The Dog Psychology Podcast Episode #044 Understanding Dogs as Dogs
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Art and Todd discuss their recent experience with a dog trainer who claims to have the smartest dog in the world. They question the concept of dog intelligence and the potential harm of humanizing dogs. They also explore the idea that dogs have a unique way of perceiving the world through their sense of smell and how it may be connected to their visual center. They emphasize the importance of treating dogs as dogs and understanding their social intelligence.

The conversation ends with a discussion about the significance of nature and the need to protect it. In this conversation, Art and Todd discuss the challenges of conducting scientific studies on dog behavior and psychology. They question the validity of current research methods and highlight the need for a more holistic and individualized approach to understanding dogs. They also discuss a specific case of a dog named Dexter who exhibits anxious and avoidant behavior, and explore possible underlying neurological issues. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creativity, acceptance, and finding the wins in working with dogs.

Follow us on social media:

Todd Langston- @toddlangston

Art Ortiz- @dogfitdallas

Adam Fernandez- @familydogpsychology

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Hat Discussion

03:24 Meeting the Dog Trainer

06:01 The Absence of Logic and Reasoning in Dogs

09:10 Impressions of the Dog Trainer's Videos

10:06 The Dog's Associative Memory

11:33 The Dog Trainer's Teaching Methods

13:08 Working with the Dog Trainer

15:24 The Dog Trainer's Quirkiness

17:12 The Social Intelligence of Dogs

19:00 The Importance of Nature

20:03 Overcomplicating Dog Training

23:31 Treating Dogs as Humans

25:40 The Brain Scan of Dogs

26:20 The Connection Between Smell and Vision

29:38 The Effects of Verbal Communication on Dogs

31:08 The Role of Memory and Smell

33:05 Limitations of Scientific Studies

36:36 Exploring the Causes of Avoidance Behavior in Dexter

47:02 The Importance of Individualized Approaches

51:40 Accepting and Working with a Dog's Individual Behavior