The Mind Behind the Mischief.
Meet Gary Althaus
35 Years in the Classroom. A Lifetime of Curiosity.
With 35 years of experience in the classroom, Gary Althaus brings his lifelong passion for teaching, games, puzzles, and dogs to his debut book, Canine Capers. His love for creativity and canine companions is shared by his family, including his two daughters, three grandchildren, and their playful miniature Aussiepoo. Today, Gary and his wife enjoy splitting their time between their home and sunny Florida, embracing the snowbird lifestyle as they continue exploring new adventures together.
Gary enjoys walking Archie, his dog. He enjoys board games, card games, and word games. When he taught sixth grade, he incorporated a lot of games and puzzles into his teaching.
- years in the classroom
- 35years in the classroom
- animal adventures
- 4animal adventures
- activities across the collection
- 1,675activities across the collection
- Family
- 3grandchildren (and one Aussiepoo)
The Story So Far
From the Classroom to the Game Table
Gary Althaus spent 35 years in the classroom. When he taught sixth grade, he wove games and puzzles into his lessons, and he never stopped believing that people learn best when they’re laughing together.
That lifelong passion for teaching, games and puzzles became Canine Capers, his debut book, and now the Game Night Collection: four animal-themed adventures for family tables, classrooms and gatherings of every kind.
His love of creativity and animals is shared by his family: his wife, two daughters, three grandchildren and Archie, a playful miniature Aussiepoo. Today Gary and his wife split their time between home and sunny Florida.
I wanted to design a unique game and present it in a different way. So I made a book out of it. There’s no other genre like mine.
Gary Althaus, on creating Canine Capers
-
35 years
In the classroom
Gary spent 35 years teaching. When he taught sixth grade, he incorporated a lot of games and puzzles into his lessons.
-
A lifelong passion
Games, puzzles & animals
Board games, card games, word games and walks with Archie: play has always been part of everyday life.
-
August 2025
Canine Capers arrives
His debut book is published: 425 dog-themed games and activities for 3–6 players.
-
Event completed
Book signing in Beavercreek, Ohio
A memorable signing at Barnes & Noble. Thank you to everyone who came along.
-
Now
The Game Night Collection
Canine Capers becomes the first of four animal-themed adventures, alongside Feline Frenzy, Parrot Pandemonium and Equine Escapades.
Meet Archie
The Family’s Playful Aussiepoo
Gary’s family includes Archie, a playful miniature Aussiepoo, and walking Archie is one of Gary’s favourite parts of the day. These photos come from Gary’s own gallery.
The cartoon dogs on this website are illustrations created for the Game Night Collection. The photos here are real.
See the GalleryIn the News
Featured Articles
Interviews and features about Gary. Each link opens the publisher’s own website.
-
London Business Journal
From Passion to Play: Gary Althaus Brings Canine Capers to Life
Canine Capers creator Gary Althaus reveals how his love of dogs, puzzles, and teaching inspired a playful book full of laughter and connection.
Read the article
(opens London Business Journal in a new tab)
-
NY Weekly
Canine Capers: Gary Althaus Turns His Passion for Dogs and Games into a Family Adventure
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.
Read the article
(opens NY Weekly in a new tab)
-
FOX40
Author Talk – Gary Althaus
With 35 years of experience in the classroom, Gary Althaus brings his lifelong passion for teaching, games, puzzles, and dogs to his debut book, Canine Capers.
Read the article
(opens FOX40 in a new tab)
