Dog Behavior

Tug of war play with a dalmatian

The Secret Power of Play: Why Being Silly is Serious Business for Your Dog

The Secret Power of Play: Why Being Silly is Serious Business for Your Dog As a certified companion animal behaviorist, I often see people laser-focused on “fixing” their dog’s problem behaviors. Whether it’s separation anxiety, noise phobias, or recall issues, we tend to dive straight into specific training protocols. But here’s something that might surprise […]

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Signs and Symptoms of Dog Separation Anxiety dog who has had a party with a toilet roll

Signs and Symptoms of Dog Separation Anxiety

Signs and Symptoms of Dog Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety in dogs is a common yet challenging issue for many pet owners, but recognizing the signs and symptoms of separation anxiety can be difficult. Understanding and addressing this condition is crucial for the well-being of our dogs, but how do you know if your dog has

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Panksepp core affect - white rat with red eyes sitting in a hand

The Primacy of Core Affect: Jaak Panksepp’s Groundbreaking Theory of Emotion

The Primacy of Core Affect: Jaak Panksepp’s Groundbreaking Theory of Emotion Jaak Panksepp is widely considered one of the founding fathers of affective neuroscience. Through meticulous animal research spanning decades, he developed a groundbreaking model of primary emotional systems in the mammalian brain. Panksepp’s core affect theory revolutionized the scientific understanding of emotions and their

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dog enrichment westie at laptop

Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer: How to Help Your Dog Cope with Being Alone

Certified Separation Anxiety Trainers are professionals who specialize in helping dogs overcome separation anxiety issues and associated behaviors. Separation anxiety is a complex behavior that can be challenging to address, and it often requires a gradual and personalized approach. This is where a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer also known as a CSAT comes in, as

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