I have to confess an unpopular opinion: I am not a dog person. It comes from fear rather than a dislike of dogs. I’m not afraid of being bitten. It’s just the general overexcitement, the jumping and licking and barking, that puts me on edge.
So, it seems strange for me to volunteer to read and review a story about training puppies. It’s not knowledge that I’ll ever use, but it is knowledge that I can appreciate.
My sister, who is a dog lover, used to devour picture books about dog training and dog breeds, soaking up all of the information that she can. She now follows dogs on social media and furthers her education from dog breeders and trainers who impart their wisdom onto her.
So, in honor of her love of dogs, I decided to give this book a try. Below is my review of The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge Out and About, followed by an interview with the authors, Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada.
The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge plot summary
One day at summer camp, C.J. and Lora learn that they have been invited to ride in an upcoming parade. Excited, they ask their camp counselors if their puppies, a mastiff named Porter and a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Midge, can also ride in the parade.
The counselor gives the children advice about training their new puppies and making sure they’re healthy before they ride in the parade. C.J. and Lora learn how to ease their puppies into the real world with gentle words, petting, and treats, how to help them acclimate to new people, animals, and places, and how to follow commands. By the end of their training, the dogs are well behaved and able to ride on the float with the kids without incident.
The story
The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge is a story that is built around puppy training tips and tricks for new owners. The story follows C.J. and Lora through different scenarios as they prepare their puppies for a large and loud event with many people. They start slow by easing Porter and Midge into quiet groups of other dogs and people, teaching them how to behave and making sure that they are up to date on their shots until they are ready to interact with the outside world.
The kids are dedicated to training their puppies and show the commitment and patience that’s needed to train a new puppy. Each dog has a different personality, and they learn how to recognize their different character traits and train accordingly.
Each scenario has a different set of rules from indoor to outdoor visits to interacting with people versus animals. The dogs learn to follow the kids’ lead and know when to stay calm. This is primarily because C.J. and Lora are trained to talk to the dogs calmly yet enthusiastically and reward them when they do a good job. As a result, the dogs learn what is expected of them in different scenarios.
The narration
The story is told in the third person as the narrator explains the different scenarios in which the dogs and owners find themselves. It thoroughly breaks down each situation without getting technical or complicated. It also reiterates past lessons without feeling like a lesson.
Though it’s obviously a guide to dog training, the book still feels like a story. The conflict is getting the dogs trained before the parade, and the meat of the story are all of the little details that are shown and explained by this narrator.
There is also plenty of dialogue as the kids learn along with their puppies. And this dialogue helps to make the reader feel more included in the training and makes the story feel more realistic.
The illustrations
The illustrations by Ann Kelble are very detailed and colorful. I love the care that she especially puts into portraying the dogs. She also fills the page with very vivid backgrounds that mirror the real-world situations in which the characters find themselves.
There is a lot of movement to the pictures with a lot of background characters that serve almost as a maze of obstacles that challenge the dogs to break their training. Giving the readers a lot to look at on the page also helps to keep their attention and encourages further conversation about the story.
My recommendation
I recommend The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge to dog lovers, new dog owners, and older readers who are looking for a detailed, informative story about dog training. I think this story does an expert job of blending facts and creativity to create a cohesive story while still working in the basic tips and tricks that it is trying to get across.
If more dog owners read this book and persisted in training their dogs from their youth, we’d have a lot more well-behaved dogs in the world. And for those of us who fear rowdy and rambunctious dogs that we encounter in our daily lives, it would put us a lot more at ease.
My rating
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An interview with Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada
How did you map out the topics and situations that you would cover in the book?
These topics and situations were actually based on real life events and real people. Both Porter and Midge were puppies we had at the same time, and we socialized them all over Austin. The pictures we took served as inspiration for the book.
When did you come up with the idea to turn these tips into a story rather than a straightforward dog training guide?
We didn’t ever intend on a dog training guide as the audience for this book was for young children. Dog training is complex and nuanced, and it should not be done without adult supervision. We wanted a story that exposed children to basic principles and training concepts and to promote responsible pet ownership/create a positive impact on the lives of both children and their furry friends.
Do you have a favorite page, illustration, or line in the book?
Definitely the checklist! That list was put together by a trainer named Virginia Wind. It’s so comprehensive, and we wish we had it when Porter and Midge were babies!
Have you gotten any feedback from readers who say that your book has helped them to train their puppies?
We have certainly gotten feedback that the book has helped kids understand dog training. The book is fresh on the market so we anticipate that over time, we will receive more feedback on the impact directly on training.
What advice do you have for a dog owner whose dog doesn’t seem to be grasping their training? What advice do you have for a dog owner who might get frustrated when their dog doesn’t listen?
Our advice would be to step back and work on building a relationship and communication with your dog. There are foundational games that are commonly used in agility and competitive obedience designed solely to improve the relationship between dog and owner.
Another piece of advice is for the owner to reflect on his/her emotional state and non-verbal communication. Dogs are experts at reading body language and sensing emotional states. Sometimes humans may verbally say one thing, but the body language is saying something else. This can be very confusing to dogs.
What advice do you have for those who are afraid of dogs and encounter one who is not trained?
It’s important to stay calm and composed to avoid escalating the situation. Avoid direct eye contact and sudden movements, as these can provoke the dog.
Instead, stand still and give the dog space, slowly backing away if possible. Resist the urge to run, as it may trigger the dog’s chase instinct. Stay quiet and avoid loud noises or sudden sounds that could startle the dog further.
If you feel unsafe, seek assistance from a nearby person or authority figure. Remember to assess the dog’s behavior and body language to determine the best course of action. If you struggle with a fear of dogs, consider seeking support from a professional to help you overcome it.
What’s the best way a dog lover can volunteer their time to help dogs that aren’t their own?
Identify a passion you have for dogs. It could be rescue, health research, service dog training, or raising funds for a canine organization like military or police dogs. Make a list of tasks or responsibilities that you would like to take on, and find a group that aligns with your passion. Offer the tasks and responsibilities that you would like to do to the volunteer point of contact.
What’s next for Porter and Midge?
More adventures as they learn to be well-behaved dogs! Our second book, The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Paws at Attention is already being illustrated and we hope we can get it out by the end of the year. We’re also tinkering with another Porter and Midge geared at younger kids.
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Thank you so much, Laura for the wonderful review. If you or any of your readers have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out! Happy Reading (and training)!!!
Thanks for sharing your book, and I hope everyone checks it out and enters to win a copy!