A very cute, short book about the life of a dog owner. There are stereotypes made fun of, but also real struggles and situations you face as a dog owner. I consider this is a good gift for someone, who has a dog. Very lovely illustrations, too! I consider this book a good one.

Thank you for the opportunity to the publisher and Netgalley

you're not a real dog owner until was an excellent read and so fun. I loved the hilarious illustrations and totally agree with what it's like to be a dog owner!

This book offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means to be a dog owner. It is charming, humorous, and heartwarming, providing a realistic depiction of the messes, joy, and love that come with having a dog. The illustrations are beautiful, enhancing the overall experience. As a dog mom of two, I found this book highly relatable. It is a must-read for all dog parents and dog lovers. This book is enjoyable and easy to read, making it suitable for the whole family to read together. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Review to come to my blog and other places in April closer to the release day.

I received this book from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


I just had to get this book when I spotted it over at Netgalley, I am a dog owner myself and I was curious how many I would match. And not just me, because I  roped my hubby into it as well. I read all of the book and he read most while I was reading (he was also doing other stuff). 

And we both had a lot of fun reading this and were nodding along with many of the You're Not a Real Dog Owner Until... Like the Sugar Daddy one (or in my case that would be Sugar Mommy), I just love treating my baby. I don't have Insta, but haha, I can so see that my adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gets more followers than I do. Whenever I post a picture of her on my BlueSky people love her. Oh, and that my puppy has done that when I see a kid run by/hear about babies, heck yes. I have done that. Or your kid has puked all over, been there done that. Oh your kid doesn't listen, welcome to the team. XD The cult leader one was also definitely true. Most dogs already want hugs, but behold if you have THE TREAT. My dog has no love for chicken bones, but I do know when there is something on the road that she does love. Oh, and I legit have let my dog sit on me even though my legs were screaming at me. Teehee. Oh, and the walk one, yes, my hubby and I are also talking in code. Same for food times and treats. She knows those words too well. And there were so many more. I loved it! I guess I am a real dog owner, whoo! And my hubby as well! 

Oh, and of course there were a couple of You're not a real dog owner... that didn't match for me, like the army/service dogs ones. Nothing against those, but that whole patriotism thing is just not a huge thing in my country.


And while I did like the short story in between my copy had a few missing + some pages seemed not work correctly so I only got the gist of it. Something about a dog that I guess got abandoned then somehow got captured (didn't see exactly how that went) got in the pound and then suddenly was adopted. Again, not all the images worked, some were just blank, so it was like seeing snapshots and having to piece that together.

I did like the art, it was a lot of fun and made me giggle. 

All in all, I would recommend this hilarious book to everyone! Perfect present for dog owners (or yourself if you are a dog owner).

A very sweet collection of art surrounding the experience of being a dog owner. A few of them are outlandish but this was enjoyable in the way that The Far Side comics are.

## Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cover: ⭐⭐⭐
- Initial Draw: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Characters: n/a
- Plot and Pacing: n/a
- Last Page Feeling: n/a

## Review

This is a quick little book composed of standalone comics about common scenarios that dog owners find themselves in.

I found most of the comics very relatable and humorous but I do agree with some of the other reviews that the mini stories in the middle didn't make much sense.

There isn't much to say about this one but it would make a good coffee table gift for any dog owner. Check it out if you see it in your local book store!

Thank you netgalley and publishers for the chance to read an ARC of this cutie patootie book!

This book was so cute and would make a great coffee table book or little gift for dog lovers. The illustrations were really well done, I found myself looking at every page to see if any of the dogs looked like mine. A lot of the pages made me actually chuckle out loud. As a dog owner and humane society volunteer many of these were a little too relatable (like the one about basically being a sugar daddy 😂). I also liked the little comic throughout of a dog being rescued but think it would be even better if at the very end of all the comics it showed the dog that was adopted in its new home as like a little closure of the comic. Very cute book!

I loved this little book, and it would make a nice gift for any dog lover. This illustrations are adorable, and the humor is clear. I highly recommend this book for yourself, or as a gift. I promise it will speak to everyone's heart.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#YoureNotaRealDogOwnerUntil #NetGalley #ScottDooley #JasonChatfield

This book is a delightful collection of short “You’re not a real dog owner…” scenarios, each followed by relatable moments that every dog owner will recognize. Even if you don’t own a dog yourself, you’ll find plenty to laugh about if you know someone who does—you’ll catch yourself thinking, “OMG, that’s exactly like my friend with their pet!”

It’s a super cute and charming book, perfect for anyone who loves dogs or enjoys lighthearted humor about life with pets. A must-read for dog lovers!

For dog lovers everywhere. A quick read book with stand alone comics that dog owners will understand. Things like having to eliminate the word treat or walk from your everyday vocabulary. Or needing to become ninja-like quiet when trying to get the car keys without alerting your dog. This is a quick and fun read. I can imagine a similar type of book for cat owners as well. The illustrations are well done and are as important as the words.

This is a cute book full of situations only a "real dog owner" could relate to. As a dog lover myself, I found this book funny but also very true. Things like, "You're not a real dog owner until....the art of silently picking up your keys has been mastered," are all scenarios dog owners are very aware of. The authors put a humorous spin on things dog owners love, and maybe don't love so much about dog ownership. The illustrations are very detailed and are as funny as the text. This book is great for all dog lovers and I highly recommend!

Thank you Scott Dooley, Jason Chatfield, and Andrews MacMeel Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book via NetGalley! This review was written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

Funny and relatable! This comic perfectly captures the joys (and chaos) of dog ownership."You Are Not a Real Dog Owner Until..." is a hilarious comic strip that perfectly captures the often absurd realities of life with a canine companion. The humor is spot-on, hitting all the right notes for anyone who's ever experienced the unique challenges and unconditional love of a dog. Highly recommended for a quick laugh and a dose of relatable pet-owner chaos.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on January 20th, 2025. Links provided.

You’re Not a Real Dog Owner Until… by Scott Dooley and Jason Chatfield perfectly captures the joy, mess, and hilarity of life with a dog. Every page is filled with relatable humor, from proudly knowing that 90% of your photo roll is your pet (not other people) to accepting that every piece of furniture now belongs to your furry companion. The witty cartoons illustrate the quirks of dog parenting, like having to spell the word “walk” or realizing you are now your dog’s sugar daddy (or mommy!). It’s a delightful, laugh-out-loud tribute to the unique chaos that comes with loving a dog, emphasizing the reality that YOUR dog is the most special while also reminding us that we all feel the exact same way about our fur babies.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of You’re Not a Real Dog Owner Until... in return for my honest review.

Cute and funny comic book about the joys of being a dog owner. Loved the illustrations and as a dog owner I found a lot of these relatable (yes, my phone is filled with dog pics and my dog’s social life is way more interesting than mine).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is a love letter...no. it's an ode to dogs. Dogs are the best. It's been 12.5 years since we lost our doggo to old age and not a day goes by when I don't think of her. I adore this book. Might buy a copy to distract my partner when I bring home a dog...

This book was really cute and I related to a lot of it. My dog certainly fits a lot of the examples as well, and the illustrations were super cute.

I love these kinds of cute little humor books, and the writer and illustrator absolutely understand the struggle of trying to behave when it's so much better to reward my misbehaving pet because I love him so much. I kept thinking, Yep, done that, thought that. This would be a fun gift for a fellow pet lover or a gift for yourself to pick up when you need a quick laugh.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

I don’t have a dog, but this book had me laughing from beginning to end! It does a great job capturing the funny habits of dog owners, from their puppy talk to their never-ending dog photos. The humor is spot on, making it a fun and enjoyable read—even if you don’t have a dog yourself. If you love dogs or just like watching how dog owners act, you’ll definitely enjoy this book! I

’m excited for the authors’ next book about being a New Yorker—I’m sure it’ll be just as funny.

Big thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for the chance to read this early!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you've been a dog mom/dad, this book will be very relatable to you. It's readable in one sitting. I think it would make a fun gift or coffee table book.

Thank you to Andrews McNeel Publishing for this book in exchange for my honest review. As a dog owner, I laughed out loud at many of the scenarios in this quick, illustrated book. I could honestly relate to most of the situations describing what dog owners do, say, and go through. Dogs are life! If you’re looking for a lighthearted, quick, relatable read to boost your mood, this is it.

"You're Not A Real Dog Owner Until..." by Scott Dooley and Jason Chatfield is a very cute comic about being a dog owner. The artwork and the comic are a lot of fun! I highly recommend this comic if you are a dog lover!

Such a fun read!

As a dog owner, I could relate to so many things in this book. This book would make a fabulous gift for any dog owner in your life! It's also enjoyable to read as a dog owner. The illustrations are incredible and very fun!

As a dog lover, I found this book to be an absolute delight. This charming book blends humor, relatable observations, and heartwarming illustrations, making it a perfect read for anyone who shares a deep bond with their canine companion.

The art is whimsical and expressive, bringing the dogs’ personalities to life in a way that complements the text perfectly. Each image adds another layer of joy to the reading experience, making it a visual as well as an emotional treat.

I can definitely see this as a fantastic gift for any dog lover. It’s a lighthearted, uplifting read that celebrates the unconditional love and hilarity of living with a dog. Whether you're a new dog parent or have had one by your side for years, this book will make you laugh. It's a wonderful way to remind ourselves of the special role our dogs play in our lives.

This was adorable from start to finish!!

A graphic novel you can easily read in one sitting and are guaranteed to smile all the way through! I laughed so many times! The examples here were extremely funny and made me want to squeeze my dog lovingly until he gets that panicked look in his eyes. The artwork was really good, and portrayed different situations in both cute and hilarious ways. There are also a few drawings that tell a separate, beautiful little story, and they almost made me cry! They were unexpected, but were probably my favorite part!

If you own a dog (aka you're his best friend and/or the dog basically owns you) or just love them in general, I'm sure you'd absolutely love this book! It would also make for a perfect gift to any dog owner! Definitely recommend; I'm sure I'll reread it in the future!

You’re Not a Real Dog Owner Until… by Scott Dooley and Jason Chatfield is a beautiful ode to life with one's best friend, buddy, partner, compatriot and pal.

I mean... I have a dog and I can see ourself (me and my furry best friend) in ALL of the illustrations. How could I not enjoy this? How!?! I can't wait to have this at home. It was funny and I felt so seen as all those things happen to us all who have dogs. SO SO SO good!!!

Cute and relatable book about the joys of dog ownership. The artwork is beautiful and funny. Nice read!

Cute for dog owners, dog lovers, and fans of humorous comics. The comics are entertaining, of sometimes a little stereotypical.

See my full review at http://michelleardillo.com/2025/01/28/book-review-youre-not-a-real-dog-owner-until-by-scott-dooley-and-jason-chatfield/

These comics are so true!!! I am a dog mom and I felt every one of these in my heart. It is so true the love someone can have for a dog. They become so much more than a pet, they become family. This book was so cute and I would recommend this to everyone I know that has a dog.

A great book to share with anyone who has ever owned a dog. Combining illustrations and funny phases (I especially loved the picture of the bride with a dog on her lap saying she couldn't move since the dog was napping there) you will have a guarenteed perfect present for that dog lover in your life,

Thank you, NetGalley for this cute eARC. This book is very relatable for dog lovers! It was fun reading it. All the illustrations are great too.

This was such a cute and fun read. You can read this book easily in one sitting and I am a dog owner so I felt every single page! Also while I was reading it I was just hugging my dog close to me. The artwork was just amazing and there was a side story that made me cry!
Overall it's a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves dogs, especially if you live with them.

This was very cute and accurate as a fellow dog owner. It made me laugh and there are absolutely things I have done that were depicted. I think this would be a cute gift for a dog owner.

This short but delightful book would make a fantastic gift for any friend or family member who owns a dog. Filled with humorous and relatable moments, it perfectly captures the joys and quirks of life with a furry companion. More than once, I found myself laughing out loud and thinking, "This is so me"!

The writing is lighthearted and engaging, making it an easy yet thoroughly entertaining read. Whether you’re a longtime dog owner or simply love dogs, you’ll appreciate the hilarious observations and situations that any pet parent can relate to. If you're looking for a fun, feel-good book that brings smiles and laughter, this one is definitely worth picking up!

"You're Not a Real Dog Owner Until..." is a rather cute and funny look at dog owners and their doggos, but it's also heartwarming. The illustrations are adorable. Each one features different dog breeds and, sometimes, their humans doing whatever the text says. I chuckled a lot as I flipped pages, seeing myself in the scenarios. But you want to know what really got me in my feelings? A side illustration that appears a few times. It tells a story I won't spoil, but as a dog owner, it made me feel warm and happy. This is the kind of "novelty" book you can gift to every dog owner you know and walk away knowing you nailed it. Kudos to Scott Dooley and Jason Chatfield for including many dog breeds (Great Danes, omg!). That makes this book more appealing to me. If there's ever a sequel, I'll buy it.

* I received a review copy from NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!"

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.

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!

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!

You're Not a Real Dog Owner Until... was absolutely adorable! Each page boasts an illustration with a hilarious caption beneath it. This is essentially a collection of newspaper/magazine-like cartoons so it is a very easy read. It would be a great coffee table book and a delightful conversation starter. There are such gems as "You're not a real dog owner until... your dog eats a healthier, more balanced, and nutrient-rich diet than you have ever eaten in your life" hidden in the pages of this comic -- honestly, what's not to love about it?

This was so funny. It is worth it. It’s been a year since I lost my dog Natty. I miss her very much. Reading this brought memories back. Sad memories but good as well.

As a dog owner, this book was an absolute delight! The humor was spot-on, and the illustrations made it even funnier. So many of the observations felt too real—especially the one about judging fictional characters based on how they treat dogs (so true! 😂). And the subtle messaging about the joy of adoption was so well done. Absolutely loved it and support that message. If you love dogs and a good laugh, this book is a must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cute and funny book perfect for any dog lover! The examples throughout the book were so funny and reminded me of my girl

Such a cute and funny book for any human claimed by a dog. If you know you know and this author knows. Great illustrations that made me laugh out loud too.