HOW DOGS THINK Reviewed… When Stanley Coren’s THE INTELLIGENCE OF DOGS: CANINE CONSCIOUSNESS AND CAPABILITIES hit the shelves in 1994, we had an increased appreciation of the intelligence and character of our dogs. A psychologist and dog expert, Dr Coren advanced our understanding of the psychology of our canine family members. Since then, others […]
Written on November 28th, 2006
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HOW DOGS THINK Reviewed… When Stanley Coren’s THE INTELLIGENCE OF DOGS: CANINE CONSCIOUSNESS AND CAPABILITIES hit the shelves in 1994, we had an increased appreciation of the intelligence and character of our dogs. A psychologist and dog expert, Dr Coren advanced our understanding of the psychology of our canine family members. Since then, others have taken his discoveries even further — See our controversial Article “The 10 Most Intelligent Dogs” at PUPPY DOGS INFO! Is your dog on the list? Now, Dr Coren’s latest book — HOW DOGS THINK has been released in paperback (HOW DOGS THINK: WHAT THE WORLD LOOKS LIKE TO THEM AND WHY THEY ACT THE WAY THEY DO, Simon & Schuster/Free Press, ISBN: 0743222334, 368 pages, June 1, 2005) and in eBook (HOW DOGS THINK: UNDERSTANDING THE CANINE MIND, Simon & Schuster/Free Press, August, 2005). “Publishers Weekly” has called HOW DOGS THINK “Friendly, authoritative and firmly grounded in scientific evidence, Coren’s survey of canine biology and psychology will give readers a new appreciation of humankind’s best animal friend… Coren doesn’t dumb anything down but manages to make scientific information easy to understand–and he scatters practical tips for handling dogs at home throughout the text. This entertaining, well-researched book will please dog lovers of every stripe.” “Booklist” said “(Dr. Coren) investigates the effects of both genetics and learning on the behavior of dogs and the consequences of breeding for specific traits in purebreds and how this has changed their personalities. He is also the host of a weekly Canadian television show on dog behavior, and from this background he enlivens the text with human-dog anecdotes that illustrate his more scientific points. It is this combination of research (backed up with an extensive bibliography) and applicability, brought together with Coren’s eminently readable style, that makes for a valuable book.” It has been said that dogs personify all the virtues of humans without the vices. Henry James wrote that his dog was “most reasonable and well-mannered” and Plato that “a dog has the soul of a philosopher.” Over the years, dogs have taught us many things: loyalty, courage, and to turn around three times before lying down. Yet even in the face of millennia of evidence of thoughtful dogs, there has been little systematic scientific study until recently of what is actually going on in the dog’s mind, and some people even question whether dogs have the capacity for that which we call mind. In his ground-breaking book, MAN MEETS DOG (1953), Konred Lorenz first looked at the behavior and intelligence of the domesticated jackal/wolf that we call “dog” — and “friend” — and astounded the world with his conclusions. In THE INTELLIGENCE OF DOGS, Dr Stanley Coren entered the world stage with an instant classic that immediately joined the works of Lorenz in importance. In this long-anticipated new book, written in the vein of his enormously popular THE INTELLIGENCE OF DOGS and HOW TO SPEAK DOG, Dr Coren looks at both the heights of intellect and the depth of our misunderstanding of what goes on in a dog’s mind. A best selling author, psychologist, and world-renowned expert on dog behavior and training, Dr. Coren is always at the forefront of discoveries about dogs. Other published works include WHAT DO DOGS KNOW? (with Janet Walker), WHY WE LOVE THE DOGS WE DO, HOW TO SPEAK DOG and THE PAWPRINTS OF HISTORY. With his ever-entertaining, erudite style, he provides a fascinating picture of the way dogs interpret their world and their owners, how they solve problems, learn, and take in new information. Dr. Coren lets you see through a dog’s eyes, hear through his ears, and even sense the world through a dog’s nose, giving you the insight that you need to understand the silly, quirky, and apparently irrational behaviors that dogs demonstrate, as well as those stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity that they occasionally display. Along the way, HOW DOGS THINK will answer the questions about which you have always wondered, including: Can dogs count? Do they have an appreciation of art or music? Can a dog learn how to do something by just watching another dog or even a person do it? Do dogs dream? What is the nature of dog personality? Which behaviors are pre-wired into your dog and which can you actually change? And, can dogs sense future earthquakes or detect cancer? With information not widely known to lay people, this lively guide also provides practical advice and wisdom that allows owners to discover the best ways to teach dogs new things, why punishment doesn’t work, how a dog can actually learn to love or to fear, and how to turn that new puppy into a “perfect,” emotionally sound, inquisitive, happy, and obedient dog. Combining solid science with numerous funny, informative anecdotes and firsthand observations — all characterized by Dr. Coren’s own searching intelligence and his (and sometimes his dogs’) irrepressible sense of humor — HOW DOGS THINK shatters many common myths and misconceptions about our four-legged friends and reveals a wealth of surprises about their mental abilities and intellectual potential. Dr Coren writes: “This book is my attempt to explain to the world… how dogs think. To understand the canine mind requires that we know a lot about how dogs sense the world and the degree to which they have been genetically programmed to perform their doggy behaviors, as well as what and how dogs can learn and adapt their behavior to changing conditions… “We will learn about the personalities of various breeds of dogs and how early experiences can change their temperaments. We will also explore the changes that occur in the dog’s mind as he matures and ages. Along the way we’ll even consider some of the stranger questions that people ask about dogs: whether they have an artistic sense, can understand mathematics, have ESP, can sense future earthquakes, or can even detect cancer in humans. “This is a book based upon some of the new and exciting scientific research that is beginning to give us a glimpse of the workings of that fur-covered mind. You may find some surprises here, such as some capacities and abilities you didn’t know your dog had or some abilities you think he has which he does not. You may also find some ways to understand your dog better, to communicate more clearly with him, and to help shape his behaviors so that he fits into your life more comfortably. “You will also find some interesting data and some fascinating stories about how dogs think and behave that you can use if you ever find yourself joining that argument in that room full of behavioral scientists and philosophers…” The Chapters are: 1. THE MIND OF A DOG 2. GETTING INFORMATION INTO THE MIND 3. PLAYING LIFE BY EAR 4. I SNIFF, THEREFORE I AM 5. A MATTER OF TASTE 6. IN TOUCH WITH THE WORLD 7. A CANINE SIXTH SENSE? 8. THE PREPROGRAMMED DOG 9. EARLY LEARNING 10. THE PERSONALITY OF DOGS 11. EMOTIONAL LEARNING 12. SKILL LEARNING 13. THE SOCIAL SECRET OF LEARNING 14. ARTISTS OR SCIENTISTS? 15. THE WRINKLED MIND 16. CANINE CONSCIOUSNESS HOW DOGS THINK lets you see through a dog’s eyes, hear through his ears, and even sense the world through his nose, as Coren presents a fascinating account of the way dogs interpret their world and their human companions… HOW DOGS THINK: UNDERSTANDING THE CANINE MIND is an absolute must for your library. TO SEE MORE ON THE INTELLIGENCE OF DOGS — CLICK ON PUPPY DOGS INFO! PUPPY DOGS INFO is a Family-Friendly site. Lots of Information — NO Pop-Ups, Pop-Unders, Tracking Cookies, etc. See our popular DOGS IN LITERATURE — a study of the realistic dog story in Literature and Hollywood — from Buck of “The Call of the Wild” — to Kazan the Wolf Dog — Lassie — Rin-Tin-Tin — Beethoven — Diefenbaker… See THE 10 MOST INTELLIGENT DOG BREEDS — is your dog one of them? Do you want to be a successful Dog Breeder? See PUPPY DOGS INFO’s Recommended #1 Source for Critical Information on breeding dogs for profit. Don’t become a puppy mill! You need this information. “Here’s your chance to be a successful Breeder now!” Other Articles: Most Common Puppy ailments and how to treat them. 5 most popular country dogs. How to show your dog you’re the boss. How to avoid puppy mills. When to start training your puppy. What breed is right for you? Info on Dog Breeds, Training and Care. Top Dog Sites. Much More! www.puppy-dogs.info
About the Author
Brian Alan Burhoe is the author of many dog-related articles and short stories, such as WOLFBLOOD A Northwestern in the Jack London Tradition. Many of his articles are at PUPPY DOGS INFO at www.puppy-dogs.info. Or do an Author Search at GoArticles!
Written on November 28th, 2006
Read more articles on Book reviews.
