The Huberman Lab Podcast discusses neuroscience: how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health. We also discuss existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine. His laboratory studies neural regeneration, neuroplasticity, and brain states such as stress, focus, fear, and optimal performance. For more than 20 years, Dr. Huberman has consistently published original research findings and review articles in top-level peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Science, Cell, Neuron, and Current Biology. He is a regular member of several National Institutes of Health review panels and a Fellow of the McKnight Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Dr. Huberman regularly consults for technology development companies, professional athletic organizations, and various units of U.S. and Canadian Special Operations.
Understand What Pets Actually Want & Need | Dr. Karolina Westlund
My guest is Dr. Karolina Westlund, Ph.D., a professor of ethology at the University of Stockholm and an expert in animal emotions and behavior who uses science-based methods to improve the lives of animals in human care. We discuss the often overlooked needs of domesticated animals—primarily dogs and cats—and the things we can do to improve their well-being and our relationship with them.
We cover how to interpret animal body language, the unique needs of specific dog breeds, and the needs of cats and birds. We also discuss the pros and cons of spaying and neutering and how weaning age impacts a pet’s attachment style. Whether you’re a pet owner, trainer, or simply an animal lover, this episode teaches you how specific pet behaviors are rooted in their immutable biology—and the simple things you can do to vastly improve your pets’ health and well-being, as well as your relationship with them.
Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
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Timestamps
00:00:00 Karolina Westlund
00:02:19 Students & Animal Species; Horses
00:06:36 Dog Breeds & Interaction, Predatory Sequence, Smell, Domestication
00:12:42 Sponsors: Our Place & Eight Sleep
00:16:09 Dog Breeds & Domestication, Bulldogs
00:20:16 Core Affect Space, Petting, Tool: Consent Test; Polyvagal Theory
00:27:53 Space, Dominance, Resources, Leash Walking; Dog-Owner Training
00:37:13 Tail Wagging & Interpreting Body Signals, Facial Expressions
00:43:24 Play Bow, Tool: MARS & Playing; Dogs & Empathy
00:48:39 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv
00:51:46 Fairness, Social Groups; Anthropomorphism vs Anthropodenial
00:57:45 Cats, Hunting, Bring Gifts?, Interaction & Socialization
01:03:56 Scent & Territorial Marking; Covering Waste, Tool: Litter Box Placement
01:08:17 “Pee Mail” & Communication; Wolves, Domestication
01:11:54 Zoos, Conservation; Tigers
01:18:53 Sponsor: Function
01:20:41 Stalking; Birds, Parrots
01:25:22 Nose Work, Wildlife Chasing, Tool: Dog Feeding & Challenge
01:31:01 Understanding & Choosing Dog for Your Lifestyle, Tool: Introducing Cats
01:34:27 Recognizing Self vs Other, Inbreeding Avoidance, Imprinting
01:40:51 Imprinting vs Attachment Bonds; Dogs, Weaning & Secure Attachment
01:48:36 Spaying & Neutering, Hormones, Tool: Neutering Alternatives
01:57:07 Humans as Animals, Tools, Cultural Learning
02:02:47 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter