A blend of science and anecdote, this book shows humans didn't tame wolves to be dogs. Dogs were already dogs when wolves roamed continents. Their abilities as human partners are inborn in them. There is no way humans could have taught dogs how to herd sheep,and other animals. It's inborn behavior, as is their superior scenting. Dog studies are a hot research topic now and this book presents cutting edge science from dog labs around the world, as well as archaeology,evolution, and what dogs are capable of. I prove every point I make by anecdotes about the many
dogs I've had or knew. Since I start with the dog I had when I was 6 years old, the book is also a memoir. If you like to read true dog stories, you'll love this book.
This is the seventh book I've written, but the first for a general readership. Kirkus Reviews--and others--say it is written in a clear and engaging style, and has so far recived all 5 star ratings by readers.
I have had and studied dogs all my life. As a PhD in Linguistics, I am a scientist who has kept up with evolution,biology, animal behavior and communications, and am a maverick, well-know for my academic works. This book is my first for a general audience.
Dogs have evolved to understand human language in ordinary conversation, which no other nonhuman animal can do. Dogs initiated their partnership with humans. They weren't tamed by humans. Humans. because of dogs, have had changes in their own brains.
Book Excerpt
Humans, Dogs, and Civilization
Humans also interact with dogs, and dogs interact with humans. As we’ll see, both humans and dogs have coevolved to the point where each species has had adaptations to its brain structures for communicating with each other. Dogs have special ways of communicating with humans, and these are incredibly different from their communication with other dogs or nonhuman animals. What is even more compelling is that dogs seem to be the only nonhuman animal that can understand words and phrases spoken in human conversations, even when the conversations are not directed at them.
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