Detailed study of evolution of canine social behavior. Leads the reader step-by-step through the various aspects involved in development of single social behavior patterns. Also a comparative study, this book dismisses many common beliefs and assumptions, and leaves the reader with simple, sound explanations. For all students of animal behavior. Revised, updated, and expanded!

Roger Abrantes, PhD (Evolutionary Biology and Ethology) DHC DF MAPBC, born in Portugal in 1951, has lived most of his life in Denmark. He is the author of 17 books in English, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, and Czech as well as innumerous articles on behavior. He is probably one of the most versatile ethologists in the world. His book Dog LanguageAn Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior is a perennial best-seller. Dr. Abrantes is especially known for his views on social behavior and its applications to the understanding of pet behavior; and for his working methods where he uses psychology rather than power, teaching the animal the new patterns patiently and efficiently step by step. His present work involves research into the evolution of human behavior.

What reviewers are saying…

THE LATHAM LETTER

The idea of dominance-aggression is biased. It is possible to be aggressive and dominant, but the term suggests the dog attacks because it is dominant. No dog attacks another because of dominance. Dominance aims at controlling the other by means of ritualized behavior, without harming or injuring it This is a book for all students of animal behavior who wish to uncover the whys and hows of canine social behavior. Roger Abrantes, Ph.D. (Evolutionary Biology and Ethology) DHC DF MAPBC, born in Portugal in 1951, has lived most of his life in Denmark. He is the author of 17 books in English, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, and Czech as well as numerous articles on behavior. He is probably one of the most versatile ethologists in the world. His book Dog LanguageAn Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior is a perennial best-seller. Dr. Abrantes is especially known for his views on social behavior and its applications to the understanding of pet behavior, and for his working methods where he uses psychology rather than the power to teach an animal new patterns patiently and efficiently, step-by-step. His present work involves research into the evolution of human behavior.

CANINE REVIEW

This is the second edition of an already first rate book, the updates are noted and timely. This book outlines the basics of dog behavior and expression based on scientific study, not Disney-fiction of the cute little animals. One learns reading this, that all behavior has a function, not a purpose and that these two terms cover very different aspects. Understanding this will help understand the behaviour of the family dog. Dr. Abrantes walks the walk as well. No arm chair theoretician, he has titled hunting dogs, in the field, as well as trained at the professional level all canine units in Denmark, including police, drug and customs dogs, as well as dogs from all three Military Disciplines. Three paws up on this one.