I'm on way to Bethesda MD to speak at NIH at a forum about the Human-Animal Bond, I'll write about the other speaker's talks when I get back later in the week. The talks promise to be very, very interesting. But today I wanted to alert those of you who are interested in animal behavior and animal cognition in general to a new book that has just come out: Alex and Me. It is written by Irene Pepperberg, and is about her relationship with the African Grey Parrot, Alex. Alex is the internationally famous parrot who Dr. Pepperberg taught to use words, not just to describe objects or actions, but to label concepts, like bigger or different. Many had argued that non-human animals were unable, cognitively, to understand something as abstract as a concept (you can't pick up a "bigger," now can Read More
Play Between Domestic Dogs
Pia Silvani's, Director of Behavior and Training at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in New Jersey, gave a talk at APDT that focused on play between adult dogs, and it was a fantastic presentation. The best part of the talk was her videos of dogs playing--both appropriately and inappropriately. My absolute favorite was a video of two Tervurens meeting, greeting and eventually playing together beautifully. It was a like watching two strangers meet each other, and end up dancing as if they were on Dancing with the Stars. Several things stood out in the video that are, I think, important aspects of healthy dog play. First of all, the dogs were able to meet each other one on one, without other dogs around. So often it seems that dogs get introduced into a 'pack' and are overwhelmed by 3 Read More
Lambs and Apples, Crates and Dogs
Another gorgeous fall day. Willie and I get to move the lamb flock through the woods every morning. The lambs stay the day in the 'orchard pasture,' so called because it's full of wild apple trees, and the ewe flock gets to forage in the big, open pasture at the top of the hill. They all chomp on fallen apples all the day long, (they know the sound of a fallen apple; they run toward the tree when they hear the 'plunk'!) It is wonderful to have real work for Will, he has blossomed this year especially since he's had to split the lambs from the ewes and load animals into the truck. Rather than "practice," this is real work and I think he knows it. I am far less concerned with him doing things exactly right than I am getting the job done, especially when splitting out the lambs or loading Read More
Positive Reinforcement is Defined by the Receiver!
Home. Ummmm, feels so good. Even though the trip was wonderful in so many ways, it is SO good to be home. As I wrote earlier, I greatly enjoyed presenting a seminar in Sweden---the people were so kind and interesting, and our vacation in the fjord country of Norway was heavenly. (see the photos attached). And yet... Dorothy was right. There's no place like home. I wonder how many dog lovers are as ambivalent as I. I love to travel. I love seeing new places, eating new food, learning about new cultures, eating new food, seeing the world from new perspectives, eating new food. Did I mention eating new food? (If you go to southern Sweden, you really, really want to try Äggakaka. It's an eggy, creamy, quichey, omelettey thing, covered with Ligonberry sauce. Yummy) And yet, as much as I Read More
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