The Pawsitive Post in Conversation by Companion Animal Psychology
The show about how to have a better relationship with your dog or cat. Get tips on dog training, dog behaviour, cat behaviour and training, learn about the science on dogs and cats, and find out which books we're reading (animal-related and more generally). Kind, humane, reward-based training methods only. Hosted by Zazie Todd PhD and Kristi Benson CTC of Companion Animal Psychology blog. Made in Canada.
Episodes
Jean Donaldson has just published a new edition of her book Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs. If you have a dog who guards food, objects, people, or locations, you need this book! Jean joins Zazie and Kristi to discuss what to do if your dog guards food, locations, or other resources.
We talk about:
- Why it was time for a new edition of Mine! and what it was like to write it
- How to decide if...
Kids are routinely taught to ask a dog's owner before petting the dog. Today, radio host Steve Dale joins us to talk about how they should also find out if the dog wants to be petted or not. We learn about Steve's new children's book, Ask the Dog, which is a fun story with an important message, and we also talk about some good news in cat health.
We talked about:
- Why Steve wrote the book
- The importance of prev...
Zazie and Kristi ask each other rapid fire questions about dogs and cats, breeds and behaviour. But in this game of this or that, we also discuss the answers, illuminating ideas about training and enrichment. By the end of the show, you'll know Zazie and Kristi a lot better, but you'll also have learned something about dogs and cats.
As you listen, be sure to shout out your answers too! Or you can leave us a voi...
Zazie and Kristi chat with Dr. Jo Wimpenny, author of Beauty of the Beasts, to learn more about wasps, mosquitoes, vultures, sharks, and other unloved animals.
We talk about:-
- why Jo wanted to write about the beasties
- how everything is connected
- the value of wasps and mosquitoes to the ecosystem
- how sharks are not necessarily out to get people (even if sometimes they are)
- whether some animals are over-rated
- which ...
Can pet dogs use their nose to find the eggs of an invasive species, the spotted lanternfly--and what was it like taking part in citizen science to find out? Zazie and Kristi are joined by dog trainer and author Melissa McCue-McGrath to learn all about this fun project. We also learn about Melissa's book, Misadventures of the World's Okayest Dog Trainer.
We talk about:
- the nose work classes that Melissa teach...
Content warning: The books section at the end of the episode includes subject matter that may be distressing.
Having both a senior dog and a young dog in the same home can be wonderful, revitalizing the older dog and providing company for the younger dog. But it can also have its challenges. Zazie and Kristi talk about how to make sure everyone is happy and stays safe.
We talk about:
- How training can help when...
How can you help your dog to like it--and behave well--when visitors come to your home? Zazie and Kristi are joined by dog trainer Jeff Millman, author of Triggers and Reactions: A Guide to Fixing Your Dog Behavior Problems, to chat about this common issue.
We talk about:
- Why having your dog jump on guests is in some ways a nice problem to have
- The behaviours we can teach them to do instead
- The signs to look fo...
Zazie and Kristi talk about how to help dogs and cats get along, and why it all starts with thinking about the cat's feeling of safety.
We talk about:
- the need to manage introductions between dogs and cats
- what that means from the dog's perspective, and the cat's perspective
- the importance of letting them vote with their feet
- the need for safe spaces, and how to make safe spaces for a cat
- the idea of training the...
What's the best kind of carrier to choose for your cat? We get a veterinarian's perspective from Dr. Mansum Yau, author of The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers: A Veterinarian's Guide to Cat Carriers.
We talk about:
- why, as a vet, Dr. Mansum is interested in cat carriers
- what kind of carrier is the best one to choose
- how to help cats be more comfortable at the vet
- how she became a stand-up comedian on top of being a...
Away to Me is Patricia McConnell PhD's first mystery novel, and it's gorgeous. Zazie and Kristi chat with Patricia to learn more about the book and why she decided to write fiction set in the dog world.
We talk about:
- What made Patricia decide to write a mystery novel
- The main character, Maddie McGowan
- Whether it was fun to be writing dogs as characters
- How she wrote about the dogs as real characters & witho...
How is caring for a dog different than caring for a cat, and what is the same? We talk about what dogs and cats need for a happy life with us.
We talk about:
- Training dogs and training cats (and why you should train your cat)
- The importance of enrichment
- Their sense of smell
- Going places with your dog, but not your cat
- House training
- Vet care and husbandry
- And the books we've been reading.
Also mentioned in thi...
If your dog has separation anxiety, what can you do to help them, how can you cope with not leaving your dog alone for longer than they can handle, and why is it so important? We're joined by separation anxiety expert Malena DeMartini to talk about how you can help your dog with their separation-related issues.
We talk about:
- what separation anxiety is and whether other labels like separation-related distress...
In this special episode, Zazie and Kristi are joined by some of the most popular guests from previous episodes to chat about all things animal behaviour, including dogs, cats, ants, penguins, and crows.
We talk about:
- with Jo Wimpenny, PhD, author of Aesop's Animals, we talk about The Ant and the Grasshopper and how we know whether or not animals can plan ahead--plus we get exciting news about her next book
- Za...
Zazie and Kristi are joined by Prof. Carri Westgarth to answer your questions about dog bites, how to avoid getting bitten by a dog, and what to do if you have been bitten by a dog.
We talked about:
- Why dogs bite
- How to use management to keep people safe from dogs
- How to keep children safe from dog bites
- What to do if a loose dog charges you
- How to regain trust if your own dog has bitten you
- The difference betwee...
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
- The kin...
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 reactive dogs in tricky environments like apartment buildings and cities
- Reactivity to other dogs
- Fear of loud noises
- How the unfortunate side ...
We talk about the real world of conservation dogs and the fictional world of FBI dogs and conservation canines with Jen J. Danna, who writes under the name Sara Driscoll. Deadly Trade is the latest FBI K-9 mystery from author Sara Driscoll. K-9 handler Meg Jennings can never walk away from her job, even amid her Hawaiian Islands honeymoon, where she and her search-and-rescue black Lab encounter a double threat ...
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 ...
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, ...
The benefits of having more than one dog and what you should do to ensure everyone gets along. We talk about:
- How having another dog in the home can be beneficial for a dog
- How it can cause issues
- Disagreements between dogs are normal, just like people disagree
- What kind of disagreement is okay
- The mistake many people make which makes things worse
- How to make sure resources aren't a source of stress
- How to deal wi...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Building on the belief that a deeper understanding of the natural world enriches all of our lives, host Steven Rinella brings an in-depth and relevant look at all outdoor topics including hunting, fishing, nature, conservation, and wild foods. Filled with humor, irreverence, and things that will surprise the hell out of you, each episode welcomes a diverse group of guests who add their own expertise to the vast world of the outdoors. Part of The MeatEater Podcast Network.
Where the world and America meet, with episodes each weekday. The world is changing. Decisions made in the US and by the second Trump administration are accelerating that change. But they are also a symptom of it. With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. Come and join us our live event. You can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026