Today, Explained Can we ever know our dogs?
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Jun 29, 2025 
Alexandra Horowitz, from Barnard College, and Holly Molinaro, a passionate researcher, dive into the fascinating world of canine cognition. They discuss the complexities of interpreting dog emotions and the common pitfalls of projecting human feelings onto our furry friends. With humorous anecdotes and intriguing insights, they challenge listeners to consider dogs' unique perspectives, emphasizing the importance of understanding their world through smell and behavior rather than solely through our own emotions. The episode redefines what it means to truly connect with our pets.
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Jared's Unique Dog Communication
- Jared Martin shares the story of his dog Enzo, highlighting their unique communication and understanding.
- He describes Enzo making distinct sounds to express hunger or wanting to go to the park, akin to a moody teenager talking back.
Context Shapes Dog Emotion Perception
- People struggle to interpret dog emotions without contextual cues like environment or interactions.
- Context heavily influences whether people perceive dogs as happy or sad, beyond the dog's expression alone.
Avoid Simplistic Dog Emotion Assumptions
- Recognize our limitations in understanding dogs and avoid simplistic interpretations.
- Pay closer attention to individual dog behavior rather than relying on generalizations like tail wagging means happiness.