How to Find Your Dream Dog by Dixie Tenny {Book Review}

Disclosure: Leels Loves Books, on behalf of Life as Leels, received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[show-book title=”How to Find Your Dream Dog”]

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!

About the Author
Dixie Tenny has been helping people and their dogs find each other and form successful partnerships since the early 1980s. She founded two rescue organizations: Purebred Dog Rescue of Saint Louis in 1984, and Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue, Inc. in 1987. Dixie was the Director of Training for the Greater St. Louis Training Club, Inc., for five years, creating classes and overseeing the work of 40 head and assistant trainers. In 2003 she and another experienced trainer created Dogs Unleashed, LLC. They traveled to clients’ homes and worked with behavior and training issues.

Dixie’s professional credentials include trainer certifications from the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior, and the Association for Pet Dog Trainers. Dixie formed her own business, Human-Animal Learning Opportunities, LLC (HALO) in 2013. HALO hosts continuing education seminars for dog trainers.

Dixie has lived with a wide range of dogs over the years including mixed breeds, Australian Shepherds, Welsh and Cairn terriers, and more. While in Seattle, Dixie raised a labrador puppy for Canine Companions for Independence, Inc. (CCI). Currently Dixie lives with a Beauceron and an elderly Papillon, as well as four cats. When not doing things related to animals, she reads widely, enjoys the company of her three grown children, follows baseball and English Premier League football, and travels the world.

Connect with Dixie
Website | Facebook