MochaPup-Harmony Saavedra

July 1st 2021 Issue No. 1

MochaPup Interview with author of Bestselling book

Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, Alexandra Horowitz

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Learn all about how Dogs are Man’s Best Friend

Check Inside for Dog Treat Recipes!

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Check out new articles all about you and your best friend

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Inside of a Dog (cover photo

by Erin Vey)

Inside of a Dog: Interview with Alexandra Horowitz Editor Leslie Smith interviews Alexandra Horowitz, author of the New York Times bestseller Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know Despite its excellent reviews and months on the New York Times best-seller list, I wasn’t particularly excited to dig into Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, the 2009 release by Alexandra Horowitz. I’d already consumed volumes on the topic of canine cognition and didn’t think this book could offer anything new or insightful.

I was wrong. Inside of a Dog is what you get when an extremely gifted writer and consummate dog lover decides to pursue science: Answers to questions you thought were unknowable, expressed in a most gratifying and accessible way.

Inside of a Dog is the closest you may ever come to understanding what it’s like to be another species.

If you read all the best books about dogs, do not miss this one. And if you only ever read one book about dogs, read this one.

If you read all the best books about dogs, do not miss this one. And if you only ever read one book about dogs, read this one.

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Alexandra Horowitz

Smith: One of the most compelling ideas of the book is that dogs at some level do think about aspects their own lives, albeit not necessarily the exact same way humans do.

Does this mean that dogs may actuallyreflecton their lives — or are they simply keeping track of where they buried a particular bone?

AH: Research hasn’t confirmed that dogs are “self-aware,” i.e., that they are thinking about their own life and themselves somewhat like we do. That said, it hasn’t (and can’t) confirm that they aren’t, either. One study I did, watching slow-motion video of dogs in social play, led me to the conclusion that dogs act as though they are thinking about the minds of other dogs. If so, this would be a kind Smith: Is there one simple thing we humans could do to of self-awareness. improve our dogs’ lives or life with our dogs?

And the example you mention, about where the bone is Alexandra Horowitz: The best science is all about close buried, is a telling one. Having a memory — and dogs’ observation, and you can do that at home. The more we memories are perfectly good — doesn’t mean that a dog can put aside the ideas we have about what our dogs know, sits back and reflects on the good old days the way we what they do, what they want, etc., and just watch them might. But it means that this information about their life act, the better we’ll see what they are actually about. I informs their present, and their future, choices. That, at sometimes tell people to try to forget everything they know least, they share with us. about the dog, and pretend it is an alien animal arrived in their home: What is this alien doing?

Smith: Our lack of understanding of the canine mind has led to some grim training techniques and disastrous Smith: Part of what makes Inside of a Dog so accessible co-habitation situations. What are the biggest misconand engaging are the interwoven observations of Pump and ceptions about dogs that still linger? descriptions of your relationship. At home are you equal parts scientist and dog lover or does the scientist part of AH: The “pack” notion: that dogs live in a hierarchy and you drop into the background? that we must be the leader, or else they will wrest leadership from us. Entirely untrue. Wolf packs are not like AH: I try to leave my scientist cap off when I’m dealing this, nor are dogs like this. Also the notion that dogs are (now) with Finnegan or (earlier) Pumpernickel. That said, just wolves in pretty clothing: a dog isn’t about to revert the cap has worked its way into my brain a bit and it is im- to being a wolf. And speaking of clothing, very few dogs possible to remove it entirely. I’m not sorry about that: the need sweaters, raincoats, or booties. things that studying dogs and dog research have given me only contribute to my relationship with my dog.

I still get questions that imply that the person thinks that dogs understand everything we say, or else that dogs I think some people worry that taking a scientific stance to- understand nothing at all. It’s funny how we sometimes ward the dog risks de-romanticizing this special and some- treat them as either “just like us” or “entirely unlike us.” what mysterious relationship. I found exactly the opposite: thinking more about dogs let me look more closely at my Smith: What are you currently working on and what’s own dogs, and really see what they were doing, which was next? more fascinating than I could have imagined.

AH: I, and my fabulous students at my Dog Cognition One simple way that this informed my interaction with my Lab at Barnard College, are doing studies with dogs, dogs is the introduction of the “smell walk” (that I mention testing anthropomorphisms that we make of dogs to see if they are correct. Right now we are doing a study to in my book). Knowing more about the terrific olfactory abilities of dogs prompts me to slow down on some of my see if a dog has a sense of fairness — i.e., if he can find a situation “unfair.” If you and your dog are in NYC, we’d walks, and indulge Finn in stopping to sniff wherever he love to meet you! They are behavior studies, nothing wants. Sure, we might only make it three blocks in a halfharmful happens. It’s fun for dog and person alike. hour, but he is enjoying it so much, it is time well spent.

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Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Recipe

Homemade Dog Treats are the best way to show your pet that you love them like family! These Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats are an easy dog biscuit recipe that your fur baby would request every week if they could.

Ingredients -2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour see note below for substitutions -1/2 teaspoon baking powder see note -1 cup natural peanut butter see note -1 cup water

-2 tablespoons honey -1 egg Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F 2. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, and the egg. Add peanut butter, water, honey and stir until you have stiff dough. the dough becomes very firm and sticky. you may need to use your hands, or the paddle attachment on your mixer.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough about 1/2 inch thick and use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes. the treats barely spread and rise, so get creative with your shapes.

4. Bake for 20 minutes, until golden.

5. Store in an airtight container or give as gifts!

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A Day in the Life of a Dog Spending time with your Best Furry Friend is one of the most important things you can do for your dog! Let’s go on a journey from a dog’s point of view and see how a typical day in the life is for them.

Friendships are all about building trust

Breakfast is part of a balanced diet

A good nap goes a long way to further energize you for the rest of the day

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A fun game of fetch helps us bond and have fun

It’s alwyas good to remind ourselves how cute we are throughout the day

Exercising with friends is always easier and it is always a good way to end the day

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Dogs really are man’s best friend, study finds Especially as we get older

By Natalie Cornish SEP 20, 2019 Dogs have long been considered man’s best friend – and now science appears to back up the old adage.

Losing his own dog prompted Dr Blazina to investigate the impact of canine companionship for men.

US psychologist Dr Chris Blazina conducted a study to find out whether some men form a closer attachment to their dogs than in human relationships, the Metro reports.

“I realised my story was not unique,” he told the newspaper. “Animal companions seemingly broke through much of the male socialised barriers that others could not.”

He discovered that male dog owners often feel “emotionally closer” to their pet than friends, family or, in some cases, their partner. And this closeness increases as men age.

Various other studies have further cemented the positive impact dog ownership can have on our mental health.

Sixty-two percent of the men quizzed said their attachment to their dog was “almost always” secure, whereas just ten percent labelled their bond with their closest human companion in the same terms.

New research found running with your dog strengthens your bond and helps combat bad moods, while another recent study also concluded that sleeping with your dog in the room can aid a restful night.

Dr Blazina also found that “as men get older – middle age and beyond – their dogs took on an even more significant role”. This could be because their social support networks begin to shrink to “the size of a postage stamp”. your bond and helps combat bad moods, while another recent study also concluded that sleeping with your dog in the room can aid a restful night.

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