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I’m Zazie, the award-winning author of Companion Animal Psychology. If you love pets, you’re in the right place. Even better if you also love science and care about animal welfare.

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I publish a new post most Wednesdays. I've also written two books that are packed with tips to help you with your pets: Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy

Companion Animal Psychology isn't just a blog. It's also a community of people who love dogs and cats and understand the importance of reward-based training, enrichment, and meeting your pet's needs. If you love books, you can also check out the Animal Book Club and the Animal Books Facebook group. 

You can listen to my podcast, The Pawsitive Post in Conversation, via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app, or you can watch it on Youtube if you prefer. 

And I highly recommend that you sign up to get Companion Animal Psychology in your inbox.


A close-up of a big brown rescue dog staring soulfully at the camera
Photo: Geartooth Productions/Shutterstock

So you brought home a new best friend, and you’re not sure where to start with training your new rescue dog. Here are some tips.




Cats are wonderful creatures. When we understand them, we can use that information to make them happier. Here are five things to do for your cat today - and a bonus one to work on over time. 




A user-friendly guide to everything you need to know about positive reinforcement. 
Especially for anyone who is new to dogs or new to dog training.



A Black woman sits with her hands on the table and her long-haired cat between her hands
Photo: Marie-Claude Lemay/Shutterstock

An explanation of this common behaviour and what it means to your cat.



The best treats to use in dog training

Want to know which are the best treats to use in dog training?
This guide tells you what to consider and lists my favourites
(with recipes for home-made treats too).
I also have suggestions for training treats for cats.




The tail of a cat is all that sticks out from under a colourful crochet blanket
Photo: Koldunov Alexey/Shutterstock

“Cats sleep, anywhere,” by Eleanor Farjeon was a favourite poem when I was a child. This place looks at how much cats sleep and what to look for when choosing a bed for them.



New Reader? Start here. Photo shows thoughtful dog.

Why punishment is the wrong approach to house training, and how you should house train your puppy instead.




“Because dogs are family, and our furry family members need love, training and walkies, not dominance”




“When cats scratch the furniture, their owners get annoyed. But it turns out many people are providing the wrong kind of scratching posts. Here's what cats prefer.”



A Black Labrador puppy against a green backdrop with the text How to choose a dog trainer

How to choose the best dog trainer for you and your dog, including the methods and qualifications to look out for. I also have a separate post on how to choose a puppy class



A Jack Russell Terrier jumps past a rainbow in the sky behind
Photo: thka/Shutterstock

Dog trainer Kristi Benson is Special Correspondent to Companion Animal Psychology and this is one of her most popular posts. It's a dog trainer's reflections on acceptance, cultural change, and letting dogs be dogs. 



I also write a blog at Psychology Today called Fellow Creatures. These are my two most popular posts there:

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, and also has a column at Psychology Today. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats. 

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