7 weird dog behaviors and what they mean

The pitter-patter of tiny feet is one of my favorite sounds to come home to at the end of a long day.

And I'm convinced that my dog, Izzie, is just as elated to see me as I am to see her.

But what's she really thinking when I open the front door and our eyes meet? Is she simply excited for the dinner I'm about to feed her, or do we have a real bond?

To find out more, we spoke to canine behavioral researcher Julie Hecht and Duke University professor of cognitive neuroscience Brian Hare, who wrote the book "The Genius of Dogs," and hosts a new podcast called DogSmarts.

Here are a few of the recent discoveries that Hecht, Hare, and other scientists have made about dogs: