The Hidden Life of Dogs Abridged

Rating:
Summary: Whole lot of nothing
Review: As much as I love dogs, this book was almost painful to get through. The description of the dogs' behavior was rather unscientific, and the author's ego was a distateful presence on each page. For a much more interesting read, check out "The dog who loved too much" by Nicholas Dodman.

Rating:
Summary: Simply a beautiful little book
Review: This is a beautiful little book, well written and clear. The author loved her dogs and treated them with respect and dignity. There is no anthropomorphising of the animals behaviour and the author is quick to check her own sentiment. She let her dogs be dogs, probably to an extent greater than most of us would allow. She neither patronised nor diminished her dogs through behaviourial techniques. The readers who object to the methods as outlined I think are missing the point of this remarkable book. Yes, her methodology would not work for everyone. Yes, a dog which runs loose in a city is a nuisance or even a menace. But this is not a primer on dog obedience!! Read again: this is not a how-to manual for your dog. However, it is an affecting account -poetic at times- of looking at dogs as dogs. We should be grateful for that.

Rating:
Summary: Didn't like this at all
Review: I have to agree with the readers who described this book as irresponsible. The author's opinions on her dogs' behavior are just that - her OPINIONS (granted, she's entitled to her opinions). Anyone who has had their dog or cat killed by unleashed, free-roaming dogs will hate this. I also found her constant references to a dog's mate as "husbands" and "wives" really annoying (my opinion). I wish I had seen these reviews before buying this thing.

Rating:
Summary: IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNKNOWLEDGEABLE
Review: I had awaited this book with much interest. I was very disappointed. The author is the epitome of irresponsible dog ownership! Nor are her conclusions about her dogs in any way accurate. I am appalled at the authority she has been given.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and exciting book
Review: I now look at my dog differently. I not only see a four leg animal but someone who is part of a society of his own specie and mind. I fell in love with Misha just like Maria did. This book has romance, adventure and tragedy. I recommend this book to anyone who truly loves their dog.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable narration of interesting book
Review: I listened to the abridged (2 cassettes) version of this book, narrated beautifully by Swoosie Kurtz. While I did not agree with the author's way of bringing up dogs, especially in an urban city, I did enjoy her observations of her canine family. It was obvious that she loved her dogs very much. This was an enjoyable way to pass an hour or two.

Rating:
Summary: NOT a training book, but a nice look at dog life!
Review: A wonderful look at the lives of dogs. This book is clearly written with the purpose of showing what a dog's perspective might be. Its easy to see how someone not willing to think could be offended at the bad example and poor training methods shown, but that is not the author's goal. A plumbing book would make a poor electrical guide, as this book is in no way a doggie "how to." Taken for what it is, it shows very nicely, a bit of what dogs are all about.

Rating:
Summary: Irresponsible, to an extreme!
Review: I am a dog owner in Cambridge, MA, and have to live with the backlash against such irresponsible people like the author of this book. Not only did she "flout" the leash law, but the law against breeding dogs within city limits (which has severe fines), and the scoop law. Every day I walk past signs put up by desperate people, searching for their missing cat, how many of these cats were killed by unrestrained dogs? How many dogs were put to death at the pound, while she allowed her dogs to breed out of control? How many children stepped in the mess her dogs made, which she was obligated to clean up? Cambridge has become a very dog-unfriendly place, due to the criminal negligence of people like this author. Dogs are NOT wild animals, they have been domesticated for thousands of years, but she prides herself for letting her animals run feral, rejoicing that they are untrained and may do as they like. This is, pure and simple, wrong. Dogs were created to serve man, to "pack" with their owners and family, they need to be trained and kept safe and healthy, and out of trouble. To the author, this is "slavery". She is wrong, and I greatly discourage anyone who is thinking of purchase this book. I gave this book a one star rating, but I'd rather have given it zero star, as it may lead some inexperienced dog owners to make some very bad mistakes. There are many excellent books written about dog behavior, by people who know and understand dogs, purchase one of them. Elizabeth Marshall Thomas clearly does not know dogs, avoid this book.

Rating:
Summary: A VERY DANGEROUS BOOK!
Review: Suffice it to say that this book poses a threat to dogs everywhere. There are too many good books written by responsible dog trainers, behaviorists, etc., to waste time with this ode to irresponsibility.

Rating:
Summary: entertaining read, BUT that's all
Review: This book was well written and quite entertaining to read, but it was more an essay on how to justify being an irresponsible dog owner than any kind of study on dog behavior. Read it for entertainment value, but it has no scientific value, nor does it have any useful information about dogs for the dog owner.