My Puppy, My Self

How dogs make us human.

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

April 18, 2009

In Praise of Aggression

No dog wants to be aggressive. Sometimes though, you have to remind them of that. Praise can help. It takes the dog out of an aggressive "me" mentality and brings him back to a more natural, more social, "us" state.

April 13, 2009

Is Your Dog Dominant? Part III (Conclusion)

Is dominance an instinctive behavioral tendency in dogs and wolves, or the result of unresolved tension and stress? Charlie, the poodle with "classic alpha tendencies," may have the answer. Read More

April 10, 2009

Is Your Dog Dominant? Part II

How can we continue to apply the word dominance to a set of supposedly instinctive behavioral tendencies in dogs and wolves that a) are neither natural nor instinctive, and b) that almost always result in the supposedly dominant animal getting the wrong end of the stick? Read More

April 9, 2009

Is Your Dog Dominant? Part I

You hear a lot of talk among dog owners, dog trainers, and even the man on the street, about dominance in dogs. What is it, exactly? Is it an instinctive behavioral tendency, an inherited genetic trait, part of a natural power struggle to be the pack leader? We all have our own ideas as to what it means, and we all "know it when we see it," but what are its scientific origins? Read More

Books by Lee Charles Kelley

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: