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Companion Animal Psychology (CAP), created by the prolific, award-winning psychologist, dog and cat expert, and Psychology Today writer Zazie Todd, is now 14 years old. Zazie is still running it because, as she says, “This stuff matters, not just to dogs and cats, but also to their people. As I’ve said many times over the years, when you know what your pet needs and provide it for them, they will be happier and less likely to have behaviour issues—and you will be happier too.” I have found CAP to be an invaluable source of information for the latest science and other material on the behavior, well-being, and best ways to learn about and train dogs and cats.
I’m thrilled that Zazie, whose book Bark! recently won the prestigious Maxwell Medallion and the McFarland Best Book Award in the Dog Writers Association of America competition, could take the time to answer a few questions about her dedication to making the lives of dogs, cats, and other companion animals the very best they can be.
Marc Bekoff: Why did you found Companion Animal Psychology?
Zazie Todd: It all started when I got a Siberian Husky/Alaskan Malamute cross called Ghost. He would sit and stare at me while I was writing, and I wanted to know what he wanted! Then I discovered canine and feline science. It showed that dogs and cats were much more intelligent and prosocial than many people gave them credit for. I was also horrified by some of the advice I saw about animal behavior in the media, such as takes on dog training that involved trying to “dominate” your dog using horrific methods, or thinking that it’s funny to scare cats. I founded Companion Animal Psychology (CAP) in 2012 to write about how science could be applied to help ordinary people with their pets. It turned out that people were really keen to learn more about dogs and cats! CAP quickly turned into a community, and over the years, I’ve added my own Psychology Today blog called Fellow Creatures, a podcast (The Pawsitive Post), a book festival, and written three books (Bark!, Wag, and Purr).
MB: How does it reflect your background and interests?
ZT: I have a background in social psychology. I’m also an honors graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers and have an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behavior from iCatCare. I feel like Companion Animal Psychology brings together all of my interests—dogs, cats, and people. I like to focus on what dogs and cats need because then we can help them live happier lives—and in turn, that makes us happier.1
MB: Who do you hope to reach with the information you distribute in books, essays, and webinars?
ZT: I write for everyone who loves dogs and cats and wants to understand them better. My essays and books are written for pet guardians, especially anyone who is struggling with their pet’s behavior. But because we are always learning new things, most of what I write will also be of interest to pet professionals. The webinars that I run are more often aimed at pet professionals, but pet guardians would likely enjoy them too because I try hard to make the science accessible. I feel very lucky that the people who follow my blog include a mix of pet guardians, pet professionals, and scientists—people who really care about animals’ well-being. It means I always have an interesting inbox!
MB: What are some of the major accomplishments you have shared with others?
ZT: I’m very proud of my work to encourage people to use reward-based methods to train dogs (and cats, because cats can be trained too!). It matters because aversive methods like shock and prong collars and leash “corrections” have risks that include increased fear, anxiety, aggression, and a worse relationship with the guardian. In contrast, reward-based methods work well and are a fun, positive experience for the animal. These days, almost all professional pet organizations have strong position statements against the use of aversive dog training methods. That wasn’t the case when I started Companion Animal Psychology! My work also has a strong focus on helping companion animals to feel safe, which is important because so many pets suffer from fears and anxieties. My book Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog is about how people can address these issues in their dog.
About 18 months ago, I ran a book festival called Bark! Fest, celebrating books about animals (and named after my own book, which was launching at the time). You were kind enough to be one of the authors—thank you, Marc! It was an incredible opportunity for people to hear from authors about their work and why it matters. In total, over 11 events, 1600 people either attended live or watched the recordings. People loved it! So many people have asked me to run another one. For now, you can catch the recordings on my YouTube channel.
MB: How does your approach differ from others interested in some of the same topics?
ZT: I bring a unique combination of scientific expertise, communication skills, and practical experience in dog training and cat behavior. I know what it feels like to have a pet with behavior issues, and I have also worked with pets with serious behavior issues. So I’m interested in how we can apply the science to help solve issues or prevent them from occurring in the first place. Pets are sentient, which means it’s important not just to prevent harm but also to provide positive experiences. I like to frame it in terms of happiness because I think everyone wants their dog or cat to be happy. Enrichment such as food puzzle toys, positive reinforcement training, play, and opportunities to sniff are all great ways to give our pets fun things to do—and it’s usually fun for the human, too.
MB: Are you hopeful that as people learn more about the behavior of dogs, cats, and other companion animals, the animals and the people will benefit, so it will be a win-win for all?
ZT: I’m naturally an optimist, and I love to share positive information that people can use in their daily lives with their dog or cat. Although there is still a lot of work to do, we’ve seen big changes over the last 10 years or so. I’m hopeful that as people learn more about dog and cat behavior, it will benefit both the animals and their guardians.
