In Defence of Dogs - Why dogs need our understanding.

Discodog

A new book has been published that should be mandatory for many dog owners. The author is the Director of Bristol University's Anthro-zoology Institute & he has been studying domestic dogs for 25 years. He maintains that we need to stop listening to folk law,TV dog experts & start listening to science. Here is a bit from a review:

Dogs are expected to behave like small children, yet be as independent as adults. To make things worse, our culture is awash with myths that prevent dogs being properly understood – in particular, the enduring idea that they harbour a powerful desire to dominate their family pack. Put simply: dogs are on the brink of a crisis. And as we have put them there, it is our responsibility to help them.

This is the thesis of John Bradshaw's scholarly yet passionate book In Defence of Dogs, which is nothing less than a manifesto for a new understanding of our canine friends. It is an attempt to "stand up for dogdom" – that is, dogs as they truly are, not as we assume they are. As a canine expert and dog-lover, Bradshaw is dismayed that our treatment of dogs is based on so many mistaken beliefs and assumptions. He wants to set the record straight now because canine science has made huge advances in recent decades.

He starts by demolishing the notion that dogs are essentially aggressive creatures seeking dominance, which is based on discredited research into wolf packs. It is now known that wolves – the direct ancestors of dogs – actually live in harmonious family groups. Packs are not dominated by "alpha wolves", but are fundamentally cooperative. Bradshaw is determined that the "dominance theory" be banished. But while enlightened trainers and owners have got the message, many more still subscribe to techniques aimed at ingraining fear and subservience into dogs. For Bradshaw, these are not only misguided and cruel, but joyless.

His account of the evolution of dogs is fascinating. Surveying the latest research, he concludes that the dog's epic journey towards domestication probably started around 20,000 years ago. Dogs have become almost a separate species from wolves, and their evolution continues to confound biologists. What Bradshaw is keen to stress, though, is the unique evolutionary pact between humans and dogs: we have programmed into them a deep need for relationships with humans, which we must treat with respect.

This material underpins Bradshaw's most compelling chapters, which explore the emotional lives of dogs. The revelation here for many dog owners might perhaps be that dogs' emotional repertoires are much more limited than we generally think. Research confirms that most dog owners are convinced their dogs can feel and display complex emotions – particularly guilt. In fact, there is almost no evidence for this; dogs simply do not have the self-awareness for such emotions. But in persisting with the notion that dogs have this advanced understanding of their actions – and our expectations – we end up punishing them in ways they cannot understand. Dogs are specialists in love, fear and joy. But we must stop assuming their knowledge of emotions beyond their grasp.

Elsewhere in these sections, Bradshaw tackles the question: "Does your dog love you?" The answer is yes: probably even more than you think. Dogs are profoundly attached to their owners, and this love – a term Bradshaw happily uses – is often at the root of their apparent misbehaviour. For example, dogs not properly trained to understand that when we leave we will return can be plunged into the depths of anxiety when we are not around. Bradshaw estimates that up to 20% of dogs suffer from "separation distress" when left alone at home.

Most people can probably intuit that human progress has cut many dogs off from the activities that previously gave their lives meaning. (Anyone who has spent time with a border collie will know that their boundless desire to herd everything from pushchairs to small children betokens something of a behavioural hangover.) And Bradshaw's arguments against pedigree breeding play into an existing public debate (breeds heading for extinction due to the demand for perfection).

pokertalk

Discodog wrote: »

A new book has been published that should be mandatory for many dog owners. The author is the Director of Bristol University's Anthro-zoology Institute & he has been studying domestic dogs for 25 years. He maintains that we need to stop listening to folk law,TV dog experts & start listening to science. Here is a bit from a review:

Dogs are expected to behave like small children, yet be as independent as adults. To make things worse, our culture is awash with myths that prevent dogs being properly understood – in particular, the enduring idea that they harbour a powerful desire to dominate their family pack. Put simply: dogs are on the brink of a crisis. And as we have put them there, it is our responsibility to help them.

This is the thesis of John Bradshaw's scholarly yet passionate book In Defence of Dogs, which is nothing less than a manifesto for a new understanding of our canine friends. It is an attempt to "stand up for dogdom" – that is, dogs as they truly are, not as we assume they are. As a canine expert and dog-lover, Bradshaw is dismayed that our treatment of dogs is based on so many mistaken beliefs and assumptions. He wants to set the record straight now because canine science has made huge advances in recent decades.

He starts by demolishing the notion that dogs are essentially aggressive creatures seeking dominance, which is based on discredited research into wolf packs. It is now known that wolves – the direct ancestors of dogs – actually live in harmonious family groups. Packs are not dominated by "alpha wolves", but are fundamentally cooperative. Bradshaw is determined that the "dominance theory" be banished. But while enlightened trainers and owners have got the message, many more still subscribe to techniques aimed at ingraining fear and subservience into dogs. For Bradshaw, these are not only misguided and cruel, but joyless.

His account of the evolution of dogs is fascinating. Surveying the latest research, he concludes that the dog's epic journey towards domestication probably started around 20,000 years ago. Dogs have become almost a separate species from wolves, and their evolution continues to confound biologists. What Bradshaw is keen to stress, though, is the unique evolutionary pact between humans and dogs: we have programmed into them a deep need for relationships with humans, which we must treat with respect.

This material underpins Bradshaw's most compelling chapters, which explore the emotional lives of dogs. The revelation here for many dog owners might perhaps be that dogs' emotional repertoires are much more limited than we generally think. Research confirms that most dog owners are convinced their dogs can feel and display complex emotions – particularly guilt. In fact, there is almost no evidence for this; dogs simply do not have the self-awareness for such emotions. But in persisting with the notion that dogs have this advanced understanding of their actions – and our expectations – we end up punishing them in ways they cannot understand. Dogs are specialists in love, fear and joy. But we must stop assuming their knowledge of emotions beyond their grasp.

Elsewhere in these sections, Bradshaw tackles the question: "Does your dog love you?" The answer is yes: probably even more than you think. Dogs are profoundly attached to their owners, and this love – a term Bradshaw happily uses – is often at the root of their apparent misbehaviour. For example, dogs not properly trained to understand that when we leave we will return can be plunged into the depths of anxiety when we are not around. Bradshaw estimates that up to 20% of dogs suffer from "separation distress" when left alone at home.

Most people can probably intuit that human progress has cut many dogs off from the activities that previously gave their lives meaning. (Anyone who has spent time with a border collie will know that their boundless desire to herd everything from pushchairs to small children betokens something of a behavioural hangover.) And Bradshaw's arguments against pedigree breeding play into an existing public debate (breeds heading for extinction due to the demand for perfection).

have you read it??

Discodog

Just ordered it - might be an idea if we don't all quote it - could be a long thread

pokertalk

Discodog wrote: »

Just ordered it - might be an idea if we don't all quote it - could be a long thread

just thought that as i sent it:D just wondering why you would recommend it without reading it?? how much is it? and where did u get it ? il order it anyway because it sounds interesting.

Discodog

Because I respect & totally agree with the sentiments expressed by the author. It is staggering that we have been around dogs for 200,000 years during which time they have evolved to understand us yet we still fail to understand them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Defence-Dogs-John-Bradshaw/dp/1846142954/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310312562&sr=8-1

boomerang

Discodog have you read The Culture Clash, by Jean Donaldson? Similar subject matter. She is brilliant.

Discodog

boomerang wrote: »

Discodog have you read The Culture Clash, by Jean Donaldson? Similar subject matter. She is brilliant.

Yes - do we need a books sticky ?

From what I know of Bradshaw is that his work is totally science/research based. He has conducted loads of experiments. For example choosing owners who are sure that their dog is happy to be left during the day & putting cameras in to monitor real behaviour - some dogs were far from happy.

There were rumours about a TV series - crossed fingers.

trio

Really want to get this - article on it in today's Sunday Times. Sounds fascinating.

ISDW

Discodog wrote: »

Yes - do we need a books sticky ?

From what I know of Bradshaw is that his work is totally science/research based. He has conducted loads of experiments. For example choosing owners who are sure that their dog is happy to be left during the day & putting cameras in to monitor real behaviour - some dogs were far from happy.

There were rumours about a TV series - crossed fingers.

Discodog wrote: »

A new book has been published that should be mandatory for many dog owners. The author is the Director of Bristol University's Anthro-zoology Institute & he has been studying domestic dogs for 25 years. He maintains that we need to stop listening to folk law,TV dog experts & start listening to science. Here is a bit from a review:

That confuses me somewhat:D

Will get the book, always interested to read stuff like this, have you read the Ray and Lorna Coppinger book - Dogs a Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behaviour and Evolution? Brilliant book, science and research based, sounds like the same kind of ideas.

Whispered

Amazon wont accept my card and it's a maestro. Feck it, just tried to order it.

Please let me know how it goes when you read it. Also any other recommended reading?

Discodog

ISDW wrote: »

That confuses me somewhat:D

You know exactly what I mean . We need some real dog programs not celebrity dog programs. The one good one was Martin Clunes.

are you serious

+1 for the books sticky

boomerang

Patricia Mc Connell - The Other End of the Leash and For The Love Of A Dog. She is my favourite dog behaviourist - her books are so readable, so endearing and full of insight.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-End-Leash-Patricia-McConnell/dp/034544678X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310335468&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Dog-Understanding-Emotion-Friend/dp/0345477154/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3

Bones Would Rain From The Sky is another favourite.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bones-Would-Rain-Sky-Relationships/dp/044669634X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310335545&sr=1-1

Caros

Read about this in today's Sunday Times, sounds like something to be on every dog lover's bookshelf.

Caros

Oh and just to say it's available on bookdepository.co.uk too €14.34 with free postage.

Irishchick

Bought it yesterday in easons. It was really expensive but I couldnt be bothered to wait for postage from online ordering.

Im only a couple of pages in, its interesting but he does contradict himself alot. Ill finish it before I make up my my mind though.