"Other Nations"

 This blog is going to take a look at one of the emotional systems of the brain – the SEEKING system. It was neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp who identified seven core emotional brain circuit systems believed to shared by all mammals. These systems are always written in capital letters. The SEEKING system involves feelings of anticipation associated with something that is  rewarding to us. It drives our goal-orientated behaviour. “ Goal-orientated? That'll not mean me. I've no big plans” When saying “goal-orientated” this doesn't have to mean some big goal or ambition you have. Feel hungry and get up to get a snack? That's your brain's SEEKING system at work. Feel motivated to go outside for a nice walk or sit down and pick up something to read? These are also examples of goal-orientated actions driven by the SEEKING system. “ What's this got to do with dogs?” A lot. Those feelings of anticipation associated with the SEEKING system are brought about by dopa...

 Dogs growl as a means of communication and it is important to realise that this can mean many things. It may mean another dog, or a person, is behaving in a way that it causing them stress or annoyance. Although they can’t speak the way we do, they have their own vocal language to communicate. One specific use of growling  This blog is going to look at just one specific use of growling - a dog growling when people they aren’t familiar with (or maybe people they aren’t particularly close to) move about the room, stand in a doorway, stand in the room talking etc. All of these scenarios could also happen outside in the garden, or anywhere really. The dog is showing their anxiety  Ok, so you’re sitting with your dog in the company of people the dog isn’t really used to. Someone gets up and starts to move about to do something. Not something to do with the dog, just some business of the person’s own.  Some nervous dogs can really struggle with this. A nervous do...