Author Archives: avbreen

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a young student who was doing a school project on canine emotions and needed the input of “an expert”. They sent me a list of excellent questions. I sent responses that were at least somewhat developmentally appropriate for a middle-schooler, but then decided to elaborateContinue reading “How do dogs show affection?”

The other day I went to our local farmer’s market. It was a beautiful day and the first market of the season. It was full of people chatting and shopping, children running around, dogs everywhere. I watched as a woman walked her tiny, very frightened puppy through the crowd. The poor little guy was doingContinue reading “New puppy socialization”

Since the 1960’s, animal welfare frameworks such as the Five Freedoms approach have been used to make the lives of animals in captivity somewhat safer and more comfortable. Welfare approaches are helpful for understanding where we fall short of giving animals—including our pet dogs—the most basic things needed to cope with their lives. Sadly, weContinue reading “How much “well” is in welfare?”

I just came from delivering a presentation to our incoming university students. I ended up having a nice chat with a family whose daughter is getting ready to leave home for her first year of studies. Her biggest worry is that she will have to leave her dog behind. She’s anxious about how she’ll copeContinue reading “Empty Nest Dogs”

I want to share some thoughts about sexual violence and children’s relationships with dogs. It’s a long one, so you might want to grab a cuppa. As a critical developmental psychologist, professor, parent educator, and dog behaviour practitioner, I think A LOT about what kids learn through their relationships with dogs. And it has meContinue reading “Some thoughts on sexual violence and children’s relationships with dogs”