Did you know that when you smile at a dog—even a complete stranger's dog on the street—their brain registers it the exact same way it registers a tasty treat? 

Brent is joined by our resident vet Dr Andrew Cornwell, owner of the Cardiff and Cameron Park veterinary hospitals, to explore a fascinating new study published in iScience. Using awake, unsedated dogs inside MRI scanners, researchers discovered that human smiles light up the canine reward center (the caudate nucleus)—proving just how deeply our pets are wired to read our faces, moods, and emotions.


Smiles Equal Treats: How visual expressions trigger the exact same brain chemistry in dogs as receiving a favourite snack or toy.


Reading Negative Emotions: Unpacking how brain scans show dogs can distinguish between fear, anger, and sadness.


In-Clinic Care & Calm Expressions: Why maintaining a calm, welcoming face is critical when handling nervous animal patients.


The Power of the Sniff: Why letting your dog take their time to sniff on walks is essential for their mental health and emotional well-being.


Common Myths: Debunking everyday misconceptions about dog communication—including the classic "guilty look" after a chewed-up couch.

If you love your four-legged best friend and want to understand what's really going on inside their head, this is an absolute must-listen.

Did you know that when you smile at a dog&mdash;even a complete stranger's dog on the street&mdash;their brain registers it the exact same way it registers a tasty treat?&nbsp;
Brent is joined by our resident vet&nbsp;Dr Andrew Cornwell, owner of the Cardiff and Cameron Park veterinary hospitals, to explore a fascinating new study published in iScience. Using awake, unsedated dogs inside MRI scanners, researchers discovered that human smiles light up the canine reward center (the caudate nucleus)&mdash;proving just how deeply our pets are wired to read our faces, moods, and emotions.
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
Smiles Equal Treats: How visual expressions trigger the exact same brain chemistry in dogs as receiving a favourite snack or toy.
</li>
<li>
Reading Negative Emotions: Unpacking how brain scans show dogs can distinguish between fear, anger, and sadness.
</li>
<li>
In-Clinic Care &amp; Calm Expressions: Why maintaining a calm, welcoming face is critical when handling nervous animal patients.
</li>
<li>
The Power of the Sniff: Why letting your dog take their time to sniff on walks is essential for their mental health and emotional well-being.
</li>
<li>
Common Myths: Debunking everyday misconceptions about dog communication&mdash;including the classic "guilty look" after a chewed-up couch.
</li>
</ul>
If you love your four-legged best friend and want to understand what's really going on inside their head, this is an absolute must-listen.

Join Brent Bultitude every weekend for lively chats with industry insiders and special guests! Covering the latest trends and exciting topics, it's your go-to for fresh insights and fun conversations.

Tune in for your weekend fix of thought-provoking conversation!

Join&nbsp;Brent Bultitude&nbsp;every weekend for lively chats with industry insiders and special guests! Covering the latest trends and exciting topics, it's your go-to for fresh insights and fun conversations.
Tune in for your weekend fix of thought-provoking conversation!

Afternoons with Brent Bultitude

Brent’s Business background and personality are fundamental to asking the right people the right questions with interviews, the latest news, quizzes, music and your calls on 13 12 69.

Plus Brent interviews many more people that are going to tell us what’s going from stories in the news to the things you care about.

Brent&rsquo;s Business background and personality are fundamental to asking the right people the right questions with interviews, the latest news, quizzes, music and your calls on 13 12 69. Plus Brent interviews many more people that are going to tell us what&rsquo;s going from stories in the news to the things you care about.