This book jumped out at me as I am a doggy mum to a 14 year old dog and I feel that we have a deep bond — and she is extremely intelligent — she has an amazing nose , she is good at communicating her needs to me with her specific needs— and I wanted to learn more about dog behaviour and the meanings behind them. I found this book was able to teach me a lot more about the dogs olfactory centre and I really liked the chapters on facial expressions, vocalisations and tail wagging and the different meanings — those sections of the book — I would like to study more thoroughly to better communicate with my dog! — My dog is my emotional support dog and helps me through rough times— so it is wonderful to have a book that shows how amazing so many breeds of dogs are— and I would like to own a hard copy of this book to go through sections of the book again . The author has given many pages of other resources to go to if you want more information on a specific topic mentioned in her novel.

The first thing that appealed to me was the cover! As someone who works with dogs on a daily basis for the last 10 years, I am always up for learning new and insightful things! This author did a wonderful job giving us some informative lessons on how dogs act and how much of a difference they can make in our lives! It was such a wonderful read and I am so glad I was able to get an ARC for this book! I will definitely be looking through it again in the future!

I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but of the non-fiction I do read, quite a bit of it is dog/pet related. I love learning about dogs! I am of the belief that it doesn’t matter how long you’ve had dogs or how much you think you know; you do not know everything and there is still so much more you can learn, if you want to, of course.

This book is a scientific study of the numerous capabilities and sources of intelligence that dogs possess. Holland focuses on all the different ways that dogs are really so much smarter than we give them credit for. She illustrates the numerous ways that humans can become dog smart by employing lessons and tactics that utilize the many ways that dogs understand and the ways they learn. Much of the book centers around the training of working dogs. Whether they be seeing eye dogs, police dogs, military dogs, conservation dogs, or any other kind of working dog that you could possibly think of, there is a smart way to teach the dogs what they need to know.

This is the sort of book that anyone working with dogs would find a valuable resource. While I don’t train working dogs, I enjoyed this book because it gave me some insights on why some lessons work better on some dogs than others. I also learned some new techniques on being a smarter dog mama about what kind of messages I send my own pups. It took me a while to get through this book because I found myself rereading a lot of passages to hubby. Then there were the requisite discussions of what we do and don’t do and how we can be more “dog smart”.

There’s a saying among dog trainers as well as dog owners too, “there are no bad dogs, just bad owners”. I firmly believe that. If you have ever thought that there is something wrong with your dog because they are simply not learning something that you keep trying to teach them, chances are it’s not something wrong with your dog, but rather something wrong with whatever it is you are doing. Our dogs want to be the best they can be and, hopefully, we want that too. The day we adopted them, we made the commitment to take care of them. They deserve that we too be the best we can be.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved all the stories about the various working dogs that Holland researched, studied, and observed for this book. Great stories about truly amazing dogs. I also loved the personal stories of Holland’s own pups, Monk and Geddy. What a pair of rascals!!! She comments on how her research and studies helped her to become a more “dog smart” owner.

Once again, this is a book of studies and statistics of dog training that is going to appeal to a very specific type of reader. I’m not going to rate this book like I would a work fiction by rating characterization, pacing, storyline and writing style. I’m rating this book strictly on the info provided (excellent) and the manner in which it was provided (very good). I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 so I’m going to round down to a 4star rating. I want to thank NetGalley and National Geographic for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #NationalGeographic #DogSmart

As a student in animal training and performance, this book was really insightful. The cover is really appealing and will hopefully reach others. We need to learn more about our canine companions and this book is a great step. Really well organised information and well presented

The author clearly did her research when writing this informational book about dogs and the difference they can make in our lives. They truly are extraordinary creatures and the stories shared only reinforce that to the reader. I found this book to be an enjoyable read and heartwarming!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

This book offers a glimpse into the lives of dogs, those selected who are in training for specific needs, from the ability to respond to medical conditions to those who are for search and rescue, and much more. Sharing the research that goes into what goes into choosing a dog as the right fit, for both the dog and the human, how they interact, the connection, as well as the bond they form.

This shares the stories of some of these dogs and how they make a difference in this world, but especially to their person that depends upon them. In some ways, it goes both ways. For the dogs, this is a job but it is also a labor of love, and they show that in many ways, their reward is knowing that they’ve made a difference in their person’s life, and have received genuine love and respect in return.

There are many individual stories which reveal some touching episode, many of which share how important these dogs become to the person they are protecting. Beyond that, this gives the reader a glimpse into their world, and how their lives differ from ours, and how much more ‘tuned in’ to the world around them than we are, in many ways.

A fascinating glimpse into the lives of dogs.



Pub Date: 21 May 2024


Many thanks for the ARC provided by National Geographic

This book was nicely done in a way that was easy for the average dog owner to find interesting and enjoyable.

Excellent book chock full of useful information that is a must for any library. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley.

Wow, this book is full of so much information. I felt like it should be required reading for anyone purchasing a dog or thinking of getting a dog or have a dog. In fact, this will be my must give gift if someone is getting a dog.
I have had dogs my whole life and thought I knew a lot about dogs. I learned so much from this book. I knew that dogs where being trained for seeing eye dogs, cadaver dogs, and others but I didn't know that dogs can be trained for detecting cancer or help people who have seizures know when they are coming. Plus so much more amazing things. Dogs can be empathetic and how that can be used to help people who suffer from PTSD. Dogs can also be trained to help Alzheimer's patients. Plus this book explains how dogs hear and smell so differently from us humans.
I can't thank Netgalley, Jennifer S. Holland, and National Geographic for the ARC.

I am a glutton for learning more about dogs, their intelligence and how they interact with humans. Dog Smart tackles multiple issues - what is meant by intelligence, how to test it. I liked that Holland pursues what she calls adaptive intelligence, not just measuring a dog against human norms. In other words, it’s not just about how many words a dog understands.
She starts with how dogs evolved and quickly debunks the idea of the “tamed wolf”.
I learned a lot from this book, like how few dogs are actually pets (as opposed to being free roaming). She walks the reader through the different types of intelligence dogs have and how that helps them handle different types of jobs. Think seeing eye dogs, tracking and sniffing dogs, emotional support dogs. Dogs are even now being trained to handle dementia patients. One of the more interesting stories were cadaver dogs finding remains from centuries earlier, including from the Iron Age.
This isn’t a training book. But she is a firm believer that it’s mostly dumb humans, not dogs, that lead to problems with training. And too often, I feel I fall firmly in the camp of dumb trainers. She is also a firm believer in giving dogs time to be dogs, whether that entails time off leash to romp or just time to sniff on a walk.
My thanks to Netgalley and National Geographic for an advance copy of this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In her delightful and enlightening book, Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence, Jennifer S. Holland takes readers on a captivating journey into the minds of our beloved four-legged companions. With a blend of scientific research, heartwarming anecdotes, and practical insights, Holland explores the fascinating world of dog cognition and the remarkable ways in which dogs perceive and interact with the world.

Holland delves into the incredible olfactory abilities of dogs. From search-and-rescue dogs to those trained to detect medical conditions, we learn how their noses are finely tuned instruments that unlock hidden secrets.

Through heartwarming stories, Holland reveals the emotional depth of dogs. Their loyalty, empathy, and unwavering love for humans remind us of the profound connections we share with them.

Holland introduces us to agility trainers, police-dog handlers, and service-dog trainers. We witness the impressive task-learning abilities of these intelligent animals and the impact they have on our lives.

Are border collies truly smarter than other breeds? Holland explores the concept of breed-specific intelligence and whether it's a matter of innate smarts or simply a strong bond with humans.

Why You Should Read It

Holland seamlessly weaves scientific discoveries with heartwarming narratives, making this book both informative and emotionally resonant.

Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or considering bringing a furry friend into your life, you'll find practical advice on understanding and enhancing your dog's intelligence.

Holland raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to be intelligent, both for dogs and for us.

Dog Smart is a celebration of the extraordinary intelligence that exists within our canine companions. As we learn from them, we become better humans—more attuned, more compassionate, and more grateful for the joy they bring to our lives.

An extremely interesting read, very well written.
This is a must have book for any dog owner, packed full of information on what makes a dog tick, backed up by thorough research
Loved it and would highly recommend
Thank you to Netgalley, National Geographic and Jennifer S Holland for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Dog Smart is a very in depth look on how intelligent dogs are. It is apparent that Jennifer Holland took years of research to provide this much information. She explores multiple working dogs, Intelligent disobedience, abilities beyond humans such as olfactory, hearing, etc. I loved how detailed and personal each case was portrayed.

This is perfect for anyone who love dogs and appreciates statistics and detailed scientific background on the how and why.

Thank you National Geographic and Jennifer Holland for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

Excellent read!

This book gives the reader lots of information on the intelligence of dogs. From nose intelligence to service dogs, this book is packed full of stories about dogs and what makes them tick. I will interact with my dog differently after having read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this, this is a just of for any dog owner or dog lover.

Well written and well put together. I will be purchasing a physical copy of this.

I really interesting book on dogs I learnt a lot, and enjoyed the writing style with research to back up the points. I liked that as the reader we're encouraged to look at dog intelligence against dogs not against a human perspective and helps to frame the dogs world better.

I loved this book about dogs. I learned so much these amazing furry beings. I highly recommend this one.

Sit. stay. Read. What an absolute treat from an author whose delivery style in talking about ‘people’s best friend, was funny, engaging, varied and incredibly eye opening. What science, research and intrigue are helping us understand about dogs and what they can do, why they want to and how to achieve and measure this is beyond what I ever imagined. I would also love to know what my dog (a Beagle) was capable of, but sensibility and lack of the necessity to potentially put her in harms way hinders that. Apart from the times I know she proved capability, when she decided that she wasn’t feeling the walk one day and set off home. I just didn’t have a go-pro attached to see how good/careful she was!

I support a charity called Support Dogs UK that train dogs to help with autistic children, people with disabilities and epilepsy seizure alert. So, I already know they are incredible in what they are capable of.

I am now that person that keeps on regurgitating incites from this book, I found it enthralling and I devoured it!

If you want to learn about how dogs think, this is an excellent book.

Did you know that lung cancer patients diagnosed early have a 20-year survival rate of 80% vs. 18% of all lung who make it past 5 years?

Some dogs can diagnosis health problems better than anyone else.

It's one of the many things you'll learn in "Dog Smart."

Dog Smart looks at dogs mannerisms through a scientific perspective covering topics like how they think compared to humans and how the inner workings of dogs perhaps work. I really enjoyed the clarity in the writing and found all the information to be interesting. I would totally recommend to anyone wanting to understand their dog better or anyone looking to get a dog.