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What do dogs know? How do they think? The answers will surprise and delight you as Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, 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. As a dog owner, Horowitz is naturally curious to learn what her dog thinks about and knows. And as a scientist, she is intent on understanding the minds of animals who cannot speak for themselves.
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 sadness in humans or even the passage of time? How does a tiny dog manage to play successfully with a Great Dane? What is it like to hear the bodily vibrations of insects or the hum of a fluorescent light? Why must a person on a bicycle be chased? What's it like to use your mouth as a hand? In short, what is it like for a dog to experience life from two feet off the ground, amidst the smells of the sidewalk, gazing at our ankles or knees?
Inside of a Dog explains these things and much more. The answers can be surprising — once we set aside our natural inclination to anthropomorphize dogs. Inside of a Dog also contains up-to-the-minute research — on dogs' detection of disease, the secrets of their tails, and their skill at reading our attention — that Horowitz puts into useful context. Although not a formal training guide, Inside of a Dog has practical applicationfor dog lovers interested in understanding why their dogs do what they do.
The relationship between dogs and humans is arguably the most fascinating animal-human bond because dogs evolved from wild creatures to become our companions, an adaptation that changed their bodies, brains, and behavior. Yet dogs always remain animals, familiar but mysterious. With a light touch and the weight of science behind her, Alexandra Horowitz examines the animal we think we know best but may actually understand the least. This book is as close as you can get to knowing about dogs without being a dog yourself.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Marc Hansing
reviewed Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know on October 17, 2011
Inside of a Dog
Me: "Well, here's the book I told you about, Molly, the one that will tell me everything there is to know about you."
Molly: "Woof!"
Me: "Yes, that's a good girl! Let's see, this book is written by Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist specializing in animal research. She must be one smart lady. And she's also a dog person! This should be interesting. Let's loll on the sofa and read it."
Molly: (jumps up and looks expectantly)
Me: "The title is a part of a joke: "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Heh heh. Isn't that funny?"
Molly: (jumps into lap and licks mouth)
Me: "Aww, stop it! I'm trying to read here. According to page 51, licking around my mouth is a manipulative behavior. You are stimulating me so that I'd vomit up some partially digested meat for you to eat. Gross. So please sit nicely and listen."
Molly: (curls up with a sigh)
Me: "Do you know that you're better than chimps in reading humans? They have this experiment in which dogs and chimps had to find hidden food items utilizing clues from humans. Some of the humans were made to wear blindfolds or buckets over their head, while others had unimpeded view of where the food was supposed to be hidden. Chimps begged from both kinds of humans, while dogs begged from those whose eyes were visible. See --- you're smarter than our primate cousins!"
Molly: (snorts)
Me: "You're right. Chimps are way overrated. How about this: a dog can detect a teaspoon of sugar diluted in a million gallons of water --- two Olympic-sized pools full. That's your real-life super power, Krypto! That's Superman's dog, by the way. He flies around with this cute little cape --- "
Molly: (snores)
Me: "Nap time, eh? Hmm…more animal research: wolves, bees, deers, ticks. Actually, all I want to read about is dogs, dogs and dogs. Some of these researches are interesting in their own right and are useful as comparison, but others seem to be barely tangential. This writer can be very long-winded."
Molly: "Arf!"
Me: "An attention-getting bark, which is distinct from the rumble of a growl, or the ominous snarl (page 140). Do you know that your barks can be as loud as 130 decibels? That's up there with thunderclaps and plane takeoffs. That's another super power! Why are you looking at me like that?"
Molly: (glances at the dining room, tail wagging)
Me: (looks at the clock). "It's time for lunch! Your circadian rhythm tells you that. Okay, let's eat."
Molly: (snatches the book and runs away with it)
Me: "Hey stop that! I still have to find out why you Fox Terriers are such little rascals!"
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Add Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, What do dogs know? How do they think? The answers will surprise and delight you as Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human. Inside of a Dog is , Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know to the inventory that you are selling on WonderClubX
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Add Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, What do dogs know? How do they think? The answers will surprise and delight you as Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human. Inside of a Dog is , Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know to your collection on WonderClub |