How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain

by Gregory Berns

Mapping between the brains of different species is called a functional homology.

Patricia McConnell,

While there are different styles of leadership, the most important characteristics of a great leader are clarity and consistency. Without those two qualities, people (and dogs) cannot know your intentions. Great leaders are also respected, not because of their position, but because of their inner strength and integrity. Leaders do what they say. Leaders listen to people, and although they may not always agree, they have respect for others. Great leaders help people.

came to the conclusion that the key to improving dog-human relationships is through social cognition, not behaviorism.

To truly live with dogs, humans need to become “great leaders.” Not dictators who rule by doling out treats and by threatening punishment, but leaders who respect and value their dogs as sentient beings.

give the dogs the right of self-determination.

Jessie Lendennie, a poet and managing editor at the publisher Salmon Poetry in Ireland. Jessie was kind enough to send me

“resonant dog”—a dog and a human who are fully in sync with each other.