Canine Corner

Evolutionary Psychology

Why Do Most Dogs Have Brown Eyes While Wolves Do Not?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on April 17, 2024

Dark-eyed dogs are rated as friendlier and more puppy-like. Brown eyes may have been specifically selected for during the domestication of dogs.

Dark-eyed dogs are rated as friendlier and more puppy-like. Brown eyes may have been specifically selected for during the domestication of dogs.

Animal Behavior

Is Your Dog Generally Smart, or Not So Bright?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on April 10, 2024

Dog intelligence has a problem-solving factor, a learning factor, and a G factor that ties them together.

Dog intelligence has a problem-solving factor, a learning factor, and a G factor that ties them together.

Animal Behavior

Do Spoken Words Create Mental Images in Dogs?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on March 27, 2024

EEG measurements suggest that humans compare seen objects to the mental images evoked by their word labels, and recent data indicates that the same is true for dogs.

EEG measurements suggest that humans compare seen objects to the mental images evoked by their word labels, and recent data indicates that the same is true for dogs.

Animal Behavior

Can Dogs Tell Lies with a Growl?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on March 13, 2024

When threatened dogs can alter their growls to make themselves appear larger and more dangerous.

When threatened dogs can alter their growls to make themselves appear larger and more dangerous.

Animal Behavior

When the President's Dog Misbehaves

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on February 28, 2024

A number of US presidents have been bothered by the troublesome behaviors of their family dogs. Some of their dogs have been nippy and aggressive, others just embarrassing.

A number of US presidents have been bothered by the troublesome behaviors of their family dogs. Some of their dogs have been nippy and aggressive, others just embarrassing.

Animal Behavior

If You Died Alone, Would Your Dog or Cat Eat You?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on February 8, 2024

Interviews with first responders suggest that cats may be more predatory than dogs if their owner is deceased.

Interviews with first responders suggest that cats may be more predatory than dogs if their owner is deceased.

Animal Behavior

What Dogs Most Like to Watch on TV

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on January 24, 2024

A dog's age and breed influence its TV viewing. Program content, especially the presence of animals other than humans, determines how engaging a video is to canine viewers.

A dog's age and breed influence its TV viewing. Program content, especially the presence of animals other than humans, determines how engaging a video is to canine viewers.

Intelligence

Living With a Pet Can Prevent Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on January 11, 2024

Loneliness can accelerate the rate of age-related cognitive declines. Pet ownership may slow, or offset, the process.

Loneliness can accelerate the rate of age-related cognitive declines. Pet ownership may slow, or offset, the process.

Environment

Does It Matter if Dogs Are Walked in the City or in Nature?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on December 28, 2023

New data tests the validity of the idea that dogs walked in natural, rather than urban, settings show reduced stress levels.

New data tests the validity of the idea that dogs walked in natural, rather than urban, settings show reduced stress levels.

Cognition

What Dogs Understand but Cats Cannot

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

When it comes to responding to human communication gestures, dogs are considerably more accurate than cats. A high proportion of cats simply refuse to be tested.

When it comes to responding to human communication gestures, dogs are considerably more accurate than cats. A high proportion of cats simply refuse to be tested.

Family Dynamics

Are Dogs Truly (and Legally) Members of the Family?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on November 17, 2023

Despite the fact that most courts consider dogs to be property, when it comes to custody in divorces, recent rulings recognize that pets may be considered family.

Despite the fact that most courts consider dogs to be property, when it comes to custody in divorces, recent rulings recognize that pets may be considered family.

Therapy

Therapy Dogs Are Effective for All College Students

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

Females, males, and people with non-binary or other sexual orientations all show a equal reduction of stress and improvement of well-being after a short session with a therapy dog.

Females, males, and people with non-binary or other sexual orientations all show a equal reduction of stress and improvement of well-being after a short session with a therapy dog.

Animal Behavior

Do People Really Love Dogs More Than Cats?

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on October 25, 2023

There is a heated debate as to whether people have more affection for dogs or cats. A cross-cultural study of Denmark, Austria, and the UK finds a consistent preference for dogs.

There is a heated debate as to whether people have more affection for dogs or cats. A cross-cultural study of Denmark, Austria, and the UK finds a consistent preference for dogs.

OCD

The Reality of Animal Hoarding

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

Over 250,000 animals in the U.S. suffer from neglect or abuse caused by animal hoarding. Yet despite the gravity, effective treatments for hoarding have yet to be discovered.

Over 250,000 animals in the U.S. suffer from neglect or abuse caused by animal hoarding. Yet despite the gravity, effective treatments for hoarding have yet to be discovered.

Dementia

Owning a Dog May Help Prevent Dementia in Seniors

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on September 12, 2023

Long-term dog ownership by individuals 65 or older seems to be associated with a reduction in the amount of observed age-related declines in cognitive abilities.

Long-term dog ownership by individuals 65 or older seems to be associated with a reduction in the amount of observed age-related declines in cognitive abilities.

Animal Behavior

Why Dogs Listen More Closely to Female Voices

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on August 25, 2023

The specific tuning of a dog's brain to special linguistic features and to the human female voice suggests why women might be more effective dog trainers than men.

The specific tuning of a dog's brain to special linguistic features and to the human female voice suggests why women might be more effective dog trainers than men.

Animal Behavior

Why Your New Dog Is Not as Smart as Your Previous Dog

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

It is common for people to believe that a new dog added to their household is less intelligent and less well-bonded than their first dog. This is called "Second Dog Syndrome."

It is common for people to believe that a new dog added to their household is less intelligent and less well-bonded than their first dog. This is called "Second Dog Syndrome."

Environment

Politicians Versus Dog Poop

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on July 26, 2023

An environmental and community problem: Politicians have resorted to extreme measures and penalties for dog owners who don't clean up after their dogs.

An environmental and community problem: Politicians have resorted to extreme measures and penalties for dog owners who don't clean up after their dogs.

Animal Behavior

For Dogs, a Passive, Unresponsive Human Face Is a "Bad" Face

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on July 11, 2023

Human facial expressions are part of social communication. For both children and dogs, a passive, unresponsive face is interpreted as rejecting and negative.

Human facial expressions are part of social communication. For both children and dogs, a passive, unresponsive face is interpreted as rejecting and negative.

Animal Behavior

Why Certain Dogs Learn More From Watching People

Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC on June 28, 2023

Cooperative working breeds of dogs are more likely to benefit from watching a human demonstrate an action than are independent working breeds.

Cooperative working breeds of dogs are more likely to benefit from watching a human demonstrate an action than are independent working breeds.