Reading Dogs — And How Fosters Can Use That Power скачать в хорошем качестве

Reading Dogs — And How Fosters Can Use That Power

In this special episode of Dog Fostering 101, host Jackie Adams welcomes world-renowned canine behaviorist and best-selling author Dr. Patricia McConnell. The conversation delves into the fascinating intersection of human and canine behavior, exploring how our primate instincts can sometimes confuse the dogs we are trying to help. Dr. McConnell also shares insights into her transition from nonfiction to fiction with her new murder mystery novel, "Away to Me," which features a dog foster protagonist and integrates authentic canine behavior into the plot. Episode Notes *Writing What You Know: Dr. McConnell discusses making her protagonist, Maddie McGowan, an animal behaviorist to ground her first fiction novel in her real-world expertise. *Normalizing Fostering: Jackie and Dr. McConnell discuss the importance of featuring fostering in popular fiction to normalize the experience and highlight the vital role foster families play in the shelter system. *Anthropomorphism vs. Anthropocentrism: Anthropomorphism: Attributing human characteristics to non-human animals. Anthropocentrism: The belief that humans are the only species capable of complex emotions like fear, sadness, or love—a notion Dr. McConnell notes is not supported by biology. *The "Hard Eye": Dr. McConnell describes the "hard eye" or "cold eye" in dogs—a physiological state where the tiny, natural movement of the eye (nystagmus) stops, signaling a warning of potential aggression. *Primate vs. Canine Communication: The episode explores how humans (as primates) often use visual and vocal signals that dogs (as canines) interpret as threatening, such as patting a dog on top of the head or staring while giving a command. *The "Coming and Going" of Dog Love: Dr. McConnell shares her hypothesis that we love dogs because they fulfill two primal roles: they are like infants who need our nurturing care, and like ideal parents who provide non-judgmental, positive regard. *Book Tour Information: Dr. McConnell will be touring in support of "Away to Me" through Wisconsin and Texas in February and March 2026.