Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words

Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words

by John W. Pilley

4.7 (869)

4.7 stars from 869 reviews. Top 91% of Nonfiction books we track.


$2.99KU81% off peak

Last checked: Jun 6, 2026

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Fans of these authors will like this...

  • Temple Grandin
  • Frans de Waal
  • Patricia McConnell

Fans of these books will like this...

  • The Genius of Dogs
  • Animals in Translation
  • Through a Dog's Eyes

Perfect for you if...

  • You're a dog owner curious about what your pet actually understands and how to unlock their potential through play and patience.
  • You love stories where rigorous science meets genuine emotion, showing rather than telling why something matters.
  • You work with learning or behaviour (teacher, parent, psychologist) and want fresh insights into how intelligence develops across species.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You want a conventional pet training manual with step-by-step commands to teach your dog tricks.
  • You're sceptical that dogs possess anything beyond basic instinct and prefer hard limits on animal cognition.
  • You're looking for a fast-paced narrative rather than a thoughtful exploration of one dog's life over many years.

About this book

Retired psychology professor John Pilley explores the boundaries of language learning and communication with his Border collie puppy, Chaser. Through systematic training, Chaser learns the names of more than a thousand toys and sentences with multiple elements of grammar—demonstrating intelligence previously thought impossible in dogs. Chaser's accomplishments reveal new understanding of animal intelligence and the power of learning through play. The book combines scientific observation with the story of John and Chaser's journey together, offering insights into canine cognition and perception that will interest pet owners, parents, teachers, and psychologists alike.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

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Free$8.00$15.99Apr '20Nov '23Feb '25Feb '26
$1.99$15.99

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 81% off peak. Price has dropped 21 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 50 days. Typically stays discounted for 19 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

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#1,396#383,552#765,707May '18Jun '21Sep '23Jun '26

Currently around #29K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller. Climbing the charts — 55% improvement recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

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4.0★4.5★5.0★Aug '23Oct '24Nov '24Apr '26RatingReviews

Currently 4.7★ from 869 reviews

Gaining approximately 6 new reviews per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.7 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

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Free$8.00$15.99Apr '20Nov '23Feb '25Feb '26PredictedJun '26

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $15.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

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John W. Pilley

1 book on Vagrant Press

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