The idea that the family dog views you, your spouse and your children as a wolf pack ripe for conquest has come to dominate much of our thinking about dog behavior.
It's a belief system popularized by The Dog Whisperer, a cable TV show starring Cesar Millan, a trainer who puts misbehaving canines firmly their place on a weekly basis. Invariably, the well-intentioned owners of these dogs have lost their status as alpha male (or female) in the pack. The alpha dogs attack mailmen, torment children, tear the house up, growl menacingly, bite passersby and generally make life miserable until Cesar compels the wayward tail-waggers to submit to their human overlords.
Alexandra Horowitz finds it all a little depressing.
"When you look at actual wolf behavior in the wild, the pack is a family unit. There's no dominance hierarchy," she said in an interview with HuffPost. "It's simply bizarre to think that your dog is trying to overtake you as an alpha."
Horowitz, who teaches psychology at Barnard, is the author of Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, a book that vaulted on to the New York Times best seller list following its publication in 2009 and remains there today.
"I had been doing research into animal cognition and I wound up studying dogs," she explained. "I realized that while there was all sorts of research out there, none of it was really reaching dog owners. I thought it would be interesting to translate this material for owners who are asking, 'What's on my dog's mind? What is she thinking about?'"
According to Horowitz, your dog is not thinking about overthrowing you. Also, your pet is not pining to join the human race.
"There are owners who treat their dog like a little furry person," she said, turning thumbs down on canine coats. "Costumes make no sense for dogs."
"And a birthday party for your dog may just be an opportunity for stress when a lot of dogs come over and eat her food."
Inside of a Dog is a mix of scientific findings about dog behavior and perception and personal reminiscences about Horowitz's own dog, Pumpernickel, who roamed the Upper West Side before its death a few years ago.
Many dog owners send her pictures of their pets, which she finds "unexpected and very sweet."
Horowitz regards New York City as "a great place to raise dogs" because owners are forced to interact with them a lot, take them on walks, and give them a chance to meet other dogs.
"It's really important that dogs are socialized," she said.
Horowitz doesn't feel there's anything wrong with having a big dog in a small apartment, because "they're often much more mellow than small dogs."
She also doesn't think owners should feel overwhelmed with guilt if they're forced to leave their pet alone while they're at work.
"Dogs are pretty adaptable," Horowitz said. "One of the reasons we've kept dogs around is that they deal with a lot of different hardships. And one hardship is being alone a lot of the day with nothing to do. They deal with it."
As a boredom-fighter, Horowitz hid treats around her apartment for her dog to uncover during the course of the day.
"Dog walkers are great. I don't think that's an indulgence," she added. "Some people leave their radios on when they leave for the day. This might drown out some of the little outside noises that distract or worry your dog. So I don't think it's a bad idea."
Two words stand out in Horowitz's approach to canines: sniffing and socializing. Since a dog's world is mainly one of scents and odors, it's important to let your dog sniff to her heart's content when possible, especially around other dogs.
And don't be embarrassed if your dog's way of making friends begins with a nose to the rear end.
"Some people really do see the dog as an extension of themselves, and of course you wouldn't approach a stranger and stiff his rump, right? We treat our dogs as if they're doing something impolite themselves."
"Most of the dog owners I see in New York City are terrific. They have a huge investment in their dog but not an over-weaning investment."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.