[.ca] Truth About Dogs (ISBN 014100228X)

From Amazon.com:
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

the Rosetta Bone of canine behavior:
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.

The truth about this book:
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.

i like any dog book:
But Budiansky really does not understand dogs very well. You don't learn about dogs from the abstract. I doubt that many people (if any) who have taken their dog regularly to the dog park and watched a thousand or so dogs growing up socializing in a healthy off leash environment will agree with many of Budiansky's conclusions. I only wish more people acted as "human" as many of the dogs I have met. Dogs are not Wolves. We have put very much of what we are into them over the years. Much of what is the best in us. I have felt that should space aliens ever really come to our planet, they will exterminate us like cockroaches, but they will keep the dogs.

dog lovers must read this:
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.

I am a dog lover, Good book but NOT A TRAINING BOOK.:
I am the proud owner of two very well trained standard poodles. Proudly they have never been to a training class and I have trained them solely by applying the methods I found in numerous books. The corner stone of training is understanding dog behavior........ After seeing the PBS Nova episode "Dogs and More Dogs" I was intrigued, did a little bit of reasearch and found this book. The author of this book apparantly wrote the episode or something. All I have to say is this book is just entirely outstanding. While the theories about dog behavior maybe be slightly shocking to those of us who flagrantly anthropomorphitize their canine pets (I am just as guiltly as anyone else) it is never the less very true. It should also be said that the theories presented are not groundbreaking or entirely new. With an open mind I believe this book will help you understand the (WHY) of dog behavior. The why being: "Why does your dog act the way they do?" It may help you understand how your dog percieves you and how you may be reinforcing bad habits. But be advised this is not any sort of the training book and will not directly give you help with the (HOW). The how being the how to get them to do what you want and act the way you want them to act. For help in this department check out How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar ...... Also check out Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson (a little bit elitest but good none the less). In fact How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar and Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson I believe should be required reading for dog ownership. We would probably have less euthanization and adoption from behavior problems as a result...... Anyway enjoy the book, I think it is worthwhile.