Tucker loves to play and creates his own fun when he’s bored. “Romping … Chasing … Grabbing … Leaping … Chewing … CRASHING!” Tucker has been repeatedly returned to the animal shelter because of the havoc he creates. When Laura (white) arrives at the shelter, she sees the potential in energetic Tucker. Laura uses Tucker’s love of play as a reward as she trains him to recognize different scents. Tucker is a fast learner. “I knew you were the right kind of trouble … You’re going to help me save wildlife.” Tucker becomes a conservation dog, traveling with Laura to help people who study and protect wildlife and native environments. Sometimes Tucker finds invasive species, like the rosy wolf snail in Hawaii. Sometimes he locates the scat of animals being studied in their habitats, like “moon bears in China, mountain lions in Chile, and elephants in the jungles of Myanmar—so scientists could learn about animals without disturbing them.” Tucker is still a rambunctious dog who loves to play, but he’s also a world traveler and wildlife protector, one with a forever home. While Tucker is fictional, the captivating story paired with lively watercolor illustrations is based on two real dogs, Pepin and Wicket, who are featured in end matter that also provides more information about the work of conservation dogs.

A rambunctious shelter dog finds the perfect job and a loving home in this heartwarming story based on the real heroes of Working Dogs for Conservation.

Tucker the dog never means to be trouble: he just loves to play. But at the animal shelter, every visitor says he's too much trouble--until Laura.

Laura thinks Tucker might be just right for a very special job. Could all his energy make him an amazing conservation dog? Laura trains Tucker to track down Gila monsters, endangered flowers, even grizzly bear poop. His first assignment is in Hawaii, searching for invasive rosy wolf snails hidden under leaves. Where will his nose lead him next?

With colorful, endearing art from illustrator Larry Day and dashes of humor, Carol A. Foote's debut picture book Trouble Dog invites children to join scientists--and their canine colleagues--in their work to save wildlife around the world.

Readers will cheer for Tucker's inspiring journey from shelter dog to eager trainee to confident globetrotter. The story concludes with photos and further information about the real dogs and trainers of Working Dogs for Conservation, the world's largest and oldest conservation dog organization.

Junior Library Guild Selection (2025)