Minds of Animals

The cognitive abilities of non-human animals

Alexandra Horowitz, Ph.D., is a Term Assistant Professor of Psychology at Barnard College and the author of the forthcoming Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. See full bio

November 8, 2009

Introducing a newborn to a dog -- or a dog to a newborn

Nine weeks ago I left the house one day and returned the next with our newborn son. From our young dog's point of view, this was a very surprising occurrence. Though I had been pregnant for forty-one weeks, our pup had seemed unaffected by the gradual change in my body and behavior -- and the presumably immediate change in my odor. Read More

September 1, 2009

Why do we treat dogs so much better than we treat wolves?

Coddle the dog, kill the wolf? Read More

August 10, 2009

When science meets media

All of us working in the behavioral sciences face a similar paradox when our research gets featured in the traditional media (i.e., not an abstruse journal read by forty of our colleagues): while it is surprising and delightful to have attention paid to our work, we may feel some apprehension too, since misunderstandings about the work fly fast and furious. Read More

July 28, 2009

Science and the domestic cat

As a researcher of dog behavior and cognition, I tend to be asked two kinds of questions from both academics and nonspecialists. Read More

July 14, 2009

Are humans unique?

Are humans as special as we think we are? Read More

July 6, 2009

A Question of Guilt

Does your dog feel guilty when he's spilled out the innards of the trash can? Read More

Books by Alexandra Horowitz, Ph.D.

Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

Animal Behavior Basics

Pets are among life's greatest joys; they can also be our greatest teachers. The study of animal behavior is a cornerstone of experimental psychology, shedding light on complex human emotions. And pets have a unique therapaeutic hold over humans, especially people who are socially isolated or who are coping with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

Go to the Animal Behavior Basics page for more on Animal Behavior including:

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