Season's Greetings

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A 1-year old mini aussie under the Christmas tree with presents
Photo: Eric Isselee / Shutterstock

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 
from 
Companion Animal Psychology Blog!

By Zazie Todd, PhD
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Most pet dogs are fearful or anxious, study shows

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A Finnish study finds that 72.5% of pet dogs show at least one form of canine anxiety, and better breeding practices could help.


By Zazie Todd, PhD

Fear and anxiety in pet dogs is a serious welfare issue, according to new research published in Scientific Reports by Milla Salonen (University of Helsinki) and colleagues. The results suggest that those who breed dogs should pay more attention to breeding from non-fearful animals.

The study is a survey of the owners of 13,700 pet dogs in Finland. Given the large sample size, the scientists were able to get data from over 200 dogs of each of 14 breeds plus mixed-breed dogs, allowing comparisons between breeds.

The most common form of canine anxiety is noise sensitivity (32%). Of these, the most common is fear of fireworks, reported as affecting 26% of dogs. This is similar to other research, although it’s worth noting that in one study, once the question was changed to reflect specific behavioural signs such as trembling and shaking, twice …
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Spending More Time with Your Pet due to COVID-19? Strategies to Cope

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If you’re staying home as much as possible, your pet is probably pleased – but here are some ways to cope with any issues that may arise.



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The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented situation. As people are increasingly needing to spend more time at home, that means spending more time with pets. Your pets are probably very happy about this, but as we all know, extra time in a small space can always lead to issues. Here are some tips to help.

Stick to your routine Dogs, cats, and other pets like routine. If possible, stick to your routine with them and do the things that you normally do at the normal times: feed them at the same time of day, take your dog for bathroom breaks and walks at the usual time, and anything else that is part of your normal routine with them.

Let pets have safe spaces While it’s true that your pet is probably very happy to have you at home, sometimes even they can have too much of a good thing. Make sure your pet has a safe space where they can …
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Which Dog Breeds Are the Best Alternatives to the French Bulldog?

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If you love Frenchies but the health issues give you pause, these are the dogs like  French bulldogs that you might like too.


By Zazie Todd, PhD

In 2018, French bulldogs became the most popular breed of dog in the UK, overtaking the Labrador retriever, which had the number 1 spot for almost thirty years. French bulldogs are also in the top ten dog breeds in the US (no. 4), Canada (no. 5),  and Australia (no. 3).

French bulldogs are lovely dogs but unfortunately they can suffer from a number of inherited conditions, which can be distressing for the dog and heart-breaking for the owner.  Because they have a squashed face, they are at risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, can have trouble breathing, be reluctant to exercise, and may overheat in hot weather.

Veterinarian Shaun Oppermann recently told The Guardian,
"We tend to say: ‘Oh, it’s a French bulldog – it’s normal for them to breathe like that. But if your child sounded like that after a walk in the park, you’d ha…
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