Worry Less, Wag More: The Behavior Vets Podcast - Dr. Paula Croxson (PhD): How Emotions Affect the Formation of Memories

Dr. Paula Croxson (PhD): How Emotions Affect the Formation of Memories

02/15/24 • 64 min

Worry Less, Wag More: The Behavior Vets Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Paula Croxson shares insights into the formation of memories, the impact of stress and trauma on memories, and how we can change learned associations from traumatic memories. We discuss:

Different types of memories
Memories and the sense of self
The effect of stress and trauma on memories
Hardwiring of fear memories
Making traumatic memories more vulnerable to change

Dr. Croxson's bio:
Paula Croxson, PhD is a behavioral and cognitive neuroscientist, science communicator and storyteller. Dr. Croxson is a freelance public engagement specialist and consultant, working with academics and nonprofits to communicate science with the public in meaningful and effective ways. She is also an adjunct Assistant Professor in Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a consultant for Columbia University. She is a Senior Producer for The Story Collider and is passionate about sharing science with as many people as possible.
Links:
www.paulacroxson.com
@paulacroxson on FB
@paulacroxson on Instagram
The Story Collider podcast
Dr. Croxson will have a chapter in a new book: How to Win Friends and Influence FungiDr. Croxson's webinars on Behavior Vets Learn Worlds:
Revealing Animals' Intelligence
Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks: The Aging Brain
The Sensory World of Animals: The Neuroscience of Smell
What Can Animals Remember? The Neuroscience of Memory
Talk to the Animals: The Neuroscience of Communication

Contact Behavior Vets

Different types of memories
Memories and the sense of self
The effect of stress and trauma on memories
Hardwiring of fear memories
Making traumatic memories more vulnerable to change

Contact Behavior Vets

Previous Episode

Dr. Marsha Penner (PhD, KPA-CTP) on the Neuroscience of Impulse Control

In this episode, Dr. Marsha Penner delves into the neuroscience behind impulse control, why adolescent dogs notoriously struggle with it, and what we can do about it. We discuss:

How reconnecting with her Native American heritage reaffirmed the way she works with animals
Different types of impulse control
How adolescent brains develop
Finding more compassion and patience for the unruly adolescent dog
How trust can improve impulse control

Dr. Penner's bio:
Dr. Marsha Penner is a behavioral neuroscientist, certified dog trainer (KPA-CTP), and owner of Learning to Dog Training & Enrichment. Marsha worked as a research scientist and award winning professor, focusing her attention on learning, memory, and effective teaching strategies. She turned her love of learning, behavior, and teaching into a full time career as a professional dog trainer after graduating from the the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior in 2015. She is a proud Anishinaabe Kwe from Treaty One, but currently lives in Durham, NC with her husband and two dogs.
Links:
https://learningtodog.com/
https://www.marshapenner.com/
A collection of studies analyzing impulse control - this is really cool for those who want to dive deeper!
https://saverezdogs.com/
Asher L, England GCW, Sommerville R, Harvey ND. 2020. Teenage dogs? Evidence for adolescent-phase conflict behaviour and an association between attachment to humans and pubertal timing in the domestic dog. Biology Letters. 16: 20200097.

Contact Behavior Vets

Next Episode

Interactive and Therapeutic Play for Shelter Dogs with Dr. Elizabeth Congdon and Dr. Jessica Owens

In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Congdon and Dr. Jessica Owens describe how play therapy reduced salivary cortisol levels in shelter dogs and improved behavioral responses and emotional regulation. We discuss:

Study design with Calmr dog toys and goals
How play with improved relationships and wellness for shelter dogs
Special design of Camlr toy mimics prey
How cortisol affects behavior
Thoughts on developing programs for shelters involving play therapy

Dr. Elizabeth Congdon's bio and links:
Dr. Elizabeth Congdon is an Associate Professor of biology at Bethune-Cookman University with an extensive background in behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and science education. She is particularly interested in the relationship between social structure and dispersal in neotropical mammals, specifically capybaras. Locally, Dr. Congdon works with animal shetlers to use data-driven strategies to improve the quality of life and adoption rates for the dogs and cats - especially the large dogs and 'bully breeds'. The latest results from her team show that therapeutic play as an enrichment strategy can bring down cortisol with a lasting effect. She founded BEC Research, Inc to help fund these efforts and support student research projects.

APDT 2023 session description:
Using interactive and therapeutic play leads to improved health and wellness in shelter dogsBEC Research, Inc www.becresearch.org
Calmr Dog Toys www.calmrdog.comDr. Jessica Owens' bio and links:
Dr. Jessica Owens is an Experimental Psychologist studying animal behavior and communication. Their day job is serving as the lead behaviorist and CEO of Unleashed Training. They specialize in working with dogs and their guardians to overcome behavior and emotional challenges resulting from trauma – including abuse, neglect, lack of socialization, etc.
www.unleashedtraining.org
[email protected]

Contact Behavior Vets