Companion Animal Psychology

Learn all about this fun activity for you and your dog from Certified Nose Work Instructor Bonnie Hartney CTC, in the latest episode of The Pawsitive Post in Conversation. 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 the conversation on Youtube or below, listen wherever you get your podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ), or scroll down to read a transcript of the highlights. Canine nose work: Why you and your dog will love it We learn what canine scent work is, why it's so good for dogs, and how to get started--and progress--in this activity with Certified Nose Work Instructor Bonnie Hartney of Ocean Park Dog Training. We talk about:     How Bonnie got started in scent work and how the activity first came about     Why scent work is fun for dogs and for their humans     What to expect at a beginner class     Whether scent work is for all dogs     T...

A unique opportunity to learn more about dog and cat behaviour. By Zazie Todd, PhD The canine and feline science winter webinars are a set of 3 mini-series of 3 webinars each that explore current topics in dog and cat behaviour.  Would you like to: Take a deep dive into some of the latest canine and feline science Develop a deeper understanding of aspects of dog or cat behaviour Learn how to apply the findings to dog training or cat behaviour issues The winter webinar series offers a unique opportunity to enjoy learning more about dog or cat behaviour. Choose from 2 dog and 1 cat webinar series, or attend them all. Each is a series of 3 webinars that you can attend live with the chance to ask questions, or watch the recording later if you prefer. BLACK FRIDAY SALE: Save 20 dollars per webinar series if you sign up with the links below before midnight PT on Dec 2nd. Parenting styles and the human-dog relationship: What dog trainers need to know  Most of us think of dogs as fam...

My book, Bark! has been shown on the UK's Coronation Street soap. By Zazie Todd PhD This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd be able to say "as seen on Coronation Street" about my book Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog . But a few months ago, I was contacted by a set designer at ITV asking if it was okay to use the book on the set of this popular soap. Of course, I said yes. I have been following the story lines closely ever since. In the most recent episode in the UK, Roy asks Ed to install a library box in his cafe at the suggestion of one of his pen pals. And look at Bark! in the box!!! A closer look at Bark! in the library box. Roy Cropper had Bark! in a pile of books as he went to put them in the box, and it was also handled by Ed as they talked about how to position the books in sections in the box. This epi...

When fearful and reactive dogs are admitted to shelters, it’s best to start desensitization and counterconditioning right away, study finds. Photo: Irina Shatilova/Shutterstock By Zazie Todd, PhD This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. When fearful dogs come in to a shelter, is it better to start behaviour modification early or should the dogs have a few weeks to settle in first? New research from the ASPCA finds that it’s best to start behaviour modification right away, if possible. The research, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science , examined the question because arriving a shelter is stressful for a dog. They are in an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people, missing the family that has just had to surrender them, and missing home comforts like a settee to lounge on. As well, the kennel environment is often noisy and there are unfamiliar smells of other dogs and of the cleaning materials. Because ...

The harms of shock collars in dog training are emphasized in a USD 1.9 million dollar settlement in a class action lawsuit. Photo: Parilov/Shutterstock By Zazie Todd, PhD Californians who purchased a PetSafe brand shock collar can make a claim in a class action lawsuit against Radio Systems. The shocking risks of shock collars in dog training The scientific research on shock collars shows that they have risks for animal welfare that include the risks of aggression, anxiety, fear, and learned helplessness (Masson et al 2018). There is also the risk of the dog associating the shock with something other than what the trainer intended. Dogs taught recall with shock collars show increased signs of stress (Cooper et al 2014).  Meanwhile, positive reinforcement is more effective at teaching behaviours to dogs than a shock collar (China et al 2020). Dog owners who use a remote-activated or bark-activated shock collar to train their dog report that it is not as effective as they expected;...

Watch or listen to the Ask Me Anything about reactive, fearful, and anxious dogs with Zazie Todd, PhD, and Kristi Benson, CTC. By Zazie Todd, PhD This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We recorded this Ask Me Anything to celebrate the launch in paperback of my book Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog , which is available wherever books are sold. Watch the conversation on Youtube or below, listen wherever you get your podcasts  ( Apple , Spotify ) or below, or scroll down to read a transcript. Reactive and fearful dogs: Your questions answered We hosted an Ask Me Anything on anxious, fearful, and reactive dogs. You asked some incredible questions, and this is the result. We talked about:     How to find the starting place for working with anxious dogs     Helping dogs who are afraid of elevators     Fear of strangers     Helping reac...