Dog sense : how the new science of dog behavior can make you a better friend to your pet / John Bradshaw.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780465019441 (hardback) :
- ISBN: 9780465030033
- Physical Description: xxiv, 324 p. : ill ; 25 cm.
- Publisher: New York : Basic Books, c2011.
Content descriptions
Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Dogs > Behavior. Dogs > Psychology. Animal intelligence. Human-animal relationships. |
Available copies
- 3 of 4 copies available at BC Interlibrary Connect. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Prince Rupert Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 4 total copies.
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Holdable? | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prince Rupert Library | 636.70887 Brad (Text) | 33294001745454 | Adult Non-Fiction | Volume hold | Available | - |
- Book News : Book News Reviews
Bradshaw, (director, Anthrozoology Institute, U. of Bristol) an expert on dog-human interaction, draws on canine science to argue that dogs have been misunderstood and that current ideas about dogs' motivations and behavior are harmful. He discusses the ways in which changing expectations of dogs, breeding to accentuate certain physical traits, and an over-reliance on comparative zoology in linking dogs so closely to wolves, have done a disservice to dogs and suggests new ways of understanding and relating to our canine friends. A selection of further reading is included. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) - Kirkus Reviews : Kirkus Reviews 2011 June #1
An anthrozoologist dissects theÃÂ history and behavior of man's best friend.
How did the domesticated dog become domesticated? What makes our canine companions tick? Bradshaw (Waltham Director of the Anthrozoology Institute/Univ. of Bristol) draws upon two decades spent studying canine science to debunk the myths surrounding dog ownership. Readers who believe their puppies can exhibit guilt, for example, would be wise to shelve that kind of thinking, the author writes: "The evidence that dogs can experience any emotions more complex than jealousy...is flimsy." He offers advice on how to build stronger human-dog relationships as well as a sharp-tongued critique of modern trends in dog breeding. According to Bradshaw, inhuman treatment of canines can often manifest itself in selective breeding for appearance and behavior, whether in creating a teacup-sized pooch, a goliath or an overly aggressive dog. For the non-dog lover, Bradshaw's work may appear rife with esoteric ponderings, as illustrated in Chapter 6, "Does Your Dog Love You?" But for readers with well-loved pets who view their canines as family members, there's much to digest as the author traces the dog's cognitive growth process as he matures from a sensitive pup into adulthood. Above all, Bradshaw advocates for increased public awareness and education to create healthier relationships between people and their pets.
Enthusiasm for all things dog will help offset the sluggish pace of the author's prose and dense scientific reasoning.
Copyright Kirkus 2011 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved. - Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 2011 May #1
Bradshaw (Waltham Director, Anthrozoology Inst., Univ. of Bristol) presents a wide-ranging review of canine psychology and behavior intended for a more general audience than his 1995 chapter on social behavior and communication in James Serpell's The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behaviour and Interactions with People. Beginning with wolves and domestication and using examples mostly from the U.K., Bradshaw moves through cognition, emotions, senses, traits, and attention to humans, ending with a cautionary tale of genetically manipulated modern dogs. He reveals a wealth of scholarly literature in biology, psychology, veterinary medicine, and zoology through detailed analyses and uses those findings to support and critique popular dog-training methods. Clear and charming black-and-white drawings illustrate key points and provide a welcome break in the text. Complex sentences and terminology require close attention, but the information is worth the effort. VERDICT Pet owners and those interested in the animal mind will learn from this balanced, well-referenced guide to the science of canine behavior.âKristine Alpi, North Carolina State Univ. Libs., Raleigh
[Page 96]. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. - Publishers Weekly Reviews : PW Reviews 2011 March #4
Bradshaw, the Waltham director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol, offers an alternative to conventional, dominance-based approaches to understanding dogs (Cesar Milan's methods, for example) in an informative if somewhat dry guide to how canine biology and psychology determine behavior. Dogs, he argues, are less similar to wolves than genetics suggest; we must "widen the search for the biological characteristics that make up the dog's true nature." His analysis of dogs' emotional landscape provides insight into typical misinterpretationsâthat dogs feel guilt, say, or that there is a "pack mentality." Save for one sectionâ"Home Alone: Can Dogs be Trained to Cope?"âBradshaw does not offer training advice. His bailiwick is psychology, in the vein of Alexandra Horowitz's Inside of a Dog, so readers looking for practical training tips will find this lacking. Bradshaw's book is useful to those looking to further their understanding of dog behavior and clarify common misconceptions, but those seeking strategies for training should look elsewhere. (June)
[Page ]. Copyright 2010 PWxyz LLC