Canine Confidential

"A good entree to the big questions of animal behavior."-- "Choice" "Bekoff turns his considerable skill as an observer and interpreter of canid behavior to providing readers with the investigatory tools and scientific knowledge they need to understand their dog companions more fully and thereby improve the quality of their lives individually and collectively, becoming along the way citizen scientists, in the current parlance. Referring to himself as 'a naturalist in a dog park, ' he combines often humorous anecdotes from a lifetime of watching dogs with comprehensible reports from the cutting edge of science. Bekoff, who seems to know everyone who works with dogs, also interviews researchers involved in recent studies in order to underscore important findings or call attention to the direction follow-up studies might take."--Mark Derr "Pyschology Today" "Everyone who owns a dog, breeds or trains dogs, or works with dogs should read this informative book."-- "Library Journal" "Marc Bekoff's vast experience, clear thinking, and unique philosophy come together to make this book a must-read for anyone wanting to know what makes dogs tick. A masterly work by the master."--Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, author of Pets on the Couch "Daily Mail" "With the discerning eye of a scientist and the compassionate heart of a dog lover, the incomparable Marc Bekoff illuminates the mysteries of dog behavior. Insights and surprises adorn every page of this wonderful book. But aside from being a great read, Canine Confidential offers deeper value: armed with fresh understanding of your dog's senses, physiology and mind, you'll find fun ways to make your life together even more meaningful and rewarding for both of you."--Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus "Daily Mail" "This is a gem of a book, packed with information that answers the questions you have always pondered, and some that you may not have considered (such as 'Do dogs prefer to lift one leg more than the other?'). Canine Confidential deserves to become a primary resource for dog caretakers and those working professionally with dogs. Marc Bekoff, who is widely respected as a leading authority on ethology and animal emotions, shines the light of his immense experience and research on what makes our best friend tick. If you want to know why dogs do the things they do, this book is for you. Written with eloquence, insight and humor, peppered throughout with anecdotes and photographs, this wonderful book is a must-have for everyone who cares for, loves, studies, and wonders about our canine companions."--Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, principal of the International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour "Daily Mail" "The real fascination of this book lies not so much in what dogs do better than us, but in the virtues they have that we always considered to be ours alone." --Mark Derr "Daily Mail" "One of the world's leading ethologists, Marc Bekoff has devoted his life to understanding non-human animals of all persuasions as sentient beings and to providing them the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest measure, according to their natures, and without being abused or slaughtered by humans. In Canine Confidential, Bekoff turns his considerable powers as an observer of canids wild and domestic to providing readers with the scientific knowledge and investigatory tools that will help them understand their dog companions. Mixing often humorous anecdotes with clear, concise reports from the cutting edge of canine science, Bekoff details what we know and outlines what we have yet to learn about our closest non-human friends. Canine Confidential is a must read for anyone who has an interest in dogs. Even readers who think they know all there is to know about dogs may find themselves looking at and interactin

Marc Bekoff is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has published more than thirty books, is a former Guggenheim Fellow, and was awarded the Exemplar Award from the Animal Behavior Society for long-term significant contributions to the field of animal behavior.

Preface: A Naturalist in a Dog Park One The Many Joys of Watching and Living with Dogs Two The World According to Dogs Three Dogs Just Want to Have Fun Four Dominance and the Society of Dogs Five Whos Walking Whom? Six Minding Dogs Seven Emotions and Heart Eight Dog Park Confidential Nine A Dog Companions Guide Acknowledgments Appendix: So, You Want to Become an Ethologist? Notes Bibliography Index