Dogs and brains link fest

Here's what I've been reading and tweeting about this week (in between scrambling to get an NSF grant proposal submitted):

• Fascinating post on the genetics and ethics of Shar-Pei wrinkles from Pedigree Dogs Exposed
• Trainers and vets need to collaborate better! I fervently agree. From Jennifer Cattet.
• Companion Animal Psychology on a recent study which suggests that owning a pet might help decrease stress in the parents of autistic children
• Julie Hecht got interviewed about what dog breed is the smartest (I suspect the answer will not surprise you, but it's a good read)
• And I and other researchers got interviewed about why dogs get perhaps a bit too happy when we come home, and what you can do about it
• #fieldworkfail was the awesomest thing to happen on Twitter last week
• People are actually using DNA to find out whose dog pooped there
• The American Animal Hospital Association just published guidelines for veterinarians on behavior management for dogs and cats. A trainer weighs in.
• The brilliant Ed Yong on that most complicated of hormones, oxytocin. Bonus cute baby mouse picture.
• Julie Hecht writes about dogs, cats, owners, and Crazy Green Monsters
• Want highlights of what the veterinary behaviorists talked about at their symposium this summer?
• Companion Animal Psychology on that question that I keep hearing people ask: does early spay/neuter affect an animal's behavior? This study was done in kittens and found no effect. (But as always, remember these studies are hard to interpret due to difficulties in study design.)
• Lovely and informative metaphorical tour of the brain
• Update on the new strain of canine influenza (dog flu) which was first identified in Chicago and has moved to Georgia
• The pet microchip market is expanding, and that might not be a good thing
• Do you know what "shelter medicine" really means? (Lots of people don't.)
• You'd think show dogs would be the perfect weight. You'd be wrong
• Should Vets Give Treats to Pets? (spoiler: absolutely!)