Inside of a Dog

What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

By: Alexandra Horowitz

Narrated by: Alexandra Horowitz

NOW FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED! The beloved #1 New York Times bestseller that “causes one’s dog-loving heart to flutter with astonishment and gratitude” (The New York Times Book Review).

The instant classic on the mind of the dog is now updated to include the latest results in the booming field of dog cognition. What do dogs know? How do they think? The answers will surprise and delight you as cognitive scientist Alexandra Horowitz explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human. Inside of a Dog is a fresh look at the world of dogs—from the dog’s point of view.

In clear, crisp prose, Horowitz introduces the reader to dogs’ perceptual and cognitive abilities and then draws a picture of what it might be like to be a dog. What’s it like to be able to smell not just every bit of open food in the house but also to smell human emotions and even the passage of time? What is it like to have such good hearing that they notice the bodily vibrations of insects and the hum of a fluorescent light? Horowitz’s engaging narrative allows us to replace our urge to anthropomorphize dogs with a true understanding of the canine experience. What’s it like to use your mouth as a hand? How does a tiny dog manage to play successfully with a Great Dane? Why must a person on a bicycle be chased?

This fully revised and updated edition also reflects the latest findings on canine perception, dogs’ understanding of our emotions and of our language, and the evolving story of domestication. Some discoveries are not only informative but curiously amusing, such as dogs’ asymmetrical nostril use and their alignment with the earth’s magnetic field when pooing.

Much more than a scientific exploration; Inside of a Dog is a love letter to dogs, filled with personal observations and practical advice for people who live with dogs. With a light touch and the weight of scientific authority behind her, Horowitz offers an unparalleled exploration into the minds of our beloved four-legged companions.

For Canine Love

This story will encourage me to observe more closely the lab- doodle mutt that has stolen my heart. I have learned to think and observe him more and will continue to cherish our relationship as he came to me to help with a difficult time and has encouraged me thru it. Love you Brody!

This book made me so excited to learn more about dogs! 🐶💡

This book made me so excited to learn more about dogs! 🐶💡 I learned new things, and I have studied dog behavior my whole career! I wish *everyone* who interacts with dogs would read this. Everyone. I wish everyone would read it.

I LOVED the author’s audiobook narration. Really well done — you can hear her passion! The audiobook is also organized so nicely, with detailed headings you can jump to within chapters. I’ve never seen that before.

I read the revised edition of this title from 2025.