Citations:puppyship

Noun: "the state or quality of being a puppy"

 * 2010, Joan Capuzzi, Knack Puppies: A Complete Guide to Raising a Happy Puppy in a Positive Environment, Morris Book Publishing (2010), ISBN 9781599216119, page 128:
 * The minute puppy enters your home, he begins to learn how to be a pet. At around three months, you can start to actively teach him the basics of good puppyship.

Noun: "(humorous) informal title applied to a puppy"

 * 1905, "Police Are In Mourning", The Spokesman-Review, 27 November 1905:
 * The puppy, a wee thing, rotund as a butter ball, wandered into the police station several days ago. His puppyship made himself at home immediately.
 * 1910, Maria Thompson Daviess, The Road to Provdence, A. L. Burt Company (1910), page 102:
 * "'Lias Hoover's puppy," said Mother, stating the fact to Miss Wingate. "Was you able to fix him up, Tom?"
 * "Oh, yes: his puppyship will navigate normally in ten days, I think; but this was a real patient."
 * 1917, C. Arthur Coan, The Fragrant Note Book: Romance and Legend of the Flower Garden and the Bye-Way, G. P. Putnam's Sons (1917), page 32:
 * About this time his master folds up his paper, tells his puppyship, "No, he can't come," and is gone to the office, wherever that is.
 * 1921, Mary Briarly, In His Own Image, The Macmillan Company (1921), page 60:
 * He displaced a warm whimpering bundle of young dog from the fur robe and handed him to Minette.
 * The girl gathered up his puppyship and held him close against her. He curled down contentedly absorbing the warmth of her arms and body.