The Canine Behaviourist

15/03/2025

Why do the most dramatic dog trainers—those using harsh corrections and "tough love"—gain massive followings, while ethical, science-based trainers often struggle for attention? The answer lies in psychology: fast results, entertainment value, and a fascination with dominance all play a role in what goes viral. But is what’s popular actually what’s best for dogs?

This article dives into the hidden reasons behind the rise of extreme trainers—and how we can shift the focus back to humane, evidence-based training. Let’s talk about it! ⬇️

The Psychology Behind Dramatic Dog Training If you’ve spent any time on social media or watching dog training content, you’ve probably notic...

12/03/2025

🐶 Your Dog’s Tail Wag Might Be Telling You More Than You Think! 🔬

Did you know that a wag to the right means something totally different from a wag to the left? Or that dogs might actually smell time passing? ⏳👃

Science has uncovered some mind-blowing facts about how dogs think, feel, and communicate. If you love geeking out over canine behavior, you won’t want to miss this! 🧠🐕

Read more here 👉 http://thecaninebehaviourist.blogspot.com/2025/03/geeky-canine-behavior-facts-backed-by.html

What’s the coolest dog fact you know? Drop it in the comments! 🐾

12/03/2025

What does the science tell us about adverse training methods?

The Science Behind Dog Training: Why Aversive Methods Might Not Be the Best Choice If you’ve ever dived into the world of dog training, yo...

12/03/2025

🐶 Dogs' Unique Ability to Read Human Emotions: The Left-Gaze Bias Explained 🧐

Dogs have developed a fascinating ability to understand human emotions through a behavior known as the left-gaze bias. This means that when dogs look at human faces, they instinctively focus more on the right side of the person's face—the area that expresses emotions more vividly. Interestingly, this bias is specific to human faces; dogs do not exhibit the same behavior when looking at other dogs or inanimate objects.

In contrast, rhesus monkeys display a left-gaze bias towards both human and monkey faces, but not towards inverted faces, indicating a broader application of this behavior. This suggests that the left-gaze bias in dogs is a specialized adaptation, likely developed through domestication, to enhance communication and bonding with humans.

Understanding this unique behavior can greatly enhance our training methods and improve the holistic well-being of our canine companions. By recognizing that dogs are attuned to our facial expressions and emotional states, we can tailor our interactions to be more positive and supportive, fostering a deeper bond and a happier, healthier life for both us and our furry friends.

Have you noticed your dog responding to your facial expressions or moods? Share your experiences below! 🐕👇

12/03/2025

Training and behaviour content coming soon

11/01/2024

Fun With Dogs Viseu Portugal is looking to start free community based dog training classes in and around Viseu, comment for interest

11/01/2024

Good Doggos is in the process of opening up in our new home in Sunny Portugal. You are welcome to continue to follow our journey we wish our english clients the best of luck in the future