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Using Study Dog to Help Beginning or Reluctant Readers

by Toni Herrbach

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Two of my children have had a very difficult time learning how to read due to learning disabilities. For one child, these difficulties left him very discouraged and he never really liked school because it was always such a struggle.

One day after researching reading helps on the internet my husband came across the website Study Dog. I was a bit skeptical because I didn’t think a computer program could teach a child to read, but at that point I was ready to do anything.

I was surprised when my child who never liked school asked daily to use Study Dog. Not only did he love using the program, his reading did improve.

Over the years I had forgotten about Study Dog and when they contacted me a few weeks ago I was excited to use their program again with my other reluctant reader. Study Dog’s lessons are for Pre-K to 1st grade, but if you have an older child who needs remedial help I would recommend it for them as well.

What I like about Study Dog is that parents can log in and track their child’s progress. I also like that children take a pretest before they begin the program so the lessons are tailored to their reading ability. It isn’t a one size fits all approach.

If you are interested in learning more about Study Dog, and seeing if it might work for your reader you can sign up for a free trial.

The folks at Study Dog have offered a 6 month subscription for one of my readers so if you’d like a chance to win leave a comment. The giveaway ends September 26, 2011.

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Comments

  1. Kristi c says

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    Looks like a neat program 🙂

    • Tori S says

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      My 4 year old loves the StudyDog program and her 2 yr old brother always wants to do it with her! Totally recommend it. An easy way to keep or get your kids interested in reading.

  2. Christie says

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    I’d love to win a subscription for my 5 year old! She learns really well from websites and DVDs, so I’m sure it’s something she would like!

  3. Terri says

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    This looks like just what my 5yo boy could use right now. Thank you!

  4. Amber says

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    I’d love to win a subscription. My 2nd grader is definitely a reluctant reader and could benefit from all the help he can get. My Kindergartener is a very eager reader, but she would probably enjoy the game as well.

  5. LoveFeast Table says

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    My four year old is an emergent reader. This would be perfect!
    ~Kristin

  6. Traci says

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    I used this site years ago with my oldest. My middle child struggles with reading and I think it would really help her.

  7. Anna Spafford says

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    Yes! I would love to win! 🙂

  8. Karen says

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    Oh, I would love this! My daughter hates reading. We need help!

  9. Brandy says

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    Would love to see if this works for my 4 yr old who has developmental delays. It is taking a lot to keep his focus on pre-k school work..intro to reading included!

  10. Michelle says

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    I have a 7yr old struggling in this area and have been trying to think of something new to do with her. This sounds great! Thanks:)

  11. Ginger says

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    This sounds wonderful! I am in the midst of teaching my 6 year old, very reluctant, nature boy how to read! He just wants to be a hunter!

  12. Helen P says

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    I have a reluctant reader! She does well with computer stuff. This might just work for her.

  13. Kim Sailor says

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    I would love to win the subscription for my 5 year old who is just learning to read! Thanks! 🙂

  14. Sheila says

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    My kindergartener is struggling, he has classmates that are at 2nd grade level reading. He gets so frustrated when we work on his sight words. I think this would be something he would respond well to and help him improve.

  15. Vanessa says

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    I am going to check this out for my 4 year old boy. I want to foster a love of reading early!

  16. Terese says

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    Funny story…I printed out an article about getting reluctant readers to read…my reluctant reader was so curious if it was about her, that she read that…but won’t read anything else.

  17. fae says

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    would love to win this for my boys

  18. ginny says

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    I would love to win this! My sweet girl has us all baffled! I’d be willing to wear a monkey suit and spout love ballads if it would help.

  19. Quinn says

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    Study dog was great when I lived overseas and was looking for something for my little one. Back then it was free. A six month subscription would be great! I know that my dd, who is in K, would love to use it. and it would be great for us to know where she is at in her reading.

  20. aurie says

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    I’d love to win this – I think it work well with my preschooler!

  21. Sydra says

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    I would love to win. My 6 year old is just beginning and struggles a bit. He loves being on the computer so this might be just what we need.

  22. Amy says

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    I’d love to win this – with 3 kids in the pre K to 1st category and one little older who is struggling a bit; it would be well used in our house.

  23. Sabrina says

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    This looks like something my Kindergarten daughter would enjoy. Anything that would encourage her to keep at it.

  24. Jessica says

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    Would love to win the subscription for my 5 yr old!

  25. Dianna says

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    I would love to win this for my 4-year-old who is just learning how to read.

  26. Justina says

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    This would be great for us. My kinder has been doing a great job, but is just now starting to show signs of reluctance. I think Study Dog would be the perfect change of pace we’re looking for.

  27. Sara says

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    My four year old would love learning with this program.

  28. Debbie says

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    Would love to try this, my son really has no interest in learning 🙁

  29. Jacquie says

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    I would love to try this with my daughter.

  30. Kelli says

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    I would really like to try this. My son and I could use the help.

  31. Tara says

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    this would be great for my middle boy!

  32. Delina OLeary says

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    This looks interesting. My son doesnt have trouble learning but he hates reading. Its the only trouble we have with him at school. This looks like it would be helpful.
    Thanks!

  33. Lisa says

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    This would be perfect for my 6 year old! He is having so much trouble with learning to read and gets frustrated and just wants to quit. Hope I win!

  34. Quemeka says

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    I would love to win this! My daughter who is five is having a hard time being interested in reading. I think this could help her. Thanks for the oppurtunity to win such a useful tool!

  35. Jennifer Yost says

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    I have a struggling reader, this would be great for!

  36. Anne says

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    That sounds like what we need!

  37. Carol E. says

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    I have a reluctant reader. I don’t think he has a disablity. But something like this would be a blessing to our efforts.

  38. Holly says

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    I signed up for the trial for my 5, 6, and 8 year olds…We adopted a sibling group last year and the younger children, especially, were incredibly unstimulated. They have a long road to travel in catching up to other kids their age. The older children were immediately targeted for extra helping when they knew their story, but I am trying to give the little guys extra help. Especially my 8 year old who is a very smart little boy but an exceptionally unmotivated reader! This looks like it will be a big help, especially during our homework hour when the older children require more hands-on help. Thanks for sending us the link!!

  39. Lacey H says

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    this sounds awesome! Been having such a hard time with my daughter this year…she just WILL NOT read and her spelling scores have all been below 50 🙁 Something i will definitely be looking into!! laceylovespink at yahoo dot com

  40. angela Wimbish says

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    My daughter, 6, is struggling so much 🙁 It’s so hard …. anything that could help would be great! Thanks so much!

  41. Vieve says

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    Maybe this would get our feet off the ground…

  42. Elizabeth says

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    Sounds interesting. What are the stories like that they have the kids reading?

  43. Rachel M says

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    I am a homschool mom of for and always looking for helpful resources! Study dog sounds just like that and I would like to check it out!

  44. Rochelle says

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    This would be perfect for my 7 and 5 year old kids. Both are struggling in School. This would be perfect for them!

  45. Becca says

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    This sounds like a helpful resource!

  46. Lorie B says

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    This sounds awesome. My 6 years old is very bright, but doesn’t like school. I struggle with him constantly about doing his work and reading. I will have to check this out.

  47. Christa Brown says

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    I would love to win a subscription to this. I used to be a teacher and now stay at home and teach my children. What an excellent program!

  48. liz says

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    i have a 7 year old who loves books but is struggling at reading this looks like a good site.

  49. Laura MacNeil says

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    This would be great for my boys. My oldest is definitely reluctant to read.

  50. Kristi J says

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    I have used this program with kids that I tutor….and it really does WORK! I used to teach first and second grade and many kids this age are reluctant to read (and write), as most parents know. Now I tutor kids privately and that’s where I have used StudyDog to break them out of the “I don’t want to read” shell. Like magic, they become interested and it doesn’t feel like a chore. They’re learning…and they don’t even know it! I just wish this was in existence when I was a classroom teacher. GREAT product.

  51. Delanna L says

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    Oh goodness! My 6 year old DD could certainly benefit from Study Dog. With four daughters, this would be an awesome addition to our busy homeschool!

  52. Adeline enochs says

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    Sounds like it would be worth trying! My little girl is proving a bit reluctant when it comes to reading

  53. Jennifer says

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    I’d love to have the chance to use this. Our 7 year old son just learned to read on his own…when he was 3 1/2-4 yrs old. Now, our 5 year old daughter is struggling to learn, and we are trying to find ways to teach her and encourage her to read, something we never had to do with our son. We definitely feel a little lost. I’d love to get some more ideas to help her out and be able to open up a whole new world to her!

  54. Siri says

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    Sounds great! My first grader would love this.

  55. Stacey Mitchell says

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    Would love to win this. My 4 yr old twins have mastered sounds and are ready to start reading.

  56. Nanette T says

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    I have two reluctant readers getting very frustrated. I have been looking for more help and would just love to try their program!

  57. Amber R says

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    I need to check that out! Sounds great!

  58. tawnee says

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    I would have never imagined the daily struggle we have had with reading. I feel I have tried everything with no progress. Finding something that would help would be a true blessing.

  59. Lisa says

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    So excited to try out this new resource. We have three children all with varying degrees of autism. Our first two were reading by 4, but our third is different. She’s almost 7 and still not reading! She loves the computer and I’m hoping that this program might help her out! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂

  60. chrissy says

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    My oldest son is quite a bit behind in his reading (about a grade level, perhaps two) due to dyslexia and significant focus problems. It is actually very sad for us because he loves books and telling stories and being read to, he just can’t decode well enough to read a really interesting book. It is a daily struggle. I wiill be looking into this for him…he loves anything in computer form!

  61. Jeana says

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    Hi! I just found your website via Kim at Life In A Shoe. I would love to try this program out and see how it compares to Explode the Code. My son has been using ETC but there are a few things we’re not crazy about. Thanks for the heads-up!

  62. Deanne says

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    I could sure use this with my five year old.

  63. Sandy K says

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    I would love to try it out for my “learning to read” K daughter. Thanks for the giveaway!

  64. Kim says

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    I would love to have a chance to try this program with my child!

  65. Reanna Perry says

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    I just signed up for the free trial!

  66. Kelly B says

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    My son has cataracts and will be having surgery this winter. In the meantime, I am trying to figure out how to adapt to his disability, so he can learn to read. He has such a desire to learn. I’ve been looking for computer based programs, to try. I’ll have to look into this one a bit more!

  67. Kristine Woodard says

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    So glad I found this site and this post before the 26th! Love your site – found it on pinterest bc of your 100 Christmas gifts. Now you are in my favorites folder! I have a reluctant reader and as a homeschooling mommma of 7 I would love a free subscription to Study Dog. Either way – finding your site is treat enough! God Bless!

  68. Kay says

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    I would love to win a subscription! My six-year old just started first grade after being homeschooled until last spring, and his teacher says he’s not where he should be. (He’s not really reading at all.) He’s really resistant to being pushed and I’m worried that after loving books his whole life he’s going to turn against them. 🙁

  69. Megan says

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    Looks like a great program!

  70. Veronica says

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    Would love to try this with my son!

  71. GinaG says

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    This sounds great! Would love to try it with my little lady who wants to know already when school will be done and seems firmly convinced that she “can’t” read.

  72. Anita Burdzel says

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    I think it sounds interesting. I have never heard of it before but I could use help.

  73. Elfie says

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    Sounds wonderful!

  74. Tina Savasuk says

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    Sounds like my 4.5 yr old would love it! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  75. Carrie D says

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    This looks like a great program for my kindergartener!

  76. Kristy Elliott says

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    I have 2 children who are struggling with reading. My youngest is in Pre-K and was diagnosed with Aspergers. This would really help him as he always wants to be on the computer with us.

  77. Heather says

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    I would love to win! We used Study Dog for our oldest two and I would love to use it again with our young reader.

  78. Jennifer Baker says

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    I have a 3rd grader with a learning disability who is a slow reader. Like your child he hates school. I have been looking for something to do at home to get him more interested, this might do the trick.

    Thank you,
    Jenni

  79. Jennifer says

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    I would love this program! My son is 6 and not interested in learning as much as his older sister. It would be great to have something help him get involved.

  80. Dawn says

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    I would love to win a subscription for Study Dog! My son is learning disabled, hates school and doesn’t like to read b/c understanding what he has read is difficult for him. He’s only allowed to read 1st grade and kindergarten books. He’s in 3rd grade. If there’s anything that can help him with reading and wanting to read, I’m willing to try it.

  81. Christina says

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    We just signed up for the 2 week trail and my son loves it. We are a homeschooling family and he is a smart little boy and picks up everything else very easliy but reading is not his strong suit at all. He now ask to work with study dog every day for the past few days. Makes a mom smile. We would love to continue this program after the trial …

  82. Rachel says

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    This would be great for my struggling six year old.

  83. Elizabeth says

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    Wahoo! Sounds perfect for #2!

  84. Smockity Frocks says

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    I need this! Pick me!

  85. Karen T says

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    Would love to try it with my youngest!

  86. Dora says

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    This looks like a great learning tool for one of my sons. A little fun and some learning are a great combination. I’m signing up for the free trial and hopefully this will give my 7 year old a dose of encouragement.

  87. Allison says

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    I have been trying to teach my four year old and it’s frustrating. Any help would be a dream come true!

  88. Heather says

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    This looks great for my 4yo!

  89. Tracy says

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    I would love to win this . My daughter is struggling with her reading. She loves using playing computer games.

  90. Kathy Gilliam says

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    I’d love to have some help for my reluctant reader…

  91. Gredina says

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    My girl has trouble reading. SHe has trouble concentrating on her school work. I signed up the the 2 week trial. She got on after school and was still going strong by bedtime. If this stuff helps her read, I’ll be so very happy!!

  92. Amanda says

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    I would love to win this for my first-grader. She loves books, but doesn’t really enjoy reading them herself.

  93. Liz says

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    I don’t know at what time today this drawing ends, but I would love to grab a six month description to StudyDog for my four-year-old. We just started doing preschool lessons this year to see if we can handle homeschooling in the future. I’ve been looking for a computer program to get him off of PBS sites with so much advertising and other links. So glad to have found your site tonight! Marking it as a favorite right now!

  94. Jennifer says

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    I might be too late because of time zones? but I’m teaching my 7 year old to read right now. Would love this one!

  95. TheHappyHousewife says

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    Enter Leigh.

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