The finite-lattice method of series expansion has been used to extend low-temperature series for the partition function, order parameter and susceptibility of the spin-1 Ising model on the square lattice. A new formalism is described which uses two distinct transfer-matrix approaches in order to significantly reduce computer memory requirements and which permits the derivation of the series to 79th order. Subsequent analysis of the series clearly confirms that the spin-1 model has the same dominant critical exponents as the spin- 1/2 Ising model. Accurate estimates for both the critical temperature and non-physical singularities are obtained. In addition, evidence for a non-analytic confluent correction with exponent Delta 1=1.1+or-0.1 is found.