Dr Mia Cobb

Huge thanks to my capable collaborators, Ana and Nancy, for joining me on this paper. It’s time for canine science to move beyond its flawed reliance on cortisol as a welfare indicator - we explore why and what that might look like. Out today, open access: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

An overhead photo shows Dr Mia Cobb lying on her back facing up toward the camera. Her eyes are closed and she is smiling as four black Sox week old Labrador puppies pull her hair, chew her chin and nibble her ear. It is chaotic but looks fun!

I often joke that 8yo me would be thrilled with the job I find myself in today 🐶❤️ To be fair, modern me is pretty stoked! 😆 I’m thankful that my education, work experience & opportunities have landed me here and grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way 🫶🏼 #science #dogs #animalwelfare

Dingoes are not domestic dogs – new evidence shows these native canines are on their own evolutionary path New research suggests dingoes are distinct enough to have their own scientific name. If this is accepted, it will have far-reaching consequences

Are dingoes dogs?

Researchers argue no: dingoes are genetically distinct, reproductively isolated, and on their own evolutionary path:

theconversation.com/dingoes-are-...

@drcairns.bsky.social @howlingdingo.bsky.social @euanritchie.bsky.social @newsometm.bsky.social

#AusMammalogy

1/4

Thank you! Lining up the conference ducks 🦆🦆🦆🦆

Scientific Results: Environmental exposures and health outcomes in dogs differ according to geographic region in the United States among Dog Aging Project participants - Dog Aging Project This research looked at how where a dog lives in the U.S. affects the kind of exposures it faces and the types of health problems it gets.

This #research looked at how where a #dog lives in the U.S. affects the kind of exposures it faces and the types of health problems it gets.

⚛️ Our team used data from the #DogAgingProject — Learn more by reading our #ScientificResults blog post: dogagingproject.org/scientific-r...

Screenshot of tweet from the ARC about a survey they want "stakeholders" to complete. Black text on white background above a rather outsized picture of dark blue smudges on a light-blue background. One smudge says "Survey" … you know, to catch your eye?

Once again, ARC hits the 🎯 with their comms strategy:

8pm on Sunday night. When the eyeballs of researchers are glued to … twitter?

They've not posted this anywhere else. I can't think of a better way to _not_ "engage stakeholders". Almost uncanny.

a cartoon dog is standing in a room and saying `` i don t know '' . ALT: a cartoon dog is standing in a room and saying `` i don t know '' .

Hey @ufaw.bsky.social - can you please remind me of the dates for London in 2026? Time to start planning all the conferences and I can't see a "save the date" post on your socials - thank you! #ufaw26

#dogethology #dogcommunication #bioacousticsresearch #canineethology | Dogs and Science What can your dog’s barks and growls really tell you? At the Canine Science Forum 2025, our Social Media Manager, Jennifer Somers, sat down with canine ethologist and bioacoustician Dr. Tamás Faragó...

Our P.I., and dog vocalization expert @tamsa42.bsky.social gave this nice interview during #CSF2025

Check it out if you are curious about our work on dog vocal communication and vocal learning :)

www.linkedin.com/posts/dogs-a...

Prof Georgina Such joined me to celebrate my Uni Melb Women In Science Award! 📸 This supports my Happy Dog Science research. Our photo buddy Dingpants (aka Dinky) is a 5mth old rescue looking for his forever home 🐕💕 www.petrescue.com.au/listings/112... #womeninstem #adoptdontshop #dogs #science

Does Social Media Affect Social Norms on Dog Training? If social media algorithms make contentious posts spread more than ones with kind and accurate advice on dog training, it’s bad for dogs and their guardians.

Does Social Media Affect Social Norms on Dog Training? | My latest at Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fell...

DECRA assessor reports are now available in RMS.

@abhadra7.bsky.social at Canine Science Forum in Germany - nice poster!

@abhadra7.bsky.social

Dogs in Australia: What is a dingo? - ABC listen This is the story of the domesticated animal that feralised itself. Where did dingoes come from and when? Where does a wild dog stop and a dingo begin? How much can genetics really tell us about Au...

The latest episode of What The Duck (Dogs!) is all about dingoes! Have a listen!

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Woofs and wags: What's your dog telling you? - ABC listen Are puppy dog eyes really a sign of love, or does Fido just want a lil snack? Can dogs really "speak" by pressing talking buttons, or do they just make great content for TikTok? There's more to cani...

Listen to @drmiacobb.bsky.social and learn how to understand your dog's language 👉 www.abc.net.au/listen/progr... Such a great episode.

Glad you enjoyed it! Was such fun to make :)

How humans talk to dogs In this episode of How Humans Talk, Rune heads to the park to chat with dog owners, speculates with scientists, and barks up a storm with his furry friends. Alongside for the journey is University of ...

Really great chat about dogs and dog language with dog guru, @drmiacobb.bsky.social.

www.sbs.com.au/audio/podcas...

Your dog is talking to you, but you need to learn how to listen People talk to their dogs a lot – but what many may not realise is dogs are communicating back, just not in our language, says a University of Melbourne expert.

Wish your dog could talk to you? Here are some top tips to tune in to what your dog is already telling you: pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/you...

How humans talk to dogs In this episode of How Humans Talk, Rune heads to the park to chat with dog owners, speculates with scientists, and barks up a storm with his furry friends. Alongside for the journey is animal welfare...

'How Humans Talk to Dogs' is the SBS podcast episode you didn't know you needed to listen to this week! This was the most fun I've had recording a pod to date, I think. You can listen here: www.sbs.com.au/audio/podcas... #dogs #science @awsc.bsky.social

How humans talk to dogs In this episode of How Humans Talk, Rune heads to the park to chat with dog owners, speculates with scientists, and barks up a storm with his furry friends. Alongside for the journey is animal welfare...

'How Humans Talk to Dogs' is the SBS podcast episode you didn't know you needed to listen to this week! This was the most fun I've had recording a pod to date, I think. You can listen here: www.sbs.com.au/audio/podcas... #dogs #science @awsc.bsky.social

Good dog: Survival of the friendliest - ABC listen 'Man's best friend' sure sounds better than 'obligatory symbiont', but what are the true dynamics at play? There's no denying the bond people feel and the attachment dogs have for their humans, but i...

Cracking episode of 'What the Duck' www.abc.net.au/listen/progr.... Includes two dear friends, @drmiacobb.bsky.social and Professor Chris Johnson.

Two academic (lecturer) positions available at the University of Otago in Aotearoa/New Zealand! One in Conservation Biology, another in Evolutionary Ecology. Links for positions below:
otago.taleo.net/careersectio...
otago.taleo.net/careersectio...

Happy birthday, David Attenborough! 99 ways he has inspired us, by Barack Obama, Billie Eilish, Morgan Freeman – and many more This week the presenter turns 99. To celebrate, we asked 99 nature lovers – including Margaret Atwood, Jane Fonda, Bono, Kate Winslet and Michael Palin – how he has helped us see the world with fresh ...

Happy 99th birthday to David Attenborough. Thanks for inspiring generations of animal behaviour researchers! 🐘🐬🐵🐸🐝🦅

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Why do dogs eat poo? A canine scientist explains It’s the dirty secret of dog ownership nobody wants to talk about.

Breaking all personal bests for views in hours is my latest for @theconversation.com 💩🍽️🐕 So many people want to know why their dogs eat poo! theconversation.com/why-do-dogs-... #dogs #behaviour #animalwelfare #science #poop @awsc.bsky.social

My previous dogs thought bear poo was a real delicacy. Why do dogs eat poo? Dr. Mia Cobb explains!

Why do dogs eat poo? A canine scientist explains It’s the dirty secret of dog ownership nobody wants to talk about.

Here’s why some dogs can’t resist a faecal feast… 💩🍽️🐕 my latest for @theconversation.com theconversation.com/why-do-dogs-... #dogs #science #poop

Dogs of the World: A Gallery of Pups from Purebreds to Mutts [A Dog Breed Book] Dogs of the World: A Gallery of Pups from Purebreds to Mutts [A Dog Breed Book] [Chin, Lili] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Dogs of the World: A Gallery of Pups from Purebreds to Mutts [A Dog Breed Book]

My newest book DOGS OF THE WORLD is available in stores now! Thank you for your support. ❤️
🐕Bookshop: bookshop.org/p/books/dogs...
🐕Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1984862006
🐕Author-signed copies: doggiedrawings.net/products/dog...
(Note that the UK edition has a different cover)

Register to join us in person or online on April 16th 🔎🐕🐘🐖

Promotional poster for a 2025 seminar series on April 16 titled '25 Years of Animal Welfare Science - Reflections, Progress, and the Road Ahead.' The event runs from 9am-11:30am at Melbourne Connect with Zoom option. Features three speakers with their photos: Dr Mia Cobb from University of Melbourne, Dr Sally Sherwen from Zoos Victoria, and Suzanne Truong from University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. The poster includes QR code, University of Melbourne logo, and Animal Welfare Science Centre logo, with decorative animal silhouettes of a dog, elephant and pig are next to each speaker photo in orange.

Inviting you to join us (in person or online) for our first Animal Welfare Science Centre Seminar for 2025. This year offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on 25 years of progress and where we want to be in 2050. Details and registration: bit.ly/AWSC25

Two years in research is very short indeed…