Genetics and the Social Behaviour of the Dog

by John L. Fuller and John Paul Scott

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,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226743381
• ISBN13: 9780226743387
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 506 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

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 (instinct vs. learning) 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 ducks and geese) demonstrated that these critical or sensitive periods in early development 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 earlier chapters 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.

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.