The Resident Wild

Episode 13: Do Dogs Lie? Do dogs actually lie or are we completely misunderstanding their behaviour?

The Resident Wild

Show Notes

This week on Resident Wild, Kim and Neri are joined by comedian and all-round legend Bradford Oakes, co-host of the podcast Fool Me Twice with Steven Van Aperen, where they explore deception, psychology and the fascinating ways humans can be fooled.Bradford brings a brilliant question to the table: Do dogs lie?What follows is one of the most entertaining conversations we've had, filled with laughs, unexpected tangents and some thought-provoking discussion about whether dogs are truly capable of deception—or whether we're simply interpreting their behaviour through a human lens.In Advice Given Online, Kim and Neri unpack the growing trend of "teaching calm" and explain why genuine calmness isn't something that can simply be trained on cue. From a psychological perspective, true emotional regulation develops through safety, relationship and co-regulation—not by asking a dog to remain still.Then, in Debunk a Myth, they tackle another common misconception: Does a dog pee inside to get back at its owner? They explore why this belief has persisted for so long and what house-soiling behaviour is far more likely to be communicating.A fun, thought-provoking episode that blends wolves, dogs, people, psychology, comedy and a whole lot of curiosity about the dogs we share our lives with.🐾 Because the more we understand our dogs, the better we can understand the behaviour they show us.listener question 4:08Advice given on line 28:15Debunk a myth 35:40

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from The Resident Wild

Oct 19, 2026

As we prepare for Season Two of The Resident Wild, we're revisiting one of our most important conversations. Shaun Ellis has spent years living and working alongside both wild and captive wolves. In this extraordinary episode, he shares his experience of spending two and a half years living with a family of wild wolves in America. This experience, and the understanding that came from it, forms the very foundation of the work Kim and Neri do today. It's a story that challenges long-held beliefs about wolves and opens the door to a completely different understanding of our dogs. Whether you're hearing Shaun's story for the first time or returning for another listen, this is an episode worth revisiting. 🐺 The Resident Wild — Understanding dogs through what wolves really teach us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 12, 2026

For our Season One finale, we're throwing out the usual format. No listener question, no Advice Given Online, no Debunk a Myth—just Kim and Neri having a relaxed (and possibly slightly chaotic) chat about the first season of The Resident Wild. We're looking back at our favourite conversations, guests, myths, ridiculous online advice and what 25 episodes have taught us. But more importantly… what's next? We're revealing some big changes for Season Two, including Real Dogs, Real People, new rotating segments and a much bigger role for you—the listeners. 🎙️ We want to hear your voices! You'll now be able to send us WhatsApp voice messages with your dog questions, stories and experiences, with the chance to hear yourself on the podcast. And because it's the finale, Speak English Proper ends Season One with possibly the most Australian expression we've had yet. 🇦🇺🇬🇧 Twenty-five episodes down. Season Two is going to be a little different… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 5, 2026

This week, Kim and Neri tackle six listener questions exploring the little behaviours that can tell us so much about our dogs. From greetings, affection and mysterious shake-offs to a dog who suddenly refuses to move, this episode is all about understanding what our dogs might really be communicating. And in Speak English Proper, things get wonderfully confusing as we discover what everyone calls the end of a loaf of bread—and attempt to explain the very Australian expressions "yeah nah" and "nah yeah"! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 28, 2026

This week, Kim and Neri are talking all things humping, looking beyond the obvious explanations to explore what might actually be happening for the individual dog. In Advice Given Online, they tackle the claim that a reactive dog simply hasn't seen enough other dogs. Does a dog struggling around other dogs really need more exposure—or could that make things worse? Then, in Debunk a Myth, it's the idea that dogs are naturally conflict avoidant. This conversation takes things back to the true nature of wolves and challenges some of the outdated ideas about wolf behaviour that are still influencing how we understand dogs today. Plus, Speak English Proper returns for another round of Australia versus England. Listener question 4:18 Advice given online 24:30 Debunk a myth 31.18 Speak english proper 39.58 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 21, 2026

This week, Kim and Neri answer a listener question about a Kelpie displaying exactly these behaviours and explore what might be happening beneath the surface. In Advice Given Online, they tackle the familiar idea that your dog should sit and wait while you eat first to reinforce who's in charge. Where did this thinking come from, and does it actually make sense to the dog? Then, in Debunk a Myth, they ask what a dog is really communicating when they roll onto their back and expose their belly. Is it always an invitation for a belly rub? And Speak English Proper returns for another round of Australia versus England. 🐾 Because when we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What is my dog trying to tell me?", everything begins to change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See all episodes →