b o o k s
A Tale of Two Puppies Breanna Norris reviews Jack and Billy: Puppy Tales by Steven Goodall and Sally Bradbury
T
ake two littermates and place them in two very different homes. Will the pups grow up to be identical in personality or will their early training affect their future lives? Of course, as trainers and behavior consultants, we know the answer to this, but our clients and the general public may not. Jack and Billy: Puppy Tales begins like many typical children’s books and sets a simple idyllic scene. Within just a few pages, however, the reader will see that there is much to be learned. The narrative follows two puppies, Jack and Billy, during that all-important first year of their lives. Aimed at a young audience (yet equally applicable to adults), the book explains how a puppy’s early learning experiences help set the foundations for his future behavior – for better or for worse. It showcases two very different approaches to training and socializing, and consequently, two different outcomes. Sadly, as a result, (spoiler alert) one of the pups ends up in rescue before his first birthday. But don’t worry, there is ultimately a happy ending for both dogs! By implementing an effective teaching style that allows readers to see both sides of the story and make their own decisions about what would be best for the dog, the book cleverly details how to raise a puppy. It is formatted in such a way that the left-hand page consists of one or two paragraphs of text in a large font that makes for easy reading and following along for young readers. On the adjacent, right-hand page there is a delightful illustration to back up the text and provide greater educational insight. In the case of Jack and Billy, both puppies go to homes that are similar: they both have children, both puppies have access to toys, both puppies are to be crate trained and house trained, and both puppies go out for walks. But, there is a big difference in the two families’ approaches. While Jack’s family is organized in their puppy raising plan, it is easy to see that Billy’s family is not terribly prepared. For example, when Billy is brought home for the first time, the children are running and screaming around him. They are very excited, of course, but Billy is scared. The illustrations by Steven Goodall capture excellent examples of what this may look like: Billy’s tail is tucked, his eyes are wide and he is licking his lips. Later, while sniffing his crate and exploring, someone shuts the door and locks him in. Billy is left in his crate all night and cries a lot. Meanwhile, when Jack gets home he is allowed to sniff and explore.
© Steven Goodall/Tom Joyce
On his first night in his new home, Jack’s crate was full of treats and was placed in his owner’s bedroom so he would not be alone
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BARKS from the Guild/September 2019
Jack and Billy: Puppy Tales follows the varying fortunes of two littermates after they are adopted into two very different homes
Aimed at a young audience...the book explains how a puppy’s early learning experiences help set the foundations for his future behavior – for better or for worse. It showcases two very different approaches to training and socializing, and consequently, two different outcomes.
© Steven Goodall/Tom Joyce
On his first night in his new home, Billy’s family is noisy and he ends up being shut on his crate, alone and afraid
