Embracing the Wild in Your Dog

We rated this book:

$10.95


For a thoughtful, insightful, and well-written argument for affirming the inherent wolf inside the domestic dog, Embracing The Wild In Your Dog by Bryan Bailey delivers. Genetically, behaviorally, and socially, dogs are indeed wolves at their very cores, not the “make-believe humans in fur coats” we often visualize them and treat them to be. With this knowledge to guide him, the author imparts well-informed advice concerning how to adapt our orientation around and treatment of our beloved pets, in order to safeguard the future of the species and to better our relationships with them. With wolves in literature typically depicted as villainous, it is easy to understand the trending away from seeing domestic dogs as wolves. Humans go so far as to dress dogs in clothing, feed them gourmet food, and give them human-sounding names in order to further the divide between the wild wolf and the domesticated dog. Despite evolutionary changes, due in large part to human intervention, however, dogs are genetically identical to wolves. The irony is that, in our attempts to domesticate them, bend them to our will, and safeguard the dog population, we have done the species a disservice, as wolf numbers in the wild are dwindling: it is predominantly in the wild population where the genetic strength exists. With the wolf in mind and wishing to mirror nature as much as possible, the author shares a good deal of useful and practical advice that is intended to facilitate the proper handling and treatment of dogs.

One piece of advice, though, does seem a bit extreme, where less drastic measures could achieve some harmony between the extremes and still further the reclamation of the dog’s inner wolf. As an alternative to “no kill,” the author recommends, “kill with the utmost discrimination.” Yet, given sufficient resources, maladaptive dogs can be spared without an adverse effect on the species as a whole. These dogs can be adopted appropriately, neutered, and even treated pharmacologically if necessary.

In Embracing The Wild In Your Dog, we learn to accept the dog for what it is and not what we wish it to be. We learn that wild is actually predictable. We learn the importance of lessening our domesticated dogs’ dependence upon us. With domesticated dogs being so commonplace, this book is a worthwhile read for dog-owners and non-dog-owners alike.


Reviewed By:

Author
Star Count 4.5/5
Format eBook
Page Count 173 page
Publisher Taming the Wild, LLC
Publish Date 25-Sep-2015
ISBN 9781619333833
Bookshop.org Buy this Book
Issue December 2015
Category Science & Nature
Share

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Embracing the Wild in Your Dog”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.