f you have a dog, know a dog, or live near a dog, you and your child are sure to love this book. The text simply roles off the tongue and is certain to make you smile as you read. Children love the rhyme and rhythm and are soon chanting along with you. What the kids will like most is the fact that it has the word "poop" carefully inserted within the rhyme scheme of the text...and yes, it's appropriate when used in this context. Add to this the fact that the book also does a great job of teaching verbs (action words) and counting and you can see why it’s such a doggone great choice! Trust me, this is a giggle as you read treasure.

Watch & Learn

​Click below to watch a YouTube video containing tips on reading this book with your child. You'll learn where in the story to ask great questions and how to introduce new words. The video also shares ideas for taking the learning beyond the book.

 Art 

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Make a Doggone Dog (or two) 
Go to Twiggle Magazine and check out the easy instructions for making this cute dog. Here's my idea for customizing this craft...challenge your child to create a dog that looks like your family dog or create dogs that look like the dogs in the story! After that, maybe role play with the dogs as you read the story. 

Cooking Together

Additional Learning Resources
                                                          $2.99. (download and print)

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Each title's downloadable bundle includes printable vocabulary flashcards,  ideas for multiple ways in which to use the flashcards, a shared writing activity, a story elements  learning page and ideas for extending the learning beyond your home. Additionally, the bundle also includes the elements included on this page:  the recipe, art activity ideas, and  comprehension questions. 

Just a quick download  from our site and you're ready to use  all the materials with your child. 

​                         Click HERE to add this title's files to your cart.

​Checking for Understanding

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Here are a few great questions to get you started. A complete list of questions is included in the resource bundle.
Ask these questions as you read or after each reading. Some of the questions are open-ended which can lead to valuable discussions. Take the time to listen and respect your child’s point of view.
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  1. Tell me two things that happened when the dogs were at the park.
  2. How does it sound when dogs whine?   How does it sound when children whine?
  3. Can you remember any of the dogs’ names?

    ​​Purchase  this title's Additional Learning Resources for more questions.

Vocabulary Words

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Children use the words they hear and understand to later make sense of the words they later see in print when they begin to read. Research tells us that a larger vocabulary gives a child a huge advantage in school.

Purchase this title's Additional Learning Resources to receive printable flashcards of  the words listed below along with a wide variety of ideas for using your flash cards to increase your child's vocabulary.
bark
leap
sad
mess
trash
park
dog
sun
door 
​run
gate
​sleep
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"Puppy Chow"
This crazy little recipe tastes great, but looks just like dog food. At a puppy themed birthday party, we once served this out of tiny plastic dog food bowls (new & never used). The kids had a blast acting like puppies trying to eat the food from the bowls.
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12 c. Crispix cereal
2 c. chocolate chips
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. butter
2 c. powdered sugar
Melt butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.
Pour over cereal in large bowl. Mix well until all cereal is evenly coated.
Put powdered sugar into a paper bag.
Pour cereal mixture into bag of powdered sugar.
Shake until well coated.
Place bag in freezer for an hour. Serve in either a large bowl or a clean dog dish.

Playthings

Adding an element of play is a great way to deepen the understanding of concepts they learned within the story.

Why I Love These Toys:
  • No batteries
  • Provides practice for fine motor skills
  • Encourages imaginative play
  • Enables a child to re-enact the story

             ​Click an image to purchase directly from Amazon.
*Note that this site uses affiliate links. If you buy something through one of my  links, you won't pay a penny more,but I'll make a small commission which helps keep the lights on.  ​
"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald​