New research shows that a dog’s emotional outlook - like optimism - can enhance scent detection accuracy in medical training programs

A large dog's reluctance to ride in new owner's car endangered his adoption from our shelter. Allowing him choices helped overcome it.

Karma need not always be an impenetrable mystery. Sometimes it is as clear as the nose on our face.

Years ago, I took care of a gooey-sweet adolescent Border collie, (Tilly, I’ll call her) who flattened her ears and folded like a bird’s wing every time you said her name. She was responsive and polit...

Tipsfor Identifying Red Flags in Your Dog’s Behavior can help yourecognize changes that deserve closer attention. 🐶🔎 Dogs communicatethrough their behavior, body language, appetite, activity levels, a...

YouTube video by Eng Hou Ng

Training is an essential aspect of dog ownership, regardless of a dog's size. While many believe that small dog breeds need less training than their larger counterparts, the reality is that small dogs can be just as prone to behavioral issues without proper guidance. As an enthusiastic dog trainer and owner of small breeds, I've witnessed firsthand the misunderstanding surrounding the training needs of smaller dogs.

Ever look at your dog acting out and think, "Is it them, or is it me?" If you've ever wondered if your dog's relentless barking or leash reactivity is less about them and more about your own stress, you're about to find out. Welcome to the podcast that sits at the intersection of pet wellness and dog owner mental health. We’re pulling back the curtain on the incredibly complex human-dog relationship to ask a controversial question: Are we projecting our own anxieties onto our dogs? This isn't about blame; it's about understanding the deep, often invisible, connection we share with our pets. We dive into groundbreaking research from the NIH and top universities that explores how an owner's personality—things like emotional stability and even depression—can directly correlate with common dog behavior problems like aggression and anxiety. Discover the fascinating and slightly unnerving concept of "emotional contagion," the proven idea that dogs can literally mirror and absorb their owners' stress levels. We also unpack a shocking paradox: while a strong human-animal bond provides us with incredible emotional support, studies show it can also be linked to higher anxiety for the owner. We’ll examine how well-meaning training methods can sometimes make things worse, and what the science of canine behavior really tells us about creating a healthier, happier home for everyone. This episode is a must-listen for every pet parent who wants to improve their dog's psychology... by first understanding their own. Ready to transform your relationship with your dog? Hit that subscribe button now and share this with a fellow dog lover who needs to hear it. Let's get healthier, together.

Dogs possess such a powerful sense of smell that their attention is drawn to their own vomit because of undigested food particles. This might seem gross to us, but the science behind dogs eating their...