Category Archives: research about dogs

Our pets and our personalities

Posted on June 16, 2014 by transformational1

An interesting article has just been published in The Conversation. It is about how people’s choice of a pet may be influenced by their personality. I’m sure there is some relationship between the two, but it is by no means … Continue reading →

Posted in animal training, Assistance Dogs, Behaviour problems, Behavioural science, Dogs, Dogs and children, domestication of dogs, Human-animal bond, Pack theory, Psychiatric service dogs, research about dogs, Training theories | 1 Comment

Intelligence (human) and intelligence (animal)

Posted on June 15, 2014 by transformational1

A very small but interesting piece of research was done about Beagles preferring to solve puzzles to get rewards, rather than getting free treats. Interesting… but I will get on to that a little later (see below). In the meantime, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal intelligence, Dog breeds, Dog training, Dogs, research about dogs, Understanding your dog | Leave a comment

Love that dog – the oxytocin way!

Posted on June 12, 2014 by transformational1

Here is a short article about some interesting research, concerning the “oxytocin theory” of dogs and social bonding. Oxytocin is a hormone found in mammals, including humans. It has various functions. It produces the let down reflex when mothers are … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, Human-animal bond, research about dogs | Leave a comment

Pets and people – some research issues

Posted on December 31, 2013 by transformational1

Pauline Bennett, a researcher from La Trobe University, is a leading expert on the relationship between pets and people. In this article she discusses some of the difficulties in getting rigorous scientific evidence about the impact of this relationship. Why … Continue reading →

Posted in Human-animal bond, research about dogs | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Another avoidable dog-related fatality.

Posted on December 10, 2013 by transformational1

Investigate serious dog attacks – seriously! I just read a report last night of the death of a 2 year old little girl in Chicago in the US. She was fatally mauled by a dog described as a Pit Bull. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aggression, Behaviour problems, Dangerous Dogs, Dangerous Dogs, Dog bite injuries, Dog breeds, Dog training, Dogs, Dogs and children, Human-animal bond, Pit Bull Terriers, predatory aggression, research about dogs, Social and legal issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A tale of two tails.

Posted on September 25, 2013 by transformational1

Here is a fascinating article by Stanley Coren reporting on some research about how to interpret the movement and position of a dog’s tail. This reveals a lot more than you might think.      

Posted in research about dogs, Understanding your dog | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Pets are central to our lives

Posted on September 25, 2013 by transformational1

Here is an article by Louise Bellamy, published in the Melbourne Age, which talks about how pets have become an increasingly important part in people’s lives. They are members of our family, our community, our whole lives.

Posted in Dogs, Human-animal bond, research about dogs | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

More on use of rewards in training

Posted on August 3, 2013 by transformational1

Discussion has continued in Psychology Today… I posted this comment. I agree, dogs learn best when they are calm and relaxed. I have no doubt whatsoever that stress levels are far higher in correction style training classes compared to reward- … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog training, Dogs, food rewards, research about dogs, Training methods | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Ancient bond between dogs and humans

Posted on July 31, 2013 by transformational1

The bond between dogs and people goes back long way. Dogs were the first species to be domesticated, and evidence is mounting to show that it was a social and emotional bond, not just a utilitarian one. One theory was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, domestication of dogs, Human-animal bond, origins of dogs, research about dogs | 1 Comment

Effectiveness of various rewards

Posted on July 27, 2013 by transformational1

A study has been done comparing the effectiveness of various rewards in dog training. Stanley Coren talked about it in an article for Psychology Today. I posted the following comment: I find this research quite simplistic. First of all, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog training, Dogs, food rewards, Learning theory, Premack, research about dogs | 2 Comments