How Dogs Think: What The World Looks Like To Them And Why They Act The Way They Do by Stanley Coren (2005, Paperback, Reprint)

One of the few bodies of info about, well, any animal that is close to how I'd word it - I'm a Pet Communicator and more often than not, folks mix up what they see / species' instincts and unique behaviors and "survival" characteristics, with the being "behind the eyes" you might say. The being's made, you see a waggy tail. The cat's sleeping and flicking his tail gently, the being tells us a story about being a Fairy Princess. You name it -
A bit one was pain and stoicness. I've had to go over it and over it with folks and while I personally get it described first-hand from the dogs, the pet owners don't and it's hard to get across This book describes it and other things quite well. This IS a very accurate description of the world of the average domesticated canine. I ESPECIALLY enjoyed and appreciate the lack of psycho-babble. I run waaaaay too much into all the "alpha" this and "phobias" that. I've even read that when a dog's chasin' their tail, it's "obsessive/compulsive&quo​t;. OMG! NUTSO!! No wonder vets are accidentally venturing over to the dark side - drugging (mentally) pets to "keep 'em calm" (make the owners happy).. same as pediatricians. The Beginning Of The End - **I** have to deal with the mental fallout. So this book pretty much just tells it like it is, this is what they do, this is how they act: this is.. A DOG. They are as they are, folks! and if you want more, just ask 'em (and that's what Communicators are for, not those who deal with, watch, handle etc their bodies only). Not all "whisperers" and "communicators" and "psychics" have a clue what's going on with that being. This is inter-related yet needs to be kept separate.. and this book does that pretty darned well! It's the ONLY text I've referred folks to, to date (including those by those who, well, "know best"). ~ "Aunt Julie" Rich, Pet Communicator

I have been looking for a book that goes in depth on the physiology and psychology of dogs yet is readable by the lay person and this is it! I am halfway through reading it and have already learned a lot about my dog and my friends' dogs than I thought I'd ever know! There is a large section of the book devoted to the five (six) senses of a dog that really helps one to understand how the dog sees, hears, smells, etc. the world around him. I highly recommend this book to any dog lover or anyone with an interest in animals in general.