An Exceptional Read

I just finished a very interesting book. I use the word interesting because it was not a story, but a scientifically based education on dog physiology, psychology, biology, other ologies, behavior etc… it is called Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz. She has a very clever way of explaining scientific study, research, theory and conclusion in a non technical way and weaving it into story like prose. She uses examples from her own relationship with her dog, Pumpernickel. She shares with us how to relate the information to our own dogs. I found myself connecting with what she was explaining and at times exclaiming “my dog does that”! She goes into careful detail regarding the physical make up of a dog, how they see, smell and hear. She explains how their senses are similar and different to ours. There is no way I am going to do justice to this book trying to explain it. What I can tell you is that I feel a deeper connection and understanding of my dogs by having read this.
I believe this to be the reason she wrote the book. The book centers around the idea of seeing the world through a dogs perspective. Only a dog can really do this, we can only infer, just as any other person cannot really see the world as we do. Consider when someone says to you “I know how you feel” and you think, how can they know how I feel? Sometimes it is even upsetting that someone “thinks” they understand your feelings when you know they really do not. Now consider when your dog does something you are unhappy with. We often jump to human like reasons the dog got into the garbage or destroyed an object. Many feel their dog is upset with them or being vindictive. Did they consider that maybe the garbage just smelled really good and it is in a dogs nature to find and eat the source of the really good smell? Did they consider that the texture and taste of the leather shoe was highly appealing to an animal who naturally chews? The book will make you stop and think before you create an anthropomorphic reason for every action your dog makes. I can now think a little more about what something is like from my dogs perspective and tailor my actions or reactions for my dogs benefit.
This book will not be for every one or even every dog lover. While she has written a much easier and much more fun read than the dry and technical dog behavior text book I am struggling through, she does include much study and research. If you are not one to find the nitty gritty of behavioral science interesting, dog related or not, you will probably not find this book as enjoyable. Or if you do not want to know that there may be other reasons your dog licks you other than the equivalent of a human kiss, you will not want to read this.
The author however, is clearly a dog lover before a scientist. She readily admits that she still applies some human like traits to her dog, scientifically based or not. She is offering a new, better way of looking at our dog, not trying to spoil all of our fun.

http://insideofadog.com/index.php