You walk into a room and hear laughter ringing through the air. Someone is howling like a dog, another is balancing on one foot, and a group debates whether “grumble” is really the name for a pack of pugs. What looks like chaos is actually the lively spirit of Canine Capers, Gary Althaus’s book that turns the world of dogs and games into an interactive family experience. The story of how this book came about is as delightful as the games inside it. In a recent interview, Althaus shared his journey, his inspirations, and the joy he hopes readers find within its pages.
The seeds of Canine Capers were planted long before Althaus considered himself an author. A lifelong dog lover and puzzle enthusiast, he spent hours on crosswords and riddles. As a sixth-grade teacher, he believed deeply in the power of games to make learning fun.
“I’ve always had a love for dogs. We’re on dog number six right now,” he explained. “And puzzles? I probably spend half my day doing them. When I taught, Fridays were game days—I’d adapt all sorts of activities for the classroom. That’s when it dawned on me: why not create something different, something that combined dogs, puzzles, and fun in a way nobody else had done before?”
That “something different” became Canine Capers—a book of 425 activities across 16 games, all centered on dogs. Even the title reflects his intent. One morning, he awoke with the phrase “Canine Capers” in mind. The alliteration caught his ear, but “capers” more importantly captured the playful spirit he wanted. “I didn’t want the word ‘game’ in the title,” he said. “‘Capers’ felt broader, more mischievous, like the antics dogs get into.”
Most people hear “game” and picture boards, cards, or screens. Althaus flipped that assumption by placing the entire experience inside a book. Open the pages and you may be asked to howl until you run out of breath, mime a pup in a car, or balance a pencil on your nose like a treat. Other challenges spark trivia and conversation: What is Mickey Mouse’s dog’s name? (Pluto.) How many times are dogs mentioned in the Bible? (Thirty-seven.)
Each activity carries a playful twist—sometimes determined by who has the longest hair, whose birthday is closest to Halloween, or even whose phone has the most recent email. By blending riddles, logic puzzles, trivia, and silly stunts, Canine Capers captures the laughter of game night while celebrating everything canine.
The road from idea to finished book wasn’t short. Althaus tested early versions with his granddaughter and her boyfriend during a family trip. Their excitement carried him forward. “We went through about 400 of them on the drive back,” he laughed. “They didn’t want to stop. That encouragement pushed me to keep going.”
Dogs themselves were another source of inspiration—their agility, quirks, and tricks reminded him that, like pets, games are about bonding and joy. When he shared drafts, responses confirmed he was onto something. Kids wanted more “silly stuff.” Adults gravitated toward trivia and riddles. Some even read it as a trivia collection rather than a game manual, flipping through questions and answers like a lighthearted encyclopedia. That flexibility, Althaus believes, is part of its charm.
Although Canine Capers lives in book form, Althaus has explored other formats. He once prototyped a Monopoly-style board game with spaces like “visit the doggy salon” or “meet the mailman.” He ultimately chose to keep the focus on the book for clarity but admits future expansions—apps, digital play—are possible. Still, the heart of his vision is simple: gathering people together, encouraging laughter, and celebrating the joy dogs bring to our lives.
The market is full of crossword books, trivia guides, and board games. Althaus carved out something unique by blending them into one hybrid. Instead of competing with Monopoly or Scrabble, Canine Capers invites readers to bark, riddle, and laugh in ways those games never could. “It’s different,” he emphasized. “I’ve never seen a book that’s also a complete game. I wanted something entirely new.”
Ultimately, Canine Capers is about connection. It reminds us that dogs, like games, are companions in our daily lives—bringing humor, comfort, and a reason to play. Althaus hopes readers from ages 11 to 99 will find joy in its pages.
Whether it’s howling in a room full of friends, Googling the answer to a trivia question, or watching a child collapse in giggles during a pantomime, the memories created matter more than the points scored. As readers explore Canine Capers, they step into Althaus’s vision—one born of puzzles, teaching, and a lifelong love of dogs. In that vision, fun isn’t optional. It’s the whole point.
