National Geographic Books’ DOG SMART: Life-changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence
NEW BOOK FROM ACCLAIMED JOURNALIST AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR JENNIFER HOLLAND TAKES READERS INSIDE THE MIND OF (HU)MAN’S BEST FRIEND
You might mostly think of dogs as the furry treat-hounds snoring at the foot of the bed, put on earth solely to provide us with endless feelings of comfort, loyalty, and companionship. But despite their carefree and playful demeanor, dogs possess many kinds of intelligence, from the sensory to the social — and they’ve used these smarts to become one of the most successful species on the planet. We, as humans, just need to unlock the secrets behind those mysterious smarts. Dogs smarts, that is.
Get ready to sit – and stay! – human readers! Today, we are one long morning walk closer to understanding what it means to be “dog smart.” Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence brings animal aficionados on a powerful journey into the mysterious world of canine cognition, closing the intelligence gap between humans and their “best friends.”
In this enlightening narrative, acclaimed science writer and author Jennifer S. Holland combines her professional expertise in animal behavior with her personal passion for dogs to dive deep into the essence of intelligence, and what it truly means in the canine context. She mixes science-backed evidence and case studies with fun real-life “tails” from dog trainers, owners, behaviorists — and of course the dogs themselves! — to demystify dog intelligence, and to explain just how they got so smart.
Holland spends time in diverse settings—from training centers and rescue facilities to sniffer-dog testing labs—where she profiles a diverse array of working dogs embodying different kinds of smarts. She meets seeing eye dogs, bomb sniffers, duck hunters, child protectors, cadaver finders, disease detectors, and mood readers, and examines breeds that are considered especially intelligent to discover whether they are truly “smarter,” or just more in tune with humans. In between field experiences, she ponders the lessons that dogs teach us about ourselves, posing such provoking philosophical questions as “how do we define intelligence in another being?” and “where do ‘instinct’ and ‘intelligence’ meet and diverge?”
Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence will bring newfound appreciation for the man’s best friend. Whether you’re a dog lover, a science aficionado, an animal psychology buff, or anyone in between, you’ll discover how we can learn from our canine companions by meeting them where they are – and how they can enhance our lives in return.
You can find this in Kindle or Hardcover book on Amazon.
