Animal behavior – normal and abnormal – is a hot topic, and while many of us believe we understand why animals do what they do, in reality, many of us do not. However, if you want to learn more, there are a multitude of books out there with a wealth of information – here are just a few.
1) “The Other End of the Leash”, by Patricia McConnell
If you buy one book on animal behavior, make it this one. Even if you aren’t a dog lover, “The Other End of the Leash” is a wonderful introduction to animal behavior and human behavior when dealing with animals. In particular, the chapter on the difference between canines and primates may forever change your understanding of your dog’s behavior – and encourage you to rethink your relationship with other species too.
2) “The Dog’s Mind” and “The Cat’s Mind”, by Bruce Fogle
Dr. Fogle has written two excellent books on our two favorite pets – dogs and cats. They are similar in structure, but very different in content, and Fogle has a wonderful insight into how canines and felines think and behave.
3) “How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind”, by Stanley Coren
The first step to understanding dog behavior is understand how their brains work and this is an easy-to-read introduction to how dogs sense the world and learn, how they think and feel, and an insight into canine personalities. Coren uses facts and figures, as well as anecdotes to explain the mind of man’s best friend.
4) “Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals”, by Karen L. Overall
Not all veterinarians are behaviorists, although they are frequently asked to help owners solve a variety of behavioral problems. This book discusses normal behavior for cats and dogs, as well as common and not common behavioral problems and a variety of solutions from training to behavior modification to medication. It is a medical book, so it is technical, but it’s a great start if you need to talk to your vet about your pet’s behavior.
5) “Dogs Behaving Badly: An A-Z Guide to Understanding and Curing Behavioral Problems in Dogs”, by Dr. Nicholas Dodman
If you have a dog, chances are they have one or two bad habits that you would like to resolve – if so, this may be the book for you. An encyclopedia of behavior problems with basic, common sense solutions.
6) “The Cat Who Cried for Help”, by Dr. Nicholas Dodman
While dogs and their behavioral problems are currently popular TV viewing, cats and their issues seem to have taken a back seat. However, many cats have behavioral problems too, and “The Cat Who Cried for Help” covers the several common behavioral problems.
7) “Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence”, by Irene M. Pepperberg
Alex was an African Grey parrot studied by Dr. Irene Pepperberg for 31 years, until his premature death at age 31. Dr. Pepperberg is a professor psychology specializing in animal cognition, language and communication. “Alex & Me” is the story of their professional and personal relationship, and provides a marvelous insight into how birds think, act and communicate.
8) “Exploring Animal Behavior: Readings from American Scientist”, edited by Paul W. Sherman and John Alcock
Most books the behavior of animals other than household pets are either very technical scientific tomes, or text-book dry. American Scientist are perhaps more accessible, and this book is more affordable than other books on the subject while going beyond why cats hunt and why dogs suffer from aggression issues.
9) “Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach”, by John Alcock
If you’re looking for something a bit broader and a bit more technical, this may be the book for you. A text book that discusses reproduction, communication and feeding behaviors and explains why birds sing, the history of honey bee dances, and how females select their mates.
10) Dictionary of Animal Behavior, by David McFarland
If you’re interested in understanding some of the technical terms used in other behavioral books or if you just want a good reference book on the subject, the “Dictionary of Animal Behavior” is a great addition to any book shelf. The entries are about behavior more than specific species, but includes references to different animals in definitions. Easy to read and well organized.
The more you understand about how animals behave and why, and how humans behave around animals and why, the better your relationships with your pets, the wildlife in the garden and even the humans in your world will be. It’s well worth a trip to the library or bookstore to learn more.
