Laser Pointers & Our Dogs: Are They Really Having Fun?
By Beth Napolitano, CPDT Many of us are familiar with the red or green beam of light from laser pointers that may be useful during presentations to direct the attention of an audience. Perhaps even as a toy for our cats who seem to love chasing that little beam of light? Sometimes these laser pointers are also used as a toy for our dogs. There [...]
The Neurological Benefits of Counter Conditioning Leash Reactive Dogs
by Drayton Michaels Counterconditioning and desensitizing dogs when on leash also has neurological benefits © Can Stock Photo/Amaviael The Neurological Benefits of Counter Conditioning Leash Reactive Dogs focuses on creating new and better associations for dogs on leash. When dogs face fearful or stressful stimuli, helping them feel less stressed and less fearful is crucial. A positive association may develop, or at least [...]
Talking to Dogs
by Pam Hogle Photo by Deni Elliott A newly published study finds that dogs pay attention to both the way we talk to them and to what we say. Alex Benjamin and Katie Slocombe’s ‘Who’s a good boy?!’ Dogs prefer naturalistic dog‑directed speech looked at what they term “dog-directed speech,” or DDS, which is similar in tone and affect to baby talk. Their canine test subjects were all adult [...]
Do Dogs Have a Negativity Bias?
This is a fascinating article by Linda Case on Negativity Bias and how it probably also applies to dogs. This article helps support the need for positive reinforcement based training! Humans are wired to notice what goes wrong faster than what goes right. But what about our dogs? Do Dogs Have a Negativity Bias? This question matters for how dogs experience the world and process [...]
Why Are so Many Dogs Going Gray as Early as Age 1?
Seeing white hairs on a very young dog can be surprising. It can also be concerning. Why Are so Many Dogs Going Gray as Early as Age 1? This question has drawn attention from both researchers and dog guardians. More dogs are showing visible graying well before their senior years. What seems like a cosmetic change may signal something deeper. In Why Are so Many [...]
