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Showing posts from 2021

The Companion Animal Psychology Posts of the Year 2021

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The top posts of the year and a couple of things to look forward to in 2022 Photo: Ivanova N/Shutterstock

Season's Greetings

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 Season's Greetings from Companion Animal Psychology Photo: Roman Valyaev/Shutterstock

If You Think Your Pet's a Jerk, Think Again

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Pets aren't little people, so if you're going to apply labels like that, ask yourself these questions first. They're often the first step in solving behaviour issues in dogs and cats. New Africa/Shutterstock

Companion Animal Psychology Book Club December 2021

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"This book is an evolutionary thought experiment--untestable, informative and great fun."--David P. Barash. 

The 2021 Artisan Holiday Gift Guide for Pet Lovers

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My picks of artisan gifts from Etsy for dogs, cats, and their people.  From snuffle mats to cat sampler toys and pet beds, this artisan gift guide has you covered.

An Interview with Victoria Shroff about Canadian Animal Law

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"Wow, this used to be theory and now we’re actually seeing it in practice.” Pioneering Canadian lawyer Victoria Shroff on her book, Canadian Animal Law. By Zazie Todd, PhD.

Eight Reasons to Train Your Dog Just for Fun

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Why training your dog—even when you don’t need to teach a specific behaviour—is a good idea. An Australian Shepherd and a Border Collie show off their tricks. Photo: Enna8982/Shutterstock By Zazie Todd PhD

Genius Dogs and Talking Dogs, Jumping Up Dogs and Housetraining (PPiC Ep1)

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In the very first episode of The Pawsitive Post in Conversation, Zazie and Kristi talk about genius dogs and talking dogs, as well as dogs jumping up and housetraining.

How to Train Your Cat to Use an Asthma Inhaler

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A set of videos break down how to teach your cat to like their asthma inhaler.  Photo: Shveyn Irina/Shutterstock

Companion Animal Psychology Book Club November 2021

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“A captivating book on an intelligence as ‘alien’ as one from outer space. And its not science fiction.” -- Bernd Heinrich.

Cover Reveal for Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy

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I’m so excited about this gorgeous cover! And Purr is available for preorder now. By Zazie Todd PhD

A Guide to Using Food Puzzle Toys with Your Dog

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The benefits of using food puzzle toys, how to choose them, and how to introduce them to your dog. A Corgi with a woolly snuffle mat. Photo: Jus_Ol/Shutterstock.

Companion Animal Psychology News Autumn 2021

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Fear of predators, aging dogs, and blood transfusions for cats... the latest Companion Animal Psychology news. By Zazie Todd PhD

Three ways that management can help you with your pet

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A guide to the ways in which management can help with your pet’s behaviour issues—either on its own, or alongside training and behaviour modification. Management can stop your dog from taking food you don't want them to get. Photo: Jarib/Shutterstock By Zazie Todd, PhD

Super Smart Dogs Learn the Names of Toys Quickly (and Remember Them Later)

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Clever Border Collies have their word learning skills tested in new research from the Genius Dog Challenge. Whisky, one of the dogs in the study. Photo: Helge O. Svela. By Zazie Todd, PhD

Companion Animal Psychology Book Club October 2021

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"A beautifully presented book with an evocative historical voice and great confidence and flair. It is also a lot of fun to read."--Neil Pemberton.

Fellow Creatures: 3 Things Everyone Should Understand About Puppies

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I have a new post about puppies over on my Psychology Today blog, Fellow Creatures. Photo: Helena Lopes/Pexels

Fellow Creatures: What is Caregiver Burden for People with Pets?

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I've got a new post on my Fellow Creatures blog at Psychology Today. Photo: Meruyert Gonollu/Shutterstock

BC’s 2018 Ban on Declawing Cats Was Good News for Cats, Study Shows

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After the ban, fewer cats were surrendered to shelters, and those that were found a new home faster. Photo: Joey Thebeau/Shutterstock

Companion Animal Psychology Book Club September 2021

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"An incredible journey of joy, discovery, and innovation."--Shari Robertson PhD. By Zazie Todd, PhD.

Finding happiness in the small moments of joy with your pet

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When times are hard, we can still find joy with our pets.  Carpe sphera? Photo: Violacelous/Shutterstock

Fellow Creatures: Helping People Switch to Reward-Based Dog Training Methods

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We know that reward-based methods are the best way to train dogs. Lately in the news I’ve read various stories about ways to encourage more people to get vaccinated in order to make a difference to the pandemic, and I’ve been seeing parallels with dog training. Photo: Samson Katt/Pexels

What’s coming up in The Pawsitive Post

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Here’s what you’ve been missing (and why now is a great time to sign up).

Why You Need To Reward Your Dog in Training, According to the Experts

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Dog obedience training and behaviour modification should use reward-based methods, according to a new position statement from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Photo: xkunclova/Shutterstock

Companion Animal Psychology Book Club August 2021

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"I love Wesley the Owl ! Not since Konrad Lorenz have I read such an honest, vivid, and revealing account of the rich and complex life of an individual bird."--Sy Montgomery.

I'm Presenting at Geek Week 2021

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The Pet Professional Guild's Geek Week 2021 is an online educational event with internationally renowned speakers--and I'm excited to be one of them! By Zazie Todd PhD

Overcoming The Colossal Fear of Looking Like A Graceless Noob

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Photo: alexei_tm/Shutterstock The self-imposed stress of signing up for new dog training endeavours and how a berry U-Pick helped me to get over myself.  By Kristi Benson CTC PCBC-A, Special Correspondent

Fixing Your Pet’s Behaviour Issue Can Be a Long Road

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But don’t despair. Help is out there, and every small step gets you closer to resolution and to more fun adventures with your pet. Photo: dezy/Shutterstock

The Role of Science Communication in Talking About Dog Training

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Zazie Todd guests on the What Makes You Click?  podcast with Daniel Mills. Daniel Mills and Zazie Todd

You are the Secret to Your Pet's Happiness

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If you want a happy pet, you should pay attention to how you interact with them. Photo: Veera/Shutterstock

Fellow Creatures: Two New Posts on Behavioural Issues in Dogs and Cats

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 Tips for dealing with behavioral issues, and on petting-induced aggression in cats. Photo: Simon Robben/Pexels

Fellow Creatures: Why Dogs with Behaviour Problems Deserve Compassion

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Today I have a new post on my Psychology Today blog, Fellow Creatures . Photo: Kataryna Babaieva/Pexels

Salience, motivation, and good fortune in dog training.

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The joy of finding a hot dog under the couch. (Photo: Jane Petrova/Shutterstock) By Kristi Benson CTC PCBC-A, Special Correspondent

Reactive Dogs: Compassion and the Power of Animal Learning are at the Heart of Training

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 What to do if your dog is reactive to other dogs or other people on walks. Photo: Page Light Studios/Shutterstock. Guest post by Beth Sautins CTC

Companion Animal Psychology Book Club June 2021

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"In this superbly articulate cri de coeur, Safina gives us a new way of looking at the natural world that is radically different."―The Washington Post. By Zazie Todd, PhD.

What You Can Expect from The Pawsitive Post

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 Enrichment for your pet... and for you too in this new premium newsletter (with benefits). Photo: Lenti Hill/Shutterstock

Top Tips on Puppy Raising from the Experts (Guide)

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How to train your puppy, what to do about the zoomies, and house training... Common questions about caring for puppies answered by the experts. Photo: Photology1971/Shutterstock By Zazie Todd, PhD  This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Get Companion Animal Psychology in your inbox. Puppies are so cute! It must be wonderful to have one, right? But it can also be exhausting. And the need to socialize your puppy can feel like a big responsibility. We know that once people have had a puppy before, they typically do a better job of the socialization and training. They’ve learned from their earlier experience. But what if this is the first time you’ve got a puppy? It's very common to have questions about the best things to do to socialize and train your puppy. And let's face it, even an experienced puppy guardian can have questions. I asked some of North America's top experts for their tips for new puppy

Help Your Pet Live Their Best Life with The Pawsitive Post

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An exciting new offering from Companion Animal Psychology for people who want (even) happier pets. By Zazie Todd, PhD

Flops, Treats, Purrs, and Pees: The Measurements of Daily Life with Pets

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Trials, setbacks, and love are all part of our relationship with dogs and cats. Photo: Ermolaeva Olga 84/Shutterstock By Zazie Todd PhD.

Companion Animal Psychology News May 2021

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Misunderstanding dogs, where a cat's butt goes, puppies, and teenagers... this month's Companion Animal Psychology news.

If The Cat Fits, It Tells Us What They See

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Will cats choose to sit in an imaginary box? A grey cat called Ash sits in a Kanizsa square. Photo: Tara McCready By Zazie Todd, PhD.

Understanding Aggression in Dogs: It's Complex, but Fear is a Common Cause

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The risk factors for dogs being aggressive towards people include being fearful, older, small, and someone’s first dog, new research shows.  Photo: Bianca Ackermann/Unsplash

Companion Animal Psychology Book Club May 2021

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 "Answers every question imaginable for the new cat owner."--New York Times Book Review.

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