Scientific inquiry into dogs has grown exponentially since the 1950s. This research is vast and incorporates animal behavior (ethology), psychology, zoology, archaeology and genetics, among other fields. In this show, we’ll meet Julie Hecht, a canine behavioral researcher and science writer who manages the Alexandra Horowitz’s Dog Cognition Laboratory (http://www.doghumanplay.com/) at Barnard College in New York City. Julie and her co-workers have investigated olfactory preferences, dog...

Scientific inquiry into dogs has grown exponentially since the 1950s. This research is vast and incorporates animal behavior (ethology), psychology, zoology, archaeology and genetics, among other fields. In this show, we’ll meet Julie Hecht, a canine behavioral researcher and science writer who manages the Alexandra Horowitz’s Dog Cognition Laboratory at Barnard College in New York […] The post The Dog Connection – The science behind dogs and the dog-human relationship appeared first on...

As canine cognition researchers have been scientifically proving how dogs think (http://evolutionaryanthropology.duke.edu/research/dogs)and perceive the world, cutting edge trainers and behaviorists are applying their findings to working with dogs in new ways that are based on mutual respect between the species, create a high quality of connection and avoid any force or pressure on the dog. Today’s guest is dog trainer and certified canine behavior consultant Shannon Fitzgerald who owns and...

As canine cognition researchers have been scientifically proving how dogs think and perceive the world, cutting edge trainers and behaviorists are applying their findings to working with dogs in new ways that are based on mutual respect between the species, create a high quality of connection and avoid any force or pressure on the dog. […] The post The Dog Connection – New Ways to Train Your Dog that Build Your Relationship appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

For years the term “working dog” referred to dogs that helped humans do their daily work---herding sheep and cattle, guarding homesteads and property, pulling sleds for transportation in snow climates, perhaps even rescuing people in water. But in the post-9-11 world, dogs are being trained to detect bombs, perform search and rescue or recovery, assist disabled people, alert their guardians to the onset of seizures and even sniff out cancerous cells before they can be visibly detected by...

For years the term “working dog” referred to dogs that helped humans do their daily work—herding sheep and cattle, guarding homesteads and property, pulling sleds for transportation in snow climates, perhaps even rescuing people in water. But in the post-9-11 world, dogs are being trained to detect bombs, perform search and rescue or recovery, assist […] The post The Dog Connection – Twenty-first century Working Dogs appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Have you ever wanted to get inside of a dog's mind, to know how he sees the world and what it really feels like to be a dog? Loving dogs and trying to understand them without projecting human qualities on them, has been a frustrating dilemma for dog people since the beginning of our co-evolution with canines. In her best selling book Inside of a Dog (http://www.insideofadog.com), cognitive scientist and dog lover Alexandra Horowitz evokes the dog's perspective using findings from the...

Have you ever wanted to get inside of a dog’s mind, to know how he sees the world and what it really feels like to be a dog? Loving dogs and trying to understand them without projecting human qualities on them, has been a frustrating dilemma for dog people since the beginning of our co-evolution […] The post The Dog Connection – What’s it like to be a dog? appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

What is the single most effective way to “train” your dog? How can you get your dog to stop jumping up on people, pulling on his leash, or chewing up things not mean to be ingested? Learn to understand Doglish and communicate with your dog in HIS language. When people tell Michael Badial of Best Paw Forward Inc (http://www.bestpawforwardinc.com/). that they are having a problem with their dog and ask him for a way to deal with it, he always says “it depends.” Because Michael believes that...

What is the single most effective way to “train” your dog? How can you get your dog to stop jumping up on people, pulling on his leash, or chewing up things not mean to be ingested? Learn to understand Doglish and communicate with your dog in HIS language. When people tell Michael Badial of Best […] The post The Dog Connection – Doglish as a Second Language appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Dog training has evolved dramatically over the last several decades from reliance on physical punishment to discourage unwanted behaviors, to rewarding dogs with treats or attention, to shaping dog behavior based on their biology and cognitive process. Yet too often, dog guardians may rely on “training” and “commands” without taking their dog’s perspective into account. While you may end up with a dog that will reliably follow your commands, what you forfeit is the opportunity to enhance and...

Dog training has evolved dramatically over the last several decades from reliance on physical punishment to discourage unwanted behaviors, to rewarding dogs with treats or attention, to shaping dog behavior based on their biology and cognitive process. Yet too often, dog guardians may rely on “training” and “commands” without taking their dog’s perspective into account. […] The post The Dog Connection – “Sit, Stay, Poop!” Is Not a Way to Build A Relationship appeared first on...

Most of us who love dogs and regard them as true members of our family can recall a time in our childhood when we had a distinct sensation of a special affinity with animals even though we knew they were “not people.” Embracing “other” while maintaining an appreciation and respect for their “otherness” actually made and continues to make the connection even more special. In today’s conversation with child psychiatrist, humane educator (http://teachhumane.org/heart/)and dog lover Dr. Sujatha...

Most of us who love dogs and regard them as true members of our family can recall a time in our childhood when we had a distinct sensation of a special affinity with animals even though we knew they were “not people.” Embracing “other” while maintaining an appreciation and respect for their “otherness” actually made […] The post The Dog Connection – Raising Kids, Raising Dogs: What’s love got to do with it? appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Any dog can learn to love the water and swim (although some may need the assistance of a life vest). Swimming safely alongside their human (or at a distance) is the foundation for Canine Water Work and a fun new sport called Canine Water Sports (http://www.caninewatersports.com/Canine_Water_Sports/Home_Port.html)(CWS). Not only is this a great way to actively spend time with your canine pal --it also opens a whole new aquatic environment for your dog to utilize their magnificent senses as...

Any dog can learn to love the water and swim (although some may need the assistance of a life vest). Swimming safely alongside their human (or at a distance) is the foundation for Canine Water Work and a fun new sport called Canine Water Sports (CWS). Not only is this a great way to actively […] The post The Dog Connection – Canine Water Sports: A fun “level playing field” for you and your dog appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Dogs perceive the world through their senses. Their auditory sense- the ability to hear-- ranks next to smell as most important to their survival from an evolutionary perspective. Modern science even suggests that sound can be thought of as a “sensory nutrient” (http://throughadogsear.com/music/) for nervous system –an intake that can either charge or discharge the nervous system with negative or positive impact on health and behavior. Today we interview Lisa Spector, co-founder &...

Dogs perceive the world through their senses. Their auditory sense- the ability to hear– ranks next to smell as most important to their survival from an evolutionary perspective. Modern science even suggests that sound can be thought of as a “sensory nutrient” for nervous system –an intake that can either charge or discharge the nervous […] The post The Dog Connection – How Music Can Improve Your Dog’s Life and Your Relationsh appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

We love our dogs and we want them to be as healthy and robust as possible so that can live out their natural lives. Yet when it comes to vaccines and nutrition, the two most important cornerstones to a dog’s health, there a wide range of opinions and often controversy among dog guardians and veterinarians. Who can we turn to for advice in making these critical decisions and navigating through the sea of confusing scientific information? In this show we speak with Donna M. Raditic, DVM, VCA...

We love our dogs and we want them to be as healthy and robust as possible so that can live out their natural lives. Yet when it comes to vaccines and nutrition, the two most important cornerstones to a dog’s health, there a wide range of opinions and often controversy among dog guardians and veterinarians. […] The post The Dog Connection – Fact & Fallacies about Vaccinations & Nutrition from Integrative Veterinarian, Donna M. Raditic, DVM, VCA appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.