Canine Corner

The human-animal bond

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC

Can Dogs Who Are Afraid of Fireworks or Loud Noise Be Cured?

Does the sound of fireworks or thunder frighten your dog? New research shows which methods of treating fear of loud noises in dogs work, and which don't.

Are Veterinarians Biased Against Fat Dogs and Their Owners?

New data show that veterinarians share negative biases against both overweight dogs and overweight dog owners.

Do Adolescent Dogs Act Like Rebellious Human Teenagers?

It is well known that unruly and disobedient behavior often appears in teenage humans. Recent research shows the same temporary change in adolescent dogs.

Who Was the First Therapy Dog?

A tiny Yorkshire Terrier, who was a surprising wartime hero, may have also been the first officially recognized therapy dog.

Do Therapy Dogs Get Stressed When They Provide Therapy?

Therapy dogs deal with anxious and fearful people. Physiological measures look at whether these dogs get stressed during clinical sessions.

Why Do Some Dogs Have Extremely Long Lifespans?

Dogs that survive 20 years or more are referred to as "Methuselah dogs." New research explores the genetics behind such long lifespans.

What Is Your Dog Looking At?

Are dogs most likely to follow your face, your hands, or other parts of you? New research provides an answer—and echoes the words of Lassie's trainer.

Star Wars Dogs

Because of the approach of Star Wars Day a survey was taken of how many dogs have been named after characters in the various Star Wars films.

If You Are in Trouble, Will Your Dog Try to Rescue You?

New data looks at the probability that your dog will try to save you if you are trapped and clearly emotionally distressed.

Are City Dogs More Anxious Than Country Dogs?

People who live in cities are more likely to suffer from anxiety than those in the country, and urban living has a similar impact on the mental health of dogs.

Do Dog Breeds Differ in Their Sensitivity to Pain?

A new survey of more than 1000 veterinarians finds that some dog breeds are much more sensitive to pain than others.

Is Your Dog Anxious? It May Be Genes Linked to Its Breed

New data on nearly 14,000 dogs demonstrates that anxiety and fearfulness are much more common in some breeds of dogs.

Unfounded Fears That Dogs Can Spread COVID-19 Can Cause Harm

While scientific, health, and veterinary agencies contend that dogs do not spread or transmit the novel coronavirus, public fear has caused many to be abandoned or exterminated.

More Truths About Dog People: New Survey Results

New survey results suggest that the emotional bond people have with their dogs is steadily increasing.

Can Dogs Sniff out Heat Sources? Discovery of a New Sense

The cold nose that dogs have may have a purpose. New research shows that the tip of the dogs nose may contain receptors that can detect weak heat sources.

The New "Call of the Wild," But With No Starring Dog

In the most recent remake of the film "Call of the Wild," the usual canine star is replaced by a CGI digital representation of a dog. Critics are mixed on whether it works.

Could a Dog Be an Archaeologist's Best Friend?

Cadaver detection dogs can be trained to work as archaeological assistants to discover remains that may be up to 3000 years old.

From Carpet-Wetter to Canine Movie Star: The Story of Toto

Abandoned for behavior problems, this dog became one of the most popular canine film stars ever as Toto in 'The Wizard of Oz.' Here are some surprising insights into her life.

Is the Word "Pet" Harmful and Demeaning to Animals?

PETA has started a campaign to try to change language referring to animals, such as the word "pet," it believes they lead to animal abuse.

Will Dogs Rescue Their Owners From a Stressful Situation?

New research investigates whether your dog will heroically act like Lassie or Rin Tin Tin, and try to rescue you when he sees that you are in distress.

How Good Are Dogs at Recognizing Human Word Sounds?

The ability to recognize subtle distinctions in spoken word sounds is not a uniquely human ability since recent research shows that dogs can do that as well.

How Much Is a Dog's Life Worth?

Using some high-powered economic analyses and some new survey data, researchers have attempted to put a precise economic value on a dog's life.

Do Pet Dogs Affect the Risk of Schizophrenia in Humans?

New data finds that children living with a pet dog before the age of 12 may reduce their risk of later schizophrenia by as much as 24 percent.

The Surprising Reasons Why Dogs Have Whiskers

The surprising function of a dog's whiskers is to compensate for limitations in their visual abilities.

Can Dogs Motivate Children to Read?

Reading more challenging passages of text raises anxiety levels in children. However, when a dog is present as an audience member, children are more likely to persevere and enjoy the task.

The First Federal Anti-Animal Cruelty Act in America?

It took a long time, and several tries in Congress, but some of the most severe instances of animal abuse are now a federal crime in the U.S.

Can Dogs Smell Time?

An intriguing hypothesis suggests that systematic changes in odors may allow dogs to mark the passage of time.

Is the Ability to Recognize Dog Emotions Inherited or Learned?

Our co-evolution with dogs has given us the innate ability to read some of their facial emotional expressions. However, learning and experience can improve our accuracy.

Is Your Dog Misbehaving? Look for the Rash!

Sometimes behavioral problems in dogs don't have a behavioral cause and don't require or respond to a behavioral cure.

How Training Methods Affect a Dog's Attachment to Its Owner

Recent data shows how discipline-based versus reward-based dog training can affect the emotional attachment between dogs and their owners.

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