Dog behavioral traits are linked with salivary hormone cortisol and neurotransmitter serotonin
Dogs who scored well on the Wesen test, which is used to analyze a dog’s temperament, tended to have lower levels of cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” and higher levels of serotonin, often called the “happiness hormone.”
Puppy Geniuses? What a Five Year Study Reveals About How Dogs Learn to Think
Veterinary professionals know that puppies are not just small dogs. They are developing brains on four legs, absorbing information at a remarkable pace. A five year longitudinal study led by researcher Hannah Salomons offers one of the clearest windows yet into how puppies develop thinking skills and what that means for behavior, training, and future success as working dogs.
Do Personality Tests Really Work for Free-Ranging Dogs? New Research Says Yes
If you've ever wondered whether a dog's behavior in a structured test actually reflects how they act in real life, you're not alone. Researchers have been grappling with this question for years, and a new study published in iScience brings some reassuring answers—at least for free-ranging dogs.
Benchmark study tracks trends in dog behavior
The research, led by Courtney Sexton, a postdoctoral associate in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and her colleague Yuhuan Li from the University of Washington, utilized four years of owner-reported data from over 47,000 dogs in the Dog Aging Project, a large-scale initiative involving over 40 institutions.
How a Would-Be Baker Became the Queen of Veterinary Behavior
In the heart of San Francisco, pet owners facing the mysterious—and sometimes frustrating—behavioral quirks of their furry companions have a true ally: Dr. Wailani Sung. As the founder of Bay Area Vet Behavior, she’s not just solving problems—she’s reshaping how we understand the emotional lives of animals.
Are Your Cat Patients Suffering in Silence? The Shocking Reason You’re Missing the Signs of Pain
Explore the evolutionary reasons behind cats' instinct to conceal pain, a survival mechanism inherited from their wild ancestors. We’ll explain why recognizing pain in your feline companion can be challenging, share insights from Dr. Wailani Sung, a veterinary behaviorist, and provide tips on how to identify and address hidden discomfort in domestic cats.