How Dogs Think: What the World Looks Like to Them and Why They Act the Way They Do

by Stanley Coren

Book Overview

How Dogs Think is "a sharp-eyed analysis and wry wit" (The Seattle Times) analysis of dog behavior from bestselling author, psychologist, and world-renowned expert, Dr. Stanley Coren. With smart... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743222334
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Atria
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.4" x 0.9" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

How Dogs (and Humans) Think!

This is an excellent book to give an overview of how dogs views the world as well as how that view compares to the view of humans. Dr. Cohen not only explains how dogs think but also how their senses work to perceive the world, again as compared to humans. The information is not just based on casual observations and anecdotal tales, although those are used, but also based on many laboratory studies over the years to give a good solid foundation. This book is invaluable if you live with a dog, train dogs, work with dogs, or just love and admire dogs. I would consider this a must read for dog owners and especially trainers - after all you cannot teach if you don't understand how the mind receives and process the information you are trying get across. Dr. Cohen also does a beautiful job of dispelling many myths - like dogs don't see color - and provides the scientific proof to back it up. Many of the studies used in this book go towards demonstrating how brilliant nature is in creating and how amazing the mind is - whether it is canine or primate!

Informative and interesting

I have 3 beagles and often wonder why they behave they way they do. This book answered my questions and then some. It is chock-full of information and is written in a chatty style that is easy to read yet does not patronize. I learned a lot - for example, dogs don't see particularly well, which explains why my beagle looks so puzzled when I stand very still behind a window. I was so impressed with the book that I bought an extra copy for my vet, who loved it. Every dog lover should read this book.

Perfect for anyone with a new dog!

A friend gave us this book when we announced we were buying a new puppy. It is the single best gift of it's sort I have ever recieved. I admit to skimming over some of the info regarding studies, but the insights and tips on training your dog have been invaluable. It has helped particularly with calming Lily down when she goes into frenzy mode and with her unfortunate habit of taking books off the lower shelves to chew. Not to mention the insights into how she sees her world. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough! Within days of finishing it and seeing how well the advice here worked when I put it to use, I ordered The Intelligence of Dogs and How to Speak Dog and cannot wait to read them as well. Many thanks to Stanley Coren for helping us to get off on the right foot with our new addition.

educational and insightful

I have just heard an hour-long interview with the author by ethologist Scott Shalloway, Ph.D. Dr. Stanley Coren gave readily understood and illuminating answers to queries about canine pack and individual behavior. His discussions pertain to both canine-human interactions and canine-canine situations. I highly recommend that all who have an interest in dogs or share their lives with dogs purchase and peruse this informative and instructive volume. My canine companions concur.