Articles by Karen B. London, PhD, CAAB, CPDT-KA
Karen B. London, PhD, CAAB, CPDT-KA
Karen B. London, Ph.D., is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who specializes in working with dogs with serious behavioral issues, including aggression, and has also trained other animals including cats, birds, snakes, and insects. She writes the animal column for the Arizona Daily Sun and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University. She is the author of six books about training and behavior, including her most recent, Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainer’s World View Can Improve Your Lifeopens in a new tab.
![Man training his hairy black dog outside.]()
behaviorPatience Is the Best Thing You Can Give Your Dog During Training
And they’ll thank you for it.
And they’ll thank you for it.
![black dog wearing a supergirl costume]()
behaviorHalloween Scrooges: Dogs Don’t Like Wearing Costumes
Have we gone too far with this Halloween dog costume thing?
Have we gone too far with this Halloween dog costume thing?
- behavior
Are You to Blame for Your Dog’s Behavioral Issues?
You may have wondered if you're the one causing the problem.
You may have wondered if you're the one causing the problem.
![a dog doing a play bow with their human parent]()
behavior6 Ways Your Dog Is Signaling They Want to Play—Right Now
Your dog knows when they want fun and games, but it’s important you understand. Here’s why.
Your dog knows when they want fun and games, but it’s important you understand. Here’s why.
![Great Dane puppy and Husky meeting on leash out side.]()
behaviorUnderstanding Reactivity and Aggression in Dogs: Two Very Different Things
Turns out, even experts have a hard time defining these terms.
Turns out, even experts have a hard time defining these terms.
![A white and brown Jack Russel Terrier dog standing on a white wooden chair behind two stacked pumpkins on the chair with him]()
Jack-o’-lantern not required.
![Red cat with squinted eyes laying in a basket closeup]()
health6 Ways Your Cat Could Tell You They Are in Pain
Here are all the way your kitty is trying to tell you they’re hurting.
Here are all the way your kitty is trying to tell you they’re hurting.
![A cat being friendly with a dog outside.]()
No, cats don’t always land on their feet.
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lifestyleTo Cry Is Human—and Apparently Canine
Time to whip out The Notebook for a little doggie movie night.
Time to whip out The Notebook for a little doggie movie night.
![Woman drinking coffee in bed with dog next to her.]()
shopping11 Coffee Brands That Give Back to Rescue Pups
Fill up that cup, then come back for the refills—the dogs are counting on you.
Fill up that cup, then come back for the refills—the dogs are counting on you.
![Sad boxer rests on owners lap, dog doesn't want to be touched]()
behaviorDon’t Ignore These 9 Behavioral Signs That Your Dog Is in Pain
Animal behaviorist Karen B. London breaks down the silent ways your pet is trying to tell you they’re hurting.
Animal behaviorist Karen B. London breaks down the silent ways your pet is trying to tell you they’re hurting.
![Embark on a delightful journey into the world of dogs in this documentary that reveals scientific and emotional insights about our lovable BFFs.]()
lifestyle*Inside the Mind of a Dog* Is Worth the Watch for Anyone Obsessed With Pups
A behaviorist’s take on what the Netflix documentary gets right (and a couple things it gets wrong).
A behaviorist’s take on what the Netflix documentary gets right (and a couple things it gets wrong).
![Labrador dog wants to eat breakfast.]()
It's time to reframe the situation.
![Man holds his Labrador dog in his arms outside.]()
behaviorYou Raise Your Dog the Way Your Parents Raised You, New Study Finds
One more thing to talk about with your therapist.
One more thing to talk about with your therapist.
![Cute puppy chewing on Kong rubber toy.]()
behaviorYour Guide to Stuffing Your Dog’s Favorite Toy, the Kong
How to elevate your pup’s experience with one of the best enrichment toys out there.
How to elevate your pup’s experience with one of the best enrichment toys out there.
![Couple hugs their merle Boxer]()
lifestyleHow to Improve Your Relationship with Your Dog
Animal behaviorist Dr. Karen B. London on how to strengthen your pet-parent bond.
Animal behaviorist Dr. Karen B. London on how to strengthen your pet-parent bond.
![Shy black dog walking with owner at the park.]()
behaviorHow to Help an Anxious Dog Conquer Their Fears
Pro tips for boosting the confidence of a scaredy-cat dog.
Pro tips for boosting the confidence of a scaredy-cat dog.
![Two fearful adolescent dogs peeking through a slightly open door]()
behaviorPuppy Fear Periods: Why is My Dog Scared All of a Sudden?
Turns out, adolescence isn’t just tough for humans—it can be hard on dogs, too.
Turns out, adolescence isn’t just tough for humans—it can be hard on dogs, too.
![Young man cuddling little white shih tzu puppy by the Atlantic Ocean.]()
behavior9 Myths About Your Puppy—Busted By a Behaviorist
The internet has a lot to tell you about your new addition. Here’s what’s actually true.
The internet has a lot to tell you about your new addition. Here’s what’s actually true.
![Illustration of a woman hugging a dog]()
behaviorYour Dog Can Smell When You’re Stressed, New Study Says
Research finds that your pup can smell when you’ve been doom-scrolling, and they get bummed out.
Research finds that your pup can smell when you’ve been doom-scrolling, and they get bummed out.
![Dog standing in an animal shelter]()
lifestyle | Ask a Trainer“Should I Adopt an Adult Rescue Dog?”
Yes! Shelters are full of good, grown-up doggos. Here’s how to find the perfect match.
Yes! Shelters are full of good, grown-up doggos. Here’s how to find the perfect match.
![A gray cat in a tan cat carrier]()
behaviorHow to Get a Cat in a Carrier
Here’s how you can train your stubborn cat to do one of their least-favorite things.
Here’s how you can train your stubborn cat to do one of their least-favorite things.
![Woman with dog in home on sofa, relaxing and playing.]()
lifestyleFostering a Dog for Even a Couple Days Increases Their Chances of Adoption, Study Says
Even a small amount of quality time makes a huge difference to shelter pups.
Even a small amount of quality time makes a huge difference to shelter pups.
![woman watching TV with her dogs]()
behaviorDogs Love to Watch TV, New Study Says—But Should You Let Them?
Time for some screen-time ground rules, pups.
Time for some screen-time ground rules, pups.
![Black puppy chews on a frozen Kong treat]()
Two words: Endless entertainment.
![Happy couple outside with their dog.]()
lifestyleSpending Time With Dogs Can Make You Better in Social Situations, Study Says
Especially if you pet them.
Especially if you pet them.
![Large brown dog looking at vacuum cleaner.]()
behaviorThese Common Household Noises Are Super Stressful for Dogs, Study Finds
Fireworks and thunderstorms aren’t the only things that make them say, “No, thanks!”
Fireworks and thunderstorms aren’t the only things that make them say, “No, thanks!”
![Bengal cat with a calculator, bills and coins on the background of the room.]()
behaviorKittens Are Smarter Than Puppies, Study Says—And Really Good at Math
They aren’t exactly CPAs, but they can probably tell you which piggy bank has more coins in it.
They aren’t exactly CPAs, but they can probably tell you which piggy bank has more coins in it.
![South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.]()
behaviorKristi Noem Says Her Dog Was “Untrainable”—Here’s Why That’s Not True
As a behaviorist, the South Dakota governor's actions horrify me for several reasons.
As a behaviorist, the South Dakota governor's actions horrify me for several reasons.
![Happy black woman stroking her white dog while resting on sofa at home]()
lifestyleHow Long Should You Grieve Your Dog Before Getting a New One?
Here’s some advice as you struggle to make this hard decision.
Here’s some advice as you struggle to make this hard decision.
- behavior
How Young Dogs Can Benefit From Having an Older Dog Mentor
Having an older, wiser dog around can be a big plus.
Having an older, wiser dog around can be a big plus.
![Dog in the sand smiling at the camera]()
There’s a big difference between a dog smiling and showing their teeth.
![Woman training cute white puppy to behave and new tricks in summer meadow.]()
behaviorWhy You Shouldn’t Be Skeptical of Positive Training Methods
It is powerful enough, even for the tough cases, and it is the best choice—here’s why.
It is powerful enough, even for the tough cases, and it is the best choice—here’s why.
![Ginger cat mom and kitten resting.]()
behaviorKittens Really Need Their Moms—Science Says So
The “I’m just a baby” TikTok sound definitely applies here.
The “I’m just a baby” TikTok sound definitely applies here.
![Smiling couple sitting on sofa with two playful labrador puppies.]()
behaviorThere Is More Than One “Right” Way to Socialize Your Puppy
Take it slow. This process should never feel like speed-dating.
Take it slow. This process should never feel like speed-dating.
![Happy girl with her dog running on city street outside.]()
lifestyleYour Daughter’s Right—You Should Get Her a Dog
A new study found that kids, especially young girls, benefit from having a pup.
A new study found that kids, especially young girls, benefit from having a pup.
They are the cutest little shadow.
![Woman holding brown kitten to her face.]()
behavior8 Myths About Your Kitten—Busted By a Behaviorist
Forget everything you think you know about baby cats.
Forget everything you think you know about baby cats.
![A woman walking with her dog at golden hour.]()
behaviorDaylight Saving Time Confuses Pets, Too
Animal behaviorist Karen London on how springing forward causes your dog or cat to lose sleep, too.
Animal behaviorist Karen London on how springing forward causes your dog or cat to lose sleep, too.
![Two Black women with curly hair laying on the grass with their senior dog laying between them]()
lifestyleTherapy Dogs Can Help You With Your ADHD
Happy news: Pups can help support your (or your kid’s) everyday needs.
Happy news: Pups can help support your (or your kid’s) everyday needs.
- behavior
Why Are Dogs Obsessed With Sniffing the Snow?
And why you deserve a pat on the back for indulging them.
And why you deserve a pat on the back for indulging them.
![Curly haired woman with tattoos holding her Labradoodle dog up to her face in a tender embrace]()
lifestyleHow Deep Is the Love for Our Dogs?
The connection between people and dogs is the stuff of legend.
The connection between people and dogs is the stuff of legend.
