228: Jen Golbeck KNOWS Dogs, Dog Behavior, Psychology and What Dogs Teach Us About People

What if thinking like a dog could actually help you live a better life? On this episode of ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones, Randall welcomes back Dr. Jen Golbeck, PhD, author of Think Like a Dog: How Positive Psychology Can Help Your Dog Thrive, for a smart, funny, heartfelt—and occasionally surprisingly emotional—conversation about dogs, psychology, happiness, and the extraordinary bond between humans and their canine companions. Dr. Golbeck explains positive psychology and how its focus on strengths, purpose, connection, curiosity, kindness, vitality, humor, and fulfillment can help dogs—and the people who love them—thrive. Along the way, Randy and Jen explore what dogs really understand about our emotions, why dogs can recognize our tone of voice and facial expressions, what their famous “puppy dog eyes” may tell us about the human-dog relationship, and why letting your dog stop and sniff on a walk may be more important than getting those extra steps. They also challenge some of our most familiar assumptions about canine behavior. Do dogs actually feel guilt? What does a wagging tail really communicate? Can dogs smell our moods? Why do dogs sometimes mediate conflict? And what happens when we stop trying to make dogs behave like perfect humans and instead learn to appreciate them as the creatures they are? The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Randy reflects on his beloved Airedale, Alexander, and the fears that come with loving an aging dog. Jen shares moving stories from her experience rescuing special-needs dogs and discusses canine pain, loss, grief, end-of-life care, resilience, and the profound lessons dogs can teach us about living in the present. At its heart, this is a conversation about dogs, love, empathy, relationships, resilience, and human connection—and why “Think Like a Dog” may be about much more than understanding your dog. Because sometimes the best way to understand our dogs is to pay closer attention to what they're teaching us about ourselves. #ThinkLikeADog #JenGolbeck #ONTheKNOWS #DogBehavior #PositivePsychology Jen Goldbeck: www.JenGolbeck.com Randall Kenneth Jones: www.RandallKennethJones.com Susan Bennett: www.SusanCBennett.com Kevin Randall Jones: www.KevinRandallJones.com