Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition (Oxford Biology) (Paperback)

~ Adam Miklosi (Author)
Key Phrases: unselected foxes, recent wolves, extant wolves, North America, New World, Clever Hans (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an important contribution and a must read for every researcher and student interested in ethology in general, and dog ethology in particular." --Trends in Cognitive Sciences

Product Description

This is the first book to collate and synthesize the recent burgeoning primary research literature on dog behaviour, evolution, and cognition. The author presents a new ecological approach to the understanding of dog behaviour, demonstrating how dogs can be the subject of rigorous and productive scientific study without the need to confine them to a laboratory environment.
Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition starts with an overview of the conceptual and methodological issues associated with the study of the dog, followed by a brief description of their role in human society-almost a third of human families share their daily life with the dog! An evolutionary perspective is then introduced with a summary of current research into the process of domestication. The central part of the book is devoted to issues relating to the cognitive aspects of behaviour which have received particular attention in recent years from both psychologists and ethologists. The book's final chapters introduce the reader to many novel approaches to dog behaviour, set in the context of behavioural development and genetics.
Directions for future research are highlighted throughout the text which also incorporates links to human and primate research by drawing on homologies and analogies in both evolution and behaviour. The book will therefore be of relevance and use to anyone with an interest in behavioural ecology including graduate students of animal behaviour and cognition, as well as a more general audience of dog enthusiasts, biologists, psychologists and sociologists.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (February 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199545669
• ISBN-13: 978-0199545667
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,263 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #15 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Mammals
  #29 in	Books > Science > Medicine > Veterinary Medicine > Small Animal Medicine
  #30 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Veterinary Medicine > Small Animal Medicine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Big Picture, January 18, 2009

By	James Webster "Jamesw2" (Birmingham Al) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition (Oxford Biology) (Hardcover)

Miklosi sees the big picture and recognizes that what we think we know about dog behavior is flawed and more research needs to be done. Scott- Fuller needs to be expanded upon and Pavlov needs to be looked at. Wolf behavior based training philosophy is flawed because of the way previous research was done. What is called babymorphism training philosophy needs more experiments. Miklosi calls "to develop behavioral models based on a different approach" Until this is done dog owners are on their own to devise their own ways to train and use dogs. That includes everything from using dogs as human food, in some cultures, to using dogs as child substitutes in other cultures.

The book is a wake up call to scientists around the world to accept the dog as a valid scientific research tool on behavior not as a animal behaviorally corrupted through domestication and living with humans. Living with humans dogs have found their niche.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Science of Dogs, October 16, 2009

By	Book Maven "enjoy!" (Pacific Coast) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Dog Behaviour, Evolution and Cognition is an outstanding achievement. It is primarily focused on the more recent cognitive work coming out of Hungary. The book makes an excellent compliment with Helton's Canine Ergonomics: The Science of Working Dogs. Together they'll give you immense insight into the minds of dogs. Both are scientifically rigorous, unlike many of the popular books written about the minds of dogs. No lore and legend, but real factual information.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Review of Literature, September 29, 2009

By	Atlanta User "JB" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

Excellent. Wonderful. Refreshing. Yes, I can understand how it could be described as a bit dry, but the book covers a lot of ground. Dryness versus cute stories? I think the approach taken by the author was refreshing. This was no 'I am the best trainer and do as I do' book. The book covers scientific literature on dogs and wolves. The book explains some of those studies often footnoted and referenced. The book describes area for future research. If you want to read about the current research on dogs and wolves in nearly all areas of research, buy this book. If you want to read an author's opinion and conjecture on cute doggie behavior, this is not the book for you.