Buster is the new puppy in the Roger’s house. Phoebe, the older dog, is tricking Buster by taking his bones while his back is turned. Phoebe the Trickster, might be a better title for this book.

Phoebe convinces Buster his bones need training to stay in place. When Phoebe runs barking out the dogie door, Buster follows. Then Phoebe returns first hiding Buster’s bone. Phoebe tells Buster she’ll help train his bones to “stay”. Each time Buster leaves to see if his bones “stay”, Phoebe takes one, telling Buster, ”  ‘It was not a smart bone… The smart bones will stay. Try again. ‘ ” (13)  Roger watches as Buster growls at his new bone, runs outside, and then back again. ”  ‘ That is one smart bone,’  said Phoebe.” (16)

The second half of the book continues with Phoebe now wanting the bone of the big dog next door. Phoebe pushes Buster through the loose board in the fence.  While Buster is innocently trying to teach the new dog’s bone to stay, Phoebe takes the bone. When caught with the bone in her mouth, Buster reasons that Phoebe is simply returning the bone.