Dog Sense

How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet

By: John Bradshaw

Narrated by: Michael Page

Dogs have been mankind's faithful companions for tens of thousands of years, yet today they are regularly treated as either pack-following wolves or furry humans. The truth is, dogs are neither - and our misunderstanding has put them in serious crisis. What dogs really need is a spokesperson, someone who will assert their specific needs.

Renowned anthrozoologist Dr. John Bradshaw has made a career of studying human-animal interactions, and in Dog Sense he uses the latest scientific research to show how humans can live in harmony with - not just dominion over - their four-legged friends. From explaining why positive reinforcement is a more effective (and less damaging) way to control dogs' behavior than punishment to demonstrating the importance of weighing a dog's unique personality against stereotypes about its breed, Bradshaw offers extraordinary insight into the question of how we really ought to treat our dogs.

©2011 John Bradshaw (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

“Bradshaw… offers an alternative to conventional, dominance-based approaches to understanding dogs (Cesar Milan’s methods, for example) in an informative… guide to how canine biology and psychology determine behavior…. Bradshaw’s book is useful to those looking to further their understanding of dog behavior and clarify common misconceptions.” ( Publishers Weekly)

"Bradshaw…provides a well-grounded overview of the Canis family’s evolutionary journey. He also considers dogs’ brainpower, emotional states, sensory capacities and problems that come with breeding for looks rather than temperament. The point of all this science is to lay the foundation for his central thesis…. Ultimately, this is what makes the book so appealing. He does more than simply lay out interesting theories; he uses science to advocate for a better life for companion dogs." ( The Bark)

good for dog trainers

this book is great for dog trainers or anyone who truly loves dogs. the scientific lingo might be a bit hard for some beginners to digest

Informative

Love the inside and information given all pet owner should read it and take notes-
Would be a good read before you make a decision on a dog/

Full of information!

Would you consider the audio edition of Dog Sense to be better than the print version?

Yes and No. I liked the audio version, but because of the subject matter, I will most likely purchase the book as a reference book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. But that's not a bad thing. There was just so much information I wouldn't want to try to absorb it all at once.

Any additional comments?

This book was highly based in science. For people looking for a training manual, this would not be a good choice. The purpose of this book is to review what we know in the science of the domesticated dog and what we still need to learn. I found it very interesting, but I'm also pursuing a PhD in canine cognition. The great thing about Bradshaws writting, however, is that it's written for the general public, so it's not just understandable to academics.

Balanced

Learned a lot of dog facts. Especially about wolves, which now we know/think are dog's cousin,and pack behavior in the wild.

Good book

I liked this book because it dispelled much of the prevalent notions of dominant and submissive behaviors that encompass dog training. I think anyone that really works with and lives with dogs feels that the whole notion of your dog vying to dominate you at all times is faulty. That philosophy puts man and dog in a continuous state of conflict. Although I enjoyed the latest scientific information on dogs I think this book may be a little to academic for the casual listener. That's why I give it 4 stars.