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The Hidden Life of Dogs
The Hidden Life of Dogs
Author: Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
This book spent over seven months on "The New York Times" best-seller list and has sold over half a million copies to dog lovers all over the world. By following one of her dogs, Misha, and by observing a wolf pack, Thomas concludes that dog behavior is organized around an overriding principle: all that dogs want is a settled social order. She e...  more »
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ISBN: 253957
Publication Date: 1993
Pages: 150
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Reviews: Member | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 120 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Fascinating study, done over a period of 30 years, on the lives of dogs. Thomas is an anthropologist who uses her background to give a superior and touching account of her canine companions and their young through several generations. I would highly suggest this book to anyone who loves dogs! I was sorry to see it end!
reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 106 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I didn't find this book that much of a 'breakthrough' in canine behavior---it seemed more of a study of dogs that are roam and interact at will, with very little interaction between them and the humans. In the end the dogs basically form a pack and seem very uninterested in their human family. This doesn't help me relate or understand how to interact with my dogs.

In this book the author gives an account of thirty years of living with dogs, wolves, dingos and the ways their lives are interetwined with her own. There is Misha, a husky that roams widely, and Maria his true love, their puppies, as well as Bingo and Violet the two pugs that also share the house.
morgan2010 avatar reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 171 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is not a bok about training or bringing up your dog. "This is a book about dog consciousness." Elizabeth Marshall Thomas talks abot the drama in her dogs life and who interesting their approach to life is. It is a samll book with a big punch! I liked it a lot.
reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 334 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I'm a cat person, and *I* even liked this book! Anyone who likes animals and senses their hidden intelligence will enjoy this book. It is entertaining as well as heartbreaking. A good read all around.
ellzeena avatar reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I'm a certified applied animal behaviorist. I read this book when it was first published (it was actually a gift) and was totally appalled by the manner in which this woman lived with her dog pack. Not only is there NO validity in her observations of domestic dog behavior, but this book portrays the absolute worst sort of collector who is negligent of her dogs' social and psychological requirements and does little to care for them physically in an appropriate manner. If you want to learn about domestic dog behavior, read Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Roger Abrantes, Karen Pryor, Dr. Jon Bailey.
Read All 24 Book Reviews of "The Hidden Life of Dogs"

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buzzby avatar reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 6062 more book reviews
With such lines as "Only a dog...who wasn't brainwashed by excessive training... would ever....", no wonder people who follow the dog whisperer philosophy whould be upset.
pibblegrl avatar reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 64 more book reviews
This author illustrates perfectly what not to do with your dog...HIGHLY irresponsible to allow your dogs to roam at will....

I was not thrilled at all with this book, and I don't really feel that there were any great insights provided by this author's experiments..
reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on
An interesting read for dog owners =)
reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 22 more book reviews
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas brings 30 years of experience working with and observing dogs to this book. Various stories of individual dogs are related to explain how they think, love, and problem-solve. A must read book for the dog lover.
reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 211 more book reviews
I thought it was interesting. Not too terribly clinical, but behavior any dog lover will recognize.
amichai avatar reviewed The Hidden Life of Dogs on + 368 more book reviews
interesting book for those of us who like dogs


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