The surprising science that explains how and why your dog thinks and acts from Jen Golbeck, the “internet’s dog mom” behind the popular Golden Ratio Squad online community and the author of the “fascinating” (First for Women) The Purest Bond.

Do dogs’ brains work the same as humans? Are they capable of the same spectrum of emotions as us? Do they have a sense of self? What the heck is wrong with this crazy dog?

Like many of us, Jen Golbeck looked at her rescue golden retrievers and affectionately wondered what exactly was going on in their cute, fuzzy heads. But as a left-brained scientist, Golbeck set out to seek concrete answers—research and data—to back up the hunch that there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface of our pups’ funny looks and adorable, occasionally destructive, behaviors.

What she finds is a surprising relationship between positive psychology and how we might learn to think about how our dogs think in a whole new light. She introduces a mold-breaking concept that shifts our focus from solving problems and scolding “bad behavior” to building on strengths based on qualities like focus, vitality, and curiosity. Through fascinating case studies, real data, and paws-on-the-ground research and with Golbeck’s signature “encouraging” (Library Journal) prose, Think Like a Dog shows how to apply these ideas thoughtfully, consistently, and with compassion, to help our dogs not just behave better, but to truly thrive.

Thanks to Atria Books and the author for this advanced review copy!

 

What if, instead of focusing on correcting our dogs’ shortcomings, we intentionally nurtured the qualities that help them succeed? Drawing inspiration from positive psychology, Dr. Jen Golbeck asks readers to look beyond obedience and behavior problems to the character strengths that make dogs (and people) resilient, curious, kind, persistent, and joyful companions.

The book is grounded in the influential work of psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, whose landmark volume Character Strengths and Virtues identified universal character traits associated with human flourishing. Golbeck takes those same ideas and asks an intriguing question: if these strengths help people thrive, might they also help us better understand our dogs?

Much of the book centers on the author’s ever-changing “rolling cast” of rescued Golden Retrievers. Rather than trying to “fix” every quirk or behavioral issue, Golbeck chooses to identify each dog’s strengths and create an environment in which those strengths can blossom. Their stories become the foundation for exploring the seven traits throughout the book.

Although the writing remains highly accessible, Golbeck draws from an impressive range of research. She weaves together findings from human and canine psychology, functional MRI (fMRI) studies, animal cognition research, behavioral science, and the work of trainers and behaviorists to paint a richer picture of how dogs think, feel, learn, and interact with the world.

Each chapter explores one of seven traits (chosen by the author out of 24 total): Focus, Vitality, Fairness, Curiosity, Kindness, Persistence, and Humor – and demonstrates how those qualities appear in dogs. One of the things I appreciated most was that the book never became overly academic. The science is presented in a conversational style that would be comfortable for almost any reader, even someone with little background in psychology. However, the book occasionally leaned a little too heavily on explanation at the expense of forward momentum.

Some of the most memorable moments came from the behavioral science. I was fascinated to learn that dogs tend to wag their tails slightly to the right when responding positively and to the left when responding negatively; other dogs can actually read those subtle differences, much like we interpret facial expressions and body language. Working in veterinary medicine, I found those discussions especially rewarding because they reinforce just how nuanced canine communication really is.

The standout fact for me, though, was the explanation of “time-sniffing.” Rather than somehow magically knowing when we’re coming home, dogs appear to combine familiar routines with the gradual fading of our scent in the house, along with visual and auditory cues throughout the day. It’s such a clever and scientifically grounded explanation that I’ll probably think about it every time my dog Ricky is waiting for me at the door.

I also enjoyed that the author didn’t limit her discussion to pet dogs. She incorporates examples from show dogs, flyball competitors, police dogs, and other working dogs to illustrate how these character strengths appear across different roles and environments.

What makes Think Like a Dog enjoyable isn’t that it claims dogs and humans are identical, but that it thoughtfully explores where our emotional lives overlap, and what we can learn from one another.

My biggest criticism is that the examples rely very heavily on the author’s own Golden Retrievers. They’re clearly beloved family members and make wonderful ambassadors for the concepts she’s discusses, but after four or five chapters I found myself wishing for a wider variety of stories. Likewise, the frequent humorous asides, (usually in parentheses) began to interrupt the rhythm of the writing for me. Neither issue ruined the book, but both made it feel a little longer than necessary.

Overall, Think Like a Dog is an engaging, approachable introduction to positive psychology through the lens of canine behavior. It won’t satisfy readers looking for an in-depth scientific textbook, but it succeeds beautifully as an accessible exploration of why dogs think and behave the way they do. I closed the book having learned several new facts, looked at familiar canine behaviors a little differently, and gained an even greater appreciation for the remarkable minds of our four-legged companions.

Recommended for readers who enjoyed Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz, The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, or The Genius of Dogs by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods. If you enjoy popular science that is approachable, optimistic, and centered on our relationships with dogs, you’ll likely find plenty to appreciate here.

However, readers looking for an in-depth textbook on canine behavior or animal cognition may find this a little light. However, dog lovers who enjoy accessible science, positive psychology, and learning why their companions do the quirky things they do will likely have a great time with this book.

Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.