Professor Alexandra Horowitz Explores Canine Cognition Through Research and Writing

Professor Alexandra Horowitz, an author and cognitive scientist, has been studying the inner lives of dogs since the release of her bestselling book Inside of a Dog in 2008. This work introduced readers to her own dog, Pumpernickel, and explored canine behaviors, highlighting their keen olfactory senses and capacity for joy. Horowitz's research, largely conducted at the Barnard Dog Cognition Lab, which she founded, has expanded significantly over the years.

Her latest publication, The Year of the Puppy: How a Puppy Becomes Your Dog, is a children's edition of her 2022 book, released this month. Horowitz aims to inspire curiosity about animals in young people, believing that fostering this interest can lead to better scientific understanding and care for nonhuman animals.

Horowitz emphasizes the importance of deepening the human-canine bond. She notes that many people are willing to reevaluate their assumptions about animals, which enhances their relationships with them. This willingness to improve understanding is a rewarding aspect of her work.

Growing up in Golden, Colorado, Horowitz developed a fascination for animals early on. She recalled observing prairie dogs from her parents' car, recognizing their complex communities as a rich part of the natural world. This initial curiosity guided her academic path; she earned her Ph.D. in cognitive science from the University of California, San Diego, where she studied the white rhinoceros and bonobo in addition to developing an interest in dog cognition.

In 2004, Horowitz became an adjunct professor at Barnard and later established the Dog Cognition Lab in 2008, the first such facility in the country. The lab encourages collaborative research between Horowitz and her students, with projects such as examining how dogs navigate vertical space in high-rise buildings.

Though the lab started without a dedicated space, support from Barnard alumna April Benson helped secure a facility. Horowitz notes that the lab has become a practicum for the scientific method, allowing students to engage directly with their research interests.

Currently, Horowitz continues her research while working on a revised edition of Inside of a Dog, incorporating new findings, including data from her lab. A central question driving her work remains as profound as ever: understanding what it is truly like to experience the world as a dog does.