Being a Dog: The World From Your Dog's Point of View

by Karen Wild

An expert reveals the latest scientific research on canine behavior -- from a dog's perspective. Dogs and humans have lived together for more than 30,000 years, becoming closer and more interdependent over time. Today, there are dogs in almost 50 percent of American households. This book is not about anthropomorphizing dogs. They are not human. But science is confirming what dog people have always known. Uniquely written from a dog's perspective, Being a Dog is the most authoritative and current book about dog behavior and cognition. It combines the latest scientific research with enlightening illustrations to give a unique insight into a dog's world. What does it feel like to be a dog? How does a dog view other dogs, other animals, humans? How does a dog see itself? What makes a dog happy or excited, scared or angry? Some of the exciting discoveries in the book Dog owners are always ready to read about their canine companions. They are so passionate about their pets that they are compelled to believe they know what their dog thinks or feels. Are they right? Being a The World From Your Dog's Point of View has the answer.

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2016

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Whilst the majority of this book had cute pictures and some fun information about dogs I found the charts and graphs quite confusing, some seemed to make no sense at all. This would make an okay read from the library for a young person wanting to find out about dogs if they are thinking of bringing one to live in their home but I'm sure there must be better books out there.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this little book. If your looking for something weighty with detailed information about results of research, etc. this is not what you want to read. but for a fun, concise and accurate (albeit brief) overview, this was terrific. I would recommend this to friends and family members.

[Jina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always so fascinating how much we actually know about animal behaviour. Being A Dog is not only about the world from your dog’s point of view, it is written as if a dog was reading it. No, not in barks, but when it says “you” it means “your dog.” I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Before I got my first cat (as an adult), I read lots of books on cat behaviour so I could better understand my pet. This is full of information about dogs that I didn’t know as well as some great advice. The best part, it’s all based on science and it isn’t just someone’s opinion. While dogs can certainly learn more human words than cats (or perhaps their just more willing to?), it’s a good idea to understand what makes a dog tick so know how to go about training them and be able to troubleshoot what you might be doing that could possibly be complicating things. As their owner, it’s our job to learn to speak their language, not the other way around.

[Charlotte Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at the perfect time in my life. I just acquired a chiweenie from rescue to keep my chipug company and this poor puppy has had no discipline in the 9 months of it's life. Through reading from the perspective of a dog about his learning abilities and styles, I have taught the puppy Winchester to sit, beg, stay and currently working on releasing the ball from playing fetch.
I also learned how to feed Winchester correctly, buy appropriate supplies and see how he views the world. I also learned that Hercules (chipug) is 11 years old and he tolerates the puppy at different view from what I assumed he would. I truly recommend this book for anyone who is involved in a relationship with their dog. Learning about their history, the way they process emotions and events in our human life is very effectual. This was a pleasant read from the dog's prospective.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written as if the reader is a dog; which to me is confusing based on the title. It was a distracting tool in writing; it would have been much more helpful if the perspective was (or the title was) different. There's good information in the book but there are some useless charts and graphics. If this was told FROM the dog's perspective as the title implies, it would have been more helpful and readable.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty fluffy. The target audience for this book is probably an inquisitive elementary aged child or a young teenager with dyslexia.

[Cheryl Chen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I adopted a rescue recently, and really started to wonder what she thinks about, how deeply she thinks, what she knows, what she remembers. This book was too light for me and what I want to learn about canine cognition. I'll be looking for something more substantial.

[Alysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved this. Will be putting it in my school library.

[Debra Daniels-Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best book I've ever read about what's going on in a dog's world It even has a Guide to Your World Diagram in the middle with environment, sounds, handling, other animals, and people and every chapter is intriguing from how dogs lived in the past, to sight, to sound and smell and even dogs and children and predatory problems--this is the most inclusive (except for first aid) about dogs I have ever encountered. It should be on every dog lovers shelf or favorites library list.

[Tabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like how the book was written as if speaking to a dog in the second tense, I realise that this is the whole premise but it makes the book seem a bit childish and less likely to be taken seriously. I would've like some topics had they been more in depth as it felt like you were reading and then suddenly the topic cut off.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway.

[Rick Chagouri-Brindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting approach to owning a dog and certainly opened my eyes to some misconceptions us dog owners have about our pets!

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book, with lots of practical information packed in. The interesting feature of this book is that it attempts to address everything to the pooch in your home. Much recommended.