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The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions
How well to dogs understand language? Why can't Rover read? Can you teach on old dog new tricks? How smart is your dog? Psychologist Stanley Coren answers these questions and more in this enlightening resource for dog owners, potential dog owners, and anyone who loves a good dog story. In the best-selling tradition of The Hidden Life Of Dogs and featured in national media from USA Today and Newsweek to "Charlie Rose" and "Dateline NBC," The Intelligence Of Dogs is an absorbing read that combines heroic stories of dogs with the latest scientific and psychological information and sections on how Choose a family dog. Read your dog's body language. Test your dog's smarts. Understand the sophisticated language of the bark. Tailor a training program for best results. And so much more.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 10, 2016
I bought this book forever ago and never once over the years stopped looking forward to reading it. And, this year, roughly about 10 years after I bought it (the price on the back is still in Slovak Crowns :), the time has come and I finally got around to reading it.
I think it's a decent book about dogs and the way their brain works, how they learn, and how it all changes during life depending on the dog's age. The dog "IQ tests" were a nice bonus, and so were the short stories about some of the author's own dogs or the dogs of his friends.
The one thing that kept irking me, however, were the horribly outdated training techniques and theories, spread throughout the whole book. A lot of talk about dominance, alpha wolves, and how you should never let your dog get out of the door first, or how you should tell him to move when he's in the way, or make him leave his spot on the sofa when there's plenty of space on there, just to prove him you're in control. I hate to say it but it kind of spoilt the whole book for me, in a way.
Especially the parts where the author described "the alpha wolf", "the pack leader". How all the dogs listen to him, how he gives out orders for the whole pack, how he tells each dog where's his place during a hunt, or how he feels a lot of responsibility for his pack. It gave the impression that these dogs (or wolves) are something like super-dogs (super-wolves) and described thought processes resembled those of humans' rather than dogs', totally inconsistent with what he himself writes about how dogs think in the whole book.
I think it's a decent book about dogs and the way their brain works, how they learn, and how it all changes during life depending on the dog's age. The dog "IQ tests" were a nice bonus, and so were the short stories about some of the author's own dogs or the dogs of his friends.
The one thing that kept irking me, however, were the horribly outdated training techniques and theories, spread throughout the whole book. A lot of talk about dominance, alpha wolves, and how you should never let your dog get out of the door first, or how you should tell him to move when he's in the way, or make him leave his spot on the sofa when there's plenty of space on there, just to prove him you're in control. I hate to say it but it kind of spoilt the whole book for me, in a way.
Especially the parts where the author described "the alpha wolf", "the pack leader". How all the dogs listen to him, how he gives out orders for the whole pack, how he tells each dog where's his place during a hunt, or how he feels a lot of responsibility for his pack. It gave the impression that these dogs (or wolves) are something like super-dogs (super-wolves) and described thought processes resembled those of humans' rather than dogs', totally inconsistent with what he himself writes about how dogs think in the whole book.
August 5, 2022
Unfortunately this book has not aged well. The chapters on the dog’s mind and intelligence still hold up, but when the author turns to training he is insistent on dominance over the dog, with “corrections” when the dog fails to give the owner the desired behavior. This is no longer favored by thinking, up to date dog trainers. The book was first published in 1994, and it is my own fault for keeping such a dated book on my shelves. Maybe Mr. Coren has kept up with the new science of training. I hope so.
May 1, 2020
This is a highly readable look at the life of your dog. Can it think? Is it a conscious being? Or is it mostly a bundle of instincts and a reactor to stimulus? Coren comes down on the side of those who believe that dogs can think and make intelligent decisions based on memory and observation.
The early chapters look at the history of dogs—speculation as to where they came from, who bred them, and their importance in the lives of people anciently. Those early chapters are interesting enough, but things get better from chapter four on. Chapter five looks at the different types of intelligence dogs possess. The author believes that, no matter what you may think, your dog isn’t musically inclined. Dogs taught to dance with a trainer are more cued to the movement of the trainer than the rhythm of the music, Coren asserts. But he says the can make comparisons and pick the larger treat over the smaller one, and some dogs may be able to do a kind of limited math that enables them to know when all the objects thrown in a field have been retrieved.
But how are they with language? So much of the linguistic chapter feels like speculation and wishful thinking more than science. Coren describes dog vocalizations then attaches meaning to them. Some of it makes sense. We can infer, for example, that pain or fear causes certain types of whining or whimpering. But some of the other vocalizations seem to me to be more dependent on the dog than anything else.
Then there was the somewhat boring chapter on breeds and their uses. One study he cites says pet owners are four times more likely to be alive a year after a serious heart attack than non-pet owners. He looks at the various breeds and the jobs they perform.
The final chapters include tests you can do to determine your dog’s intelligence/obedience and whether it is a fit for your lifestyle. I confess I paid little attention to the test chapters. I’m not able to determine the efficacy of the tests. This guy seems to adopt a Cesar Millan style of dominance. Chapter 12 looks at pack hierarchy and how you maintain it. He says you should occasionally take food away from the dog to demonstrate your leadership in the pack; never let the dog go through an opening ahead of you. Hmm. Let’s try that in a harness, shall we? He provides exercises that establish dominance. He devotes several pages to providing an enriching environment for the dog, especially when it is young. Increasing the dog’s crystalized intelligence, as the author puts it, can even increase its brain weight. There’s good advice here, too; I don’t want to leave the impression that this is a schlock book filled with worthless advice; the opposite is true. There’s good information here on when and how to use the dog’s name as a part of the learning process.
Chapter 13 is interesting in that it looks at whether you really want an intelligent dog in the house. We might reflexively insist that we do, but intelligent dogs require far more creativity and work to make that partnership successful than dealing with a stupid dog. The best guide dogs are those easily bored with a route, forcing the handler to change things up frequently. (That’s not Coren’s experience; that’s mine. A highly intelligent dog may learn that it can destroy your house to get out of it; a less intelligent dog may never make that connection. Intelligent dogs may realize that, when the handler isn’t home, behavior that would be otherwise verboten can go unpunished. You could come home to a destroyed sofa or bed. A dog with less intelligence may be perfectly happy and bored without you at home. I like the stress the author puts on the principle of using the dog’s name frequently prior to issuing commands; doing so creates a greater degree of predictability and less ambiguity for the dog to have to deal with. He reminds his readers to keep training sessions short and exercise infinite patience. I struggle with that last one all too often, sadly enough. He also encourages the use of food as part of training or reinforcement of already known commands. He also places high value on consistency, especially with more intelligent dogs who quickly grasp that old rules have changed if the handler is inconsistent. He stresses the importance of mental stimulation on a regular basis.
If you read this, persevere to the end of the book where you will read the touching and true story of Shotgun, a Labrador Retriever who saves a nine-year-old girl from a house fire. I blinked back tears as I read the account.
The early chapters look at the history of dogs—speculation as to where they came from, who bred them, and their importance in the lives of people anciently. Those early chapters are interesting enough, but things get better from chapter four on. Chapter five looks at the different types of intelligence dogs possess. The author believes that, no matter what you may think, your dog isn’t musically inclined. Dogs taught to dance with a trainer are more cued to the movement of the trainer than the rhythm of the music, Coren asserts. But he says the can make comparisons and pick the larger treat over the smaller one, and some dogs may be able to do a kind of limited math that enables them to know when all the objects thrown in a field have been retrieved.
But how are they with language? So much of the linguistic chapter feels like speculation and wishful thinking more than science. Coren describes dog vocalizations then attaches meaning to them. Some of it makes sense. We can infer, for example, that pain or fear causes certain types of whining or whimpering. But some of the other vocalizations seem to me to be more dependent on the dog than anything else.
Then there was the somewhat boring chapter on breeds and their uses. One study he cites says pet owners are four times more likely to be alive a year after a serious heart attack than non-pet owners. He looks at the various breeds and the jobs they perform.
The final chapters include tests you can do to determine your dog’s intelligence/obedience and whether it is a fit for your lifestyle. I confess I paid little attention to the test chapters. I’m not able to determine the efficacy of the tests. This guy seems to adopt a Cesar Millan style of dominance. Chapter 12 looks at pack hierarchy and how you maintain it. He says you should occasionally take food away from the dog to demonstrate your leadership in the pack; never let the dog go through an opening ahead of you. Hmm. Let’s try that in a harness, shall we? He provides exercises that establish dominance. He devotes several pages to providing an enriching environment for the dog, especially when it is young. Increasing the dog’s crystalized intelligence, as the author puts it, can even increase its brain weight. There’s good advice here, too; I don’t want to leave the impression that this is a schlock book filled with worthless advice; the opposite is true. There’s good information here on when and how to use the dog’s name as a part of the learning process.
Chapter 13 is interesting in that it looks at whether you really want an intelligent dog in the house. We might reflexively insist that we do, but intelligent dogs require far more creativity and work to make that partnership successful than dealing with a stupid dog. The best guide dogs are those easily bored with a route, forcing the handler to change things up frequently. (That’s not Coren’s experience; that’s mine. A highly intelligent dog may learn that it can destroy your house to get out of it; a less intelligent dog may never make that connection. Intelligent dogs may realize that, when the handler isn’t home, behavior that would be otherwise verboten can go unpunished. You could come home to a destroyed sofa or bed. A dog with less intelligence may be perfectly happy and bored without you at home. I like the stress the author puts on the principle of using the dog’s name frequently prior to issuing commands; doing so creates a greater degree of predictability and less ambiguity for the dog to have to deal with. He reminds his readers to keep training sessions short and exercise infinite patience. I struggle with that last one all too often, sadly enough. He also encourages the use of food as part of training or reinforcement of already known commands. He also places high value on consistency, especially with more intelligent dogs who quickly grasp that old rules have changed if the handler is inconsistent. He stresses the importance of mental stimulation on a regular basis.
If you read this, persevere to the end of the book where you will read the touching and true story of Shotgun, a Labrador Retriever who saves a nine-year-old girl from a house fire. I blinked back tears as I read the account.
January 22, 2016
(English and Italian, in order)
The author is a neuropsychologist with a lot of papers published, not a layman or just anybody who thinks to know everything about dog's thoughts. So, this book is filled with reliable information (maybe something is quite outdated) and it actually talks about dogs' intelligence, not about some foggy anecdotes or funny stories with fanciful interpretations.
He doesn't go further into neurophysiological details as a classic ethological paper, so this book is very easy for everyone. Snoopy on the italian cover is emblematic: this book is not just a book about dogs, it has a sound psychological basis, exactly like Peanuts).
He talks about the evolution and domestication of dogs, and about their intelligence from diverse points of view: historical, philosophical and psychological. The point is: there are a lot of types of intelligence, and races as well as individuals can be very different. He draws up a list of the best races based on their working intelligence, but it is very approximate, as a good training can do wonders.
There's also a section with a canine IQ test, so everybody can prove his own dog's skills. Some hints for training are described as well, but maybe outdated (the book is 20 years old).
It is not a book about training techniques, but it explains what you can expect from your dog (and what you can't!).
---------------------------------
Semplice ma autorevole
L'autore è un neuropsicologo con varie pubblicazioni scientifiche alle spalle, non un signore qualunque che conosce i cani e pensa di sapere come ragionano. Di conseguenza questo libretto è veramente ricco di informazioni attendibili (alcune però datate, quindi per questo oggi perde una stellina) e parla davvero dell'intelligenza dei cani, non si perde in anneddoti di dubbia origine con altrettanto dubbie interpretazioni. D'altro canto non scende nel dettaglio della neurofisiologia comportamentale, risultando quindi accessibile a tutti (Snoopy in copertina non va preso sottogamba, come questo libro: non è solo un libro sui cani, ma ha una solida base psicologica, esattamente come i Peanuts).
Nel corso dei capitoli Coren illustra le ipotesi di evoluzione e domesticazione del cane e delle sue origini selvatiche, spiegando cosa è plausibile e cosa meno. Parla dell'intelligenza animale da un punto di vista storico e filosofico e del suo travagliato riconoscimento (ad oggi persino i polpi sono riconosciuti "senzienti" e quindi tutelati come cani e gatti nell'ambito della ricerca). Poi passa al livello psicologico, distinguendo le varie forme di intelligenza, quella istintiva, quella adattiva e quella ubbiditiva. Questa parte è realmente interessante anche perchè inquadra varie razze in base al loro tipo di intelligenza istintiva e alla selezione artificiale che le ha portate ad eccellere in certi compiti anzichè in altri. Se le razze possono influre sugli istinti, gli individui si differenziano alquanto per gli altri tipi di intelligenza. C'è anche una sezione con dei semplici test comportamentali da fare sul proprio cane. Non è un libro di addestramento (c'è qualche input, forse un po' superato), ma si capisce molto su cosa aspettarsi dal proprio cane
The author is a neuropsychologist with a lot of papers published, not a layman or just anybody who thinks to know everything about dog's thoughts. So, this book is filled with reliable information (maybe something is quite outdated) and it actually talks about dogs' intelligence, not about some foggy anecdotes or funny stories with fanciful interpretations.
He doesn't go further into neurophysiological details as a classic ethological paper, so this book is very easy for everyone. Snoopy on the italian cover is emblematic: this book is not just a book about dogs, it has a sound psychological basis, exactly like Peanuts).
He talks about the evolution and domestication of dogs, and about their intelligence from diverse points of view: historical, philosophical and psychological. The point is: there are a lot of types of intelligence, and races as well as individuals can be very different. He draws up a list of the best races based on their working intelligence, but it is very approximate, as a good training can do wonders.
There's also a section with a canine IQ test, so everybody can prove his own dog's skills. Some hints for training are described as well, but maybe outdated (the book is 20 years old).
It is not a book about training techniques, but it explains what you can expect from your dog (and what you can't!).
---------------------------------
Semplice ma autorevole
L'autore è un neuropsicologo con varie pubblicazioni scientifiche alle spalle, non un signore qualunque che conosce i cani e pensa di sapere come ragionano. Di conseguenza questo libretto è veramente ricco di informazioni attendibili (alcune però datate, quindi per questo oggi perde una stellina) e parla davvero dell'intelligenza dei cani, non si perde in anneddoti di dubbia origine con altrettanto dubbie interpretazioni. D'altro canto non scende nel dettaglio della neurofisiologia comportamentale, risultando quindi accessibile a tutti (Snoopy in copertina non va preso sottogamba, come questo libro: non è solo un libro sui cani, ma ha una solida base psicologica, esattamente come i Peanuts).
Nel corso dei capitoli Coren illustra le ipotesi di evoluzione e domesticazione del cane e delle sue origini selvatiche, spiegando cosa è plausibile e cosa meno. Parla dell'intelligenza animale da un punto di vista storico e filosofico e del suo travagliato riconoscimento (ad oggi persino i polpi sono riconosciuti "senzienti" e quindi tutelati come cani e gatti nell'ambito della ricerca). Poi passa al livello psicologico, distinguendo le varie forme di intelligenza, quella istintiva, quella adattiva e quella ubbiditiva. Questa parte è realmente interessante anche perchè inquadra varie razze in base al loro tipo di intelligenza istintiva e alla selezione artificiale che le ha portate ad eccellere in certi compiti anzichè in altri. Se le razze possono influre sugli istinti, gli individui si differenziano alquanto per gli altri tipi di intelligenza. C'è anche una sezione con dei semplici test comportamentali da fare sul proprio cane. Non è un libro di addestramento (c'è qualche input, forse un po' superato), ma si capisce molto su cosa aspettarsi dal proprio cane
June 10, 2021
I found this book at a thrift shop and thought 'what the hell.'
This book is badly out of date. It was first published in 1994 which means the studies on dog cognition, intelligence, genetics, and training methods are all about 30 years old. Much of the information in this book that would have been cutting edge in 1994 has either been debunked or expanded upon.
Despite that I found myself enjoying the authors enthusiasm for the subject and his knowledge of a multitude of topics- from dogs in folklore to their treatment in religion and philosophy. He even calls out Descartes and his "physical machines" as a garbage theory that has hung over animal intelligence studies for 350 years.
Overall this book was worth the time I took to read it. However there are more recent works that should be read before diving in to this one so that you can recognize what data is simply outdated. For a more updated view on dog cognition I recommend Alexandra Horowitz and Brian Hare. For animal cognition in general Carl Safina's "Beyond Words" is worth a read.
This book is badly out of date. It was first published in 1994 which means the studies on dog cognition, intelligence, genetics, and training methods are all about 30 years old. Much of the information in this book that would have been cutting edge in 1994 has either been debunked or expanded upon.
Despite that I found myself enjoying the authors enthusiasm for the subject and his knowledge of a multitude of topics- from dogs in folklore to their treatment in religion and philosophy. He even calls out Descartes and his "physical machines" as a garbage theory that has hung over animal intelligence studies for 350 years.
Overall this book was worth the time I took to read it. However there are more recent works that should be read before diving in to this one so that you can recognize what data is simply outdated. For a more updated view on dog cognition I recommend Alexandra Horowitz and Brian Hare. For animal cognition in general Carl Safina's "Beyond Words" is worth a read.
June 26, 2020
Anche se un po' datato, questo saggio risulta valido per capire che il cane possiede un'intelligenza e come aiutarlo a svilupparla
February 23, 2016
I think my dog is smarter than he thinks my dog is.
He forgot to factor in heart and willingness & desire to please.
He forgot to factor in heart and willingness & desire to please.
January 10, 2021
Čtivá a jednoduše napsaná kniha, se spoustou zajímavých i užitečných informací pro každého pejskaře. Co knize ubírá na možnosti získat plných 5 hvězdiček přesto, že obsahově by si to hlavně poslední kapitoly o mentalitě a výcviku psa zasloužily, je spousta anekdotálních příběhů, kterými je kniha prošpikována. Jejich vyznění je často až pohádkové, málo uvěřitelné či přehnané ve stylu “jedna paní povídala”. Nevím, zda je to chyba překladu nebo jsem já příliš zvyklá na konkrétněji podané informace s jasně uvedeným zdrojem, ale ve výsledku tyto vsuvky v mých očích snížily celkovou kredibilitu knihy, obzvlášť v kapitolách o vývoji psů a rozdílech v plemenech. Malé upozornění na konec - autor tak často vyzdvihuje chytrost pouze některých plemen, že pokud nemáte jedno z těch plemen (labrador, zlatý retrívr, pudl, kolie, rotvajler nebo ovčák), tak po přečtení knihy pravděpodobně nabydete nepříjemného dojmu a zklamání, že ze svého psa stejně nic nevychováte.
August 25, 2019
Scritto da un docente di psicologia appassionato anche di addestramento canino, questo testo traccia prima una storia della percezione dell’intelligenza del cane nella storia e fino a periodi più recenti, dopodiché affronta nel dettaglio le tipologie di intelligenza che più si applicano al cane. Affronta anche il tema della personalità, e pur non essendo un manuale pratico, offre una serie di suggerimenti utili.
Interessante per chi è appassionato di cani anche per la classifica che stila sulle varie razze.
Interessante per chi è appassionato di cani anche per la classifica che stila sulle varie razze.
March 8, 2018
A very interesting read, however it depends WHEN you are reading it. As a non-fiction book, it is meant first and foremost to get information across, and is dry and repetitive at times. If I was actively training a young dog, I'd rate this book higher, a 3 or 4 star review. But reading it purely for pleasure knocks that down to a 2.
July 18, 2021
Se non conoscete il fatto che esistono varie forme di intelligenza, questo libro è per voi. Ben raccontato, non eccede di tecnicismi, se menziona un effetto ne racconta la causa. Interessanti gli spunti pratici e i test di intelligenza da poter fare col proprio cane. Consigliato! A fine libro c’è una ricca sezione di consigli su altre letture a tema.
March 20, 2022
An interesting read and I did learn plenty of new things. However, had to take elements with a pinch of salt at times throughout the book. Using words such as dominance in the wrong context and pack. Suggesting some pointless exercises to stop your dog thinking it is top dog, such as occasionally asking them to move from their favourite resting spot for no reason.
October 8, 2017
Mõnus raamat. Sain uusi huvitavaid teadmisi ja kinnitust neile, mida juba teadsin koerte kohta. Legende ajaloost ja teooriaid, mis tunduvad jaburad. Õnneks ka tõestusi, mis neid jaburaid teooriaid ümber lükkavad. Usun, et igale koeraomanikule ja koerte huvilisele väga huvitav lugemine.
December 1, 2020
There are very few books I just can't finish and this is the first is a few years. It is quite outdated, even though it is supposed to be an updated version to 2006. It is poorly written and often extremely dull. Such an interesting topic, I wish someone else would write a good book about it.
January 31, 2019
I think this had some interesting ideas.
August 5, 2020
For the true dog enthusiast, this is a fascinating read regarding dogs intelligence, their minds, how they learn and more. Animal professionals will benefit from reading this.
June 14, 2021
Loads of blabber, boring and useless.
January 21, 2024
I recommend the Canine IQ test in Chapter 9.
May 18, 2025
Apparently my dog is pretty dumb and he is too old now to train much better.
January 9, 2021
overall a very good book, though it gets a bit dry and boring in places. interesting tips for training different types of dogs like suggesting different training environments for scent hounds vs sight hounds. an interesting comparison of the intelligence of different breeds.
i like that he stresses that "actual performance and reliability will depend on the amount of practice and repetition, and that the quality of training is a major factor in determining the quality of performance".
explains the particular challenges of raising a very intelligent dog vs an average dog, and how sometimes "less is more when your goal is just to have a nice house dog (do you really want a dog who is smart enough to realize he can get outside by plowing thru the screen door, and when the door is blocked, figures out the window screens are similar escape routes?)"
i like that he stresses that "actual performance and reliability will depend on the amount of practice and repetition, and that the quality of training is a major factor in determining the quality of performance".
explains the particular challenges of raising a very intelligent dog vs an average dog, and how sometimes "less is more when your goal is just to have a nice house dog (do you really want a dog who is smart enough to realize he can get outside by plowing thru the screen door, and when the door is blocked, figures out the window screens are similar escape routes?)"
September 9, 2011
Happy dance! It only took me a year, but I finished this informative and helpful book. Without some knowledge of experimental psychology, I think it would have read rather on the dry side. However, it nicely dovetailed with animal behavior concepts, intelligence theories, and test design. Also, the opening 2-3 chapters presented a very nice overview of the evolution of the dog and the history of the dog in various time periods and places. I'm stunned at how loyal and loving dogs are when you make the effort to know them on their own terms. Amazing creatures -- we have much to learn from them about how simple life is when you strip away the human chaos.
January 13, 2011
Coren is a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia as well as a prize winning dog trainer and authority on dog intelligence. He traces the “natural history” of dogs, early and modern views of dog intelligence, as well his take on the nature of dog intelligence. He distinguishes various types of intelligence: instinctive, adaptive, working or obedience, and linguistic. Finally, he discusses personalities and how to build and maintain a happy relationship.
I found this to be very interesting and informative, stimulating read, and I expect it to be a reliable reference in my future attempts with dogs.
I found this to be very interesting and informative, stimulating read, and I expect it to be a reliable reference in my future attempts with dogs.
September 11, 2009
Very well written. Clear & scientific without being too technical. For me, it's hard to see why a person wouldn't automatically believe that a dog has intelligence, but Mr. Coren lays out his arguements clearly and explains his detractors and his arguements rationally and without ridicule.
It's sad that he realized there will never be the resources to test as he would like to do, but uses some creative ways to find other ways to test his theories.
An absorbing read. I will be reading more of his work- shortly.
It's sad that he realized there will never be the resources to test as he would like to do, but uses some creative ways to find other ways to test his theories.
An absorbing read. I will be reading more of his work- shortly.
October 27, 2012
Begin of the book is very interesting and a lot of examples made it nice and easy to read.
But while reading it longer we can feel that we miss the point of the topic because of all these examples.
Subject of book is very interesting but we need to remember that some methods, as domination, are from "old school" not used any more.
Also intelligence tests are very interesting, but I know that my own dog half year before would be consider after them as dumb, and now he is above average.
It is good to read this, but please remember to not take everything as an axiom.
But while reading it longer we can feel that we miss the point of the topic because of all these examples.
Subject of book is very interesting but we need to remember that some methods, as domination, are from "old school" not used any more.
Also intelligence tests are very interesting, but I know that my own dog half year before would be consider after them as dumb, and now he is above average.
It is good to read this, but please remember to not take everything as an axiom.
June 5, 2008
This book was quite helpful in understanding a little bit more about my wild and crazy English Springer Spaniel. Supposedly his breed's intelligence is in the second rank (still quite bright but not quite as smart as a poodle, for instance). The book mixes scientific inquiry with anecdotes of the author's dogs and others. Fascinating and useful reading for anyone who shares his or her life with a dog.
October 4, 2012
Every prospective dog owner should read this book. It is very informative and provides everything you need to know in order to make a choice about the breed of dog that you will be bringing into your home and life for quite a number of years. I really enjoyed reading this book and so will you if you love dogs.
February 5, 2010
I liked this book, but it was more background research than actual applicable training techniques. The little tests were fun to do with the dog, but overall I feel like this book just skims the surface of dog behaviour.
May 17, 2024
if you like this review i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com
??? 000s?: read this for my own writing, my interest, because i do not own a dog. not quite philosophy, but it does make me think about dog worlds...
??? 000s?: read this for my own writing, my interest, because i do not own a dog. not quite philosophy, but it does make me think about dog worlds...
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August 17, 2011Superb excellent book which gives an insight to the dogs world, how they think and react, and their life stages. This is a must have for anyone who has a dog or is planning on getting a dog or is interested in dogs.
May 18, 2008
Very insightful, with loads of helpful information.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews