Companion Animal Psychology

If your dog is terrified of fireworks, here are the things you can do to help, both in the short- and long-term. Photo: Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock By Zazie Todd, PhD It’s a problem for many at this time of year. One loud bang and your dog is quaking and shaking. It’s awful to see your best friend so terrified, but luckily there are things that you can do to help. This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Fear of fireworks is common in dogs If your dog is afraid of fireworks, you’re not alone. Somewhere between a fifth and half of all dogs are scared of fireworks, depending which survey you look at (Kurachi and Irimajiri 2019; Riemer 2019; Salonen et al 2020). One study found that the numbers increased significantly when people were asked more direct questions such as whether the dog trembles when there are fireworks, rather than just if their dog was scared of them (Blackwell et al 2013). Common signs in dogs who a...

People need to understand guinea pigs better, says the RSPCA, which has seen a 40% increase in the number of guinea pigs going into care at their national centres.  Two guinea pigs at the RSPCA's West Hatch Animal Centre near Taunton, England. Photo: RSPCA. By Zazie Todd, PhD Guinea pigs make amazing pets because they are fun, social creatures. But some guinea pigs in the UK are having a hard time, with the RSPCA seeing a 40% increase in the numbers of guinea pigs going into care in their national centres. The figures have been released for the UK’s Guinea Pig Awareness Week which runs from 20-24 October. The week is a national campaign aimed at increasing awareness of these lovely pets. RSPCA figures show that up until the end of September this year, 373 guinea pigs were reported abandoned, an increase of 34% on last year. And a total of 287 were taken in to RSPCA national centres in England and Wales, 81 more than in the same period last year. There are several reasons for this ...

When dogs demand bark, it can be frustrating--but it's easy to solve with reward-based methods if you know what to do. By Zazie Todd PhD This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Watch episode 43 of The Pawsitive Post in Conversation on Youtube or below, listen wherever you get your podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ), or scroll down to read a transcript of the highlights. Demand barking in dogs (and what to do about it) Demand barking is a type of barking that dogs do to get something they want, like a treat, toy, or attention. It happens because we've previously (accidentally) rewarded them for it. So what should you do if your dog is demand barking? In this episode, we talk about:     How dogs bark for different reasons, including watchdog barking and barking due to fear     What demand barking is     Why the phrase "demand barking" is actually a bit of a misnomer     We give ...

It turns out that some dog trainers are more willing than others to suggest referrals to a veterinarian. Photo: Danielle W Press By Zazie Todd, PhD This page contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. For dog trainers and behaviourists, there are times when a vet referral is helpful or even essential for dog behaviour issues. But some types of trainers are more likely to suggest a vet visit than others, according to two studies. They show that trainers who use out-dated aversive methods are less likely to suggest referrals to a vet than those who use reward-based methods . But first, it’s important to know why vet referrals may be advisable. One reason is that pain and other medical issues can play a role in behaviour cases, something that we are increasingly aware of (Mills et al, 2020). Any time you notice a sudden change in your pet’s behaviour, it’s important to see your vet to check for medical issues. Another reason is...

Dog sports are great fun for you and your dog. We spoke to Ayoka Bubar about which sport(s) to pick and what you'll gain. By Zazie Todd PhD Watch episode 42 of The Pawsitive Post in Conversation on Youtube or below, listen wherever you get your podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ) or below, or scroll down to read a transcript of the highlights. How to get started in dog sports Dog sports are fun activities for you and your dog, but with so many to choose from, it can feel daunting to get started. We demystify dog sports with trainer Ayoka Bubar, a Rally Obedience judge who has taught (and tried) many different sports. She shares the details and tells us how to match sports to dogs. We talked about:     Why Ayoka loves dog sports     Why dog sports are good for dogs     We get examples: rally o, tricks training, barn hunt, and carting     Which kinds of dogs and people these sports are best for     The best place to start if someone is inter...