Product Description

The classic study of dog behavior gathered into one volume. Based on twenty years of research at the Jackson Laboratory, this is the single most important and comprehensive reference work on the behavior of dogs ever complied.

"Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog is one of the most important texts on canine behavior published to date. Anyone interested in breeding, training, or canine behavior must own this book."--Wayne Hunthausen, D.V.M., Director of Animal Behavior Consultations

"This pioneering research on dog behavioral genetics is a timeless classic for all serious students of ethology and canine behavior."--Dr. Michael Fox, Senior Advisor to the President, The Humane Society of the United States

"A major authoritative work. . . . Immensely rewarding reading for anyone concerned with dog-breeding."--Times Literary Supplement

"The last comprehensive study [of dog behavior] was concluded more than thirty years ago, when John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller published their seminal work Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog."--Mark Derr, The Atlantic Monthly

"Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog is essential reading for anyone involved in the breeding of dogs. No breeder can afford to ignore the principles of proper socialization first discovered and articulated in this landmark study."-The Monks of New Skete, authors of How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend and the video series Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #419643 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 506 pages

Customer Reviews

A very indepth technical book on dog develpment .
This is a very in-depth and technical book on the early social development of dogs and the effects of socialization and training. It is a very good book for anyone who is serious about breeding dogs.

Summarizes some of the most important research in American psychology
This book summarizes the work Scott, Fuller, and their team of scientists conducted over 20 years on 5 breeds of dogs. Before their work, American psychology had been very dominated by learning theory and tilted very much toward nurture in the nature-nurture debate. The work of the European ethologists such as Lorenz & Tinbergen on "critical periods" in early development had little impact until the studies (summarized here) of the Scott & Fuller group began appearing. Their careful scientific work demonstrated the importance and existence of time limited phases in the early life of dogs within which certain experiences need to occur or the dogs may be forever deficient. Their work (with that of Eckhard Hess's on birds) demonstrated that these critical or sensitive periods could be scientifically studied in ways compatible with a scientific psychology.

The book is important to those interested in the history of behavioral sciences since the discoveries are applicable to many species (including humans) and not just the dog.

This book will always be especially valuable to dog breeders and trainers; its last chapters summmarize in very clear terms the particular phases in early development and experiences the dog needs to be adequately socialized. The reader can refer back to the earlier chapter to get more information on how the experiments were conducted and the distribution of results. It answers questions on proper age that puppies can be separated from their mothers, what experiences are important to provide at what age, etc.