First published 2022
Alexandra Horowitz sets out to witness what most dog owners never see: the complete transformation of a puppy from birth to first birthday. She follows Quid, her family's new addition, through every stage of early development. Horowitz observes Quid's first weeks with her mother and ten littermates, then tracks her weekly progress after joining a household with three humans, two large dogs, and one cautious cat. While most new dog owners focus on housetraining and obedience, Horowitz slows down to document the cognitive and social milestones that typically go unnoticed. She watches Quid's eyes open for the first time, witnesses her initial recognition of other animals and people, and follows her journey through the canine equivalent of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Drawing on research in both dog and human development, Horowitz reveals how puppies see and smell their world, how they create meaning from their experiences, and how they develop individual personalities. This scientific memoir offers dog owners a new understanding of puppy behavior beyond the usual training focus.
Genres: animals, dogs, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: memoir, scientific-observation
320 pages · Hardcover · Viking