Ask An Expert
At Dognition, we believe that shared inquiry and discovery fuel the greatest benefits for dogs and their owners. Therefore we’ve partnered with the world’s leading canine cognition experts and canine-focused institutions/organizations.
Now, you also have the opportunity to inquire and learn from our experts.
Scientific Advisory Board- The experts on dog cognition and psychology
Dr. Brian Hare
Dr. Juliane Kaminski
Dr. Josep Call
Dr. Richard Wrangham
Dr. Laurie Santos
Dr. Adam Miklosi
Expert Panel- The experts on everything else dog!
Kyra Sundance – Expert Trainer
Victoria Stilwell – Expert Trainer
Nina Ottosson- Dog Toy Designer
Richard Hawkins – Vet
Paul Mundel – Canine Companions of Independence
Betsy Saul – Petfinder Foundation
82 results found
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My dogs (mostly beagle) are very food-driven while others are not. How can these tests apply universally when food is used as the stimuli?
For training, my dogs respond to nothing but food. They NEVER play with toys so toy rewards are not an option. Yet other dogs do not respond to food as a reward and have to be rewarded in other ways during training. How can these games, which use food as the stimulus, apply to all dogs, whether they are food-driven or not?
1 vote -
Sulking Noise
My dog is a Shepherd and makes a whinging/whistling sound when he is around us but we are not playing with him, when we are in the car driving to a park around the corner or the dog beach or even just after we have been on a walk and put him outside?. Not sure if he is just attention seeking or if he is anxious?
1 vote -
My dog has bad front door manners.
My 3 year old neutered male second generation wheaten/standard poodle mix is sweet, well behaved, gentle and affable. But when someone comes to the front door, he cannot control his excitement. It doesnt matter whether the person at the door is a total stranger or my mother, he jumps all over them in his exuberance. He often gets sent to his kennel as a punishment (which he hates but accepts). We could discourage his behavior with his electic collar but I am reluctant to use painful training techniques. Any ideas or insight you have would be appreciated.
8 votes -
Do dogs "apologize" to one another?
Our dog Pike was about 11 years younger than our older dog, Max. When Pike was about 2 years old, there was some kind of "thing" going on be Pike and Max, I think over a toy, if I remember correctly. Pike snapped at Max. Then,withink about 30 seconds or so, Pike seemed to purposely turn around, trot back over to where Max was standing, sort of quickly touch noses with Max, and then walk away. It was almost like a, "Gee, I screwed up when I snapped at you" kind of thing - I realize Pike might have been…
4 votes -
Why does my dog seem more protective of me (a woman) than my male counterpart?
When I take my dog out for walks or to the dog park on my own, she's much more likely to act nervously toward strangers and other dogs. For instance, she frequently will get in between me and a stranger, and will sometimes bark. This is behavior she never shows when we both take her someplace, or when my partner takes her out on his own. Do dogs distinguish between gender? Or is it more likely to have to do with size? Does my pup believe that I need protecting more than my partner does?
3 votes -
Walking backwards
My 5 yr old Havanese who spent her first 3 years in a puppy mill, walks backwards through doorways and across hardwood floors. She did this consistently in our last house, and after a resent move to a home with carpet instead of hardwood, she seems to have stopped. But a couple days ago, I saw her backing up to the steps on our back porch, which is concrete. Any ideas on this behavior?
1 vote -
hiding big girl bones do other dogs do it too?
she takes her big girl bone outside then buries it. then comes inside and barks at you until you follow her outside where she stands by it
until you unbury it for her. do other dogs do similar things?7 votes -
In the tests my dog chose to always go to the right side. Why?
While I was doing the tests my dog always chose the right side. In the results he says he got it correct 50% of the time but it was only due to default that the treat was located on the right. What could this mean?
16 votes -
Does a dog understand anything he or she watches on television?
Does a dog understand anything he watches on television or is he just responding to movement and sound?
5 votes -
1 vote
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2 votes
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Is there any difference in the ”working” versus “show” lines of breeds in the profiles. Has this been tested for? It could be measured
I have owned and know many of both lines of border collies and they are like two different breeds. The working lines seem to have a much greater sense and respect for personal space when running together in groups. By working lines I mean dogs still being selected and bred for their original function.
1 vote -
Why does my dog ignore me sometimes?
Sometimes when I give my dog a command, he will ignore me. Why does this happen?
7 votes
Alana @ Dognition Support
responded
This question has been answered by Dr. Brian Hare — https://youtu.be/8YKZ_mVhUwA
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Have you performed testing on non-spay/neutered dogs and determined any differences in intelligence, problem solving, tracking,etc?
Most folks spay/neuter their dogs and are encouraged by society to decrease unwanted population, etc. Is there any research that provides clarity on the effects of not having normal hormones (testosterone and estrogen) in adult dogs on their problem solving, intelligence, skills, etc. How does the lack of natural levels of hormones effect their brain and functioning?
1 vote -
What if food, toys and praise don't get the dog's attention?
My Jack Russell doesn't care about food, toys or praise while we are walking, his only focus is squirrels, rabbits, etc... and dogs, with two different reactions. For small animals, he wants to chase it, for dogs he barks and try to reach them at all cost.
He passed through 2 different trainers, I read more than 10 books on dog behavior, I took classes... but nothing, he doesn't change. And by the time is getting old, I'm concerned about his health.
I'm hopeless here, I just accepted the way he is, but maybe you have some advices.Thank you!
10 votes -
Do Dogs Know When They Need to be Gentle?- Answered by Dr. Brian Hare
When dogs play with younger, older, or smaller dogs, do they know that they need to be gentle?
31 votesHere is Dr. Brian Hare’s video answer to this great question: http://youtu.be/TTF4Qzu9-DA
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My 7 yr. old adopted spitz/spaniel neutered male shakes uncontrollably when we go anywhere in the car. Any ideas?
My 7 yr. old spitz/spaniel is terrified of travelling in the car. Would hypnosis help?
1 vote -
Now that I know Buster is an Ace, how can I apply that to change a behavior?
Now that I know Buster is an Ace, how can I apply that to change a behavior? pants, whines in long trips. We have tried medication, one didn't work, the other makes him too dopy; I'd rather change his behavior than drug him.
1 vote -
Why does my dog poop while he walks and how can I get him to stop this habit?
Half the time when I walk my dog, when he stops to poop he will start to walk again while he is still urinating. How can I get him to stop this habit without him thinking that I'm trying to teach him that urinating is wrong?
3 votes -
Do dogs recognize themselves in a mirror similar to how human babies acquire this ability between 18-24 months?
Do dogs recognize themselves in a mirror similar to how human babies acquire this ability between 18-24 months?
5 votes
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