What Dogs Want

The facts behind 100 dog behaviors.

What Dogs Want interprets all the postures, expressions, sounds and actions exhibited by dogs individually and in their with other dogs and people. The 100 behaviors are described over one or two pages each with a photograph and an explanation of why the dog is doing it and what he is telling its owner, such as showing attentiveness or being aggressive. Vet's Notes provide insight into potential medical causes and Breed Boxes shed light on genetic predisposition to certain behaviors.

The 100 specific behaviors are divided among six types:

Postures: Cowering, exposing belly, raising front paw, twitching while sleeping Expressions: Opening mouth when sniffing, lip licking, eyebrow raising, head tilting Sounds: Yelping, high-pitched barking, howling, whining Actions: Gutting stuffed toys, eating grass, shredding paper, circling before sleeping Dog-to-Dog Actions: Placing head over another dog, licking another dog's muzzle, humping Dog-to-People Actions: Shadowing, leash yanking, hogging bed, bringing objects.

An informative appendix organizes behaviors into 16 types--e.g., Submissive, Attention-seeking, Compulsive, Fearful--and cross-references them to the detailed explanations earlier in the book, e.g., Postures, Expressions, Actions. Where appropriate, advice on how to respond to the behavior is provided.

Suitable for all dog breeds, What Dogs Want will be welcomed by all dog owners who seek to better understand their beloved pet.