods continue to garner support from leading veterinarians, trainers, and psychologists, and notable owners of her Goldens include executives from Facebook, Microsoft, and Tinder.