05/27/2019
Wynne, an Arizona State University psychology professor and founding director of the school’s Canine Science Collaboratory, argues that “dogs’ love is the cornerstone of the dog-human relationship” in his entertaining first book. He challenges previous theories positing that dogs enjoyed their “special relationship with humans” thanks to a “unique form of intelligence” allowing them to understand human “communicative intentions.” In one experiment, Wynne and his colleagues found evidence that wolves raised by humans can manifest this same trait, conveying to him that the dog-human bond rests on a different foundation. In another experiments, they led a dog into a room to find its owner in one spot and a bowl of food in another; the result suggested that “most dogs prefer to be with their person fed.” Wynne also recounts the research of others, including fMRIs of dog brain activity during interactions with owners. The book only falters with Wynne’s overly ambitious assertion that emotions as humans know them translate directly into canines’ lived experience. But dog lovers will be fascinated and the takeaway message that “we can do better for our dogs,” by keeping in mind that dogs feel a meaningful emotional connection to their human owners and thus should be treated respectfully and considerately, is solidly supported. (Sept.)
Lively and fascinating, Dog Is Love reveals a simple and yet enormously profound insight: Dogs are unique because they love us. The reader comes away cheered, better informed, and with a new and deeper appreciation for our amazing canine companions and their enormous capacity for love.” —Cat Warren, New York Times best-selling author of What the Dog Knows “Clive Wynne is a thoughtful and clever canine cognition researcher; here, he tells the story of his, and his students’, particular journey through researching this intellectual puzzle: how are dogs so perfectly suited to our species? As a child, a dog’s love is certain; as a researcher, talking of dog ‘love’ is verboten. Clive gets through that and comes back to where he’s begun, with a dog happily rushing to greet him when he comes home.”—Alexandra Horowitz, New York Times best-selling author of Inside of a Dog and Our Dogs, Ourselves “A beautiful ode to all things canine. Clive Wynne gives us the best scientific proof that dogs really do love us.”—Gregory Berns, author of How Dogs Love Us “Riveting. Part memoir, part scientific detective story, and part call to action, this book will change the way you look at dogs.”—Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard To Think Straight About Animals “An unforgettable glimpse into the heart and soul of this cherished species, Dog Is Love shows how our emotional bond with dogs holds the key to understanding and caring for them.”—Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian” and founder of FearFreePets.com “How do you know if your dog loves you? Are dogs really capable of feeling love, or do they only want the food and safety you provide? Clive Wynne answers these questions and more in Dog Is Love, revealing new, compelling evidence that explains the incredible relationship we have with our dogs. If you want to better understand and build an even stronger bond with your own dog, this book is a must read.”—Victoria Stilwell, author of The Secret Language of Dogs “Science finally reveals the dog’s secret: the unique capacity for love that separates them from all other animals. Superb.”—John Bradshaw, New York Times best-selling author of Dog Sense “Entertaining . . . Dog lovers will be fascinated and the takeaway message that ‘we can do better for our dogs,’ by keeping in mind that dogs feel a meaningful emotional connection to their human owners and thus should be treated respectfully and considerately, is solidly supported.”—Publishers Weekly “For any scientifically inclined dog lover, this will be a fascinating read.”—Booklist “[A] pleasingly garrulous and jocular report from the front lines of canine research . . . A good mix of science and emotion, recommended for dog lovers everywhere.”—Kirkus Reviews "After reading this book, readers may not perceive their relationship with their dog in the same way. Engagingly written and understandable by general audiences, this is a worthy addition to any pet lover's library.”—Library Journal
09/01/2019
This entry in the growing category of books examining the human-dog relationship is solidly supported by current research coming out of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University. Canine behaviorist Wynne draws not only on studies conducted in his laboratory, but includes research from other scientists and institutions as evidenced in 13 pages of notes and references. Following a brief reminiscence about his exposure to pets as a child, the author dives into his thesis: What if dogs don't have cognitive abilities that enable them to understand humans (the longstanding opinion), but instead have some ability that hasn't been defined yet? Wynne believes that anthropomorphizing our animals is permissible and proper, and that ignoring our dogs' need for love is as unethical as mistreating them in other ways. The bond of love between dog and owner is strikingly similar to that found between couples. VERDICT After reading this book, readers may not perceive their relationship with their dog in the same way. Engagingly written and understandable by general audiences, this is a worthy addition to any pet lover's library. [See Prepub Alert, 3/4/19.]—Edell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI
2019-07-28
The founding director at the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University probes the bonds of affection between humans and dogs.
For 15,000 years, humans and dogs have been living side by side. However, as Wynne makes clear in this pleasingly garrulous and jocular report from the front lines of canine research, we are only beginning to understand how our minds have intertwined over that duration. "Dogs have an exaggerated, ebullient, perhaps even excessive capacity to form affectionate relationships with members of other species," writes the author. "This capacity is so great that, if we saw it in one of our own kind, we would consider it quite strange—pathological, even. In my scientific writing, where I am obliged to use technical language, I call this abnormal behavior hypersociability. But as a dog lover who cares deeply about animals and their welfare, I see absolutely no reason we shouldn't just call it love." This may seem imprecise, and borders on anthropomorphism, but Wynne has found that evidence coming from labs—evidence in the forms of genes that code for loving behavior, brain states that register and direct affection, and hormones that match the activity found in our own species when we feel love—and animal sanctuaries suggests that dogs feel affection much the way that humans do. This love doesn't require special cognitive abilities. It is innate in the creatures and then is shaped by the environment to be expressed, hopefully, as a warm bond—though if the dog is ill-treated, it will manifest in antisocial behavior. Of particular importance to Wynne is what this means in terms of how we interact and care for dogs. It is our responsibility to treat them with respect because they deserve it, and both of us will be greater creatures for it.
A good mix of science and emotion, recommended for dog lovers everywhere.
