Do Dogs Dream?

April 2, 2012
The latest entry in Coren’s popular series of dog books organizes a career’s worth of knowledge concerning man’s best friend into an uneven but enjoyable collection, complete with lively illustrations. Despite his academic background, behavioral psychologist Coren (Born to Bark) presents his material in an accessible style, not taking for granted, for instance, that readers will be familiar with Pavlovian conditioning. The book’s 72 chapters, all written in a q&a format, range from serious advice about pet training to “Do Dogs Have ESP Abilities?” Each is meant to represent a commonly asked question, but “Are There More Wolves Than Dogs?” or “How Are Puppies Created?” sound unlikely notes. The author’s most faithful readers may also find some of the material familiar. However, Coren’s knowledge and love of his subject still shine through these flaws, resulting in a worthwhile, though not essential, read for dog-lovers.