Tag: Puppies

Even Puppies Get the Point

Are dogs born knowing how to interpret our gestures? Research explores links between genetics and dogs’ ability to learn. Dogs’ ability to understand us and to respond to our attempts to communicate with them has long been considered a fundamental part of the close relationship we share. More than two decades ago, researchers first provided evidence that dogs can follow human pointing gestures. Many studies have since shown that when humans point at one of

How Puppies Steal Hearts

Why are puppies so cute? Loving puppies is so universal that people who don’t love them tend to stay quiet about it lest they be shunned by society. Because puppies have the characteristics of any other young mammal, including our own human offspring, it’s no surprise that we find them incredibly endearing. Those big eyes, oversized heads, chubby cheeks, small mouths and small noses are cues that evolution has made appealing to us to ensure