How To Find Your Dream Dog

by Dixie Tenny

Bringing a new dog into the household should be one of life’s happiest events. The process always starts with excitement and high expectations. Too often, though, it ends in disappointment. The new puppy wakes everyone three times a night, gnaws on furniture,
piddles everywhere, knocks the children down. The new adolescent dog is too wild. The new adult dog growls at your neighbors. And where did all this dog hair come from?

Most people spend hours researching a new mattress, days researching a new car, and weeks researching a new home or job. Yet for a new dog, a companion for the next 10-15 years, the most they do is visit the nearest shelter or pet shop and buy whatever looks cute and appealing. It’s no wonder they end up disappointed.

Whether you are looking for a purebred puppy or a charming mixed-breed, the type of dog you bring into your home matters. A quiet owner will struggle to keep up with a high-energy labrador mix, for instance, while an active outdoor family will be impatient with a snoozy bulldog. And finding the right kind of dog means becoming the right kind of owner—a task that takes some forethought and planning.

“How To Find Your Dream Dog” is here to fix the disconnect of dog ownership. It walks you step-by-step through the process of choosing the right type of dog for you—not only exploring the canine qualities that can determine your perfect puppy, adolescent, or adult dog, but also assessing your lifestyle to make sure you’re a good match for the dog, too. The book also looks at good (and bad) sources for finding healthy and sound pet dogs, gives guidelines for evaluating individual puppies, and warns of some red flags to watch out for during your dog search.

With this guidebook in hand, you can be confident that the next puppy or dog you bring home will be the right companion and friend for you for the rest of its days.

Dixie Tenny is a Certified Training Partner with the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Training and Behavior. During her 30+ years spent working with people and their pets, she has seen again and again how mismatches between dog and owner can create “behavior problems” that never would have happened if the right dog had been matched to the right owner in the first place. She wrote this book to help puppy buyers and dog adopters start out on the best possible foot with their new pet dogs, and stay on that path for years to come.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2016

About the author

The first version of Call the Darkness Down was written because I ran out of books to read about King Arthur when I was a young teenager. Originally, it was a story about descendants of Arthurian characters in present day who have to battle ancient forces of evil. The manuscript of the book helped me win a National Council of Teachers of English award when I was a high school senior. After I sent the book to a local publisher the following year, I received a wonderful rejection letter; so encouraging and positive, but pointing out that the book shouldn't take place in the UK if I hadn't actually spent enough time there to create a real feeling of that location in my story. So I applied to Trinity College in Carmarthen, Wales, and spent an amazing semester there learning all about Wales, working on my novel, and unfortunately, contracting mono and hepatitis. After I came home I spent six months convalescing and completely rewriting my book. I submitted it to Simon & Schuster, and it was accepted! I can't begin to describe the shock and thrill of that experience. But in the end, the Arthurian aspect was (almost) completely taken out of the story.

Many years later, and after 30 years of working with people and their dogs, I wrote another book. How to Find Your Dream Dog is a labor of love. So often, what appear to be canine "behavior problems" are the result of a mismatch between owner and the dog they chose. This little book is intended to help prevent that, by educating prospective puppy and dog owners about how to find the right dog for them in the first place.

I always wanted to write more novels, but somehow it has never happened (so far!). I raised three children, who are now young adults embarking on interesting lives. I lived in Seattle for 16 years, then moved back to the Midwest - St. Louis - in 2001. My life centered on dogs for many of those years; I founded Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue in 1987 and ran it for 13 years; then I became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Certified Training Partner with the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Training and Behavior after moving back to St. Louis. I taught classes and worked with clients and their dogs in their homes for many years. I am currently retired and enjoy volunteering as a zoo docent.

I share my days with a Papillon (dog) and two cats.

Reviews

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this is my own book. Every few years something inspires me to reread it. I'm happy to say that, while I see things I would do a little differently, in general I think it does what I hoped it would do: helps walk people through the various considerations that will help them end up with a puppy (or dog) that they can enjoy for its lifetime.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avoid taking your dog to a shelter because of a bad choice! This book directs the potential owner through some profound dos and don'ts in selecting the ideal puppy/dog for one's family. Guidelines to determine IF you really want a puppy or dog, such as: reasons for getting a dog, consider the expense, what to expect in mannerisms, behavior, and tendencies. What type of dog is the best fit? How much personal time does it require? What is its main purpose? How much time for "upkeep" does it require? Will a family member be allergic to it? Where to find that "perfect" puppy/dog! Adult dog vs. the puppy. This short book ends with a question nd answer section then a resource section.
This is one book all potential pet owners should read, whether or not it is finding "the right dog" or most other species of pets. It is best to be prepared and evaluate one's true reasons and willingness to be a responsible pet owner.
This is a very informative, simple, well-written book of which I give a Five Star rating to!
*This boo was sent as a gift but I am not required to post a positive review. This is my honest review.

[Lost Planet Airman]

Hey, Dixie, thanks for the ʟɪᴋᴇ (on Allende)!

Since I'll likely soon be "shopping" for the last dog I get to have, I flagged your book to read.

[Rakhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

We spend hours searching for the right furniture. We spend a fortune hiring experts before selecting every single thing in our life. But why do we just walk into a pet shop and buy any puppy that we find cute. Do we buy puppies for the right reason? Do we need puppies or adults? Do we need active dogs or lazy ones?Dixie Tenny tells us to find the answers to these questions before taking a dog /puppy home. Citing the examples of two families with different experiences from the same puppies authoress tells that we should chose dogs depending on how we plan to raise them.

The book is divided to three parts. 1. Getting ready for your dream dog. 2. Choosing your dream type of dog 3. Finding your dream puppy 4. Adult dog option. Each part is a text book. With an introduction, main body and conclusion. The systematic approach of the author is commendable.

Being a person from a family which owned at least 4 dogs at a time, I could relate with the book completely. We had a bull mastif which always ends up with injured paws and we used to wonder why. But when I read the book I could comprehend the foolish decision we took. A lot of facts that we overlook while selecting a dog are explainined systematically. Apparently a lot of effort has been invested in the book.

A section with the details of specific breeds could have been an icing on the cake but I must tell you finding the right dog is not a cakewalk.

This review is in return of a free book from i Read Book Tours

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can tell that Dixie brings a lot of knowledge in this book. Yet, she is able to relay her knowledge in a very understandable way that readers will be thankful. I do believe that there is a certain dog for everyone. As, Dixie points out the same dog may not be the perfect fit for family A but is for family B. It is not the dog's fault.

In this book, Dixie helps educate people on topics from what type of dog to get: breed, puppy, adult, etc. To how to train now only the dog but you as the responsible owner of a new family member. Yes, the dog you pick will not be just a pet but part of the family. Another example is focused on a puppy. Yes, puppies are cute but they are a lot of work. Dixie states, it is like taking care of a toddler and I would agree. Anyone, who has never owned a dog would benefit from reading this book.

[Sherry Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots and lots of good great information here. I will begin my search for my 'Dream Dog' new best friend soon. Dixie provides
knowledge and resources that I didn't realize I needed.
The information Dixie provides is this book is relevant for anyone considering adding a new dog to the family.
Whether a seasoned dog owner like myself or a 'newbie' (a first timer) anyone can find useful information.
For the seasoned owner things/practices have changed over the years. People are much more knowledgeable and professionals like Dixie are able to offer knowledge from years of practice.
Back in the day you just went and looked for a puppy fell in love and took it home. And hoped for the best. I remember when we bought a puppy that was still very young and missed his mother and litter mates. We were up all night. It was like having a new born again.
It's different now. There are many resources. And Dixie spells it out and guides the reader through the process.
I recommend this book for anyone considering adding a new member to the family.

This review will appear on all retail sites where the book is available.
This review will appear on Good Reads and My Reading Journeys.

I received a complimentary copy from I Read Book Tours.

[M.M. Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been wanting a dog for awhile now. I do realize that there are all sorts of sizes of dogs and breeds but other than that, not much more do I know. Reading this book, opened my eyes to many things a potential dog owner should think about.

The author wrote a comprehensive book in just a few pages, less than 150 to be exact. She includes everything from breed types, to temperament, to care, and owner lifestyle. She is quick to point out that a new puppy is like having a new baby in the house, it takes time and patience to train to be with you and your household. The author is quick to tell the reader that this puppy is meant to be with you for the rest of its life. This is the sole purpose of the book so that the owner picks the right dog for him/her and does not have to return the dog to a shelter.

The author's years of training dogs are exemplified throughout the entire book and is a good guide to picking just the right dog. For this purpose, it is worth buying the book.

The only negative that I do have is that the book is meant to be just a guide. For reading other than that, it serves no other purpose. Also, the book could have been shortened even further into a novelettish or pamphlet size if the pages had been written in 12 point font and not larger font. The larger font to extend the book was unnecessary.

3 stars.


Disclosure: The views contained here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. This review is also part of the iRead Book Tours.
~M.M. Hudson aka Naila Moon

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s true that our choice of dog is going to affect our lives. We had that experience when we got Pablo. Don’t get me wrong, we love him to bits. But while we lived in Mumbai, his life and ours was pretty bad. He was stuck in an apartment with not much stimulation – that’s hard for a big dog like him. And we hadn’t realized that boxers are prone to separation anxiety. For us to go out as a couple, leaving him alone became next to impossible. I guess we resented him and he resented us. That he’s a changed dog now is another story. If we had read this book before that we might not have got him. As hard as it is to imagine life without Pablo, he and we may have been happier. I’ve had dogs almost my entire life. And yet, this book was an eye-opener.
At a time when people are busy returning or abandoning dogs because they don’t realize just what they’re taking on, Dixie’s straightforward writing, will make people think twice. The book helps you to match a dog with your lifestyle. It helps you set realistic expectations about how that cute little puppy that’s calling your name, might turn out to be when she’s fully grown.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone thinking of getting a dog.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[AnneBenard · Rating 4 out of 5]

How To Find Your Dream Dog is a very well written and enjoyable read.
As a life-long dog owner, dog lover, dog sitter and self-professed dog "expert" I was pleasantly surprised to learn many new things in this book. For instance, Chapter 6 recommends visualizing what type of attachment you want from your dog and choose accordingly. What a great idea! I learned that not only individual temperament but specific breeds play an important part in making this decision.
Not only does Dixie's love for dogs come across through her writing but also her concern for potential dog owners. I highly recommend this book and will be keeping it on my reference shelf.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to find your dream dog by Dixie Teny When I was looking for a dog I really wish I had of had this book. I do have 2 dogs, and they are more like my kids then pets and I wouldn't trade the for the world. Both of my dogs are over 10 years old and I know one day I will be looking for another one. This book is a very informative guide to helping you choose the right dog for you and your family. I do not believe in picking a dog because it is cute and then taking it to the pound a month later because it chews on everything in the house. If you knew before hand how to choose the perfect pet this would not be a problem and the animal shelters would not be over run with animals. 
 
When my kids were young, we decided to let the have a dog. We went to the local  and looked at all the dogs available. We foudn the cutest little black puppy. He was a Weimaraner. We had never heard of this bread. I asked the lady working there and she told oh he is a medium sized dog, so we took him home and named hi George. We were in effect lied to. A Weimaraner is kin to the Great Dane. George turned out to a huge dofg and my small children after a few months could not really play with him considering my husband was 6 feet tall and George could stand on his back legs and easily put his paws on my husbands shoulders. George ended up having to live in the back yard. After that there were no more dogs. We switched to cats since we knew how big they would get. If we had of had a book like this I would of never made that mistake. Of course if I had of told the lady we would be back and would of researched more as well I would not of made that mistake. But oh he was so cute and sad looking locked in that cage. 
 
Anyway back to the book. Dixie Tenny has done a wonderful job bin this book of letting us know just what to expect from Dogs. Not just that they are great companions, but how to take care of a dog, how much work goes into adding a dog to the family, many ways of choosing a dog. Do not go into choosing a family dog blindly. Really research, and thing about it, and read this book. 

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Find Your Dream Dog by Dixie Tenny is an excellent guide book for anyone contemplating getting a dog. It is easy and quick to read (no sludging through excessive info) but packed with all the right questions and issues one must seriously consider when looking to find the right dog.

The book is divided into 4 parts. The first part helps a person or family prepare for a dog by stating exactly what it means to own a pet dog: the time, energy, patience and attention needed to properly care for a dog. The author even included a chapter that goes through a day in the life of puppy. I thought that was smart and a good way to help new owners understand normal puppy behaviour and not be shocked by how little sleep they (the owners) will get through this training period.

The second part helps the reader understand the different types of dogs in terms of energy level, attachment, protection, sociability and grooming needs. The third part is all about where to find a pet dog (definitely not at a pet store!) and the author goes into detail about how to recognize if that breeder website belongs to a legitimate hobby breeder or a disguised puppy mill.

Finally, the last section is all about getting an adult dog versus a puppy. There is also a FAQ section and resources at the back of the book. The only information I thought should have been included is how to choose a dog if you already have another pet, such as a cat. This was our case last year when we adopted a dog and brought him home much to the chagrin of our senior cat. We had searched for over a year for a dog and our cat did not like him one bit. A dog trainer warned us to be careful she did not scratch his eyes.

After two months of our cat hissing and swiping at our dog, hiding in closed rooms and being just plain miserable that a new large pet had taken over her territory, we knew we had to give the dog back. It was one of the hardest decisions we had to do and wished we had known more about this aspect of choosing a dog.

Although there are many books out there about how to train and take care of your dog, this one is all about the preliminary stage, how to find the right dog for you, which most future dog owners ignore or don’t think about. If you are thinking of getting a dog, you should read this book. It will make you understand that there is a big responsibility that comes with pet ownership and that if you choose right, it will make a big difference in your lifelong relationship with your new friend.

[Angela Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Find your Dream Dog offers Straightforward and Honest Advice. This book does a great job breaking down the many aspects of making the decision to own a dog--and of choosing the right dog for your family and lifestyle. She presents the pros and cons of a variety of dogs, situations and real-life factors that should play into this big decision--and does so in a very straightforward, down to Earth, honest fashion. While we may not want to admit it; dogs are not right for every personal lifestyle. Puppies aren't right for everyone. Shelter dogs aren't right for everyone--but, can be if the dog seeker does a bit of homework before adopting the first cute little fuzz ball he or she sees online.

How to Find your Dream Dog is a Quick, Easy to read Guide. Initially, I thought--"How much guidance and value can the author really give me in only 138 pages?" I discovered that her writing style packs a lot of useful information into a book worded and sized very appropriately for me to hand to even my non-book loving friends and family as they consider getting a new dog. This isn't a textbook. It isn't geared toward a specific breed or resource. Instead this book is loaded with realistic questions, straightforward tips and ideas--and some very "common sense" lessons that many dog owners have learned "the hard way"!

Would I recommend Find your Dream Dog by Dixie Tenny? Yes. Yes. Yes. It is written directly, simply--and in a very reader-friendly manner. My friends, family and I have owned a variety of dogs in my lifetime. Some "dream dogs"--some disaster dogs. I wish I had read this book--and had been able to share it and recommend it to friends. There are a lot of reminders--and a lot of common sense notes--to help readers take some of the emotions out of choosing a puppy or adult dog for the family. It's a great book to read for those considering their first dog--and is also a great book with reminders for those of us who have settled into life with dogs....but, may want to add another dog. I see me re-reading this book and recommending it to others for years to come.

I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

After reading this book I feel lucky. We did nothing to prepare for the two dogs we have but they’re part of our family and we wouldn’t trade them for anything. I will, however, use How to Find Your Dream Dog as a resource the next time we decide to get a dog.

There is a lot of good information contained in these pages. Dixie Tenny starts with a section to help you decide if you even really want a puppy, which will change your life. Or, perhaps an older dog would be more your style. Once you decide that you do want a puppy or a dog, she explains the usual traits of breeds of dogs. Of course, not every dog is the same. They each have their own personality just like people. So spending time with the dog you choose is necessary before you decide for sure that that is the one for you.

There are guidelines for starting out with a puppy that will make your life, as well as the puppy’s life, much easier in the beginning. I wish I’d had these the last time I potty trained a puppy!

If you’re thinking about getting a dog for the first time or if you’ve been a dog owner all your life, this book is for you. It contains a lot of useful advice and is a great resource.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that everyone who is thinking of bringing a dog into their life needs to read. Even if you already have a dog and know that one day you will want another, or if you have had dogs in your past, you should give this book a read through to really evaluate your decision to bring a new living being into your life and the best way to do it. This is an easy and quick read at just over 100 pages, a perfect resource

How to Find Your Dream Dog guides you through the decision of whether or not you truly want to make the commitment of bringing a dog into your home, especially a puppy, then deciding what type of dog will fit into your lifestyle and how to go about finding this dog. There is also a section for finding the perfect adult dog, which I received the most information from since I have always known that puppies are a bit too much for me and have found perfect family companions with adult dogs. The most valuable information in this book is probably in the first section, which helps you to understand what type of commitment bringing a puppy into your home will entail. The introductory story is a perfect example of how puppies end up back in the shelter due to poor choices on the human's end. I loved all the comparisons of a puppy to having a toddler around the house. Many people do not understand that you will have to get up in the middle of the night and feed a puppy more often. After making sure that you would actually like to have a dog in your life, Dixie walks you through a straightforward approach to finding a puppy or adult dog that focuses on animal behavior and your lifestyle. I liked that breeders, rescues and shelters were all given equal attention for sources of great dogs and avoiding pet shops and puppy mills were highlighted. Overall, a wonderful and highly informative read for anyone looking to bring a new dog into their home.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[Sandra Olshaski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this short-chaptered book that is full of highly practical tips on how to choose the right dog for you. Happy owner – contented dog; unhappy owner – frustrated dog. It is as a much about how dogs will prosper as it is about how owners will fare. In the words of the author "your dream dog is the one who is right for you, who will enhance your life and make you wonder how you ever lived without him or her."

The author, with 30 plus years of experience with dogs and owners sets out in a clear, understandable way how to proceed in finding the perfect dog. Step 1 is self-examination. Find out why that cute puppy might not be right for you. See how to avoid creating a dangerous dog. Do you want an "aloof" or a "Velcro" dog?

The author has included dog FAQs and Resource pages as well as a companion website that should be checked out if you are on the search for your dream dog.

This is an excellent guide for those who want to successfully bring a canine into their life.

[Claudia Blanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a proud dog owner of two rescues, I am always on the lookout for books that showcase the importance of thoughtful and kind pet ownership. How to Find Your Dream Dog by Dixie Tenny is a lovely guide, doing just that – connecting you with a perfect match for both sides of the equations.

I have written before about how having a pet in your life, increases your health, but to be fair to the dog in question, the dog has to fit your lifestyle, your energy level, your habits, and your space. This book provides you with guidelines on what you should consider, and the list is longer than you might think.

However, Dixie manages to make it an easy process and guides you through every step. What I also loved is that she urges the reader to responsible and get their dog from reputable sources, and never from puppy mills. My heart breaks for these animals, and responsible pet owners should consider that the mere possibility of their dog coming from one of those horrible places, will ensure their continuation.

Thankfully, there are alternatives, which the Author points out.

I am very grateful to have received a copy of How To Find Your Dream Dog for free, as a part of the iReadBookTours tour. All opinions are mine.

Find out more about this book, including a guest article by the Author, follow this link: http://avalon-media.org/mindful-dogpa...

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a dog lover, I was excited for the opportunity to read this book. It was a nice welcomed change of my usual genre.

This is a fast read (I read it in an afternoon), and so informative. It is so common these days to think you want a dog, go to the shelter, and BAM your world has been turned upside down! I’ve seen too often where people adopt a puppy/dog, only to realize they were beyond unprepared and ended up having to return him/her. It’s such a sad story and breaks my heart every time I think of the poor animal who is so confused and rejected.

This book could be the answer to everyone who is even thinking about adopting a puppy. The author starts out with a great comparison of two families, both adopting a lab-mix puppy. One of the families is not prepared at all, while the other one ends up giving the puppy a forever home. There is so much that goes into pet adoption, and so much preparation, research is crucial.

I love the way the book is laid out. While she does tend to focus on adopting a puppy, towards the end she touches on dog adoption. I think I would have liked it if she added a little more content to the dog portion, as I think dogs tend to be overlooked compared to puppies. She includes a number of resources in the back, as well as a faq section, which are also particularly helpful.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is even thinking about adopting a puppy/dog.

***Thank you to iRead Book Tours for a copy of the book! All opinions are my own.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we purchased our dog we knew we wanted a small breed due to the size of our home but other than that our decision was mostly impulsive. My husband came home with a dog for Valentine's Day to surprise me and our son! While it was a great decision in the long run, the first months were very hard. I spent nights laying on the floor with her not sure how to comfort her as she cried at night.

I loved how this book started out, explaining about there is a perfect match between dog and humans but you need to know and learn what it is. Those cute little puppies can have different temperaments and grow up to be quite differently. Understanding your needs, expectations and the breed personality is so important. It will save you and the dog heartbreak as well as unnecessary dog drop offs at shelters.

This book gets down to the nitty gritty on everything you need to know about buying a puppy or older dog. She doesn't sugar coat the hard parts but instead makes you understand the commitment that this will be. She helps you figure out what breed matches your lifestyle and expectations as well as your home life. She teaches you about what to watch out for in breeds and where the best places to purchase a puppy is from.

How To Find Your Dream Dog should be a must read book for all individuals and families who are looking to expand their family with a dog. This should never be an impulsive decision, instead a lot of research, thought and meeting the animal should go into place. She takes all the guess work out of this for you - and you can tell she knows what she is talking about!

[Leila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read.

Fortunately for me, I already own my dream dog, but the author mentioned several things in the book that I hadn’t really thought of when it came to getting our dog. (Although in hindsight, past dogs definitely fit some of the criteria the author mentioned and it clearly explained why the dog was not a fit for our family.)

If you are new to owning a dog – have never owned YOUR OWN dog – this is definitely a must read before you step otu and purchase a dog for yourself or your family.

Like I said, there are many things I did not think of when looking for a dog (the energy of certain breeds being a big one as well as a “working dog” versus a dog who is a guard dog).

If you have owned a dog before and have experience, it doesn’t hurt to read it. We owned a Golden Retriever puppy in the past when our first born was a toddler. Due to the high level energy of a Golden puppy; it was not a good fit. Something I didn’t realize before getting her.

Another thing I learned was that dogs such as Border Collies are considered working dogs and when bored, can have “behavioral issues” (in our eyes anyway) because they are just that – bored. I never realized (or put 2 and 2 together) that a bored working dog could be destructive but it makes sense and definitely makes me more aware as a dog owner. I don’t have animals that need herding so a working dog such as a collie would not fit well with us.

It was a quick read and definitely educational. One I would recommend if a puppy or a dog are in your future!

[Stacey Schneller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well worth your time especially if you are thinking about getting a dog to add to your family. A deffenitly must read for sure. 

I loved how the author had so much information in this book. It has helped a lot and understand more about dogs. We have had plenty of dogs when I grew up and I love dogs. My husband and I have a dog named midnight she is the sweetest dog ever. But in the future we may need to get a service dog for our daughter so this will definitely come in handy. 

This book will give you the information you need when it comes to dogs. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is getting a dog and also owners who have dogs. A great book full of great information. 

I received a ARC of this book to give a honest review.

[Debra Schoenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having lived with dogs most of my life, I wondered what I would learn from Dixie's book. Everything. This book should be given to everyone who is considering bringing a dog into their family. How would I describe this book? Tough love. That's really what you need when you are about to make a decision that may affect your life (and that of your family's) for more than a decade.

Often we spend more time researching a car or a kitchen appliance than we do before bringing home a pet. This book is so full of sound advice.

For example, how much time do you have to spend every day with your new puppy? See page 42

Do you want a dog that will run with you or a lap dog? Watch out for those energy levels! See page 54

Should you buy a puppy from a pet store? See page 76

This book will give you the confidence to look for a dog that is best suited to your lifestyle. It will also help you avoid the pitfalls of falling for a puppy that may grow up to be different from your expectations.

Dixie's book should be made available to all public libraries and vet clinics. It is easy to read, even for young children and provides a list of useful resources at the end of the book. I highly recommend this to everyone who is looking for a new furry companion!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

For noen som overhodet ikke har peiling på hund, unntatt at de som regel har fire bein og pels (med mindre de har amputert et bein eller er nakenhund) er boka en grei innføring når det gjelder det aller mest grunnleggende når det gjelder hunder, men jeg følte at det allikevel var litt mangelfull informasjon til tider. Grunnen til at jeg følte det slik kan ha noe med at jeg er mer eller mindre født og oppvokst med hunder, og mer eller mindre "visste" alt dette fra før, så det var ikke de store åpenbaringene for meg. Jeg følte det var mer enn "basis innføring" for de som knapt har håndtert hunder, men for de som har en viss kunnskap, bør kanskje lete videre etter en annen bok.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I believe that How to Find Your Dream Dog by Dixie Tenny is a book that all first time dog owners should have to read before they can adopt their first dog. I agree completely with Dixie Tenny that way to many people adopt a dog without knowing what type is best for them.

The going to the shelter and picking out the first cute one is a fine approach for seasoned dog owners who know their hard limits or those who have the property size and energy levels to handle any dog type. However that approach should never be used for a first time dog owner. I really liked how Dixie Tenny explained the steps to take before adoption to ensure a good match for the human and the dog.

Overall, I was very happy to read this book and I feel like it is a valuable research for anyone considering getting their first dog. This book will help you to ensure you get a dog breed and type that is right for you (and your family).

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

With true life examples, the author guides potential dog owners not only through more information concerning dogs themselves, but to the knowledge of what a dog truly means within a family.

At only 150 pages, this is a short but rich dive into the question of how to choose the right dog for the family. Unlike some pets, the author uses these pages to make it clear that the dog will be a real part of the family and this should be realized even before a dog is brought home. Through two real life examples using the same puppies, it's illustrated how different the experiences can be depending on the families themselves.

This book is broken down into four sections (preparing for the dog, choosing the dog, puppies and adult dog) and covers everything from breed types, to temperament, to care, and to the family's own situation and lifestyle. Through this lovely overview, especially new dog owners get a good glimpse at what a dog might mean to them and the impact it might really have on their lives. This, however, is not a detailed book on more specific questions concerning dog health and such.

The love and concern the author has for dogs shines through the pages as does her knowledge and experience. Taking on a dog is not a small matter, and that point is brought across clearly. Each breed of dog and their age carries attributes, which influence it's behavior under different circumstances, and this is touched upon. Not all breeds are good with kids, nor can all breeds handle being alone while the family is away all day. Special attention is given to puppies, where the author compares them to bringing a young child into the family, and emphasizes the large amount of patience and work required.

Summed up, this is a wonderful glimpse at the real impact a dog will have on the family, and what future owners should be aware of and expect. The author encourages while being informative, and offers a great guide into helping choose the correct dog to join the family.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my thoughts.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our furry girls Maggie and Molly rated this book 5 paw prints

Both my Mom and I loved reading this book. My mom finished the book first. She then asked me to read it to see what is my thoughts about this book How To Find Your Dream Dog.

We found already our dreams dogs the American Staffordshireterrier dog named Maggie and Rat Terrier named Molly. They both are girls. Maggie is four and Molly just turned two years old yesterday.

Reading this book is so amazing. You will learned a lot. Owning a dog takes many responsibilities. I know that my Mom sometimes gets mad at me if my big brother and I won't take them out to do their thing. You will also gives them exercise. Our dogs loves to go outside for a walk and run. Maggie loves to run and chases Molly. While Molly loves to hunt and being chased with Maggie.

Though Maggie came to us miraculously. I was at that time has severe dog allergy. She helps me a lot coping with my dog allergy. Sometimes I get hives when she gives me sloppy kisses. We will trade anything for the world with our dogs. We both loved them to pieces. They are both amazing house and guard dogs. They have both different personalities. Maggie is so giving while Molly is being bossy.

If you are looking for your dream dog, this book is your best guide. My mom and I both highly recommend this book. I wish you all the luck.