It was a cute read that I would expect to find on a coffee table for casual enjoyment. Some aspects of it got a little repetitive, but I did see myself with my dog in a few of the comics. I enjoyed the vignettes in between sections.
Overall a humorous book.

Very cute comics about dog ownership. Several relatable panels and a cute wraparound story about adopting a dog.

A charming, entertaining summary of life with dogs, the moments of love, joy and some of those not so good ones are illustrated wonderfully in this short engaging book.

Artwork is cute but so intricate. Some of these things are so accurate which makes this book so humorous.

Humorous and relatable for all those who have ever had the pleasure of having a dog in their life. The comics are like quick one-liner’s, and while I enjoyed the format, I wish they could have expanded a bit more in that sense. But all in all this is a very funny and enjoyable read. The art is also fantastic!

3 1/2 stars

As a proud dog owner, I laughed my way through You're Not a Real Dog Owner Until... by Scott Dooley and Jason Chatfield, nodding in agreement at every page. This book perfectly captures the hilarity, chaos, and heartwarming absurdities of living with dogs. From those "why do I even bother?" moments to the unconditional love that keeps us coming back for more, Dooley and Chatfield nail every part of the dog parent experience.

The humor is spot-on, the scenarios are all-too-relatable, and the illustrations are absolutely fantastic. Each cartoon brought a smile to my face, and I found myself thinking, “Yep, been there!” multiple times. Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or considering adopting your first pup, this book is a delightful and hilarious read.

You're Not a Real Dog Owner Until... is the perfect gift for any dog lover—it’s lighthearted, laugh-out-loud funny, and packed with the kind of relatable humor that will have readers nodding in recognition. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advanced online copy in exchange for my honest review. I can’t wait for its official release on April 29, 2025—this is a must-have for pet owners everywhere!

Everyone who has a dog in their life, that they love more than most people, will understand and adore this book! Very real and hysterical! The drawings fit in with the text perfectly! So cute and brightened my day!

This was a fun, quick read about the life of a dog owner. Each page is a cute illustration and there is an extra adoptions story that runs in between the comics. This would make a great gift for a dog lover.

Thank you to the authors, Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC!

Pet Parent Relatable

This book made me feel so seen, called out and in good company with so many other pet parents. I think it’s super relatable for many dedicated pet parents to relate to.

The illustrations were accurate to real life on some accounts and overall hysterical even during the over the top ones.

This would be a great book to give to a dog parent for Mother’s/Father’s Day. This could also be cute for an adoption day, dog or parent birthday.

I received a copy of this book from Scott Dooley and Jason Chatfield. I am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.

Such a wholesome book. As a dog owner, I related most of the things mentioned in the book. The drawings were cute and funny, too.

The perfect gift for the dog owner or even about to be a dog owner. You're not likely to match each and every humorous cartoon but, well, if you're like me, you'll find yourself nodding, "Yep, that's me" frequently as you turn the pages. I mean, that couldn't possibly be me who just downloaded a weather app that lets you use your own doggie pix to showcase today's weather, could it? Guilty as charged.

Seriously, you'll be reminded of things you love (or maybe don't love quite so much) about being owned by a dog here. It's definitely relatable. Just a few examples: You're not a dog owner until your dog eats a better, more healthy diet than you? Yep. Just check my grocery bill. You enjoy sports events far more when some pet get loose and zips around the field while slow humans try to ruin its fun? Yep. You gravitate toward books and movies with a dog in it? Yep. Your dog's head tilt and sad eyes can disable your sternest attempt to convey your annoyance at something it has done? Yep. You have more photos of your dog than your family? Yep, just ask my friends. You....oh, just too many to list and if one doesn't quite hit home, the next may. I mean, I know I smile at photos of big, burly men holding a tiny dog. How about you or, shh, perhaps you're that dude?

Bottom line, it's pretty obvious I enjoyed every moment of this. The unexpected bonus was the story of a sweet pup that runs through the book. That one tugged at the heartstrings. Sure there's chaos, Daisy, I'm looking at you, but there is always love, unbounded and given to us without hesitation. Do make sure you read the "About the Authors" section, too. It's a hoot. Thanks #AndrewsMcMeelPublishing for allowing me this early look at this fun, humorous take on life with dogs, good and bad. I know my own dog has brightened my life.

Dog owners are going to identify with this book a LOT. If you're not a dog owner, I'm not sure why you'd be reading this in the first place. There were certainly pages where I just said to myself, "Yup!"

I had high hopes this would be really cute, but most of the comics fell short, reminding me of those bland one-liners I read in newspapers as a kid.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.

As a dog lover, I absolutely loved this book. I recognize the art style from "The New Yorker" and found the observations painfully spot on. The first thing I could think of (when I got past the idea that the book creators have been bugging my house and/or reading my mind, was that this would be an idea gift for any dog lover. An added "Inception" to that idea is that this was one of the many witty perceptive cartoons, that real dog owners KNOW to give each other books like this for gifts. I suppose we are a band of dog obsessed weirdos, who share our beds, our food and our lives with these magnificent creatures. Every breed gets their fair share of praise and pats in this book, and every kind of dog owner does too. Good job! Extra cookies for you tonight.

3.5 Stars

The illustrations in the book were fabulous; they were very fitting to the text and the details within them greatly added to the humour. I adored the drawings tremendously and to me they were the star of this book. I especially loved the diversity in the dogs and owners that were depicted throughout.

As someone who works with dogs and is a dog owner myself, a lot of these scenarios were relatable and a good laugh. However, a few of them were a bit frustrating, as I found that they glorified dog owners who feel entitled to have their dogs with them at all times and who ignore problematic behaviour in their dogs. I just feel like there are other funny scenarios that would be more universally relatable that could have taken up those pages instead.

Overall, it was a very quick and fun read that I think a lot of dog owners would find relatable and enjoy. For the illustrations alone, it would make for a cute gift to any dog lover in your life for their coffee table.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was very humorous and cute. I have never had an original moment in my life, as this book shows me. But what was with the emotional side story in between the humor? I was like ok, didn’t realize I’d be feeling stuff. Both my dogs are rescues and it pains me to think someone didn’t want them.

Very heartwarming and cutesy! I loved the illustrations and the general vibe!! As someone who grew up with dogs and is about to be a dog owner again, I'm excited for this!!

Sorry, cat owners! Dog owners DO have more fun! "You're Not a Read Dog Owner Until..." was laugh out loud, roll on the floor laughing funny. It took me back to memories of dogs that I have owned and lost in the past, and also caused me to give a few more ear scratches to my currently furry friends. I plan to purchase a copy for my library to spread the joy!

Cute little coffee table picture book about the love of being a dog owner.

This was relatable and funny especially the food aspects when it comes to dogs. It had me thinking about all the quirks that me dog has.
I wanted to share this with fellow dog owners that I know.

This books is a great laugh in a time when I needed it most! As a dog owner, I related to every cartoon! I highly recommend it to every dog owner!