Different species, like horses and dogs, inherently recognize self versus other, which is an innate ability rather than learned from parents or humans.

Dogs have a strong innate drive to read the emotional and hormonal states of other dogs through scent, which serves as a form of social media for them.

Research shows that there are separate brain circuits for mating behavior and dominance behavior in animals, indicating that mounting behavior can signify dominance rather than sexual intent.

The concept of dominance in animal behavior should be understood through the lens of resource access rather than human sociological definitions, which can lead to misunderstandings in pet care. When a dog moves into your space quickly, it may see itself as the leader in the relationship, but this interpretation can be contentious as we often lack the language to understand animal behavior accurately.

When selecting a mate, humans are drawn to those with immune system compositions that are most different from their own, which is often perceived through their smell.

Different dog breeds have varying preferences for touch and space, and understanding these differences can improve our interactions with them.

Understanding how animals perceive threats is crucial, as well-intentioned human interactions can be perceived as predatory by animals, leading to fear or avoidance behaviors.

The play bow in dogs serves as a meta signal for play, indicating their desire to engage in playful behavior, and this behavior is typically recognized in both dog-to-dog and dog-to-human interactions.

When we observe animal behavior, we should avoid labeling it as dominance and instead look for alternative explanations based on the animal's behavior and context.