By: Paul White

Walk into a room filled with laughter, people howling like dogs, or friends racing to find the answer to a riddle on their phones, and chances are you’ve stumbled into a session of Canine Capers. Created by first-time author Gary Althaus, the book is a playful yet educational journey that combines his lifelong love of games with his devotion to dogs. With 16 structured games and more than 400 activities inside, Canine Capers is unlike any puzzle book you’ve seen before—it’s an invitation to families and friends to come together, laugh, and learn. Althaus’s inspiration for Canine Capers came from a blend of two passions: puzzles and pups. A retired teacher, he spent years fusing games into his sixth-grade classroom. “Every Friday afternoon, we’d do games as a reward,” he explained in his interview. That experience convinced him that games not only entertained but also helped children learn.

But the real turning point came about three years ago. While on a trip from Ohio to Florida with his family, Althaus introduced a rough version of his dog-themed game to his grandchildren. What began as a casual test soon turned into a 19-hour car ride filled with nonstop activities. “They wanted me to read every single question,” he recalled. “That’s when I realized this wasn’t just my idea—it was something others truly enjoyed”. The choice of theme was never in doubt. Althaus has lived with six dogs, most of them Australian Shepherds, and now shares his home with a mini Aussie-poodle mix. His bond with his pets naturally shaped the book’s direction. “It was really my love for dogs and my love for games that made me want to make everything about dogs,” he said. Even when the writing process became challenging—coming up with 200 activities was easy, but pushing it to 400 was tough—Althaus drew inspiration from his own pets, the quirks of dog ownership, and facts he unearthed through research.

Inside the book, that love shows. From trivia about the origins of breeds to playful riddles like “What do you call a dog that never barks? A hush puppy,” the activities reflect both humor and knowledge. What makes Canine Capers unique isn’t just the subject matter—it’s the variety. Althaus deliberately structured each of the 16 games to mix riddles, puzzles, pantomimes, trivia, and even light physical activities. One moment, players might be asked to act out a dog going for a ride; the next, they’re debating how many times dogs are mentioned in the Bible (the answer: 37). Phones even come into play for challenges like finding a video of a dog chasing a butterfly. For Althaus, this variety was crucial. “I didn’t want it to be just trivia,” he said. “I wanted to make it inclusive of all kinds of fun activities.” He also broke from the traditional “take turns clockwise” structure by inventing creative ways to choose who plays next—sometimes it’s the tallest person in the room, sometimes the player with the lowest phone battery, and sometimes the one whose birthday falls closest to Halloween. This randomness ensures every round feels fresh and surprising.

The title Canine Capers may sound like a mystery novel, but it’s carefully chosen. Althaus wanted something catchy, memorable, and true to the playful spirit of the book. “‘Capers’ means fun activities, sometimes even a little tricky,” he explained. “It wasn’t just trivia. It was about capturing the joy of dogs in many forms.” The alliteration of the “K” sound sealed the deal. While the book is packed with laughter and lighthearted challenges, it also carries a quiet, personal tribute. At the very end, Althaus included a photograph of his dog Archie with a mysterious string of initials: J, B, R, A, M, S. To most readers, it will look like a puzzle unsolved, but Althaus revealed its meaning—it’s a dedication to his own dogs over the years: Jasper, Bandit, Rex, Archie, Matilda, and Sadie. “I didn’t explain it in the book,” he said. “It’s my way of honoring them privately, even as I share the fun with others”.

Though his main goal was fun, Althaus recognizes the educational potential in Canine Capers. The activities encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Lateral puzzles, for example, challenge players to think beyond the obvious: “A man and his dog wanted to cross a river without getting wet. How did they do it?” The answer: the river was frozen. Such moments spark not only laughter but also lively discussion, making the book as suitable for classrooms as it is for family game nights. One of the most surprising details about Gary Althaus is his age—82 years old. Despite retiring from teaching, his creative energy remains boundless. “People are surprised,” he admitted, “but I’ve always loved games. I’ve subscribed to Games magazine for fifty years. This book is really the culmination of two lifelong passions.” His journey also shows that it’s never too late to start something new.

Ultimately, Canine Capers is about connection. In an era when screens often dominate our attention, Althaus has created a book that invites people to sit together, laugh, and rediscover the simple joy of play. Whether it’s a child pantomiming a puppy chasing its tail or grandparents recalling trivia about Lassie, the game bridges generations. “Fun was the goal,” Althaus said, smiling. And with Canine Capers, he has succeeded in creating not just a book, but a celebration of dogs, learning, and