Canine Corner

Animal Behavior

Early Life Hardship Affects a Dog's Later Response to Stress

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on May 30, 2023

A history of early life adversity results in adult dogs that are more fearful and more dependent upon their owners for comfort and emotional support.

A history of early life adversity results in adult dogs that are more fearful and more dependent upon their owners for comfort and emotional support.

Genetics

Why Do Larger Dogs Have Shorter Lifespans?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on May 16, 2023

Bigger dogs tend to die younger because they invest their resources into rapid growth and larger litters, leaving few reserves to fend off negative mutations like cancer.

Bigger dogs tend to die younger because they invest their resources into rapid growth and larger litters, leaving few reserves to fend off negative mutations like cancer.

Sleep

Can Dogs Have Sleep Disorders?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on May 4, 2023

Dogs sleep differently than humans and their sleep is affected by their size and age. They are also susceptible to some sleep disorders similar to those found in people.

Dogs sleep differently than humans and their sleep is affected by their size and age. They are also susceptible to some sleep disorders similar to those found in people.

Grief

When Dogs Need Help to Say Goodbye

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on April 18, 2023

Data show that most veterinary colleges do not train their students effectively to deal with the emotional consequences of euthanasia either for the pet owner or themselves.

Data show that most veterinary colleges do not train their students effectively to deal with the emotional consequences of euthanasia either for the pet owner or themselves.

Attention

How People Drive With Their Dogs Matters

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on April 7, 2023

In a new study, 82 percent of drivers agree that an unrestrained dog in a moving car can be a distraction and may cause reckless driving. Here's why and what to do about it.

In a new study, 82 percent of drivers agree that an unrestrained dog in a moving car can be a distraction and may cause reckless driving. Here's why and what to do about it.

Forgiveness

When Dogs Are Bad, Are Their Owners to Blame?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on March 29, 2023

A new study shows that owners of aggressive dogs are more likely to have a history of antisocial behavior and actions suggesting animal abuse or neglect.

A new study shows that owners of aggressive dogs are more likely to have a history of antisocial behavior and actions suggesting animal abuse or neglect.

Education

Talk Nicely When Training Dogs. It Makes a Difference.

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on March 22, 2023

Speaking to dogs the way that we speak to young children produces more positive emotional responses and better, more reliable training performance outcomes.

Speaking to dogs the way that we speak to young children produces more positive emotional responses and better, more reliable training performance outcomes.

Child Development

Living With a Pet Reduces the Risk of Asthma in Children

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on March 15, 2023

Two studies show that having a dog or a cat in the house during the first year of a child's life can actually reduce the likelihood of developing allergies and asthma.

Two studies show that having a dog or a cat in the house during the first year of a child's life can actually reduce the likelihood of developing allergies and asthma.

Intelligence

Does a Dog's Head Shape Predict How Smart It Is?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on March 1, 2023

Two studies find that head shape may be related to dog intelligence and problem solving, with short-faced dogs faring more poorly.

Two studies find that head shape may be related to dog intelligence and problem solving, with short-faced dogs faring more poorly.

Animal Behavior

Do Zoomies Signal That a Dog Is Happy or Crazy?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on February 22, 2023

Periods of frenetic random activity in dogs are called "zoomies." It's not a canine ADHD symptom, but it can be a sign of emotional overflow, usually positive but not always.

Periods of frenetic random activity in dogs are called "zoomies." It's not a canine ADHD symptom, but it can be a sign of emotional overflow, usually positive but not always.

Anger

Are There Better Alternatives to Spaying and Neutering Dogs?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on February 7, 2023

New data show that using hormone-sparing spay and neutering procedures results in better health outcomes and fewer problematic and nuisance behaviors in dogs.

New data show that using hormone-sparing spay and neutering procedures results in better health outcomes and fewer problematic and nuisance behaviors in dogs.

Motivation

What's Behind the Craze for Designer "Doodle" Dogs?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on January 24, 2023

A study finds that the popularity of Poodle cross designer dogs is due to the desire for a hypoallergenic pet—but not all "doodles" are non-allergenic.

A study finds that the popularity of Poodle cross designer dogs is due to the desire for a hypoallergenic pet—but not all "doodles" are non-allergenic.

Anger

What Happens When Dogs and Cats Live in the Same House?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on January 9, 2023

Dogs and cats can live together in the same household, although there are potential hot spots involving competition for food and attention from their owner.

Dogs and cats can live together in the same household, although there are potential hot spots involving competition for food and attention from their owner.

Stress

Does It Matter Whether Dog Training Is Positive or Aversive?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on January 2, 2023

New data shows that pet dogs receiving discipline-based training suffer from higher levels of stress and long-term negative emotional behaviors compared to positively trained dogs.

New data shows that pet dogs receiving discipline-based training suffer from higher levels of stress and long-term negative emotional behaviors compared to positively trained dogs.

Animal Behavior

How Much Loud Noise Can a Dog Tolerate?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on December 15, 2022

A new report suggests that since dogs have more sensitive hearing than people, the guidelines for safe listening levels should be lower than the human standard.

A new report suggests that since dogs have more sensitive hearing than people, the guidelines for safe listening levels should be lower than the human standard.

Anger

Can You Tell Which Dogs Will Be Aggressive?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on December 8, 2022

Although human observers are generally able to identify emotional behaviors in children, dogs, and monkeys, they are particularly insensitive in anticipating canine aggression.

Although human observers are generally able to identify emotional behaviors in children, dogs, and monkeys, they are particularly insensitive in anticipating canine aggression.

Mating

Dogs May Have Been With Us for Longer Than We Thought

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on December 2, 2022

New data suggests that the first domesticated dogs in Europe appeared 3,000 years earlier than previously believed.

New data suggests that the first domesticated dogs in Europe appeared 3,000 years earlier than previously believed.

Fear

The Presence of a Dog Makes People and Places Seem Safer

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on November 22, 2022

New data finds that women judge an urban situation as less threatening when they encounter a person with a small or medium-size dog.

New data finds that women judge an urban situation as less threatening when they encounter a person with a small or medium-size dog.

Sex

Dogs Biting Dogs: Who and Where

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on November 16, 2022

A new study finds that size, sex, and age are among the factors that predict whether one dog will bite another, and how severe the injuries might be.

A new study finds that size, sex, and age are among the factors that predict whether one dog will bite another, and how severe the injuries might be.

Education

Kids Who Read Out Loud to a Dog See Improved Literacy

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on November 3, 2022

Reading to a dog leads to more improvement than reading to a person.

Reading to a dog leads to more improvement than reading to a person.