All Dogs Go to Heaven

Therapy

Rethinking Touch in Therapy Dog Programs

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on June 12, 2025

Therapy dogs experience less stress when they can choose how and when to interact. Respecting canine consent is essential for their well-being in therapeutic settings.

Therapy dogs experience less stress when they can choose how and when to interact. Respecting canine consent is essential for their well-being in therapeutic settings.

Ethics and Morality

What’s the Leash Really For?

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on June 9, 2025

The leash may be the most commonly misunderstood tool in a dog guardian’s toolkit. When we think of the leash as a relationship, not just a restraint, we can radically improve dog walks.

The leash may be the most commonly misunderstood tool in a dog guardian’s toolkit. When we think of the leash as a relationship, not just a restraint, we can radically improve dog walks.

Animal Behavior

Study Reveals That Pets Bring Us $87,500 Worth of Happiness

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on June 5, 2025

A new study puts a price tag on our animal companions—but what does that say about how we see them? Let’s explore the deeper questions behind this feel-good finding.

A new study puts a price tag on our animal companions—but what does that say about how we see them? Let’s explore the deeper questions behind this feel-good finding.

Ethics and Morality

The Dog-Collar Conundrum

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 31, 2025

Dog collars represent deep ethical questions about control and care. Used well, they can protect and identify; used poorly, they can cause harm and distress.

Dog collars represent deep ethical questions about control and care. Used well, they can protect and identify; used poorly, they can cause harm and distress.

Stress

How Your Job Stress Affects Your Dog

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 27, 2025

Your dog might be feeling your job stress more than you realize. New research shows that your work worries can actually stress out your furry best friend, too.

Your dog might be feeling your job stress more than you realize. New research shows that your work worries can actually stress out your furry best friend, too.

Anxiety

When Caring for a Pet Gets Too Stressful

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 23, 2025

Canine caregiver stress may be more common than we think.

Canine caregiver stress may be more common than we think.

Animal Behavior

Unleashing Understanding

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 21, 2025

The Three Cs—collaboration, curiosity, and care—build ethical, compassionate relationships with your dog.

The Three Cs—collaboration, curiosity, and care—build ethical, compassionate relationships with your dog.

Attachment

Love Me or Leave Me: The Attachment Styles of Cats and Dogs

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 19, 2025

Cats and dogs bond with us differently; their attachment styles reflect their unique evolutionary paths. What does this mean for our relationships with them?

Cats and dogs bond with us differently; their attachment styles reflect their unique evolutionary paths. What does this mean for our relationships with them?

Animal Behavior

How to Bring More Joy Into Your Dog's Life

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 14, 2025

Creating moments that matter for your canine companions.

Creating moments that matter for your canine companions.

Smoking

The Silent Victims: How Secondhand Smoke Affects Dogs

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 12, 2025

New research confirms that secondhand smoke isn't just bad for people—it affects our dogs too, leading to anxiety, aggression, low energy, and poor trainability.

New research confirms that secondhand smoke isn't just bad for people—it affects our dogs too, leading to anxiety, aggression, low energy, and poor trainability.

Animal Behavior

If You Care for Your Dogs, Turn Down the Volume

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 8, 2025

Certain dogs are especially sensitive to everyday noises.

Certain dogs are especially sensitive to everyday noises.

Grief

What We Owe Dying Pets—and Their Companions

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on May 5, 2025

New research on navigating a difficult terrain.

New research on navigating a difficult terrain.

Ethics and Morality

Exotic-Pet Keeping as a Form of Human Predation

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on August 10, 2023

According to a new study, pet keeping is one of the most significant forms of human predation, accounting for roughly half of exploited species.

According to a new study, pet keeping is one of the most significant forms of human predation, accounting for roughly half of exploited species.

Ethics and Morality

Animal Welfare Science May Not Benefit Animals

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on July 31, 2023

A recent study found that research published in animal welfare journals often ignores the intrinsic value of animals.

A recent study found that research published in animal welfare journals often ignores the intrinsic value of animals.

Animal Behavior

How Hot Is Too Hot When Leaving Your Dog In the Car?

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on July 11, 2023

By staying informed, planning ahead, taking preventive measures, and using a conservative approach to “safe car temperature” we can ensure the safety of our four-legged friends.

By staying informed, planning ahead, taking preventive measures, and using a conservative approach to “safe car temperature” we can ensure the safety of our four-legged friends.

Punishment

Silencing Bark Deterrents

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on July 7, 2023

Personal Perspective: It is time to acknowledge the negative impacts of ultrasonic bark deterrents and take a stand against their use.

Personal Perspective: It is time to acknowledge the negative impacts of ultrasonic bark deterrents and take a stand against their use.

Animal Behavior

Provide Your Dog With Daily Microadventures

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on July 6, 2023

Microadventures offer a gateway to imaginative and enriching experiences for our furry friends.

Microadventures offer a gateway to imaginative and enriching experiences for our furry friends.

Ethics and Morality

The Ethics of Canine Care

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on June 23, 2023

The new status of dogs as beloved members of human families has not yet been integrated into animal protection laws and veterinary practice. A moral update is needed.

The new status of dogs as beloved members of human families has not yet been integrated into animal protection laws and veterinary practice. A moral update is needed.

Relationships

Can Dogs Intentionally Create Social Conflict?

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on June 16, 2023

A new book asks whether dogs are capable of willfully managing, even disrupting, human relationships to further their own interests.

A new book asks whether dogs are capable of willfully managing, even disrupting, human relationships to further their own interests.

Grief

Should Pet Euthanasia Appointments Be Recorded?

Jessica Pierce Ph.D. on June 7, 2023

The audio and video recording of pet euthanasia appointments raises important ethical concerns related to privacy and consent.

The audio and video recording of pet euthanasia appointments raises important ethical concerns related to privacy and consent.