How to experience the world like a good dog (w/ Alexandra Horowitz)

The Year of the Puppy: How Dogs Become Themselves is a blend of scientific inquiry and personal memoir in which dog cognition researcher Alexandra Horowitz follows a puppy, Quiddity, from birth through her first birthday. Drawing on decades of research into canine behavior and perception, Horowitz documents the normally unseen early weeks of a dog’s life and threads together the limited but growing science on puppy development with close, day‑to‑day observation. The book examines how a puppy’s sensory world, social interactions, and relationship with both her canine family and humans shape the distinct dog she becomes, offering insight into how all dogs grow into their adult personalities and into the human‑dog bond itself.

In 'On Looking', Alexandra Horowitz guides readers through a series of walks in her Manhattan neighborhood, accompanied by experts from various fields. This journey highlights the power of attention and perception, encouraging readers to see the world anew. By walking with experts such as a geologist, artist, and sound designer, Horowitz illustrates how different perspectives can enrich our understanding of the ordinary.

In this book, Alexandra Horowitz uses her expertise in cognitive science to explain how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and humans. She draws on up-to-the-minute research to describe dogs' detection of disease, the secrets of their tails, and their skill at reading human attention. Horowitz's approach is based on the biosemiotic theory of Jakob von Uexküll, focusing on the 'umwelt' or subjective world of animals. The book provides practical insights for dog owners to understand why their dogs behave in certain ways and how to improve their relationships with their pets.

In 'Being a Dog', Alexandra Horowitz delves into the complex world of canine olfaction, exploring how dogs experience reality through their noses. The book combines personal anecdotes with scientific insights, offering readers a unique perspective on the canine world. Horowitz visits detection-dog training centers and even attempts to enhance her own sense of smell, providing a captivating journey into the olfactory realm.