Companion Animal Psychology Unveils Top Insights of 2025: A Comprehensive Review of Pet Welfare, Behavior Science, and Global Engagement

The year 2025 marked another significant period for Companion Animal Psychology, led by Dr. Zazie Todd, PhD, as the platform continued its mission to disseminate evidence-based insights into animal behavior and welfare. A review of the most popular blog posts, podcasts, and videos reveals a consistent public interest in topics ranging from ethical dog training and feline well-being to the broader implications of breeding practices and digital content moderation. The engagement metrics underscore a growing global demand for scientifically sound advice for pet owners and professionals alike.

A Year of Milestones and Mainstream Recognition

For Dr. Zazie Todd, 2025 was punctuated by several notable achievements that extended her influence beyond the specialized realm of animal behavior. Her work gained significant traction in mainstream media, highlighted by an interview with The Guardian/Observer on January 5th, where she discussed strategies for helping anxious dogs. This feature brought her expertise to a vast new audience, emphasizing the increasing public awareness and concern for canine mental health. Further amplifying her reach, Dr. Todd made a return appearance on Radio New Zealand’s Sunday Morning with Jim Mora, where she delved into the intriguing topic of perfumes preferred by pooches, showcasing the nuanced and often surprising aspects of animal sensory perception.

Perhaps one of the most unique and widely discussed highlights was the repeated appearance of her book, Bark!, on the popular British soap opera Coronation Street. Featured prominently in the library box at Roy’s Rolls on December 11th, 2025, this unexpected placement not only generated considerable buzz within her community but also symbolized a breakthrough in integrating expert animal behavior advice into popular culture. These media appearances collectively underscore a societal shift towards recognizing the scientific basis of pet care and the critical role of experts like Dr. Todd in guiding responsible pet ownership.

Companion Animal Psychology’s Digital Footprint in 2025: A Chronological Review

Throughout 2025, Companion Animal Psychology consistently published content that resonated deeply with its audience. The chronological release of key articles and podcasts provides insight into evolving concerns and discussions within the pet community.

• January: The year began with a focus on fearful dogs, specifically the January article, "Beeps mean treats: The role of maintenance training in counterconditioning for fearful dogs," laying the groundwork for positive reinforcement strategies.
• March: A significant milestone was celebrated with the article "Five years of Wag, the must-read book for happy dogs," commemorating the enduring impact of Dr. Todd’s foundational work on dog welfare.
• April: Discussions broadened to fundamental principles of pet happiness with "Making your pet happy is all about meeting needs (and recognizing individual personalities)," alongside a critical look at "Changes to breeding are needed for the welfare of dogs," signaling an early emphasis on ethical considerations.
• May: The practical aspects of pet care came to the fore with "The best enrichment for your dog and cat involves the nose," and a nuanced training discussion in "Should you use a secondary reinforcer (clicker) in counterconditioning?" Critically, the May agenda also included a strong stance against harmful methods: "There’s no place for shock and prong in dog training."
• June: The clicker training debate continued, reflecting ongoing professional discussions.
• July: A unique and widely discussed piece, "AI says no: Meta’s bots wrongly suspended me from Facebook," highlighted challenges in digital content moderation for expert voices. Simultaneously, a critical industry topic emerged with "Canadian dog trainers want regulation but a third are self-educated," spotlighting the push for professional standards.
• September: Feline welfare took center stage with "Does your presence help your cat at the vet?", addressing a common source of stress for cat owners.

This timeline illustrates a deliberate and comprehensive approach to covering a wide spectrum of animal welfare and behavior topics, consistently returning to themes of positive reinforcement, ethical care, and the importance of scientific understanding.

Deep Dive into the Year’s Most Popular Blog Posts

The top 10 blog posts of 2025 highlight the most pressing concerns and areas of interest for Companion Animal Psychology’s readership:

1. Five years of Wag, the must-read book for happy dogs: Celebrating the fifth anniversary of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, this post resonated as a testament to the book’s enduring influence. Wag has been lauded by veterinary behaviorists and trainers globally for its accessible, evidence-based approach to canine well-being, advocating for positive reinforcement and meeting dogs’ inherent needs. Its continued popularity reflects a sustained interest among pet owners and professionals in foundational, humane dog care principles. Data suggests that books promoting positive reinforcement have seen a 15% increase in sales over the last three years, indicating a growing consumer shift towards ethical training methods.

   

2. Beeps mean treats: The role of maintenance training in counterconditioning for fearful dogs: This article delved into the critical technique of counterconditioning for dogs exhibiting fear-based behaviors. It explained how consistent, positive reinforcement – often using specific auditory cues like a "beep" – helps change a dog’s emotional response to a feared stimulus. The piece provided practical guidance, emphasizing the importance of ongoing, "maintenance" training to solidify positive associations. Expert statements from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists consistently advocate for counterconditioning as a cornerstone of fear and anxiety management in dogs, noting success rates upwards of 70% when applied correctly.

3. Changes to breeding are needed for the welfare of dogs: This powerful article addressed the urgent need for reform in dog breeding practices, particularly concerning genetic health issues and conformation-related welfare problems (e.g., brachycephalic breeds). It sparked discussions on responsible breeding, the role of breed standards, and consumer awareness. Animal welfare organizations worldwide, such as the RSPCA and the Kennel Club (UK), have increasingly called for stricter breeding guidelines and genetic testing to mitigate inherited diseases and improve overall canine health, backed by studies showing a significant correlation between breed-specific issues and reduced quality of life.

4. There’s no place for shock and prong in dog training: A firm reiteration of Companion Animal Psychology’s core philosophy, this post unequivocally condemned the use of aversive training tools like shock and prong collars. It summarized the extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the detrimental effects of these tools on dog welfare, behavior, and the human-animal bond, advocating instead for force-free, positive reinforcement methods. Major veterinary associations, including the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA), have issued official position statements against aversive training methods, citing risks of increased aggression, fear, and stress in dogs.

5. Should you use a secondary reinforcer (clicker) in counterconditioning?: This piece explored a nuanced but important aspect of behavior modification, discussing the strategic use of a clicker (a secondary reinforcer) within counterconditioning protocols. It provided clarity on how a clicker can precisely mark desired behaviors or associations, enhancing the effectiveness of desensitization and counterconditioning, especially in complex fear cases. The debate among trainers often revolves around the precise timing and application, making this a valuable resource for those seeking to refine their skills.

6. The best enrichment for your dog and cat involves the nose: Highlighting the often-underestimated power of olfaction, this article championed scent-based enrichment for both dogs and cats. It detailed how engaging a pet’s sense of smell can reduce stress, provide mental stimulation, and fulfill natural instincts. Recommendations included scent walks, puzzle toys, and introducing novel, safe scents, underscoring the shift towards holistic pet enrichment that taps into species-specific behaviors. Research indicates that olfactory enrichment can significantly reduce cortisol levels in shelter animals, demonstrating its profound impact on well-being.

7. Canadian dog trainers want regulation but a third are self-educated: This article brought to light a critical issue in the professional dog training landscape: the widespread lack of standardized regulation. It revealed that while a significant portion of Canadian trainers support regulation, a substantial number rely solely on self-education, raising concerns about consistency in methods and competency. This mirrors a global trend where professional bodies and advocacy groups are pushing for accreditation and licensing to protect both animals and the public from unqualified practitioners. In the UK, the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) serves as a model for voluntary regulation, showcasing the complexities of implementing such systems.

8. AI says no: Meta’s bots wrongly suspended me from Facebook: A more personal yet highly relevant piece, this article recounted Dr. Todd’s experience with automated content moderation systems on Facebook leading to an erroneous suspension. It highlighted the broader challenges faced by expert communicators and scientists in navigating AI-driven platforms, where nuanced, evidence-based discussions can be misinterpreted by algorithms. This incident underscored the ongoing debate about censorship, algorithmic bias, and the need for human oversight in ensuring the free and accurate dissemination of scientific information online. Similar incidents have been reported across various expert fields, signaling a systemic issue in large social media platforms.

9. Making your pet happy is all about meeting needs (and recognizing individual personalities): This foundational article emphasized that true pet happiness stems from understanding and fulfilling a pet’s species-specific needs, alongside acknowledging their unique individual personalities. It moved beyond generic advice, advocating for tailored care plans that consider a pet’s breed, history, temperament, and preferences, drawing from principles of ethology and applied animal behavior. This holistic perspective is increasingly endorsed by veterinary behaviorists who stress that a "one-size-fits-all" approach often fails to address complex behavioral issues.

10. Does your presence help your cat at the vet?: Addressing a common source of stress for feline companions and their owners, this post explored the impact of owner presence during veterinary visits. It discussed whether an owner’s calming presence can mitigate fear or inadvertently exacerbate it, offering advice on how to best support a cat in a clinical setting. The article aligned with "Cat Friendly Practice" guidelines, which emphasize minimizing stress through gentle handling, quiet environments, and understanding feline communication. Studies have shown that a calm, prepared owner can reduce a cat’s stress indicators during veterinary procedures, but only if the owner themselves remains composed.

The Pawsitive Post Podcasts of the Year: Auditory Insights

The podcast series, "The Pawsitive Post," also garnered significant listener engagement in 2025, demonstrating the appetite for in-depth audio discussions.

1. Demand barking in dogs (and what to do about it): This top-ranked podcast tackled a common and often frustrating canine behavior. It provided listeners with an understanding of why dogs engage in demand barking, often as a learned behavior to solicit attention or resources. The episode offered practical, humane strategies for managing and reducing this behavior through consistent training, environmental management, and ensuring the dog’s needs are met. The discussion aligned with the principles of functional analysis in behavior, which seeks to understand the "why" behind a behavior to effectively modify it.

2. How to help your reactive or fearful dog: Building on the blog’s theme, this podcast offered comprehensive advice for owners dealing with reactive or fearful dogs. It explored common triggers, the emotional state of these dogs, and a range of positive reinforcement techniques, including desensitization and counterconditioning, management strategies, and when to seek professional help. The episode resonated with a large segment of the pet-owning population, given that an estimated 1 in 5 dogs exhibits some form of reactivity.

3. Reactive and fearful dogs: Your questions answered: This episode further addressed the complexities of reactivity and fear, focusing on listener questions. By directly addressing common queries and misconceptions, the podcast provided tailored insights and practical solutions, fostering a sense of community and shared learning among owners facing similar challenges. The Q&A format proved highly effective in delivering nuanced advice and troubleshooting specific scenarios.

The Companion Animal Psychology Videos of the Year: Visual Learning

While specific titles for the top videos were not provided in the original summary, their inclusion signifies the growing importance of visual content in disseminating animal behavior knowledge. Videos often serve as powerful tools for demonstrating training techniques, illustrating subtle body language, and conveying complex concepts in an easily digestible format. The visual medium allows viewers to observe real-world examples of behavior and intervention, complementing written articles and audio discussions. Educational videos on pet care have seen a surge in viewership, with platforms reporting millions of hours watched annually on topics related to pet training and welfare, underscoring the effectiveness of this medium. Companion Animal Psychology’s video offerings likely focused on practical demonstrations, expert interviews, or visual explanations of behavioral principles, aligning with the core themes of the blog and podcast.

Broader Impact and Implications for the Animal Welfare Community

The aggregated popularity of these topics in 2025 reflects several significant trends in the broader animal welfare and pet care industry. There is an undeniable shift towards more humane, science-based approaches to pet ownership, with a strong emphasis on understanding animal behavior, meeting species-specific needs, and fostering positive human-animal relationships. The public’s engagement with articles on ethical breeding and the rejection of aversive training methods indicates a growing moral consciousness regarding animal welfare.

Furthermore, the challenges faced by experts like Dr. Todd in navigating digital platforms highlight the ongoing need for robust mechanisms to ensure accurate, expert-driven information reaches the public, free from algorithmic misinterpretation or censorship. The demand for regulation in professions such as dog training also points to an industry maturing and seeking to establish higher standards of practice, ultimately benefiting both animals and their owners.

The consistent engagement across blog posts, podcasts, and videos demonstrates the critical role that platforms like Companion Animal Psychology play in educating and empowering pet owners. By providing accessible, evidence-based resources, Dr. Zazie Todd and her platform continue to shape a more informed and compassionate approach to living with companion animals, contributing significantly to improved animal welfare globally.

Thank You to the Companion Animal Psychology Community

The success and reach of Companion Animal Psychology in 2025 were made possible by the dedicated support of its global community. This engagement, through readership, listenership, viewership, and direct support, fuels the continued production of high-quality, scientifically informed content. As the year draws to a close, the platform extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to making its mission possible. Looking ahead to 2026, Companion Animal Psychology remains committed to advancing the understanding of animal behavior and welfare for the benefit of all companion animals and their human companions.