Dog Behavior Explained: Scientist Alexandra Horowitz Reveals Your Dog's Mind to Oprah

One of the great joys of Oprah’s life has been her dogs – she’s loved 21 one of them! For all the dog lovers, have you ever wondered what’s really happening inside the mind of your dog or how they experience the world?

Oprah talks with canine cognitive scientist and New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Horowitz, whose groundbreaking book Inside of a Dog has transformed how we understand our dog companions. From the astonishing power of a dog’s nose to how they interpret our words, emotions and intentions Dr.

Horowitz reveals what life looks like from a dog’s point of view. She also explores how dogs form memories, how they learn and solve problems and why their low-to-the-ground perspective influences everything, from how they experience sound and scent, to how they navigate the concept of time in a human world.

Oprah and Alexandra also take questions from our listeners like: Do dogs feel anxious when we leave them alone? Can they form deep soul bonds with their humans?

What do they understand about aging, illness and the end of life? The episode also checks in with a passionate dog lover whose social media mission has helped rescue hundreds of senior dogs, giving senior pups a second chance with a family.

This episode is presented by our fantastic partners at The Farmer’s Dog. Their real, human-grade food has been clinically shown to help dogs age well, so you can have more good years together.

Visit for more. BUY THE BOOK! 00:00:00 - Welcome Alexandra Horowitz, author of “Inside of a Dog” 00:05:22 - Do dogs have intelligence like humans? 00:06:50 - Their most important sense 00:08:40 - Detecting diseases and emotions 00:11:50 - Dogs track our movements 00:13:10 - What your dog remembers 00:17:30 - Do dogs feel a soul connection? 00:21:40 - Having a dog changed her life 00:22:30 - Do dogs have a concept of time? 00:27:00 - Showing your dog you are boss is harmful 00:30:30 - Do dogs get bored? 00:32:40 - Do dogs understand when it's their time? 00:34:40 - How do humans know when it's time? 00:37:28 - Meet Steve who adopts senior dogs 00:39:00 - Do dogs know their name? 00:48:23 - Adopting older dogs 00:49:38 - What Alexandra wishes people knew about dogs Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: Listen to the full podcast: Learn more about your ad choices.

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