You and Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy in a Nutshell: The essential owners’ guide to perfect puppy parenting — with easy-to-follow steps on . arrival (You and Your Puppy in a Nutshell)

The only book you’ll need through your Cavalier’s crucial first year
Expert answers and advice for new and prospective CKCS owners

CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELS are as sweet as can be! As a result they can be easily spoilt. And yet it's hugely important that their owners find a delicate balance between treating them gently and having a firm hand. Also important with this breed is choosing responsibly, especially if you want to increase your puppy's chances of a long, healthy and happy life.

These are just two of the reasons for this essential guide to Cavalier puppy parenting. A compact summary of the latest findings in puppy care and behaviour, it is filled with easy-to-read, easy-to-follow advice on how to choose and care for your new arrival.

It walks you step by step from finding a litter and deciding which puppy is the best fit for you and your circumstances, to the first crucial days and weeks, and then through the early months and first, and vitally important, formative year of your puppy’s life.

It is filled with tips and advice to help get your special relationship off to a wonder-filled start. And the amusing DOs and DON’Ts of Cavvie puppy care will keep you smiling through the poops, night-time whimpers and shredded personal items.

New owners

• Typical Cavalier traits

• Keeping your puppy safe

• The first day and night

• Where your puppy should sleep

• Crate training

• Chewing and teething

• Feeding – what, how, when and where

• Emotional development and the importance of socialisation

• Grooming and bathing

• Behaviour – including mouthing, nipping and jumping up

• Preventing separation anxiety

• Exercise – what type, how much and how often

• Stepping out – making outings safe and enjoyable

• Early training – including Sit, Down and Stay

• Playtime – with suggestions for games and toys

• Safe travel

• Adolescence

• Neutering

Prospective owners

• The Breed Standard and what makes a ‘good’ Cavalier

• How to avoid puppy farmers

• How to identify a responsible breeder

• Minimise the risk of inherited illnesses

• Deciding on colouring and gender

• Choosing the right puppy for you and your household

• Preparing for the new arrival

• Safety proofing your home

• Picking up your precious new puppy

Reader reviews:

“Heart-warming and incredibly helpful!”

“… will be keeping this close for easy reference …”

“Perfect when nerves are fraught and time is precious. Puppy days seem more manageable now!”

“A brilliant find!”

“In some despair I came across this book and it’s been perfect. Only wish we’d had it from the off!”

You and Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy in a Nutshell is part of a series of breed-specific dog books by Carry Aylward, professional member of the Dog Writer’s Association of America. She says, “In an ideal world, all prospective dog owners would take on rescues, or dogs that need rehoming, at least until they were in short supply. But there is also good reason for choosing a puppy, so if that is your decision, be sure to use those early days, weeks and months well, because puppies blessed with a good start in life are unlikely ever to find themselves in rescue centres or animal shelters.

“This is my hope for the ‘You and Your Puppy’ series of books. In a nutshell, it’s to help you to give your puppy the best possible start in life, with a relationship built on love, kindness and mutual understanding.”