- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Viking USA (Oct 5 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0670892726
- ISBN-13: 978-0670892723
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.7 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 408 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#535,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #75 in Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Dogs > Care & Health
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Prepare to have any illusions about your canine companion totally shattered. In writing The Truth About Dogs, author Stephen Budiansky (The Nature of Horses) is determined to uncover the true nature of our beloved beasts, and it's not always a pretty picture. The introduction presents a basic question: why on earth have we allowed these disease-carrying, biting, destructive, and expensive animals into our lives? We know why--it's because we love them, warts and all. So does Budiansky, and once you read past his inflammatory introduction, you'll find a book that presents a new way of looking at old behaviors.
His insistence on the recent evolution of separate breeds, even those generally considered to have originated centuries ago like the Mexican hairless, is sure to be controversial. His interpretation of recent behavioral research may raise some hackles as well, and begins with an examination of pack behavior in wolves. While wild packs have only one dominant male and female, we often expect our dogs to behave submissively to an extended family of dominants--not only can that be difficult, but some of their natural "submissive" behavior can be extremely frustrating. Face-licking is an easy example of this poor conduct; Rover thinks he's showing submission, but Grandma's not thrilled with having an 80-pound shepherd jumping on her. In discussions of more general behaviors, Budiansky's examinations of the motivation levels present in different breeds seems to explain much about the success or failure of obedience training. While you may raise your eyebrows and frown through a few of his assertions, this fresh look at old assumptions makes a fascinating read for anyone who's ever loved a dog. --Jill Lightner
From Library Journal
Budiansky, a scientist, former editor of Nature, correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly, and author of six books on animal behavior, including If a Lion Could Talk, debunks many commonly held beliefs about the dog: "most if not all of the conventional explanations of where dogs come from, how they ended up in our homes, and why they do what they do just have to be wrong." No B.F. Skinner behaviorist, he is a firm believer in the influence of genes. Citing scholarly sources and using a sense of humor that allows him to transform some difficult concepts into lay reader's language, Budiansky explains natural selection and the genetic basis of appearance, behavior, social interactions, sensory abilities (i.e., sight, smell, and hearing), aggression, and communication. He questions whether dogs are capable of love and loyalty or whether their behavior is strictly expedient. His answers will satisfy passionate dog lovers and serious scientists alike. Recommended for undergraduate collections serving students of animal behavior and public libraries with intellectually sophisticated patrons. [Budiansky is also the author of The Battle of Wits: The Complete Story of Codebreaking in World War II, reviewed on p. 92.DEd.]DFlorence Scarinci, formerly with Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, N.
-DFlorence Scarinci, formerly with Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
-DFlorence Scarinci, formerly with Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
"F SOME ADVERTISER or political consultant could figure out just what it is in human nature that makes us so ready to believe that dogs are loyal, trustworthy, selfless, loving, courageous, noble, and obedient, he could retire to his own island in the Carib" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
"F SOME ADVERTISER or political consultant could figure out just what it is in human nature that makes us so ready to believe that dogs are loyal, trustworthy, selfless, loving, courageous, noble, and obedient, he could retire to his own island in the Carib" Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
The truth about this book,
By
This review is from: Truth About Dogs (Mass Market Paperback)
There are a lot of lousy books about dogs, dog training, dog heroics, dog antics, etc., out there. This book is NOT one of them. Budiansky's thesis is simple: Dogs are dogs; they are not people. Dogs behave like dogs; they do not behave like people. Nonetheless, dog owners persist in thinking of their dogs as people and trying to understand dog behavior in human terms. This type of thinking is detrimental to dog and person alike--canine/human interactions are at their most rewarding when humans treat dogs as dogs. Budiansky goes on to explain dog behavior from an evolutionary perspective. That is, how does (or did) behavior X serve the survival and/or reproduction of the species? I'd rate this book a five, but I don't follow Budiansky's argument that dogs are wolves in arrested, or altered, juvenile development. He suggests that a genetic by environment interaction took place, but he doesn't lay out the mechanism for such an interaction clearly. His assertions may well be correct, but I would have liked to see more evidence on this point. Overall, however, I found the science to be concise and engaging. I recommend this book to people who wish to have a humane relationship with a dog and who want a dog to have a canine relationship with a human.
5.0 out of 5 stars
the Rosetta Bone of canine behavior,
By David Group (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Truth About Dogs (Mass Market Paperback)
This offbeat, even controversial, book resists the urge to anthropomorphise, which is probably one reason why so many people are upset with this book. To me, his explanations make a lot of sense. He even effectively refutes Rupert Sheldrake's belief that many dogs are psychic.Another reason people seem to hate this book is Budiansky's twisted Gary Larson-ish humor, which is evidently not to everyone's taste. A third is probably the fact that he advocates hitting, but only in cases where dominance is an issue between dog and owner. I can understand readers being angry about this, because I think with most dogs a much gentler, albeit still firm, approach is all that is needed. Also, I would think that getting into a dominance battle with a very large dog will likely end with you being sent to the emergency room. Other than that, his advice on training and punishment make a lot of sense, and are NOT the thoughts of a dog hater. Still, this is probably the best overall book on canine psychology that I have read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
dog lovers must read this,
By P.C. Thomas (Fort Myers, FL United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Truth About Dogs (Mass Market Paperback)
This is not a dog training manual but if you love dogs it's a must read. The Truth About Dogs provides a fascinating history of dogs; where they came from, their relationship with humans, and why they do what they do. Of particular interest is the section on purebred dogs, which turned me (a former purebred devotee) into a mutt lover.
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