309 - Dogs Demystified with Ethologist Dr. Marc Bekoff

What if animals think and feel in ways we’ve yet to grasp? In this episode, we delve into this fascinating question with Dr. Marc Bekoff. Dr. Bekoff is a pioneering ethologist and professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Renowned for his groundbreaking work on animal emotions, rewilding, and ethics, he has collaborated with figures like Jane Goodall to challenge our perceptions of nature and published numerous books and essays, the latest of which include A Dog's World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans, Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide to All Things Canine, and The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy―and Why They Matter. 

 

We’ll also explore his recent book, Dogs Demystified, uncovering fresh insights into our canine companions—how they experience the world, communicate, and how we can improve their lives.

 

“More and more science is being done that shows that animals have rich and deep emotional lives. It's also common sense. What is the number one thing you believe a person can do to give their dog a wonderful life? Love them. Spoil them. Make them the most special beings in the world. And I really mean that. One myth about dogs is that they are unconditional lovers. The other myth is that they're our best friends. Neither is true. Basically, the general bumper sticker is that dogs off leash are better behaved, maybe less assertive, less aggressive, more playful than the same dog on a leash. People who leave their house at eight in the morning and come home at six at night and the dog has no company, I would consider that relatively abusive.” -  Dr. Marc Bekoff

 

What we discuss:

- Tips for enriching your dog’s life.

- The truth about alpha dogs and the reality of social hierarchies.

- What your dog feels when left alone—and how to ease their stress.

- Recognizing when your dog needs to go outside.

- Why a vegan diet can be a safer, healthier choice for your dog.

- Fascinating facts about a dog’s nose and the critical role of scent in their world.

- Dr. Bekoff’s perspective on purebreds vs. mutts—and what genetics mean for your dog.

 

Episode resources:

- Dr. Bekoff’s homepage: marcbekoff.com - http://marcbekoff.com/

- Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcBekoff?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor 

- Switch4Good podcast episode 18: Marc Bekoff: Compassionate Conservation & the Lives of Animals -