All tag results for 'psychology'

Is it the cats who are insane or the scientists???

Researchers hypothesize that super friendly kitties who purr, rub your leg, and look all cutez and what not for food, are truthfully miniature psychopaths.

The study researched one cat, Otto (that's right…ONE CAT), and found out that

Tags: brain, cat, crazy, hunger, pets, psychology, research, science, wacky

You've heard about cat people vs. dog people but how do cat and dog people THINK?

Thanks to psychologists, we might have the answer!

Tags: cat, dog, owners, personality, pets, psychology, science, study

Will you sign my tail?

Cesar Millan was spotted at an autograph session at a Canadian Tire store, in Toronto, as part of the launch promotion of his new 'Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan' product line.

At Friday's signing Cesar showed off his Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan range of pet care products.

The line was designed to translate Cesar's knowledge of dog psychology and behaviour into a line of functional and healthy products. The products targeted are to enhance every aspect of a dog's life including feeding, walking, playtime, grooming and bedtime.

Bearing Cesar's "Pack Tested" stamp of approval, all products have been inspired and tested by Cesar's own dog pack at his Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, California.

Get some of Cesar's stuff for you and/or your pet HERE!

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: bear, california, dog, dog whisperer, event, grooming, pet, psychology, walking

This week we have a question from a reader for our very own celebrity dog trainer, Inger Martens, about a very alert Australian Shepherd who won't stop biting.

Let's see if Inger can help…

Question:

"I need help with my dog Laddie. He is a 6 year old Australian Shepard… and in many ways an awesome dog.

He isn't destructive, gets along well with other dogs, and is overall a nice guy… but… I can't get him to quit play biting.

We have been trying now for 4 1/2 years (sine we adopted him) and nothing sticks. We have 'yelped'… he thinks its funny and plays and bites down harder. We have done the Ceasar Milan dominant posture with 'biting' him. He also sees that as an invitation to play. We've grabbed his muzzle and said 'no' firmly… we've ignored him… we have hired 4 dog trainers over the years and two have actually quit on us because they were tired of being bitten by him.

Once, in desperation, we even put nasty smelling anti-chew stuff on our arms. No affect. He just thinks this is the most fun way in the world to play and if he doesn't feel like he is getting enough attention your forearm will end up in his jaws. We don't know what to do. He gets exercise, has two doggie-siblings to socialize with, a fine diet, and more toys than most human children.

I don't know what we are missing. Any other insight on how to get him to knock it off?"

Here is your Paws For A Minute™ quick tip:

Hey There!

Thanks for the question!

Well you're right yelping, barking back, muzzle grabbing or dominating postures don't work on people, why would it work with a dog! It sounds like you need to use a little reverse psychology, and be a little smarter than Laddie, instead. Think about doing a combination of things.

Nipping and play biting can be attributed to many things. Voice inflection, sometimes playing tug of war, and not having any routines can contribute to this wild child behavior.

Daily life's full of patterns. Lots of people come home and have a crazy hello greetings. Bingo the nipping biting starts. Change that! Walk in the door with a big dog cookie. Gesture the letter "J" while holding the dog cookie and redirect him to sit and give him the cookie. That will change that pattern, oh and… zip it with the high pitched hi! No tug of war or rough play, think massage instead. Another big culprit to that annoying habit is you can have a ton of toys but no chew bones for him to chew.

Think about changing the pattern of initiated chew time which equates to chill time. Then YOU can decide when to play.

Oh and by the way, doing some simple 5 minute training commands "on the leash" in the house (now and then) can really help create eye contact and show him the way to pleasing you!

Try it, you'll like it.

Very best,
Inger

Have a question???? Email us at Tips@TeddyHilton.com or check out more tips from Inger on her website Paws For A Minute!

Tags: australia, celebrity, dog, dogs, exercise, massage, psychology, train, training, walk

A recent study of over 200 dogs at the International Weight Pulling Association events has shown that the size and width of a canine's head may determine it's strength or speed.

Broad-headed dogs like American Pit-Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, or Bernese Mountain Dogs were able to pull a noticeably larger amount of weight than narrow-headed dogs like Samoyeds, Siberian Huskies, and Alaskan Malamutes.

However, past studies show narrow-headed dogs are fasted and more efficient at running compared to broad-headed dogs.

Given any trip to a dog race track, this information may sound like a no-brainer, but the study also suggests the same theory applies to humans!

A human head is narrower than other great apes, which suggests humans have adapted to run for longer durations at the expense of strength. It is believed that our ancient ancestors used this increased endurance to chase their prey to death instead of using brute force.

Head size obviously isn't the only factor that determines the speed and strength of an animal, but the study demonstrates that, in general terms, we can't have it all.

William Helton, with the University of Canterbury's Department of Psychology, who was behind this study says:

"Nature does not allow unlimited budgets and the trade-offs are often physical constraints."

Looking in the mirror, it doesn't appear as if we'll be able to rip anybody in half anytime soon, but we'll just have to settle for our cat-like speed and agility to get us through life.

[Image via AP Images.]

Tags: adaptation, bulldog, dogs, evolution, great ape, humans, psychology, study

In honor of Leighton Meester's new film The Roomate and, of course, cute puppies, check out a video of her Vanity Fair photo shoot (above)!

Leighton looks effortlessly elegant as she poses for the magazine with little puppies at her feet!

So adorbs!

When asked what she would do if she wasn't an actress, Leighton says she would be a psychologist.

Inneresting…

Maybe her interest in psychology helped her tap into the mind of her psychotic character in The Roommate that opens this weekend!

We love this video and can't wait to see the photos in Vanity Fair!

Tags: actress, adorbs, magazine, photos, psychologist, psychology

Considering our nations obsession with animals and their ability to soothe people, it is no surprise that they have found their way into therapy sessions.

Sasha the mutt; semi-retired tiger-striped Norman the cat; Conner, Charm and Summer the Belgian Tervurens; or Harmony the bay Thoroughbred (granddaughter of Secretariat) are all part of the treatment protocols developed by the four therapists at the Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado.

Linda Chassman, a veteran therapist who first began using animals with clients 10 years ago and went on to seek certification in a specialty known as animals and human health, says by incorporating animals into sessions she can achieve therapeutic goals much faster.

At AATPC, animals play a fundamental role in the therapy sessions and are at the core of helping patients sort through their problems.

When incorporating animals into the therapy, Chassman says:

"People are much more willing to get to the issues, especially kids, who, rather than directly confronting something, can speak to or about the animal."

AATPC is branching out beyond their offices too and training parents to use pets to help children with behavioral issues, as well as conducting workshops for other human service industry professionals.

Most importantly, they acknowledge this method is not right for everyone, but like therapist Ellen Kinney says:

"Incorporating the animals into our work here makes this a fun, welcoming place … and helps make therapy feel much less threatening."

We can totally understand the thought process behind this unique style of therapy because nothing puts us at ease faster than a loving animal to pet.

[Image via AP Images.]

Tags: colorado, pets, psychology, therapy, treatment