Evidence ledger

Sources you can inspect. Uncertainty you can see.

This project starts with observable behavior, separates established findings from plausible explanations, and links the source trail instead of asking you to trust a confident tone.

1

Observation first

We describe what the dog does before assigning emotion or motive.

2

Context changes meaning

A single tail, tongue, sound, or posture never gets treated as a complete sentence.

3

Safety beats certainty

Sudden change, pain, neurologic signs, breathing trouble, self-injury, and bite risk are escalated.

Named source library

  1. 01

    What are zoomies?

    Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

    Open source
  2. 02

    Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  3. 03

    Understanding a dog's body language

    RSPCA

    Open source
  4. 04

    Behavior Problems of Dogs

    Merck Veterinary Manual

    Open source
  5. 05

    Diagnosing Behavior Problems in Dogs

    Merck Veterinary Manual

    Open source
  6. 06

    An exploratory analysis of head-tilting in dogs

    Animal Cognition

    Open source
  7. 07

    Why Do Dogs Lick?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  8. 08

    Recognizing Compulsive Disorders in Dogs and Cats

    Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

    Open source
  9. 09

    Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  10. 10

    How to tell if your dog has separation anxiety and 5 things to do if she does

    American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

    Open source
  11. 11

    Attachment security in companion dogs: adaptation of Ainsworth’s strange situation and classification procedures to dogs and their human caregivers

    Attachment & Human Development

    Open source
  12. 12

    Making fetch happen: Prevalence and characteristics of fetching behavior in owned domestic cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis familiaris)

    PLOS ONE

    Open source
  13. 13

    Dog Body Language Basics

    University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

    Open source
  14. 14

    Position Statement on Humane Dog Training

    American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

    Open source
  15. 15

    Why Does My Dog Put Their Paw on Me?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  16. 16

    Why Do Dogs Sigh?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  17. 17

    Why Do Dogs Yawn?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  18. 18

    Wet mammals shake at tuned frequencies to dry

    Journal of the Royal Society Interface

    Open source
  19. 19

    Shake It Off: Investigating the Function of a Domestic Dog Behavior in Social Contexts

    Animals

    Open source
  20. 20

    Sleep Characteristics in Dogs; Effect on Caregiver-Reported Problem Behaviours

    Animals

    Open source
  21. 21

    Managing seizures

    Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

    Open source
  22. 22

    Why Do Dogs Spin Before They Poop?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  23. 23

    Why Do Dogs Dig?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  24. 24

    Functional significance and welfare implications of chewing in dogs (Canis familiaris)

    Frontiers in Veterinary Science

    Open source
  25. 25

    Characterisation of plant eating in dogs

    Applied Animal Behaviour Science

    Open source
  26. 26

    The paradox of canine conspecific coprophagy

    Veterinary Medicine and Science

    Open source
  27. 27

    Canine coprophagic behavior is influenced by coprophagic cohabitant

    Journal of Veterinary Behavior

    Open source
  28. 28

    Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tail?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  29. 29

    Anal Sac Disease in Dogs and Cats

    Merck Veterinary Manual

    Open source
  30. 30

    Conspecific recognition of pedal scent in domestic dogs

    Scientific Reports

    Open source
  31. 31

    Communication in Dogs

    Animals

    Open source
  32. 32

    Barking

    UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

    Open source
  33. 33

    Why Do Dogs Howl?

    American Kennel Club

    Open source
  34. 34

    The Truth About Aggression and Dominance in Dogs

    UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

    Open source
  35. 35

    Inappropriate Mounting

    UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

    Open source
  36. 36

    Eye Contact Is Crucial for Referential Communication in Pet Dogs

    PLOS ONE

    Open source
Editorial note: Some everyday behaviors do not yet have one experimentally settled explanation. In those entries, the guide says “may,” “plausible,” or “best working explanation” and avoids turning a tidy story into a fact.