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!