My Puppy, My Self

How dogs make us human.

Lee Charles Kelley is a dog trainer and best-selling mystery author. See full bio

November 16, 2009

Of Mice and Mutts III: The Negative Effects of Positive Reinforcement

Somewhere in the back of every dog trainer's mind is the image of Pavlov's dogs, salivating at the sound of a bell ringing. That's the apex of conditioning. Yet no one seems to consider how unhappy those dogs must have been. At its core, positive reinforcement can actually be a very unpleasant experience for the animal being conditioned. Read More

October 29, 2009

Of Mice and Mutts: Is Behavioral Science Failing Our Dogs?

By seeing dogs as either sophisticated lab rats or as 4-legged mini-me's (or both), the behavioral science approach to dog training seems to be failing our furry friends. Is there a better way? One that's more dogthropomorphic? And what if instead of being "the one who controls the goodies," you could actually become the goodies for your dog? Read More

October 9, 2009

Of Mice and Mutts: Why Behavioral Science Is Losing the Training Wars

There's a quiet battle raging right now in the dog training world. Positive trainers, who use operant conditioning, say the "pack leader" approach is unscientific and harmful. But if operant conditioning is really based on scientific principles, why aren't positive trainers more successful? Read More

September 21, 2009

Why Do Dogs Like to "Kiss" Us?

My dog Freddie was punished for biting when he was a puppy. This created some behavioral problems later on (severe panic attacks) that took me a while to unravel. However, once I did, I observed a funny, and very sweet side-effect to the new emotional freedom he felt once his fears were gone. Read More

August 31, 2009

Bared Teeth, Raised Hackles, and the Myth of Aggressive Intent

Two behaviors, found in both dogs and wolves (among other species), are routinely explained by some scientists and scholars as if they were the result of complex layers of conscious thought. Could there be a simpler explanation? Shouldn't there be? Read More

August 27, 2009

How Outdoor Play Can Cure Depression in Dogs

While dogs may not be able to entertain gloomy thoughts or dwell on their past or present misfortunes, they are capable of feeling depressed. And the quickest, easiest way to cure depression in doggies is to get them to play outdoors. But what do you do with a dog who doesn't know how - or more correctly - who's forgotten how to play? Read More

August 12, 2009

The Canine Mind Doth Make Fools of Us All

Say you're a dog. You're in place where there's food and people, sort of like a party. Humans are showing you some treats, so you pay attention. You want those treats. Then these humans do a magic trick where they make one of the treats disappear. Are you surprised because the math doesn't add up? Or do you just have a gut reaction to these inexplicable events? Read More

August 10, 2009

How Dogs Think: Smart Pooches or Dumb Science?

Hey, dog lovers! The latest news flash is in! Even the dumbest dog is smarter than a two-year-old child! Wait... Really? By what scale? Stanford-Binet? Bichon-frise? Is this really breaking news or just one more example of how dumb science can be when it comes to understanding dogs? Read More

July 28, 2009

From Pavlov to Pauli: What Can Dogs Tell Us About the Nature of Time, Consciousness, and Modern Science?

Dogs live totally in the moment. They don't dwell on the past and they don't worry about the future. This may be one of the most charming and delightful things about them. But while dogs have no sense of linear time... Read More

July 13, 2009

Why Do Dogs Sniff Each Other?

It's said that dogs sniff each other as a canine equivalent of the human handshake. But is it really just a social gesture? Does it have an adaptive purpose? Does knowing the true reason behind this behavior tell us anything useful about the dog's way of seeing the world? And perhaps more importantly, will it tell us anything about ourselves?

A Nose for Murder

Murder Unleashed

To Collar a Killer

Twas the Bite Before Christmas

Dogged Pursuit

Like a Dog With a Bone

Bark M For Murder

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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