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97 Ways to Make a Dog Smile
News for dogs and dog lovers to smile The irresistible bestseller is now even more irresistible with a 4-by-6-inch “chunky” format. As quirky, colorful, and giftable as ever, 97 Ways to Make a Dog Smile is now fresher and more appealing.
Developed by Jenny Langbehn, a veterinary nurse who has a gift for making dogs happy, here are 97 foolproof methods and tricks for putting any dog into a state of pure pleasure. Enhancing each entry is an adorable, full-color photograph of the guaranteed result—a smiling dog. Give these a Lower-Ear Noogies. The Thumper. Lazy Man’s Tetherball. The Hansel and Gretel—“For an afternoon of fun, scamper about the house leaving a trail of plain popped popcorn in your wake.” Or “Subliminal Game,” which works by sneaking a favorite word like “cookie” into otherwise boring jabber.*
The tricks require no fancy props or special talents—just a willingness to surrender yourself to sheer silliness. They combine the creative gift of touch— unexpected ways to rub, massage, scratch, tickle, and knead—with imaginative play scenarios that are just loopy enough to ensure your dog will be amused, whether he’s laughing with you or at you. These tricks really work .
*Don’t forget to have said cookie on hand.
Developed by Jenny Langbehn, a veterinary nurse who has a gift for making dogs happy, here are 97 foolproof methods and tricks for putting any dog into a state of pure pleasure. Enhancing each entry is an adorable, full-color photograph of the guaranteed result—a smiling dog. Give these a Lower-Ear Noogies. The Thumper. Lazy Man’s Tetherball. The Hansel and Gretel—“For an afternoon of fun, scamper about the house leaving a trail of plain popped popcorn in your wake.” Or “Subliminal Game,” which works by sneaking a favorite word like “cookie” into otherwise boring jabber.*
The tricks require no fancy props or special talents—just a willingness to surrender yourself to sheer silliness. They combine the creative gift of touch— unexpected ways to rub, massage, scratch, tickle, and knead—with imaginative play scenarios that are just loopy enough to ensure your dog will be amused, whether he’s laughing with you or at you. These tricks really work .
*Don’t forget to have said cookie on hand.
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 25, 2020
The whole book is adorable, but the best may be the model profiles at the end.
July 26, 2012
Cute little book, but it's more about cute pictures of smiling dogs than anything remotely useful.
August 31, 2018
Nice pictures of smiling dogs and that's it... Do you want to try the tricks??? Come on.... 🐶🐶🐶
August 7, 2021
Loved this book. All the models are cute and beautiful and the 97 tricks are useful for people who just have a new puppy or are getting a new dog for the first time.
Most of these tricks I think all dog owners already done these and still do these tricks. I sure do alot of these tricks with my dog.
This book is a light read and just fun to read.
Most of these tricks I think all dog owners already done these and still do these tricks. I sure do alot of these tricks with my dog.
This book is a light read and just fun to read.
December 28, 2018
I had gotten this book a few months ago thinking it would help me make things more fun for our dog Rocky. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye recently. Reading through the book I remembered some of the things Rocky loved best, like popping bubbles when I blew them for him. And the little bios for each of the dogs featured with the tips reminded me of some of his quirky personality as well. Overall this is a cute little book. Dogs are precious and we should do whatever we can to show them lots of love.
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March 4, 2024February | Bookwordathon | Positive Words
“Smile” We tried out all of these on Wilson and the one that made him smile most was Kevin juggling his toys
“Smile” We tried out all of these on Wilson and the one that made him smile most was Kevin juggling his toys
November 25, 2012
“About 97 Ways to Make a Dog Smile
It really works! Lower Ear Noogies. The Thumper. Lazy Man's Tetherball. Bobbing for Treats. The Hansel and Gretel: for an afternoon of fun, scamper about the house leaving a trail of plain popped popcorn in your wake.
97 Ways to Make a Dog Smile is a gift of pure pleasure for dogs and the owners who love them. Created by Jenny Langbehn, a veterinary nurse who really knows what makes dogs happy, it combines the creative gift of touch--unexpected ways to rub, massage, scratch, tickle, and knead--with imaginative play scenarios that are just loopy enough to ensure that your dog will be amused, whether he's laughing with you or at you. And to heighten the pleasure of both reader and dog, adorable full-color photographs of smiling dogs accompany each entry. Just look at those dogs (you might say), what a tail-wagging, chop-licking, howling good time they're having. And see if your dog doesn't agree.
Try In a Nutshell, the classic sleight-of-hand game, by hiding a treat under one of three plastic cups. The Lawrence Welk--dogs love to chase soap bubbles even more than toddlers do. Get fit while playing. Or use Subliminal Advertising, which works by sneaking a favorite word like cookie into an otherwise boring rant. You'll be surprised by how closely your dog pays attention to what you say, and how broad the smile will be when he hears that special word. Just be sure to have said cookie on hand.” (From the Workman Publishing Company Website)
About Jenny Langbehn
Jenny Langbehn is a veterinary nurse and the resident dog whisperer at Lenox Hill Vets in Manhattan. She lives with her own smiling dog nearby.
My thoughts about the book: First of all and most importantly I am an animal lover. I love cats. I love dogs. I’m not a big fan of pet snakes or piranhas though, but that is just a personal preference mind you. So, when I saw the book 97 ways to make a Dog Smile I had to check it out and I am glad I did. A gorgeous full-color picture accompanies each of the 97 different ways you can make a dog smile. And the funny thing about it is you will probably smile as much as the dog, if not more, at their reactions to any one of the 97 ways mentioned in the book when you try them out on your dog.
I think the book is pretty cool and being a dog lover myself I enjoyed both the pictures and the 97 ways. Now all I have to do is get a dog of my own to try them out on…and won’t that be fun? So if you have beaten me to the punch and you have a dog and you want to make him or her smile while having a blast yourself…get the book. That’s all I got to say…is buy the book. Oh, and by the way, it would make a great Christmas gift for a family member or a friend who has a dog and it will fit nicely into a stocking. If you do get the book I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and do.
It really works! Lower Ear Noogies. The Thumper. Lazy Man's Tetherball. Bobbing for Treats. The Hansel and Gretel: for an afternoon of fun, scamper about the house leaving a trail of plain popped popcorn in your wake.
97 Ways to Make a Dog Smile is a gift of pure pleasure for dogs and the owners who love them. Created by Jenny Langbehn, a veterinary nurse who really knows what makes dogs happy, it combines the creative gift of touch--unexpected ways to rub, massage, scratch, tickle, and knead--with imaginative play scenarios that are just loopy enough to ensure that your dog will be amused, whether he's laughing with you or at you. And to heighten the pleasure of both reader and dog, adorable full-color photographs of smiling dogs accompany each entry. Just look at those dogs (you might say), what a tail-wagging, chop-licking, howling good time they're having. And see if your dog doesn't agree.
Try In a Nutshell, the classic sleight-of-hand game, by hiding a treat under one of three plastic cups. The Lawrence Welk--dogs love to chase soap bubbles even more than toddlers do. Get fit while playing. Or use Subliminal Advertising, which works by sneaking a favorite word like cookie into an otherwise boring rant. You'll be surprised by how closely your dog pays attention to what you say, and how broad the smile will be when he hears that special word. Just be sure to have said cookie on hand.” (From the Workman Publishing Company Website)
About Jenny Langbehn
Jenny Langbehn is a veterinary nurse and the resident dog whisperer at Lenox Hill Vets in Manhattan. She lives with her own smiling dog nearby.
My thoughts about the book: First of all and most importantly I am an animal lover. I love cats. I love dogs. I’m not a big fan of pet snakes or piranhas though, but that is just a personal preference mind you. So, when I saw the book 97 ways to make a Dog Smile I had to check it out and I am glad I did. A gorgeous full-color picture accompanies each of the 97 different ways you can make a dog smile. And the funny thing about it is you will probably smile as much as the dog, if not more, at their reactions to any one of the 97 ways mentioned in the book when you try them out on your dog.
I think the book is pretty cool and being a dog lover myself I enjoyed both the pictures and the 97 ways. Now all I have to do is get a dog of my own to try them out on…and won’t that be fun? So if you have beaten me to the punch and you have a dog and you want to make him or her smile while having a blast yourself…get the book. That’s all I got to say…is buy the book. Oh, and by the way, it would make a great Christmas gift for a family member or a friend who has a dog and it will fit nicely into a stocking. If you do get the book I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and do.
February 28, 2015
Non-Fiction
Originally Read 5 years ago
Second Read 2/27/15
Dog lovers will get a big smile and the warm fuzzies while reading this short but heartwarming book.
Each of the 97 ways comes with a picture of a different dog, from the teeny-tiny Chihuahua to a Rhodesian Ridgeback. At the end of the book, each dog's gets a short bio (breed, age, and a tidbit about that particular dog, i.e., best friend is the family cat).
My favorite tips:
* #41 Hot Dogs
Rub your pooch down with a cool, wet towel. Relief without the shock! Pay special attention to your dog's ears and feet. Cooling these hot spots in particular will guarantee canine comfort. Ahhhh!!!!
* #49 Wax On, Wax Off
For our Zen pooches, a methodical series of circular massage can induce a meditative state that brings doggie serenity!
*#86 Bowl-O-Rama
Line up your dog's toys (stuffed animals work best) into a pyramid arrangement like bowling pins. Then roll a ball into it, scattering the toys about. Watch your dog decide which of his toys to rescue first.
Originally Read 5 years ago
Second Read 2/27/15
Dog lovers will get a big smile and the warm fuzzies while reading this short but heartwarming book.
Each of the 97 ways comes with a picture of a different dog, from the teeny-tiny Chihuahua to a Rhodesian Ridgeback. At the end of the book, each dog's gets a short bio (breed, age, and a tidbit about that particular dog, i.e., best friend is the family cat).
My favorite tips:
* #41 Hot Dogs
Rub your pooch down with a cool, wet towel. Relief without the shock! Pay special attention to your dog's ears and feet. Cooling these hot spots in particular will guarantee canine comfort. Ahhhh!!!!
* #49 Wax On, Wax Off
For our Zen pooches, a methodical series of circular massage can induce a meditative state that brings doggie serenity!
*#86 Bowl-O-Rama
Line up your dog's toys (stuffed animals work best) into a pyramid arrangement like bowling pins. Then roll a ball into it, scattering the toys about. Watch your dog decide which of his toys to rescue first.
March 6, 2012
This tiny 107 page book will make you smile while teaching you how to make a dog smile. The 97 ways get a little goofy and a little repetitive but biographies of the doggie models used in the book redeem the whole thing. Think I'll read it again.
September 7, 2007
its cute
April 24, 2015
Recommended by Chris S.
Good ideas and adorable pictures!
Good ideas and adorable pictures!
Read
March 13, 2025There's petting a dog and then there's guided by dog joy massage. This book shows you ways to let your dog know you adore them. Even new dogs I've met at the dog park respond to someone who knows from experience and this book how to massage a masseter muscle, or a scapular muscle! It has given me so many hours of enjoyment that started with getting to know what spots are places to make a dog close its eyes in rapture! I turn back to it from time to time to learn what I missed using.
January 2, 2023
This is adorable. I randomly pick one every now and again to do on our dog. He loves it. Tonight’s was to find all his cow licks and trace his fur swirls with a finger. I don’t know about smiling, but it definitely relaxed him until he was snoring! Next up is to watch a documentary about wolves with him. Can’t wait!
This is a sweet, fun book. Highly recommend.
This is a sweet, fun book. Highly recommend.
October 12, 2017
Super fun book with the cutest pictures of smiling dogs. The ideas to make your dog smile are sweet and practical. We have tried out lots that my dog loves and still want to try more of the ways. Easy book to flip through to make you (and your dog) smile.
May 5, 2018
What a cute book! It would make a great gift. I can’t wait to try some of the techniques to make my Golden Retriever smile. It’s the least I can do for this fellow who is such a master at making me smile.
June 15, 2018
This was interesting to read, but I felt like it was less of the things I wanted in this book. It was more just a list of random things to do, which you can easily find better activities online for free.
October 29, 2023
This is a fun little book which is nothing more than a list of ways to make your dog happier. Can all these ways make your dog smile? Probably not, but it's certainly fun to try. Your dog will appreciate the effort.
October 25, 2017
Delightful! Picked up this book while spending time with a friend's dog. I know my old pup loved many of these tricks. Even without him, the book made me smile.
May 28, 2018
Cute book. The pictures are lovely and the 97 ideas, while some what repetitive, are actually fun to try with your dogs.
August 4, 2018
Some good ideas on how to make your dog smile (or at least make him happy)--and you gotta love puppy pictures!
December 5, 2018
I try to do the things in this book every day for my dogs.
March 14, 2019
Cute idea and pictures, but it's mostly 97 ways to scratch your dog...lol
August 22, 2019
Read it again...an again. These tricks really do make your dog happy.
September 23, 2019
I've don't most of the things in here with my dog, but got a few new ideas. Very cute book.
April 21, 2020
Cute. Best part is the pictures!
April 27, 2020
super quick...kinda silly...loved the pictures.
June 10, 2022
Cute short phrases to make you laugh and think of fun things to do with your dog :)
September 19, 2022
DICAS muito fofas para fazer com seu companheirinho, gostei especialmente da 29.
December 12, 2022
SO CUTE!
October 19, 2024
did not work and i found at least 30 more, Jenny
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews