How to help your reactive or fearful dog

How to help your reactive or fearful dog

Author: Zazie Todd PhD and Kristi Benson CTC August 19, 2025 Duration: 39:05
Leave us a voicemail! If a dog is reactive, fearful, or anxious, often the dog is struggling--and so is their person. We share tips to help you to help your fearful dog, from the first chapter of Zazie's book Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog. Bark! is out now in paperback and available wherever books are sold. Get Bark!: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/p/books.html We talked about: How important it is to recognize the signs of stress in dogs...

Ever wondered what your pet is really thinking, or how the latest animal behaviour research might change your approach to a common challenge? That’s the kind of ground covered in The Pawsitive Post in Conversation. Hosts Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson bring their combined expertise-rooted in science and practical, hands-on training-into a series of discussions that feel more like a thoughtful chat with knowledgeable friends than a formal lecture. You’ll hear them unpack the nuances of dog and cat behaviour, offering actionable advice that always aligns with kind, reward-based methods. The conversation often extends beyond training tips to explore the fascinating science behind our pets' actions, helping to build deeper, more empathetic relationships. As avid readers, Zazie and Kristi also regularly share insights from the books on their nightstands, from animal-focused titles to broader works that inform their perspective. This Canadian-made podcast is a resource for anyone-whether you’re a parent teaching kids about animal kindness, a new pet owner, or a seasoned enthusiast-looking to cultivate a more thoughtful and harmonious life with their dog or cat. It’s a space where curiosity meets compassion, and where every episode aims to leave you with a clearer understanding of your companion animal.
Author: Language: en-ca Episodes: 57

The Pawsitive Post in Conversation by Companion Animal Psychology
Podcast Episodes
Animal minds and our favourite fables with Dr. Jo Wimpenny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:17
Leave us a voicemail! Zazie and Kristi are joined by zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny to talk about her book, Aesop’s Animals: The Science Behind the Fables, which is out now in paperback. In this episode of The Pawsitive Post…
Using social media to help dogs with Jennifer Malawey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:35
Leave us a voicemail! Zazie and Kristi are joined by TikTok star Jennifer Malawey (Dizzy Dancing Dog) who shares her secrets about how to us social media to help dogs. Jennifer Malawey has a CTC from the Academy for Dog…
Victoria Schade, Unleashed Holiday, and delightful romcoms with dogs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:14
Leave us a voicemail! Zazie and Kristi chat with Victoria Schade, dog trainer and author of delightful romcoms, about her upcoming book Unleashed Holiday. We learn about the Puppy Bowl and Victoria's involvement in it as…
The importance of kindness in dog training with Jane Wolff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
Leave us a voicemail! Kindness in dog training We talk with Jane about the importance of kindness in dog training, both kindness to dogs and kindness to people. We begin by talking about the most important ways to be kin…
The benefits of tricks training for dogs and cats with Erica Beckwith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:11
Leave us a voicemail! Training Tricks with Your Dog (and Cat) Teaching tricks to your dog is fun and cute, and a great way to improve the human-animal bond. Plus, you get to show off how adorable your pet is. Erica Beckw…