A Puppy Training Book for Kids: JJ Goes to Puppy Class-A Review

Thinking of getting a new puppy for your children?  This book is a must read for them. JJ Goes To Puppy Class, by Diane Rose-Soloman, uses charm, common sense and easy-to-undertand life lessons to teach children five to nine years old about the importance of training a dog and fostering a stronger human-animal bond with their pup.

But, she’s not talking just any training. The key to Rose-Solomon’s book, and what has garnered high praise from high profile trainers like Justin Silver of the national tv show, “Dogs in the City,” is her lessons are focused on positive training. Kindness, patience, consistency, responsibility and unconditional love are peppered throughout this puppy training book for kids.

Like the first in her JJ series, JJ The American Street Dog, which told the story of Maya and her family adopting a dog found wandering in a park, JJ Goes To Puppy Class features Maya and her family, once again. With their new dog’s unruly, typical puppy behavior, Maya’s parents reach out to local real-life trainer, Lyssa Noble Dennis, and enroll JJ in her puppy class to teach him what is expected of him in his new home.  As in any good training, the family also learns how to work with JJ to ensure success.

Diane uses comparisons between the puppy’s new lessons with those learned by Maya when she was younger, to help young kids understand how and why training is so important to having a happy dog. For example, when JJ goes potty in the house, trainer Lyssa explains that puppies need to be walked every hour or two, to set them up for success. Maya’s mom explains to her that puppies need to be potty trained, just like she did when she was little; only puppies go outside, and Maya uses the bathroom. These kinds of analogies are throughout, and make for an effective way for kids to comprehend the bigger picture.

Diane and her dogs, Gonzo and Ninja

The book is illustrated by Lisette Rotman, and done so beautifully. Vibrant pictures of life with JJ and his family will draw young readers in and make them smile. Lisette has found the perfect combination of appealing-looking characters with colors and settings that delight. Rotman is also a supporter of rescue, having two adopted kitties. In addition, she will be selling her artwork to raise money and awareness for animal groups.

Rescue is a key focus of Rose-Solomon’s JJ series. Her message encourages rescue and  a portion of proceeds from each book sold goes to animal rescue groups. Diane has even created an affiliate program on her site for rescue groups, shelters and pet organizations, which offers a generous percentage of each book sold through an affiliate’s site to that group or organization.

This makes sense because JJ is a real rescue dog, found on the street and adopted by Diane and her family 19 years ago. Gone, but not forgotten, JJ taught them so much and inspired Rose-Solomon to pass those lessons along to children everywhere.

Fort those who loved JJ The American Street Dog, you’ll also love JJ Goes To Puppy Class. And, you’ll be happy to know there are three more books in the JJ series already planned:

• Introducing a baby to a home that has a dog
• Service and therapy dogs
• Prejudice against certain breeds

All great topics that beg an insightful and sensitive touch.

There’s also a great list of tips for new dog owners at the end of the book with links to resources.

I loved this cute introductory video about JJ Goes To Puppy Class. You, or your child, might, too!

You can purchase JJ Goes To Puppy Class here.

All in all, I thought JJ Goes to Puppy Class was a well thought out book that is a great tool for parents to both educate their young children on how to be a good dog owner, and to teach important values of patience, unconditional love, kindness and consistency in raising a great dog. Bravo, Diane!

If you want to learn about JJ’s story, read my review on JJ The American Street Dog here.

Do you have good tips on raising a puppy you think would be helpful to others? Share them!

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