Why do we make irrational decisions, follow the crowd or deceive ourselves? Behavioral science offers answers, and several researchers have written accessible books for general readers. Here are some of the most influential. Decisions and biases Influence and social behavior Human nature Habits and change Atomic Habits by James Clear and The Power of Habit … Read more
Begging is a learned behavior: at some point, a whine, a stare or a paw on your knee produced food. Dogs repeat what works. To stop begging, it needs to stop working, and your dog needs something better to do during meals. Why it matters Beyond being annoying, table scraps add calories, can upset stomachs … Read more
The first months with a puppy shape the adult dog. Training at this stage is less about obedience and more about building good habits, confidence and a bond. Short sessions, lots of rewards and patience work best. House training Crate training A crate, introduced gently, gives a puppy a safe den and helps with house … Read more
A few basic cues make life with a dog easier and safer. Positive reinforcement, rewarding the behavior you want, is the method recommended by veterinary behavior organizations and is effective at any age. Training basics Sit Hold a treat at your dog’s nose and move it slowly up and back over the head. As the … Read more
Dogs jump up to greet people because faces are where the greeting action is, and because jumping has often been rewarded with attention, even if it was a push or a “No!”. The fix is to make calm greetings more rewarding than jumping, consistently, with everyone. Why pushing away and shouting do not work For … Read more
Scratching is a normal, healthy cat behavior. Cats scratch to remove the old outer layer of their claws, stretch their muscles, mark territory with scent glands in their paws, and release energy. You cannot stop a cat from scratching, but you can teach it to scratch the right things. Choose a post your cat will … Read more
Chewing is a natural and necessary behavior for dogs: it relieves teething pain in puppies, keeps jaws strong and teeth cleaner, and is calming. The problem is not chewing itself, but chewing the wrong things. The fix is to make the right things more attractive and the wrong things unavailable. Why your dog chews furniture … Read more
Birds are prey animals and instinctively hide signs of weakness. By the time a parrot looks obviously sick, it is often seriously ill. Knowing your bird’s normal behavior and catching small changes early can save its life. Behavior changes Physical signs Changes in droppings Bird droppings have three parts: feces (green or brown), urates (white) … Read more
Abusive conduct is a pattern of hostile, offensive behavior at work that serves no legitimate business purpose. The term is defined in California law, which requires many employers to train employees on preventing it, and it is widely used in HR policies elsewhere. It overlaps with what most people call workplace bullying. The California definition … Read more
