Customer Reviews

If Dogs Could Talk: Exploring the Canine Mind

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mostly, "If Dogs Could Talk" is book which explores many aspects of how to approach the complex issues that surround studying what dogs might be thinking and feeling. Csanyi is Hungarian, and one of the world's foremost ethologists studying canine behavior. The book is well-translated, in that it is quite readable, in spite of its many challenges.

By far, the most exciting aspect of the book concerns the examples of his own and other dogs he has known. I found that I learned to think about dogs and their behavior in wholly new ways: what they might be trying to "say" to me through their physical indications -- this was the most valuable aspect of the book for me.

On the flip side, Csanyi is dismissive in his discussion of some of the most famous ethology work done with primates and birds. I suspect that this negativity, though it is not overtly stated, seems to stem from the time that the study of individual animals takes in these cases, and that only many trials with many subjects yields real data. However, he might have explored his bias rather than diminishing the work of others and had a much better outcome.

One of the other Amazon reviewers said that even with its problems, he learned so much more than from reading anything else he had to give this book a high rating, and after all my reservations, I agree with him.

Learned a great deal about the mental abilities of dogs. The book gets into great detail with experiments that are not easy to follow for the non-science reader. I gave it 5 stars because I learned so much more from this book than anywhere else.

I'm a certified applied animal behaviorist with many (far too many) years experience in my field. I've seen literally hundreds of dogs with problem behaviors (and the majority with active aggression, since that is my specialty). Almost every single dog suffered from the result of poor or inappropriate training, lack of socialization, poor breed or breed type choice by owner, careless or mindless supervision and just your basic seat of the pants ignorance on the part of the owner(s). A basic understanding of the origins of the domestic dog and its more than obvious ability to think, problem solve, plan, feel and communicate, is absolutely necessary if a person is to have the sort of relationship and experience with the dog that s/he hopes to obtain. This isn't a textbook. It's filled with extremely interesting information much in the same way an undergraduate class in Ethology might be, but it's also useful. If you have an interest in training and dog behavior, this book belongs in your reference pile. Your dogs will thank you, your clients will thank you, and a whole new world of seeing and understanding the dog at your side will present itself.

I think it has REALLY good facts, but could be better. If you want to learn about canine behavior facts, this is really good for you to read. It has a lot of author opinions and a little crazy ideas. But overall worth your time in reading.

This book encouraged me to reflect upon my own actions, reactions, and assumed knowledge in a very personal way. It has changed the relationship that I have with my animals. For instance, previously when one of my dogs would whine and pester me when I was busy writing I might absentmindedly toss a toy or throw a handful of treats to "occupy" for a while. However, now I find that I pause, even if it is only for a few seconds, and ask myself whether or not I can identify what she really needs or wants rather than jumping to something "I" want her to do like distraction training such sitting, down, etc. This helps me to remember that she is a thinking and reasoning entity even if it is only to the level of a 3 yr old human. I see her as more of a sentient creature to be respected and perhaps not ordered to perform some obedience stance or amuse herself every time I don't want to be bothered. Maybe she just needs a 2 minute cuddle or a drink or a kind word. Maybe, like me, she sometimes likes to hear the sound of her own voice and prattles on to much. So now rather than react out of "obedience training mode" reflex to stop an unwanted behavior (read a behavior "I" don't want her to do at that exact time) I am more conscious of what she might desire. This doesn't mean she gets to be obnoxious, act dangerously, hunt the neighbors cats to extinction, or infringe on the rights of others to walk down the street in peace. However, if I really respect her as a thinking entity then shouldn't I pause and reflect and try in my incompetent way to understand what might be going on in her brain? I believe this is a worthy undertaking even if her thinking is very foreign to my human mind.

In fact, this book has left such a strong impression that I am now preparing my PhD application to the Dept of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. Vilmos Csanyi is Emeritus professor and founder of the Ethology Dept there.

I do admit that a few ideas made me raise my eyebrow every now and again. However, I have to say that more often than not my eyes were opened to novel ways of thinking about the canine-human relationship. Read it, it might change how you relate to your furry and non-furry companion(s) as well.

Wonderful read. As a professional dog trainer for over 12 years, I found this book stimulating, thought-provoking, and fascinating. It is the first "dog" book in years I have read that has held my attention. The descriptions of the research studies the author conducted on dog behavior are astounding. If you are interested at all in the canine mind, buy this book. Can't say enough good things about it.

The author is a scientist studying dog behavior. He is also a dog-lover and dog-owner who encourages his dogs to talk to him and they do. I liked the mixture of science, research, and personal observation in this book. It also offered a small taste of dogs in another culture. The author may be asking the question "If Dogs Could Talk..." but he's also showing the reader what we know about the way dogs think and ways that dogs do talk if we're willing to learn and pay attention. Though the author doesn't appear to be someone who lets the dogs run his house, he is very attuned to the ways they speak to him. He responds to them and encourages them. I found it a very thought-provoking book about the potential for balancing "leadership and listening".

great book for learning about dogs, lots of personal experience, which is great in a sea of technical books, really enjoyed this book and learnt alot.

I have to say that I enjoyed this book even though it was not an "easy read". The stories of Csanyi's own dogs were amusing - and he pointed out reasonable explanations for their behavior. I agree with some of his theories such as: Dogs were domestically bred to understand and communicate with humans. Makes sense although he does go a bit too far. The experiments were interesting, the study of ethology being what it is. Interesting book but not for the novice.

I found this an interesting read and well worth my time. It is informative and thought-provoking.