🧠 Shrunken brains

Learn how dogs’ brains have shrunk over time, how to make your dog more confident and how current laws 'punish' dog attacks.

👋 Hi, and welcome back to my free newsletter where I share hand-selected dog research, news, and tips every week.

In this week's edition, you’ll learn how dogs’ brains have shrunk over time, how to make your dog more confident and how current laws ‘punish’ dog attacks.

Enjoy reading! ✨

📑 STUDY

Smaller brains

It’s been understood for some time that dogs have smaller brains than wolves, but new research indicates that this reduction may have begun at least 5,000 years ago.

Scientists say these findings shed new light on how dogs became domesticated. Still, they caution against jumping to conclusions about intelligence; just because dogs’ brains got smaller doesn’t mean they’re less smart than their wolf ancestors.

“The way our dogs live nowadays doesn’t give them the opportunity to always express most of their intelligence,” said Dr Thomas Cucchi, first author of the study from the French National Centre for Scientific Research.

“But they are extremely clever and domestication didn’t make them stupid, but made them really capable of reading us and communicating with us.”

Humans and dogs have shared a long history, with the earliest direct genetic evidence of domesticated dogs dating back over 15,000 years. While reduced brain size is often seen as a typical feature of domestication, scientists have debated when exactly this change occurred.

Some believe it happened early in the relationship between humans and dogs, while others argue it is a more recent development linked to the rise of pedigree breeding over the past two centuries.

In a study published in Royal Society Open Science, Cucchi and his team analyzed CT scans from the skulls of 22 prehistoric wolves and dogs dating from 35,000 to 5,000 years ago. They also examined scans from 59 modern wolves and 104 modern dogs, including various breeds, free-roaming “village” dogs, and dingoes.

Using these scans, the researchers traced how brain size evolved over time. They found that modern dogs, including breeds, dingoes, village dogs, and those from the Late Neolithic period, have brains about 32% smaller than both ancient and modern wolves.

Looking more closely, dogs from the Late Neolithic era (around 5,000 to 4,500 years ago) had brains that were 46% smaller than wolves living at the same time. Their brain sizes were comparable to those of modern pugs.

Even after accounting for body size differences, since these dogs were generally smaller, the reduction in brain size remained significant.

Interestingly, the study found no evidence that earlier canines living alongside humans, sometimes referred to as “protodogs” from 35,000 and 15,000 years ago, had smaller brains than wolves.

In fact, one of these early canines had a relatively larger brain. This raises the possibility that brain size may have initially increased during the early stages of domestication.

Cucchi noted that the reasons behind smaller bodies and brains in domesticated dogs are still unclear. However, previous research suggests that as brain size decreases, its structure may reorganize.

This could make smaller dogs less adaptable but more sensitive to environmental changes, traits that might have made them useful as early warning animals.

Another possible explanation is environmental: limited food resources in Neolithic settlements may have favored smaller dogs with smaller brains, as they would require less energy to survive.

Dr Juliane Kaminski, a canine cognition expert at the University of Portsmouth who was not involved in the research, highlighted the importance of the findings regarding protodogs.

“They didn’t yet show this sign of domestication that we thought is [a] standard part of this domestication syndrome,” she said.

She added that the study suggests the bond between humans and dogs may have started off loosely before becoming the close relationship we recognize today.

“What the authors are simply saying is: OK, the timeline of the full domestication syndrome being in place is maybe a little bit later than the genetic data suggests,” she said.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

 🧠 BEHAVIOR

Too shy

When you first bring home a puppy, it’s easy to focus on the obvious: soaking up the cuddles, making sure they get enough sleep, and protecting your belongings from those sharp little teeth.

But one of the most important parts of early development often gets overlooked: socialization.

Puppies benefit from meeting and observing others, even if the interaction is brief or low-energy. Regular, positive exposure to new environments, people, and other animals helps them grow into confident, adaptable adults. Adding a bit of structured social time each week can make a big difference.

A little caution in a young dog isn’t necessarily a problem. Some are naturally more reserved, especially if they didn’t experience much variety early in life.

Dogs have a key developmental window, often called the socialization period, between about two and 14 weeks of age. During that time, they form impressions about the world around them. The more safe, positive exposure they get, the more comfortable they tend to be later on.

As dogs grow, they also go through a stage often referred to as a secondary fear period, usually beginning around six to eight months and lasting into adolescence.

During this time, they may become more hesitant or sensitive to unfamiliar situations. That’s normal, but it does mean experiences should be handled thoughtfully.

Too much pressure or overwhelming exposure during this phase can increase anxiety rather than reduce it.

It’s helpful to recognize the difference between shyness and fear. A fearful dog may show signals like tucked tail, flattened ears, lip licking, yawning, or avoiding eye contact.

Others may respond with more outward behaviors like barking, staring, or growling when they feel unsure. Even backing away or becoming reactive on walks can be signs that a dog is uncomfortable rather than confident.

If a dog seems unsure around others, the best approach is to start small. Busy dog parks or large, energetic groups can be overwhelming.

Instead, calmer introductions, like walking in the same direction as another dog at a comfortable distance, allow them to observe and adjust without pressure. Over time, brief, low-stakes interactions can build into more relaxed engagement.

It also helps to match social experiences to the dog’s personality. Some prefer gentle play, others enjoy chasing or wrestling, and some would rather explore or play independently.

Finding compatible companions and environments can make social time feel safe instead of stressful. Consistency matters too; positive, repeat experiences help build trust and familiarity.

Confidence-building activities outside of social settings are just as valuable. Simple games that encourage problem-solving, like searching for hidden food or using interactive feeding toys, can help a dog feel more capable and secure.

Training sessions, especially in well-run group classes, can also provide structured exposure while strengthening communication and trust.

Throughout the process, it’s important to watch for signs of stress and avoid pushing too far too fast.

Repeated overwhelming experiences can set progress back, especially during sensitive developmental stages. Gradual exposure, paired with positive reinforcement, is far more effective.

Even as a dog becomes more comfortable, paying attention to their body language remains essential. Knowing when they’ve had enough or need space helps prevent setbacks and keeps interactions positive.

Building social confidence takes time, but with patience and the right approach, most dogs can learn to navigate the world with greater ease.

📰 NEWS

Dog attack fines

A woman has criticised an £80 court fine given to a dog owner after her pet was fatally attacked, calling the penalty “a joke.”

The incident involved Pom-Pom, a Pomeranian, who was seized by a German Shepherd and violently shaken during an attack on a street in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

The dog’s owner, 34-year-old Robert Eddy of Exeter Close, appeared at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He admitted to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.

Pom-Pom’s owner, Joanna Wade, argued that current laws fail to properly recognise the seriousness of harm caused to pets.

“The fine [is] roughly the same as your average parking fine,” said Wade.

“Everyone, I think, will agree with me it’s a joke.”

During the hearing, the court was told that Pom-Pom had been walking home with a friend of Wade in February when the German Shepherd, named Dino and not on a lead, attacked.

“My friend was walking my dog back to my house because she had had him over the weekend.

“I heard her screaming badly, so I ran outside. Just in front of my house a big dog had come running up and grabbed Pom-Pom and shaken her. He was on a mission.

“My dog was on a leash, small and vulnerable, and was attacked from behind.

“Pom-Pom wasn’t bleeding anywhere, except for some blood coming out of her nose. She looked OK from the outside, but we needed to get her to the vets.”

Prosecutor Sara Brophy explained that although Pom-Pom initially seemed to recover after being treated by a vet, his condition later deteriorated and he died.

Following the attack, police placed Dino in secure kennels, where specialists assessed his behaviour through a series of tests. He reportedly remained calm during these evaluations, though the court heard he had previously shown aggression toward other dogs.

Defence lawyer Tariq Iqbal suggested that Dino may have escaped after another resident accidentally left a door open.

“The owner had no control over the dog, which was off-lead. I don’t blame the dog, and I don’t want it to be put down. I want it to be in safe hands. The owner must take responsibility,” Joanna added.

In addition to the £80 fine, Eddy was ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge, £85 in prosecution costs, and cover £1,900 for Dino’s time in secure kennels.

Magistrates also ordered that Dino be euthanized, though this will not take effect if strict conditions are met: he must be kept muzzled and on a lead in public and be neutered within 30 days.

Under current law, the maximum penalty for having a dangerously out-of-control dog, where no person is injured, is six months in prison.

Wade said the imposed conditions were “what common sense tells every responsible dog owner, so I don’t think that’s any punishment”.

She also expressed disappointment that Eddy was not banned from owning animals.

Since losing Pom-Pom, Wade has been campaigning for legislation that would require dogs to be kept on leads in public spaces.

Speaking after the hearing, she argued that the law should no longer treat pets as property, saying “you cannot compare losing a dog the same as losing your car - the emotional damage is almost as great as losing a member of the family”.

Currently, there is no nationwide requirement for dogs to be on leads in public, though some local councils enforce such rules in designated areas.

The Dogs Trust has cautioned against mandatory lead use at all times, warning it could lead to “poorer health and welfare for dogs, if they aren’t getting enough off-lead exercise”.

As discussions around potential legal changes continue, Wade and others are left grieving their loss.

She said: “Every little effort we did to make sure we’re going to get justice for Pom-Pom didn’t really work.

“We’re still grieving deeply and you know nothing is going to replace our little fluff ball.”