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/

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

This book would make a perfect gift for any dog obsessed dog owner. The illustrations were amusing and every page was just spot on. It is not a particularly long read and is probably best as a gift to a dog lover.

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.

2.5* This was ok... The art was not my style but it was cute. It was about 50/50 on whether the plot points were funny or unrelatable, and I really am a serious dog mom. I currently have 3 dogs and have fostered many in the past. I felt like this was kind of repetitive and boring. There was a mini story that was sprinkled throughout about a stray being adopted and that was cute, but it was such a small portion and felt very randomly placed. Honestly I would have enjoyed this more if that was the story. There really isnt a story to this, just points on each page for dog owners. It fell very flat for me.

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.

fine. redundant. true.
I liked the in between story of the abandoned dog being adopted. That was really sweet.

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!

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...

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).

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.

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.