Tender Paws by Wendy Lyons Sunshine offers a thoughtful, research-informed approach to understanding dogs through the lens of science-based parenting. Drawing on Sunshine’s background in child development literature and her personal experience with rescue dogs, the book reframes common canine challenges as communication rather than misbehavior. The opening chapters introduce readers to the idea that many struggles with puppies and dogs stem from unmet needs, early trauma, or developmental stages, a perspective that immediately changes how everyday interactions are understood. Sunshine carefully draws parallels between child development and dog care, incorporating attachment theory, neurobiology, and sensory processing in ways that remain accessible to a general audience. Case studies and real-life examples help translate theory into daily practice, showing how small changes in caregiver behavior can influence outcomes.

Wendy Lyons Sunshine acknowledges the frustration, fear, and exhaustion that can accompany life with a challenging dog while consistently guiding readers toward empathy and curiosity. The writing balances compassion with clarity, avoiding oversimplification while offering concrete strategies that can be achieved in real households. Throughout the book, the author reinforces the idea that behavior is shaped by context, history, and biology, an insight that invites patience and thoughtful problem-solving rather than quick fixes. Tender Paws stands apart from conventional training manuals by centering relationships and well-being. It is especially meaningful for those welcoming puppies, adopting rescue dogs, or seeking a more reflective way to live with animals. Sunshine’s work encourages readers to rethink long-held assumptions and to approach dogs as individuals shaped by experience. The result is a book that broadens understanding, supports humane care, and offers a clear path toward stronger, more trusting bonds between people and the dogs who share their lives.

Tender Paws by Wendy Lyons Sunshine offers readers a comprehensive guide on training puppies and dogs the right way. This is more than just your standard training guide, though. Wendy’s first puppy floored her—a stray pup, abandoned and sickly; she had no idea what to expect, and conventional advice simply didn’t work. Years of experience working with child development experts provided her with the answer, but could child development principles really work with dogs? Yes, they could and did. Now Wendy shares her experiences in turning a frightened, out-of-control pup into a calm, cooperative pet who shared a deep, trusting bond with her new owner. Tender Paws educates dog parents in reading their pet’s behavior and understanding what they are trying to say, giving them the perfect framework to help their pets go from reactive and scared to gentle, emotionally well members of the family.

In Tender Paws, Wendy Lyons Sunshine offers a unique take on pet parenting. Instead of your usual dog training book, this guide follows the science-backed principles of child development, and it is fascinating to read. Most of my dogs have been rescues, and some have been challenging, but having had dogs for many years, a lot of what is in this book came to me naturally—for others, it will be an eye-opener in terms of how it can change their relationship with their pets. The guide offers plenty of real-life examples that show how compassion and understanding, not to mention being able to read and understand your dog’s behavior, can totally change things. This is about learning to relate to your pet and helping them relate to you, and Wendy provides plenty of tools to help. Tender Paws is an excellent guide, especially for people taking on their first pup or anxious rescue dogs with traumatic backgrounds. The HEARTS principle used for children is perfect for pet parenting, and it just goes to prove that we don’t have to follow the so-called expert guides on dog training when something that already works elsewhere is just as good, if not better. If you are planning on getting a pup or rescue dog, or are at your wits' end with your dog now, I highly recommend giving this book a go.

Tender Paws by Wendy Lyons Sunshine is a heartfelt and innovative approach to parenting principles incorporated into dog training that seeks to bridge the gap for both new and old pet parents. The book begins with Sunshine’s personal story of adopting a puppy from a litter of strays. Despite the initial 'puppymoon' phase, both Sunshine and her husband realized they had a lot of work to do. Her early attempts at training were met with frustration, and existing training manuals didn't seem to help. Instead of giving up, Sunshine turned to her expertise in child development and discovered that many of the same parenting principles she used for at-risk children could also help her with the new puppy.

What makes Tender Paws by Wendy Lyons Sunshine stand out from typical dog training guides is its emphasis on emotional safety, compassion, and mindfulness toward the dog. Sunshine argues that, just like children, dogs have emotional histories that can impact their behaviour. Drawing on research from a variety of fields, she offers a unique perspective on how to understand your dog’s behavior from a place of empathy rather than frustration. Her “HEARTS” framework helps readers navigate common issues like trauma, aggression, fear, and anxiety in dogs, particularly those who have a difficult background. As someone who loves animals and who has grown up with dogs, I found this book to be incredibly insightful, and I think it will help dog owners understand their animals and their needs better. Overall, Tenders Paws is a wonderful manual for anyone thinking of getting a dog, as well as those who already have pets. Having a better understanding of your animal and its needs will foster a better relationship between a pet and its owner.

For dog parenting, we need to understand and respect the needs of the dogs in our care. However, sometimes there are subtle factors that we must consider, such as our pet's personality or any difficult experiences they may have had. In Tender Paws, Wendy Lyons Sunshine teaches us how to address these issues with a respectful and mindful approach. The author begins by narrating the difficulties she faced while caring for Hazel, a puppy abandoned behind a gas station. Traditional training methods failed, and she felt she had no alternatives. However, when she investigated the subject further, she noticed similarities with some child-rearing techniques, and in this way, she solved the problem. Now she shares her experience and gentle practices that consider the developmental needs of dogs. In this way, we can evaluate our dogs' particular situations with neutrality, respect, and love.

I loved Wendy Lyons Sunshine's writing style. She speaks to us from both her personal experience and real-life cases involving other people. Using accessible language, she shares creative, compassionate, and well-informed solutions. She also explains ideas from experts in dog training and behavior, which I found useful. The empathetic approach is evident in the stories of people seeking to help their dogs. What I liked most is how this book reminds us that both children and dogs share biological needs and go through development in stages. That's why it's necessary to establish fluid communication to make dogs feel safe, detect what triggers their unusual behaviors, and work through possible traumas. Tender Paws shows that positive reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your relationship with your dog.