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Making Dogs Happy: A Guide to How They Think, What They Do (and Don't) Want, and Getting to "Good Dog!" Behavior
Expert insights into your dog’s life—with dozens of photos of happy dogs, thanks to their human companions!
Gauging your dog’s well-being can be difficult, given how much a dog’s instincts, emotions, and behavior differ from ours. Now, two world-leading experts marshal their combined decades of experience to describe exactly what most dogs want—and don’t want. We learn how dogs rely on their sense of smell, communicate through body language, and absorb the big picture rather than details. Here are rules for canine contentment (most dogs don’t enjoy hugging) and advice on subtle signals (like lip licking), plus how to help dogs cope with stress, how to pick the perfect puppy, and more!
Gauging your dog’s well-being can be difficult, given how much a dog’s instincts, emotions, and behavior differ from ours. Now, two world-leading experts marshal their combined decades of experience to describe exactly what most dogs want—and don’t want. We learn how dogs rely on their sense of smell, communicate through body language, and absorb the big picture rather than details. Here are rules for canine contentment (most dogs don’t enjoy hugging) and advice on subtle signals (like lip licking), plus how to help dogs cope with stress, how to pick the perfect puppy, and more!
- GenresNonfictionDogs
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2019
41 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 22, 2019
If you believe in Dog this is your bible.
Honestly it's such a great book and it doesn't really matter if you are a person who has always had dogs or someone who has never had a dog but is thinking about inviting one into your family.
This is your book.
Honestly it's such a great book and it doesn't really matter if you are a person who has always had dogs or someone who has never had a dog but is thinking about inviting one into your family.
This is your book.
July 1, 2019
Looking at this book, you might think it's a dog book that's basically just an excuse for a lot of pictures of dogs and the words are meaningless flavor text about man's best friend -- but you'd be wrong, because this is a really solidly researched book about dog behavior from a scientific viewpoint (seriously, it has a bibliography and multiple references to current literature) and is definitely worth reading if you're curious about, basically, anything about why dogs behave the way they do. And, yes, it also has a lot of pictures of dogs.
It's also worth reading for the two-column list of Things The Authors' Dogs Have Eaten and Things They Have Not Eaten because, man, we have all been there, and I am glad I am not the only person whose dog has chowed down on a packing peanut.
It's also worth reading for the two-column list of Things The Authors' Dogs Have Eaten and Things They Have Not Eaten because, man, we have all been there, and I am glad I am not the only person whose dog has chowed down on a packing peanut.
April 4, 2022
Interesting and in some respects enlightening book about how dogs think and feel. One star off for its vagueness. The book spends lots of time describing dog expressions, for example, where a picture would be far more informative, but breezes over key topics such as managing and helping adolescent dogs, or recommended training approaches.
April 27, 2019
Making Dogs Happy by Paul McGreevy and Melissa Starling is a must read book if you want to have a better understanding of your relationship with your dog. Based on scientific facts that are made easy to understand by the writing style, you can learn things about the human and dog relationship. They talk about the dog-dog ethogram which are the natural behaviors that dogs understand when they are born. As humans, we introduce our dogs to a lot of behaviors that they have no frame of reference to understand; grooming, nail-clipping, going to the vet, and walking on a leash. When your dog is resistant to these type of interactions we often jump to the conclusion that they are being stubborn, or scared. When in actually, it is a foreign concept to them and they are going to need time to figure out what we are asking of them, and how they are going to react to that request.
In contrast, I was so intrigued by a section that explains that dogs have to do a lot of work in the relationship to understand all of our body language, not to mention our voices. They explain that dogs can communicate volumes with each other just by a look into another dogs eyes. When I was reading this book, my dog came up to me and stood next to me staring into my eyes. She often does this, and I tell her time and time again, that she needs to let me know what she wants. I start listing, food? water? go outside? and see the cat? and eventually she will make a move on the one that seems to be what she wants. After reading this book I feel like I should be honored that she thinks I can read her mind like I am a dog just like she is. Sadly, I haven't made it to that level yet. With this book I am making progress though!
The book is filled with beautiful photography with a variety of dogs that just want to make you smile. If you have ever wanted to learn more about how to improve your relationship with your dog, Making Dogs Happy will be a guide that will help you. I continue to pick this book up and read a section to further understand, and I know I will be using this as a reference for a long time to come.
In contrast, I was so intrigued by a section that explains that dogs have to do a lot of work in the relationship to understand all of our body language, not to mention our voices. They explain that dogs can communicate volumes with each other just by a look into another dogs eyes. When I was reading this book, my dog came up to me and stood next to me staring into my eyes. She often does this, and I tell her time and time again, that she needs to let me know what she wants. I start listing, food? water? go outside? and see the cat? and eventually she will make a move on the one that seems to be what she wants. After reading this book I feel like I should be honored that she thinks I can read her mind like I am a dog just like she is. Sadly, I haven't made it to that level yet. With this book I am making progress though!
The book is filled with beautiful photography with a variety of dogs that just want to make you smile. If you have ever wanted to learn more about how to improve your relationship with your dog, Making Dogs Happy will be a guide that will help you. I continue to pick this book up and read a section to further understand, and I know I will be using this as a reference for a long time to come.
April 5, 2019
This is a beautiful book filled with science-focused information. The main goal is to explore how owners can make their dogs happy. We learn about why dogs do certain behaviours and how humans can react.
I appreciate that the book begins by introducing us to the scientists who contributed to the book and the dogs they observed. It builds credibility, and also...the dogs were cute and who doesn't want to see cute dogs? Actually "credibility and also...the dogs were cute" is a pretty good summary of this entire book.
Another thing I appreciate is that even though this book is packed with scientific words like "vomeronasal," "antecedents," and "anal sac," the writers completely understand what it's like to be a dog owner. I like that they don't water the science parts down, and that they still include funny and relatable anecdotes.
Some things that I learned from this book: Why do dogs roll around in disgusting smells? Do dogs taste? How and when should I reinforce good behaviour?
Almost half of its 289 pages are full photographs featuring beautiful happy dogs. I highly recommend this book for any dog owner who wants to understand their furry pal a little better.
I appreciate that the book begins by introducing us to the scientists who contributed to the book and the dogs they observed. It builds credibility, and also...the dogs were cute and who doesn't want to see cute dogs? Actually "credibility and also...the dogs were cute" is a pretty good summary of this entire book.
Another thing I appreciate is that even though this book is packed with scientific words like "vomeronasal," "antecedents," and "anal sac," the writers completely understand what it's like to be a dog owner. I like that they don't water the science parts down, and that they still include funny and relatable anecdotes.
Some things that I learned from this book: Why do dogs roll around in disgusting smells? Do dogs taste? How and when should I reinforce good behaviour?
Almost half of its 289 pages are full photographs featuring beautiful happy dogs. I highly recommend this book for any dog owner who wants to understand their furry pal a little better.
December 4, 2024
I think if you liked Culture Clash, you would like this, as its a much more modern take on the clash between humans and dogs. Very much a "by better understanding dogs and our selves, we can do better" type book.
The book was enjoyable enough, taking me through a range of topics relating to the inner working of dogs, where conflict might happen between dog and human, how to mitigate these, how to understand both the dog and yourself reacting to your dog, ways to reinforce your dog beyond the basics of toys and food.
It went into more advanced concepts like satiation, motivating operations, behavioural momentum and so on- all nice to see a book to discuss.
I found the chapter on hands, and the ways dogs can perceive them, especially interesting.
The book was enjoyable enough, taking me through a range of topics relating to the inner working of dogs, where conflict might happen between dog and human, how to mitigate these, how to understand both the dog and yourself reacting to your dog, ways to reinforce your dog beyond the basics of toys and food.
It went into more advanced concepts like satiation, motivating operations, behavioural momentum and so on- all nice to see a book to discuss.
I found the chapter on hands, and the ways dogs can perceive them, especially interesting.
September 19, 2018
I loved this. Interesting research and ideas in a beautiful paperback edition (not the kindle as stated above.) Also loved the pictures that corresponded with the narrative. Definitely a great read for dog lovers!
June 2, 2019
A lovely book, full of researched facts about dog's mental lives. The truth of their conclusions are obvious in all the dogs I know! I especially enjoyed the tips on successfully training and bonding with dogs. The pictures are delightful.
April 5, 2022
Yes! Well researched & practical
The primary focus seems to be new dog owners, but there's plenty for those of us who already have dogs. There are examples using the authors' own dogs plus information from a wide variety of studies.
The primary focus seems to be new dog owners, but there's plenty for those of us who already have dogs. There are examples using the authors' own dogs plus information from a wide variety of studies.
April 17, 2020
Factual, personalised & entertaining book about that beloved animal, the dog.
June 29, 2023
Nous ferons de notre chéri le plus heureux de toute la galaxie.
Read
November 20, 2024DNF
June 1, 2023
Not enough of rescuing. Pretty vague and kind of repetitive.
January 1, 2024
The primary focus seems to be new dog owners, but there's plenty for those of us who already have dogs.
There are examples using the authors' own dogs plus information from a wide variety of studies.
Well researched and I definitely recommend this!
There are examples using the authors' own dogs plus information from a wide variety of studies.
Well researched and I definitely recommend this!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews