Pet Trouble books in order

The Pet Trouble series by Tui T. Sutherland follows eight different kids as they each deal with the funny and frustrating challenges of owning a new pet, from runaway retrievers to stubborn bulldogs.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Runaway Retriever 2009 Tui T. Sutherland Buy
2 Loudest Beagle on the Block 2009 Tui T. Sutherland Buy
3 Mud-Puddle Poodle 2009 Tui T. Sutherland Buy
4 Bulldog Won’t Budge 2009 Tui T. Sutherland Buy
5 Oh No, Newf! 2010 Tui T. Sutherland Buy
6 Smarty-Pants Sheltie 2010 Tui T. Sutherland Buy
7 Bad To The Bone Boxer 2010 Tui T. Sutherland Buy
8 Dachshund Disaster 2010 Tui T. Sutherland Buy

The Pet Trouble series launched in 2009 with Runaway Retriever and ran for eight books through 2010. Each book pairs a young protagonist with a specific dog breed and builds a story around the real behavioral quirks of that breed. The retriever escapes constantly, the beagle howls at everything, the poodle rolls in mud, and the bulldog refuses to move. The problems are played for comedy, but each story also follows the kid learning responsibility and figuring out how to connect with their pet.

The books are aimed at early chapter book readers, roughly ages six to nine, and work as standalone stories. Sutherland clearly knows her dog breeds, and the specific, accurate details about each breed’s personality give the books an educational layer underneath the humor. The series was published by Scholastic and remains a popular choice for young readers who love animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Pet Trouble series?

There are eight books in the Pet Trouble series, published between 2009 and 2010.

What is the first book in the Pet Trouble series?

The first book in the Pet Trouble series is Runaway Retriever, published in 2009.

Does each Pet Trouble book feature a different kid and pet?

Yes. Each of the eight books centers on a new child and a different dog breed. Runaway Retriever follows a golden retriever who keeps escaping, Loudest Beagle on the Block features a beagle that will not stop howling, Mud-Puddle Poodle stars a poodle that hates being clean, and so on. The books are standalone stories and can be read in any order.

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