Is Balanced Training Fair to Dogs or Is It a Cop-Out?

Balanced dog training using positive reinforcement (rewards-based) methods and aversives (physical punishment) is no better than simply using force-free positive methods and love.

Balanced dog training using positive reinforcement (rewards-based) methods and aversives (physical punishment) is no better than simply using force-free positive methods and love.

Testosterone and Social Status

Rising testosterone levels produce the increased confidence that accrues to social status as well as increased assertiveness.

Rising testosterone levels produce the increased confidence that accrues to social status as well as increased assertiveness.

Eight-Legged Wonders: The Amazing Minds and Lives of Spiders

James O'Hanlon's new book is a brilliant, fun, and fascinating exposé of spiders. It explores who they are and what they need from us to be admired and coexist as friends, not foes.

James O'Hanlon's new book is a brilliant, fun, and fascinating exposé of spiders. It explores who they are and what they need from us to be admired and coexist as friends, not foes.

What Animals Can Teach Us About "Living in the Moment"

Animals respond to situations with whatever information they have available, while humans often get bogged down by worrying about what their behaviors will mean.

Animals respond to situations with whatever information they have available, while humans often get bogged down by worrying about what their behaviors will mean.

The Challenging Lives of Monkeys Rescued from the Pet Trade

Moving photographs and stories explore the lives and psychological states of ex-pet trade monkeys from their point of view, lives that aren't always "happily ever after."

Moving photographs and stories explore the lives and psychological states of ex-pet trade monkeys from their point of view, lives that aren't always "happily ever after."

What Pets Can Teach Us About Stress Reduction

What does it mean to live in the present moment? We can learn from the best practitioners: our pets.

What does it mean to live in the present moment? We can learn from the best practitioners: our pets.

Can Your Relationship Survive Co-Parenting a Dog?

Are you and your partner itching to bring home a puppy or dog? First, remember that living with a dog can be like parenting a toddler—one who never fully grows up and moves out.

Are you and your partner itching to bring home a puppy or dog? First, remember that living with a dog can be like parenting a toddler—one who never fully grows up and moves out.

Embracing Animals’ Wild Voices Rewilds Our Hearts and Souls

In her riveting book 'Earthly Bodies,' rewilding facilitator Vanessa Chakour explains how our bodies can lead us in our pursuits of pleasure, love, wonder, healing, and connection.

In her riveting book 'Earthly Bodies,' rewilding facilitator Vanessa Chakour explains how our bodies can lead us in our pursuits of pleasure, love, wonder, healing, and connection.

Fast Food Is Fatal for French Youth

Sedentary youngsters are vulnerable to fast-food as the French are discovering,

Sedentary youngsters are vulnerable to fast-food as the French are discovering,

Why We Sometimes Respond to Stress with Aggression

A fascinating and sobering experiment on how rats cope with stress has far-ranging implications. Can we humans, who tend to react in similar ways, do better?

A fascinating and sobering experiment on how rats cope with stress has far-ranging implications. Can we humans, who tend to react in similar ways, do better?

What Narcissists Get From Their Pets

A narcissist's pet can be at higher risk of neglect.

A narcissist's pet can be at higher risk of neglect.

Mindful Anthropomorphism Works, So Let's Stop the Bickering

Research shows careful anthropomorphism helps us better understand animals for who they are—sentient beings—while the timeworn arguments of critics ignore what we actually know.

Research shows careful anthropomorphism helps us better understand animals for who they are—sentient beings—while the timeworn arguments of critics ignore what we actually know.

Training Your Dog With Love, Science, and Consent

Annie Grossman offers a science-based, fun view of dog training and shows positive reinforcement is the best way to allow a dog to express who they really are―their true dogness.

Annie Grossman offers a science-based, fun view of dog training and shows positive reinforcement is the best way to allow a dog to express who they really are―their true dogness.

"Black Veganism" Is on the Rise. Here's Why.

Championed by civil rights icons like Rosa Parks and Angela Davis, Black veganism intertwines with social justice and nonviolence.

Championed by civil rights icons like Rosa Parks and Angela Davis, Black veganism intertwines with social justice and nonviolence.

Why Humans Have Thousands of Tools and Other Animals Do Not

Some animals communicate with others and use a few tools, which may be signs of culture. But humans have hundreds of millions of cultural products. Why the enormous difference?

Some animals communicate with others and use a few tools, which may be signs of culture. But humans have hundreds of millions of cultural products. Why the enormous difference?

Pet Sounds: Investigating Dogs’ Use of Soundboard Buttons

Thousands of people are training their pets to use soundboard buttons. Can the devices provide a window into our pets' minds?

Thousands of people are training their pets to use soundboard buttons. Can the devices provide a window into our pets' minds?

Colorado's New Wolves: Why Was This Pack Decimated?

Choosing to ruin the lives of wolves smacks of human exceptionalism.

Choosing to ruin the lives of wolves smacks of human exceptionalism.

The Importance of Difference in Studying Animal Cognition

Human brains are biased toward the comfort of similarity, but in horses and life, differences are more important.

Human brains are biased toward the comfort of similarity, but in horses and life, differences are more important.

'I'm Still Here: A Dog's Purpose Forever': Love Never Dies

Cathryn Michon helps people deal with losing a dog because it's always too soon. Rather than focusing on inevitable grief, she explains how to cherish that they're forever present.

Cathryn Michon helps people deal with losing a dog because it's always too soon. Rather than focusing on inevitable grief, she explains how to cherish that they're forever present.

The Emotional Lives of Pet Dogs

We know that dogs experience different emotions. Here’s how dog guardians can take that into account with training, enrichment, and helping the dog to feel safe.

We know that dogs experience different emotions. Here’s how dog guardians can take that into account with training, enrichment, and helping the dog to feel safe.

What to Consider Before Getting a Dog

Are you thinking of acquiring a dog? Here are some things to consider before you do.

Are you thinking of acquiring a dog? Here are some things to consider before you do.

You Are Still an Animal

Self-consciousness is a very late product of evolution and cannot be expected to make us understand ourselves. We are more like animals than we want to admit.

Self-consciousness is a very late product of evolution and cannot be expected to make us understand ourselves. We are more like animals than we want to admit.

Lessons From 40 Years Among Wolves

Diane Boyd's tireless efforts to learn about wild wolves in a career dominated by men is a riveting story of passion, resilience, and determination.

Diane Boyd's tireless efforts to learn about wild wolves in a career dominated by men is a riveting story of passion, resilience, and determination.

Are Designer-Crossbred Dogs Healthier Than Purebred Dogs?

Claims have been made that designer crossbred dogs are healthier than the purebred dog breeds that they are derived from. A new study tests this belief.

Claims have been made that designer crossbred dogs are healthier than the purebred dog breeds that they are derived from. A new study tests this belief.

Why Smartphones Stimulate Anxiety

Why is instant communication with virtually anyone on the planet so anxiety-provoking? Electronic communication fails our evolved social needs and triggers helplessness instead.

Why is instant communication with virtually anyone on the planet so anxiety-provoking? Electronic communication fails our evolved social needs and triggers helplessness instead.

Why Do Female Birds Sing?

In about two-thirds of songbird species, female birds sing, too. The research so far suggests that their reasons for singing are different from those of male birds.

In about two-thirds of songbird species, female birds sing, too. The research so far suggests that their reasons for singing are different from those of male birds.

Bird Embryos Eavesdrop on Their Parents

The parental conversations bird embryos overhear before hatching have long-lasting behavioral and physiological effects.

The parental conversations bird embryos overhear before hatching have long-lasting behavioral and physiological effects.

Do Our Dogs Miss Us When We're Gone?

At least two-thirds exhibit behaviors associated with grief.

At least two-thirds exhibit behaviors associated with grief.

Colorado's New Family of Wild Wolves Must be Celebrated

Let’s keep mom, dad, and their 3 children together in the wild—that’s why we moved them here. Science and ethics clearly tell us this is the right move and what the wolves want.

Let’s keep mom, dad, and their 3 children together in the wild—that’s why we moved them here. Science and ethics clearly tell us this is the right move and what the wolves want.

Reading Others: What Dogs Can Teach Us

When parts of my life mesh—like coaching and being around my therapy dog—I try to notice. It's especially useful when I can transfer lessons.

When parts of my life mesh—like coaching and being around my therapy dog—I try to notice. It's especially useful when I can transfer lessons.