First published 2008
Dog ownership reveals more about humans than we realize. Vicki Croke and Sarah Wilson identify nine distinct owner personalities that shape our canine choices. The rescuing Angel seeks the most vulnerable shelter dogs. The Soul Mate gravitates toward round-headed, big-eyed breeds like Shih Tzus and Pugs. The Image Maker carries a Yorkie in designer bags. The Free Spirit names dogs after plants and struggles with recall training. The authors use quizzes and psychological analysis to decode why specific breeds attract certain people. They show how the praise we give our dogs mirrors the approval we seek ourselves. Quick checklists help readers identify their own type among the nine categories and subtypes. The book includes training advice and bonding exercises tailored to different personality matches. With 43.5 million American households owning dogs, this analysis transforms any visit to the dog park into a lesson in human psychology.
Genres: animals, psychology, dogs, non-fiction
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personality-analysis, self-discovery
244 pages · Hardcover · Rodale Books