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How (Not) to Kiss Your Dog

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How (NOT) to Kiss Your Dog is told from the point of view of twelve year old Jenny. After her brother Jack adopts Albert, a Jack Russell terrier, Jenny’s calm life becomes terrier-ized. The story details the friendship that eventually develops between Jenny and Albert as he widens her world to include a variety of new people and experiences.

How (NOT) to Kiss Your Dog contains humor, youthful romance and dog spit. Combine those elements with an eccentric grandmother, the second witch from Macbeth and a wild tongued terrier. Shake well. The result is an award winning science fair experiment that finally answers the age old dog vs. human oral hygiene question: “Are dogs’ mouths really cleaner than humans’?”

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2012

110 people are currently reading
207 people want to read

About the author

Susan Lash

1 book3 followers

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5 stars
84 (37%)
4 stars
58 (25%)
3 stars
55 (24%)
2 stars
22 (9%)
1 star
7 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Dianne.
6,817 reviews633 followers
February 6, 2013
Jenny, twelve relates the adventures of her brother's new dog, Albert as only a twelve year old sister can do! Albert is a hyper Jack Russell terrier who is faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall dressers, loves a good roll in decomposing animal carcasses and can sneak attack your tonsils with his tongue! (Gross)

I laughed, reminisced, shook my head, almost gagged and thought, yep, this is good! For all that Albert put his new family through, he was a treat! He opened doors for Jenny that she never would have tried on her own. In his way, Albert taught Jenny about caring for others, looking beyond the surface and grabbing life for the joy of it!

Cute read! My only negative thought....in the beginning there was a dog at the shelter named Sophie, I wanted her to find a home...
1 review
February 4, 2015
For the Love of Albert

Being a dog lover I read any furry book I can. This is a quick read, with real dog and family issues. Totally enjoyable. I recommend this to all ages. Good to read to younger children. Five stars
Profile Image for Adite.
Author 11 books345 followers
February 19, 2017
This is one of the cutest books I have ever read. There are some really funny moments and Albert, the Jack Russell terrier, the fastest 'tongue' alive, is a hoot. It also asks a very prominent question: is a dog's mouth cleaner than a human's? You gotta read the book to find out the answer! :)
Profile Image for Crystal.
539 reviews
April 7, 2013
This was a good, quick read. I liked the story of the dog, Albert, and all his antics. There were parts that felt rushed and not completely fleshed out. Like the protagonist's "enemy". We never quite know why he's mean to her and where that all came from. It was just strange and felt like a last minute addition.
But I loved the grandmother's character. She was fun. :)

Profile Image for Mike.
13 reviews
November 24, 2015
I thought it was vary funny. People who like dogs should definitely read this book. I liked this book because the dog wagged his butt instead of his tail because had no tail, just a stub. There are two main Homo sapiens Jenny and Jack and one main Canis lupus familiaris Albert. I thought they were likeable.
Profile Image for Andrea.
1,194 reviews35 followers
April 2, 2013
A short but cute little read. Glad this one was a free download as it was very short. But a charming story about a young woman and her brother’s new dog, the irrepressible Albert. This felt like a good start to a longer work.
Profile Image for Shana Stumph.
24 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2015
A feel good book

Although this book is intended for young adults, it is a worthwhile read for anyone who loves a dog. The antics of the Jack Russell in this book reminded me so much of my own Jack Russell Terrier that I couldn't help laughing!
214 reviews7 followers
February 15, 2013
Very cute, light book. Not a whole lot happens, and I was hoping for a little bit more depth from the side characters, but overall it was a fun read.
1,328 reviews4 followers
November 27, 2017
How (Not) to Kiss Your Dog was one of those books that is just meh. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t particularly good either. There were quite a few spelling and grammar errors. One scene, that was really not necessary for the rest of the book, was rather inappropriate for a middle grades book (at school in homeroom a word commonly used as a swear word was used by the “bad” kid in a way he could get away with, but was still intended to get a rise out of everyone). I can’t say I recommend reading this book, but I don’t totally not either. There are a lot of better books out there though, so I’d probably skip it.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,227 reviews206 followers
December 6, 2020
How (Not) to Kiss Your Dog by Susan Lash
Jack and his sister Jen were always at each other, jokingly. Who would've believed he could do it. He had his report card and he did it, mastered his grades and how he can get his own dog.
They take their time going to the store to find just the right one. So many other things to prepare for and once he gets the dog home he needs to leave but others will take care of the dog for him...
Some humorous moments and all you can do is laugh. Great book for a new puppy to the house.
About the author is included at the end.
1 review
April 8, 2019
Really good book

I loved this book because it's funny and heart warming. I really wish there was a seqal. I think Albert is my favorite.
Profile Image for Jeni Wilson.
297 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2020
Super cute YA book. A cute story about a young girl that gets suckered into more than she wanted but it all works out.
Profile Image for Rishika S..
Author 2 books13 followers
March 3, 2013
I liked How (Not) to kiss your dog, and am sure that most other dog lovers will. There's something extremely enjoyable in reading about the antics of a hyperactive, loves-to-lick-everyone-including-burglars kind of dog. The story moves along as it relates tale after tale of Albert and Jenny, each one depicting a little more of the growing bond between the two.
But to be fair, the book wasn't as good as expected. On reading the blurb, I had expected a book that showed a significant difference between Jenny from before-Albert to Jenny after/with-Albert. But there was no real change as such. In fact, Jenny is fond of cute little Albert right from the beginning and the changes are only minor and often not really credible to the ball of energy on four legs. The book also seems a bit jumpy, like random sections put together without making as smooth a flow as desired. And in the end, I was left feeling 'what the heck just happened?'. It was a little too abrupt at the end and a lot of things were left unfinished, like Eric and the cause for his situation/nature.
But, dog lovers could definitely associate with the story, characters and the dog. The characters are likable, although maybe not explored as much as was possible. Sure, some sections and instances seem random, but overall, the story is a feel good one and will leave you loving little Albert.
1,097 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2015
Charming story that includes a Jack Russell Terrier, January 18, 2015

The parents bribed Jack with the promise of a dog if his midterm grades averaged a C. Jennifer, his sister was not very happy because she routinely made As. Terriers were bred to catch rats, moles, and other vermin. They are also hyper. They are the only breed allowed to bark and get hyper around other dogs during the AKC dog championships. Now Albert is only a puppy 11 months old. Add that to the typical family with 2 children and Albert's long and fast tongue and you get a very funny story.
Profile Image for Michelle Hall Johnson.
3 reviews
June 5, 2016
Cute and easy read

Refreshingly simple and funny. Albert is entertaining! Lighthearted and reminiscent of 50's/60's family sitcoms. Great encouragement for adoption and pet rescue!
26 reviews
July 26, 2015
The writing is from a beginner but my family still liked it as we could relate to the terrier story.
6 reviews
November 10, 2014
Nice change of subject

Usually read mysteries but really enjoyed the funny antics of Albert with his adopted family. Was light and a dog lover's must read.
Profile Image for Becky Pierce.
169 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2015
A humorous easy read. If you have a dog or are a dog lover it is just a cute book!
11 reviews
April 6, 2015
Well written, not stimulating

Yes, this is middle grade fiction but there is more to like than what this girl stumbles on. The plot was like a shoestring.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
123 reviews20 followers
September 23, 2015
Very cute story. I didn't think it was short with over 20 chapters. My 9 year old and I read it together and we both enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Emily.
196 reviews8 followers
February 17, 2015
Cute and sweet

A fun family story with a terrier as a star. I would read more by this author. Good book for dog lovers.
1 review
March 16, 2015
Amazing book

This book is really funny...
Nothing needs to be done to this
book, except for better grammar
usage.
-Lily Gooch
Profile Image for Gina Whitlock.
939 reviews59 followers
June 2, 2015
Cute and sweet story of a Jack Russell terrier told from the point of view of a 12 year old girl.
Profile Image for Natalie.
59 reviews22 followers
June 27, 2015
Cute story that needed a little polishing.
587 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2016
Nice, cute story for young rider with a love able terrier
Profile Image for Deborah Sears.
6 reviews
March 15, 2015
Cute quick read, but not exactly what I was hoping for from the description.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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