-
Recent Posts
Archives
- October 2022
- August 2022
- May 2022
- March 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- September 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- June 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- June 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- December 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- November 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- March 2013
- January 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- July 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
Categories
NorthStar VETS Behaviorist Reviews New Book in JAVMA
This book review appeared in The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) Volume 253 No. 6, September 15, 2018.
The Dog: A Natural History
Adam Miklosi, DSc, PhD
224 pages. 2018. Princeton University Press.
ISBN 978-0-691-17693-2. Price $27.95.
In the introduction to The Dog: A Natural History, the authors state their wish to show the dog from many different perspectives. They achieve that goal, albeit inconsistently. The authors draw on research findings to present information about dogs including current concepts in dog ecology and evolution, anatomy and physiology, and basic genetics. It is presented in a textbook-like format with beautiful color photographs and clear diagrams. The text was written in short discrete paragraphs, which makes for easy reading for today’s typical easily distracted readers. Given that the authors are primarily researchers in canine cognition and ethology, it is not surprising that the sections on canine behavior, especially those on sensing, thinking, and personality, and explanations of normal canine behaviors are the strongest.
Unfortunately, the book has inconsistencies that may make it difficult or inaccessible for some readers. Although the authors do a good job of explaining canine behavior, they do not always define behavioral terminology. Readers may not understand terms such as agonistic encounters or afflictive interactions. There are also instances when a research finding is presented in context but not fully explained. This occurs more frequently in sections that are outside of the authors’ areas of expertise, such as nutrition and the very brief section on behavior problems and illnesses entitled “Malformation in Behavior.” Overall, I believe this a book that dog owners will enjoy, especially those seeking to easily expand their background knowledge of what dogs are and where they come from; however, readers should be aware that the information provided is more of a stepping stone than a definitive reference.
Learn more about the Behavior service at NorthStar VETS
Laurie Bergman, VMD, DACVB
Dr. Laurie Bergman received her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. She worked in small animal practice on Cape Cod and completed an internship in Wildlife Medicine and Surgery at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. She began working in behavior practice in 1998 and entered a residency in behavioral medicine at the University of California Davis in 2000. Since becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2003, Dr. Bergman has worked in academic practice in California and private practice in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Bergman’s interests include pet-family interactions, finding practical approaches to behavior problems and treating behavior problems in birds and exotic pets. Dr. Bergman lives in Pennsylvania with her two human children, senior dog, Riley, Australian Terrier puppy, Ivan, Leopard Gecko, Mo, and Bearded Dragon, Frederick. She competed in agility with her previous Australian Terriers and hopes that Ivan can grow up to be an agility dog, too.
This entry was posted in Pets, Veterinary Medicine and tagged JAVMA, Laurie Bergman VMD, NorthStar VETS, The Dog A Natural History, veterinary behavior. Bookmark the permalink.
Leave a Reply