I cani sanno far di conto? - (Quasi) tutto ciò che il vostro cane vorrebbe farvi sapere

by Stanley Coren

Le risposte della scienza alle mille domande sui nostri amici a quattro zampe: come percepiscono il mondo i cani? Come apprendono? Pensano? Sognano? Si ingelosiscono? Si irritano? Come è meglio addestrarli? E sanno far di conto?

Come in una conversazione, Stanley Coren, professore di psicologia con alle spalle decenni di ricerche sull’universo psichico, emotivo e percettivo dei cani, risponde a queste e a innumerevoli altre domande che chiunque possieda un cane si pone, su come questi animali pensano, si comportano, si relazionano con il mondo esterno e il loro padrone.

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Psychology

211 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dogs may be man's best friends, but understanding what they think and what they do takes some effort. As the proud owner of two mini dachsunds, I feel I get what they are trying to say about half the times, and the rest of the times there are impases. Don't get me wrong, I love my dogs to death and try to go out of my way to be a great pet to them.

I want to start by saying that I enjoyed most fo the information given in this book. Stanley Coren is able to present information in a nice narrative; yet I felt that most of the topics presented were given as a reference or as a way to answer some trivia. It would have been better to have more expansion on some meaningful topics rather than little bits in a broad spectrum of themes.

The title is misleading. I thought it was a book about cognitive abilities and studies of dogs and what was learned about their capacity to dream. I felt a little dissapointed that they gave little information about some interesting topics that could have been greatly expanded.

The information presented in this book can be useful for people with limited knowledge regarding their pets, and can be an eye opener to many things, but it is not the most extensive book about the matter. If you want to know little insights rgearding your pets, this is a good choice, but prepare to find more material on the subject afterwards.

[Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Coren uses historic, survival, and evolutional referances to explain or estimate why some of the behaviours, and misbehaviours of dogs occur. Coren is a psychologist at University of British Columbia who has written extensively about many topics. He answers some obscure yet important topics like Why do dogs eat bones? Why do dogs have declaws? Can dogs get Alzheimers? just to name a few. If you can’t read the whole book, then you must read these two hilarious chapters: “Do Dogs Have the Same Emotions?” and “Why Do Dogs Roll around in Garbage and Other Smelly Stuff?” He debunks myths about a dog’s age and their inability to feel pain. I question the fact that a dog's presence can lower a person's blood pressure. If this is true, then why do I always feel my blood pressure rising when I come home to two vocal dogs that won't stop barking until I put some kibble down?

[Tequila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew a lot about dog behavior; however, this book blew my mind! This novel contains simple answers to some of the most common canine questions such as, whether dogs dream and why dogs urinate on fire hydrants. It is a quick read and will be an absolute delight for dog lovers and owners. Highly recommend!

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author looks at the latest scientific research to answer some questions about dogs. Yes, dogs do dream.Some other dog facts: Dogs see color, but not as many colors as humans. Red is dark brownish gray or black to a dog. Vision is less than a human - like seeing through gauze. TVs flicker too much for a dog to recognize the images. But as TV quality improves, more dogs are taking interest. Hearing is more sensative than humans. They can hear much higher frequencies, and those are the last to go as an old dog loses hearing. In evolution, a dog gained ability to hear squeaking, like mice. Cats can hear much higher frequencies than dogs. The sense of smell is the most amazing. Dogs can smell between one and ten thousand times better than humans.
Whiskers have a purpose - they help a dog feel his way around.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much to this one. I do like the format of questions & answers which makes it easy to skip anything I'm not interested in reading.

[Misty Melsheimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read negative reviews of this book, that it's nothing more than a hodgepodge of random dog information. For me, this book was fantastic, precisely because it's a hodgepodge of random dog information. It appealed to the nerdy side of me that wants to know a little bit about everything concerning dogs. It covered topics such as eyesight, brain function, taste buds, emotions, the differences among breeds... I loved it! Every day I'd go home to tell my SO another fascinating factoid that I'd learned. If you're looking for an in-depth exploration into the inner workings of dogs, this is not the book for you. However, if you're looking for a wide variety of facts where dogs are concerned, then it's definitely worth a read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little read. After we adopted a dog in September, I have wondered a whole host of things about her inner life. Coren covers a whole host of things in an informative but easy to digest way. Certainly not the be-all, end-all book on dog behavior but a nice overview from a well-informed source.

[Karen Elizabeth]

POPSUGAR 2021 prompt #18: A book about a subject you are passionate about. This was a well-written and researched book in Q&A format. Most of the answers were familiar or obvious, but I did learn that dogs have taste buds for water, so that's something.

[Kzals · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some chapters were very informational. I didn’t enjoy the format. The majority of each chapter was filled with background and research on humans. Id skim through mid chapter to get the actual answers of the question presented in each chapter. Overall okay read.

[Aidan S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the book told me a lot, I did feel he sometimes when off topic. nothing the less I believe it was an amazing book, as well as it told what to and not do with my dog that I used to do.

[Mcvalens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not feeling this one

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting tidbits of dog trivia.

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool book. Interesting things I've wondered about answered. Good for dog lovers, people ready to get a dog.

[Edmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s good, the advice was good as a dog owner and it taught me quite a bit. I just wished I could ask the 15 other questions that popped in my mind while I was reading the book.

[Book-addicted · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Inhalt*
"Können Hunde träumen? Erkennen sie sich selbst im Spiegel, und verstehen sie, was sie auf dem Fernsehbildschirm sehen? Sind sie musikalisch? Können sie Eifersucht empfinden oder unter Depressionen leiden? Können sie wirklich Krebszellen riechen? Und warum schlafen manche Hunde auf dem Rücken?

In unterhaltsamem Plauderton gibt der für sein Hundefachwissen bekannte Psychologieprofessor und erfolgreiche Autor Stanley Coren Antworten auf diese und viele weitere Fragen, die Hundehalter sich
Tag für Tag stellen. Dabei fließen ganz ohne Anstrengung die Ergebnisse jahrzehntelanger Forschungstätigkeit mit ein und widerlegen so manche Mythen und falsche Vorstellungen rund um unsere vierbeinigen Freunde." (Quelle: Amazon)

*Infos zum Buch*
Seitenzahl: 216 Seiten
Verlag: Kynos Verlag
ISBN: 978-3954640041
Preis: 19,95 € (Gebundene Ausgabe) / 16,99 € (E-Book)

*Infos zum Autor*
"Stanley Coren ist emeritierter Professor für Psychologie der Universität von British Columbia, Kanada. Seine Bücher "Die Intelligenz der Hunde" oder "Die Geheimnisse der Hundesprache" waren auch auf dem deutschen Markt sehr erfolgreich. Von der 'Dog Writer’s Associati on of America' wurde er für seine Hundebücher mit der begehrten Maxwell Medal of Excellence ausgezeichnet. Mit seiner Frau und seinen drei Hunden lebt er in Vancouver." (Quelle: Amazon)

*Fazit*
-> Wieso wollte ich dieses Buch lesen? Ich bin mit Hunden aufgewachsen und bin eigentlich ein totaler Hundemensch. Auch wenn ich derzeit nur zwei Katzen habe (die ich aber auch nicht mehr hergeben würde), interessiere ich mich nach wie vor sehr für sie, leider lässt es unsere berufliche und wohnliche Situation derzeit jedoch nicht zu, dass wir uns einen Hund anschaffen.

-> Gliederung:
Nach einem Vorwort wird das Buch in 6 Teile gegliedert:
1. Wie nehmen Hunde die Welt wahr?
2. Können Hunde wirklich denken, und haben sie Gefühle?
3. Wie kommunizieren Hunde?
4. Wie lernen Hunde?
5. Das Besondere an Welpen und alten Hunden
6. Was Sie sonst noch über Ihren Hund wissen sollten

Die einzelnen Teile enthalten Wiederrum die "wichtigsten" Fragen zu dieser Thematik.

-> Inhalt/Fazit:
Mit "Können Hunde träumen" schafft Stanley Coren ein tolles Nachschlagewerk für Hundeliebhaber und alle, die es werden wollen. Dabei schreibt er nicht nur unglaublich sympathisch, sondern auch gut verständlich und klärt die wichtigsten Fragen rund um den Hund.

Teil 1 befasst sich mit "Wie nehmen Hunde die Welt wahr?" und erzählt und etwas darüber, ob Hunde Farben sehen können, wie man das Gehör von Hunden testet, ob Hunde Schmerzen genauso wie wir empfinden können. Auch wenn in diesem Kapitel nicht allzu viel neues für den erfahrenen Hundehalter geboten wird, so wird es doch ausführlich und interessant erklärt.

In Teil 2 "Können Hunde wirklich denken und haben sie Gefühle?" empfand ich als sehr interessantes Kapitel, unter anderem, weil die lang gehegte Frage "Können Hunde lachen?" endlich beantwortet wird! Viele Hundebesitzer sagen oft genug "schau mal, er lacht" oder ähnliches und ich habe mich immer gefragt, ob das nur hineininterpretiert wird, oder tatsächlich eine derartige Mimik mit diesem Hintergrund vorhanden ist. Auch die Frage nach dem Rechnen oder musikalisch sein fand ich sehr spannend und informativ.

Teil 3 beschäftigt sich mit der Kommunikation des Hundes, erklärt den Unterschied zwischen Heulen und Spurlaut, und warum Hunde den Menschen so gerne im Schritt beschnüffeln. Viele weitere Arten der Kommunikation werden hier geklärt und geben Aufschluss über die wichtigsten Fakten.

"Wie lernen Hunde" ist der Oberbegriff für den 4. Teil des Buches. "Wie schlau sind Hunde im Vergleich zu anderen Tieren?", "Was ist Clickertraining", "Wo liegen die Grenzen des Lernens für Hunde" und viele weitere spannende Fragen erwartet uns hier.

Teil 5 und 6 beschäftigen sich mit dem "Besonderen" an Welpen und alten Hunden, bzw. "Was sie sonst noch über Hunde wissen wollten". "Wie entstehen Welpen", Wie alt ist ihr Hund?", Wie viele Hunderassen gibt es?", Warum schlafen Hunde manchmal auf dem Rücken" und vieles weiteres erklärt sich in diesen beiden Kapiteln.

Ich finde dieses Buch wahnsinnig spannend und werde es wohl immer wieder als Nachschlagewerk nutzen, denn genau dafür eignet es sich hervorragend. Lustige und spannende Fragen, für deren Beantwortung der Psychologe ausführlich recherchiert hat machen das Buch zu einem tollen Highlight im Bücherregal, das jedem Hundebesitzer und denen, die es werden wollen, Freude bereiten wird. Dabei liest man die Freude am Beruf und dem Tier in jeder Antwort heraus und statt sich auf langweilige Fakten oder Studien zu berufen, erklärt und berichtet der Autor von seinen persönlichen Erfahrungen und Experimenten. Auch wenn die Antworten länger ausfallen, als ich es zu Beginn der Lektüre erwartet hätte, so wird es doch nie langweilig, weil der Autor häufig auch kleine Anekdoten oder Beispiele einfließen lässt.

Wertung: 5 von 5 Sterne!

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for answers to the questions we've wondered about with scientific data to back up the answers. Helps me understand my dog a lot more !

[Carla Gebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gestaltung:
Leider gefällt mir die Gestaltung gar nicht. Sie sieht einfach so aus wie man die Bücher aus dem Biologie Unterricht kennt. Ich habe im Inneren mit etwas mehr gerechnet.

Inhalt:
Hier werden viele Fragen rund um den Hund beantwortet.

Meine Meinung:
Ich habe selber zwei Hunde und dachte mir, das ist mit Sicherheit ein super Buch um meine beiden Racker noch etwas besser zu verstehen.
Der Klappentext hat mir versprochen ein Buch voller Informationen zu bekommen, im gemütlichen Plauderton.
Das Buch war sehr informativ, jedoch für mich in keinem Fall unterhaltsam. Leider hatte ich wirklich das Gefühl wieder in der Schule zu sitzen und ein Buch lesen zu müssen um die Prüfung zu bestehen. Es war mir für den Plauderton zu viele Infos auf einem Haufen was sehr Schade war. Die Informationen waren nämlich ansonsten wirklich sehr gut.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Stanley Coren's latest addition to his string of wonderful books, he answers a number of questions about how our four-legged friends think and act.

How well can a dog taste? Does genetics determine a dog's personality? Why do dogs roll in garbage? Coren answers such questions in 3-4 pages, drawing on scientific studies to enhance his responses. He also includes a section on various approaches to training dogs such as clicker training, behavior capture, lure training, physical prompting, and shaping; he succinctly defines each method, explains how it works, and discusses its pros and cons.

A very informative, easy read for any dog lover.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information listed in this book is fascinating, and builds on some of what Coren has previously written, such as "The Intelligence of Dogs" and "Why We Love the Dogs We Do." I learned a lot, including facts about how dogs see, hear and smell, and how they dream. Do not be fooled by the title, however, as dogs' dreams make up only a tiny portion of the book's material. This is much more of a general how-to manual for your dog (Coren even includes training tips). As such, it's not bad, but the organizational structure of the book can seem haphazard, at times. If you can handle that, then it's a fine dog book to own, particularly if you know very little about dog history and behavior.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic questions that dog owners often wonder about their pets.
Shorts bursts of answers for each question that usually spans 2-3 pages.

I think this book would be informative to people that either
A)don't really know much about dogs or
B)someone that is a new dog owner.

I also think i should mention that there are a few short chapters on different ways to train your dog,
and which one would be more effective on your pet - Pretty basic, but still gives you a short insight on the situations.

I really didn't learn anything new besides a handful of things, which is why I rated this a 2.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book does not go into great depth, I found it interesting. I have had many Samoyeds over many years and have a lot of first-hand knowledge of that breed, but till I learned some facts about dogs in general. The ability to test dogs has greatly expanded and so has the knowledge.

I have to question a bit of Coren's facts in the chapter about breed origins, but overall I found the book pretty accurate. I would recommend it as quick read for the knowledgeable dog afficiando and a good place to start to learn for the newbie.

[Skylar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Analyzes the science and history of dogs to answer many of my questions about my dogs. Each question is self-contained, making it an excellent reference book to keep around. The questions were good choices, but I thought of 1 or 2 other questions I'd have liked to see. Was a great introduction to dogs for my non-pet-owning husband and in-laws. As a lifelong dog owner and a dog trainer, even I learned a great deal. Highly recommend getting a copy of this book to keep rather than borrowing it.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did learn a couple of things, i.e. the origin of dewclaws was interesting, but after reading lots of books about dog behavior, this was lightweight, basic and just a good source of info for someone who has never researched canine behavior. The title is misleading since there's just a small blurb on dog dreams (spoiler alert: they do dream)that is no more in depth than the one on how dogs use their tails.

[Julie L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Coren's books and sought this one out at the library. Be forewarned that this is more a survey book with 2-3 pages compiled per each topic, than it is a chapter book. (This one summarizes points available in some of Coren's other books). If you already know a lot about dogs you might skip this one, but if you're a dog novice and would like a book with interesting factoids, then this is a great book.

Not a bad book, but since it wasn't what I was looking for, I give it a 3.

[Dewayne Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a dog I am prejudice in my opinions. Lots of interesting things I didn't know about my dog. She has rear dew claws which are rare according to the author. My dog never knew that. Dogs are smarter that cats. My dog knew that. Some people don't have a clue about training dogs. I knew that already.

[Oceana2602 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book with pictures of dogs. If it wasn't so small, I guess it would be a coffee-table book. As it is, it's more of a bedside table book. What could be better than looking at a few cute dog pictures every night before you go to sleep? :-)

[Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not a page-turner; it's pretty dry, in fact. But it's chockablock with fascinating information about the animals that humans seem to love the most. (And I'm totally going to test Callie's ability to read our cues with the bucket game! So I've obviously gotten *something* out of this book.)

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a FAQ. About dogs. Informative and entertaining. And it's about dogs. If you like dogs you'll like this book, and will learn things, some useful things and some things that are only interesting.

[Miguel Figueroa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesante.

Un libro interesante y muy fácil de leer, a base de preguntas bien escogidas y respuestas amplias, en lenguaje claro y lleno de referencias. No son totalmente necesarias, pero eché de menos fotos, por ejemplo, en el listado de razas.

[Gin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interessante compendio delle domande più frequenti e delle curiosità che riguardano i nostri amici a quattro zampe. Consigliato a chi vuole conoscere meglio il suo animale domestico e imparare a comunicarci.