Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet (John Bradshaw)

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.

Product Details: 

• Paperback: 352 pages 
• Publisher: Basic Books (9 Sept. 2014) 
• Language: English 
• ISBN-10: 0465053742 
• ISBN-13: 978-0465053742 
• Product Dimensions: 14 x 2.5 x 21 cm   

Review: 

Alexandra Horowitz, author of Inside of a Dog  “A lovely and clear-headed book on all things dog—emotion, mind, and breed. John Bradshaw’s authority and experience are matched by the thoughtfulness and humanity of his writing.  Read this before you bring a dog into your life.” 

Los Angeles Times  “Are dogs furry humans or friendly wolves? They’re neither, argues the author who looks at humanity’s effect, for better and for worse, upon its four-legged friends.”    

New York Post  “Move over, Doctor Doolittle, and make way for Dr. John Bradshaw – a British scientist and the author of the new book Dog Sense…. Bradshaw may have the fancy title of anthrozoologist, but his advice for the pet set is simple: Stop looking at your pooch as a dog in wolf’s clothing, don’t leave him home alone in your apartment all day, and try seeing the world through your pup’s eyes – and nose.”    

The American Dog Magazine  “Dog Sense is a fantastically written book about why dogs are progressively becoming less healthy and what we can do about it…. This is a wonderful book to read for us dog-lovers who want to understand where man’s best friend came from and comprehend ‘the world from a dog’s perspective.’” 

Sunday Times (London)  “Every dog lover, dog owner or prospective dog buyer should read this book. It will change how you feel about dogs and, likely enough, how you treat them, too…. This book sparkles with explanations of canine behavior.” 

The Observer (London)  “[A] most fantastic book...about to become required reading for dog lovers everywhere…. [Bradshaw’s] book is a revelation – a major rethink about the way we understand our dogs, an overturning of what one might call traditional dogma…. For anyone interested in dog emotion, [the book] is also a sentimental – and surprising – education…. He is good news for owners and – there is no doubt about it – Professor John Bradshaw is a dog’s best friend.”    

The Daily Mail (London)  “[T]his unusual book is concerned with dogs as a species, no matter what breed, shape or size. There are no charming anecdotes of pets’ winning ways, extraordinary tricks or loveable manners. It is the inner dogginess that [Bradshaw] explores, and its relationship to our own human nature. There are quite a few surprises to report.” 

Mail on Sunday (London)  “Bradshaw, founder of the world-renowned Anthrozoology Institute at Bristol University, has spent his career studying animal behaviour and he brings unrivalled expertise to this examination of the relationship between dogs and humans…. [Bradshaw] offers an invaluable guide to the latest scientific thinking on canine behaviour and he has plenty of sensible advice.” 

The Economist  “This is a wonderfully informative, quietly passionate book that will benefit every dog whose owner reads it.”    

The Independent (London)  “[Bradshaw] puts a case grounded in kindness and science for letting dogs be dogs. This is not as tautologous as it sounds: the two most widely held misconceptions about dogs are, first, that they are stupider versions of people and, second, that they are wolves in mufti…. [The book] is authoritative, wise and, in its sharp appreciation of the cost to dogs of living with us, rather moving.”    

The Sunday Business Post (Dublin)  “The connections [Bradshaw] makes between ancient species down through history and the nuggets of insight he provides from his own lengthy experience working with and studying domestic dogs is truly fascinating. This book is rich in ideas and counter-ideas, and will reward anyone who respects animals, with enlightening chapters on dog behaviour, evolution, training and breeding, causing us to re-examine our relationships with our pets. Bradshaw is not so much trying to convince us with finite answers, as to stimulate a new conversation about dog behaviour with intelligent questions…. Bradshaw’s years of knowledge and his clear passion for dogs both shine through.”    

Times Higher Education Supplement (London)  “In an overcrowded field, one may feel fully confident when reading biologist John Bradshaw’s thoughts on [man’s best friend]. The latest developments in the newly named field of ‘canine science’ really need the sure hand of a skilled scientist to offer a balanced picture for the interested reader…. Bradshaw makes deft work of summarizing important and novel insights on dog evolution, along the way pointing out the difficulties we face in reaching full conclusions.”    

Daily Mail (London)  “Bradshaw’s book is a plea for the tolerance and patience that will be needed from us if dogs are to remain ‘as significant a part of human life as they have been for the past ten millennia.’”     Minneapolis Star Tribune  “Bradshaw, a British scientist and watchdog against cruelty to animals, lays out the history and science of dogs in a way that illuminates your own dog’s behavior, for better or worse…. It’s a comprehensive, fascinating and often poignant read.”

About the Author: 

John Bradshaw is the Waltham Director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol and founder of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Southampton. He lives in Southampton, England.