Being a Dog

By: Alexandra Horowitz

Narrated by: Alexandra Horowitz

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Alexandra Horowitz, the author of the lively, highly informative New York Times best-selling blockbuster Inside of a Dog, explains how dogs perceive the world through their most spectacular organ - the nose - and how we humans can put our underused sense of smell to work in surprising ways.

What the dog sees and knows comes mostly through his nose, and the information that every dog takes in about the world just based on smell is unthinkably rich. To a dog there is no such thing as "fresh air". Every gulp of air is full of information.

In Being a Dog, Alexandra Horowitz, an eminent research scientist in the field of dog cognition, explores what the nose knows by taking an imaginative leap into what it is like to be a dog. Inspired by her own family dogs, Finnegan and Upton, Horowitz sets off on a quest to make sense of scents. In addition to speaking to experts across the country, Horowitz visits the California Narcotic Canine Association Training Institute and the Stapleton Group's Vapor Wake explosives dog training team; she meets vets and researchers working with dogs to detect cancerous cells and anticipate epileptic seizures or diabetic shock; and she travels with Finnegan to the West Coast, where he learns how to find truffles. Horowitz even attempts to smell-train her own nose.

Being a Dog is a scientifically rigorous book that presents cutting-edge research with literary flair. Revealing such surprising facts as panting dogs cannot smell to explaining how dogs tell time by detecting lingering smells, Horowitz covers the topic of noses - both canine and human - from curious and always fascinating angles. As we come to understand how rich, complex, and exciting the world around us appears to a dog's sense of smell, we can begin to better appreciate it through our own.

©2016 Alexandra Horowitz. All rights reserved. (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

A new world perceived

I enjoyed Ms Horowitz's first book enough to buy copies for my dog owning friends. This time I'm extending my recommendations to friends who are doctor's, people with exploring curiosity and those who enjoy examining the world around them. The joy Ms Horowitz takes in exploring the worlds of noses, both of dogs and humans, is too exciting to be missed.

Great!

The narration was great and engaging. The information was easy to understand and fascinating. If you wonder how your dog experiences the world this is a great book.

Smell more!

I learned that I should pay more attention to smell. The book is a little wordy but an interesting listen. If you're a Dog person or you're crazy about dogs, I'd recommend it.

Somewhat Misleading Title

I was going to write a more detailed review, but then I saw N. Rogers "Lacks Specificity on Dogs" review and they said most of what I wanted to say and more. So please read theirs for more detail. I will add that I did enjoy the book but was really looking for more emphasis on the dogs rather than smelling, specifically human smelling. My only other, somewhat negative comment, was with the narration. I think that Alexandra Horowitz did a fairly good job (I did give 4 stars), however, for being the author, I would have expected a more animated narration. I came out with the feeling that she simply, sometimes robotically, read the text as opposed to "narrating" it, there were several places where she awkwardly paused were I was sure there was no comma. All in all, however, it is a minor complaint.

I will never take scent lightly

Loved this book. I do scentwork with my dog as a sport and this book made me even more aware of how good this is for my dog ! And I now sniff things mow intently to truly appreciate the gift of being able to do so. Thank you for this great study

Interesting!

The author was a little monotone at times but the content is engaging and informative. I could have done without some stories (e.g. the wine smelling) but I agree that the world seems different now that I learned how intricate smell is. And I definitely appreciate my dogs even more than before.

A Fun Listen to What the Nose Knows

The passion for the author's work comes through in this self-narrated work. A fascinating, behind the scenes look at a dog's amazing sense of smell, and our own obtuse response to it.

Fascinating, yet narrowly focused on the nose

Based on the title, I was expecting a more well-rounded account of what it might be like to be a dog. To my surprise - and some annoyance - the entire book is focused singly on dogs’ sense of smell.

While the book is fascinating and I definitely enjoyed learning about the various aspects of olfactory - in humans as well as dogs, it felt like it went on for far too long about this singular subject. I would have liked to learn more about other aspects of “Being a Dog”.

Pure Poetry

This book is pure poetry. The science is certainly there and very accessible but the book is a love poem to dogs. The fact that Dr. Horowitz reads the work herself makes the poetic nature of the prose hit even harder. I've had dogs all my life, I'm 53, and this book has opened my eyes to the world of my current dog in ways that I never expected. I thought I was buying a dog psychology book, and that's what I got, but I got so much more. As I listen to the descriptions of how dogs experience the world, I'm often moved to tears by the beauty of the words. Because of this book, the daily walks with my dog are a bit longer, a bit slower, and I'm less likely to pull him away from something I'd find revolting.

If you have a dog, you should buy this book.
If you're thinking of getting one, you NEED to buy this book.

So incredible

dogs are so fascinating and knowing more about how they think has made me and mine much closer. I have a service dog named Tetra. she's my companion, truly my best friend. She does so much for me and I always wonder what more I can do for her. new toys, beds, lots of walks, lots of treats. I'm also one of the owners that doesn't force my dog to interact with people. I get a lot of disgruntled looks if she walks away from them while they try to pet her. "she only likes to be touched once she gets to know you then she loves the attention." to other people that seems like a problem. I'm honestly glad she doesn't run right up to strangers and try to lick all over their face like she does me.

After reading this book our bond has grown. She is definitely happier. I offer her my face to smell more often. I buy toys that are blue and green so she can see them better (I've read two of your books so far downloading the third now ^_^ )

I've also been trying to smell with her which has been a lot of fun. She knows when I am smelling because I can flare my nostrils and squeeze them to make them longer depending on how hard I'm smelling. She sees that and hers start to wiggle too. haha.

I love your books. They have been a joy to listen to. Thank you!