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Table of Contents
About The Book
The instant classic on the mind of the dog is now updated to include the latest results in the booming field of dog cognition. What do dogs know? How do they think? The answers will surprise and delight you as cognitive scientist Alexandra Horowitz explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human. Inside of a Dog is a fresh look at the world of dogs—from the dog’s point of view.
In clear, crisp prose, Horowitz introduces the reader to dogs’ perceptual and cognitive abilities and then draws a picture of what it might be like to be a dog. What’s it like to be able to smell not just every bit of open food in the house but also to smell human emotions and even the passage of time? What is it like to have such good hearing that they notice the bodily vibrations of insects and the hum of a fluorescent light? Horowitz’s engaging narrative allows us to replace our urge to anthropomorphize dogs with a true understanding of the canine experience. What’s it like to use your mouth as a hand? How does a tiny dog manage to play successfully with a Great Dane? Why must a person on a bicycle be chased?
This fully revised and updated edition also reflects the latest findings on canine perception, dogs’ understanding of our emotions and of our language, and the evolving story of domestication. Some discoveries are not only informative but curiously amusing, such as dogs’ asymmetrical nostril use and their alignment with the earth’s magnetic field when pooing.
Much more than a scientific exploration; Inside of a Dog is a love letter to dogs, filled with personal observations and practical advice for people who live with dogs. With a light touch and the weight of scientific authority behind her, Horowitz offers an unparalleled exploration into the minds of our beloved four-legged companions.
Excerpt
Product Details
- Publisher: Scribner (September 28, 2010)
- Length: 384 pages
- ISBN13: 9781416583431
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Raves and Reviews
"Causes one's dog-loving heart to flutter with astonishment and gratitude." —The New York Times
"Engaging . . . entertaining . . . an empathetic quest to experience the world from a dog's perspective. . . . Although this book certainly isn't a training manual, Horowitz offers all kinds of useful advice for dog owners." —The Guardian
"Clears up common misconceptions about our four-legged friends " —NPR
“A thoughtful take on the interior life of the dog . . . long on insight and short on jargon.” —The Washington Post
“An intelligent, fully dimensional portrait of the way dogs experience the world.” —The Star-Ledger
“An essential read for pet owners and students of animal behavior.” —Library Journal
“Nearly flawless.” —The Bark
“Discover why your dog is so sensitive to your emotions, gaze, and body language. Dogs live in a world of ever changing intricate detail of smell. Read this captivating book and enter the sensory world of your dog.” —Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make us Human
"Inside of a Dog is a most welcomed authoritative, personal, and witty book about what it is like to be a dog. Alexandra Horowitz has spent a lot of time studying our best friends and shares her knowledge in a readable volume that also serves as a corrective to the many myths that circulate about just who our canine companions are." —Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals
“This fascinating and elegant book will open your eyes, ears, and nose to what your dog thinks and understands. Part science, part personal observation, part love letter to a rescued dog named Pumpernickel—and all pure fun.” —Karen Pryor, author of Reaching the Animal Mind and Don't Shoot the Dog!: The Art of Teaching and Training
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High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Inside of a Dog Trade Paperback 9781416583431
- Author Photo (jpg): Alexandra Horowitz © Vegar Abelsnes(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit