Man Meets Dog - The Works of Konrad Lorenz

Konrad Lorenz is considered one of the founding fathers of ethology. His works are a must read for both animal and nature lovers, and those who are interested in finding out more about dog training.
Man Meets Dog - The Works of Konrad Lorenz

Written by Alberto Fuentes

Last update: 27 December, 2022

When it comes to canine ethology and training, Man Meets Dog by Konrad Lorenz is one of the most important books to have ever been written. Lorenz sheds light on a number of important aspects surrounding the origins of mankind’s relationship with dogs, bringing his own unique take on the subject.

Konrad Lorenz was an Austrian doctor who took a great interest in animal behavior. Today, he’s considered one of the fathers of canine ethology.

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll love the works of Konrad Lorenz. Of all the authors that have written on the subject of ethology, Lorenz has perhaps been best able to capture the unique dynamic between dogs and humans.

Man Meets Dog 

Man Meets Dog is a continuation of the collection of stories recounted in King Solomon’s Ring. The book is exclusively dedicated to the creatures that have probably had the greatest impact on mankind: dogs. Faithful companions and helpers, dogs have been at our side for centuries. But if we want to discover the origins of this partnership, we have to go back a whole lot further.

In his book, Lorenz explains the origins of this beautiful story, detailing the moment where the two species met, and became inseparable.

Dog training.

It all started when our ancestors first forged a relationship with wild wolves and jackals. Over the years, this relationship evolved until it came to encompass all the respect, love, communication, and obedience that still exists between man and dog today. Lorenz has a unique perspective on this subject. His insight and ideas will keep you hooked from start to finish.

He bases much of the book on his own experiences, drawing on a life spent in close contact with animals. His engaging narrative combines the technical finesse of a scientist, with the intelligence of a philosopher who has established his own particular viewpoint on human problems and our relationship with the natural world.

Why should you read Man Meets Dog?

We often take many aspects of our lives for granted, without thinking about how things came to be the way they are.

The relationship between humans and dogs has undergone a number of changes over the millennia. Ethologists believe that knowing more about our shared history can help us to establish a dynamic that’s beneficial for both owner and pet.

Learning more about how the relationship between humans and dogs evolved helps us understand why this relationship still exists today. It can also shed light on the first interactions between the two species.

The ideas and advice presented in the book can help us to significantly improve our relationships with our four-legged friends. It can help us avoid one of the most common mistakes made by modern owners: humanizing their pets.

Because we’re different species, we don’t understand things in exactly the same way. It’s important for us to give animals space, and avoid making radical changes to their habitats and behavior.

Konrad Lorenz: life and career

  • Lorenz was born in the Austrian town of Altenberg in 1903, not far from Vienna. He studied medicine and philosophy, although he only really studied medicine at the request of his father.
  • He taught animal psychology classes at the University of Vienna between 1937 and 1940.
  • Between 1940 and 1973, he worked in a number of different departments at the university. However, his work always centered on psychology and animal behavior.

In 1973, he won one of the most important awards of his career: the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. At this time, he was also Head of the Animal Sociology Department at the Austrian Institute of Comparative Ethology.

A man in the woods with his dog.

His most notable works include: Man Meets Dog, King Solomon’s Ring, The Natural Science of the Human Species, and The Future Is Open. Any of these books will help to deepen your understanding of the relationship between humans and the animal kingdom.

Man Meets Dog is one of the most important pieces of literature when it comes to understanding modern training techniques.

But rather than simply limiting himself to discussing training methods and advice, Lorenz encourages us to go one step further in our quest to understand how dogs think, and delve into the complex dynamics between humans and animals.


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