Companion Animal Psychology Reflects on a Landmark Year in 2025, Highlighting Top Content and Milestones in Animal Welfare Education

Companion Animal Psychology, a leading resource for evidence-based insights into pet behavior and welfare, has released its annual review for 2025, showcasing the most popular blog posts, podcast episodes, and videos that resonated with its global audience. The year marked significant milestones for the platform and its founder, Dr. Zazie Todd, underscoring a growing public appetite for scientifically sound information on animal care and training. The review provides a comprehensive look at the topics that captured the attention of pet owners, trainers, and enthusiasts, ranging from practical advice on vet visits for cats to critical discussions on ethical dog training methods and responsible breeding practices.

A Year of Notable Milestones for Dr. Zazie Todd

The year 2025 proved particularly impactful for Dr. Zazie Todd, a prominent expert in companion animal psychology. Her work gained broader recognition through several high-profile media appearances and the continued success of her published works. Notably, Dr. Todd was featured in an interview with The Guardian/Observer, a testament to the increasing mainstream interest in scientifically informed pet care. This interview, published on January 5th, 2025, likely delved into her expertise on helping anxious dogs, a topic of perennial concern for many pet owners. Such features in major publications play a crucial role in elevating public discourse around animal welfare, bringing expert advice to a wider, general audience beyond specialized circles.

Furthermore, Dr. Todd made a repeat appearance on Radio New Zealand’s Sunday Morning with Jim Mora, where she discussed intriguing aspects of animal perception, specifically "perfumes preferred by pooches." Her return to such a respected national radio program highlights her consistent ability to translate complex scientific topics into accessible and engaging content for a diverse listenership. These media engagements serve to validate the importance of applied animal psychology and broaden its reach, fostering a more informed pet-owning public.

Perhaps one of the most unexpected yet delightful highlights of the year was the multiple appearances of Dr. Todd’s acclaimed book, Bark!, on the popular British soap opera Coronation Street. The sight of her book in the fictional library box at Roy’s Rolls, a central setting in the show, provided a unique and powerful form of organic endorsement. While seemingly lighthearted, such visibility within a cultural touchstone like Coronation Street significantly amplifies awareness of her work and the broader field of animal behavior. It subtly integrates the message of informed pet care into everyday life, potentially sparking curiosity among millions of viewers who might not otherwise seek out such resources. This kind of mainstream cultural integration underscores the increasing societal recognition of pets as integral family members whose welfare warrants serious consideration.

Key Trends and Thematic Resonances in 2025 Content

The analysis of Companion Animal Psychology’s most popular content in 2025 reveals several overarching themes reflecting the current concerns and interests of the pet-owning community. A strong emphasis on positive reinforcement, ethical training, and understanding animal needs—both physiological and psychological—emerged as dominant trends. The sustained popularity of articles and podcasts addressing fear, anxiety, and reactivity in dogs indicates a widespread challenge faced by many owners, alongside a proactive desire to address these issues humanely and effectively. Discussions around enrichment, breeding practices, and veterinary visits also underscore a holistic approach to pet well-being, moving beyond basic care to consider the full spectrum of an animal’s emotional and behavioral health. This data provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of pet care, where owners are increasingly seeking nuanced, evidence-based solutions rather than relying on outdated or potentially harmful methods.

The Year’s Most Engaged Blog Posts: A Deep Dive into Companion Animal Welfare

The top ten blog posts of 2025 illustrate a diverse yet interconnected range of topics critical to animal welfare and behavior. Each article, penned by Dr. Todd, offers practical advice grounded in scientific research.

1. Five years of Wag, the must-read book for happy dogs: This celebratory post marked a significant anniversary for Dr. Todd’s foundational book, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. The enduring popularity of this piece reflects the book’s sustained impact as a comprehensive guide for dog owners seeking to enhance their pets’ lives through positive, science-backed methods. Its continued relevance five years post-publication highlights a consistent demand for resources that prioritize canine happiness and well-being.
2. Beeps mean treats: The role of maintenance training in counterconditioning for fearful dogs: This article delved into a crucial aspect of behavior modification for anxious canines. Counterconditioning, a technique used to change an animal’s emotional response to a stimulus, often requires ongoing "maintenance" to reinforce positive associations. The popularity of this piece indicates a sophisticated understanding among readers that addressing fear in dogs is not a one-time fix but an ongoing process requiring consistent, positive reinforcement strategies. This highlights the growing acceptance of nuanced, long-term behavioral support.
3. Changes to breeding are needed for the welfare of dogs: This critically important article addressed the ethical implications of certain breeding practices and their impact on canine health and welfare. It likely explored issues such as genetic diseases, exaggerated physical traits leading to health problems, and the role of responsible breeding in promoting healthier, happier dogs. The high ranking of this post suggests a strong public interest in animal ethics and a desire to support breeders who prioritize health and temperament over aesthetics or fleeting trends. It underscores a shift towards more conscientious pet ownership.
4. There’s no place for shock and prong in dog training: This article firmly reiterated the scientific consensus against the use of aversive tools like shock and prong collars in dog training. Numerous studies and position statements from leading veterinary and animal behavior organizations, such as the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), consistently demonstrate that these methods can cause pain, fear, and stress, potentially damaging the human-animal bond and exacerbating behavioral issues rather than resolving them. The popularity of this post reflects a strong and growing movement within the pet community towards humane, force-free training methods.
5. Should you use a secondary reinforcer (clicker) in counterconditioning?: This technical yet highly relevant piece explored the nuances of using a clicker, a common secondary reinforcer, within counterconditioning protocols. It likely discussed the precision and clarity a clicker can offer in marking desired behaviors or the onset of positive associations, even in emotionally charged situations. Its popularity indicates that a significant portion of the audience is engaged in hands-on behavior modification and seeks detailed guidance on optimizing their training techniques.
6. The best enrichment for your dog and cat involves the nose: This article highlighted the often-underestimated power of olfactory enrichment for both dogs and cats. Engaging an animal’s sense of smell through scent games, snuffle mats, or exploring new environments provides significant mental stimulation and can reduce boredom and stress. The high engagement with this topic reflects a broader understanding that enrichment extends beyond physical exercise to include cognitive and sensory engagement, crucial for overall psychological well-being.
7. Canadian dog trainers want regulation but a third are self-educated: This article shed light on the professional landscape of dog training in Canada, emphasizing a critical need for standardized regulation within the industry. The statistic that a significant portion of trainers are self-educated points to potential inconsistencies in training methodologies and ethical standards across the profession. The popularity of this post suggests a strong desire among the public and within the training community for greater accountability and professionalization to protect both animals and their owners.
8. AI says no: Meta’s bots wrongly suspended me from Facebook: This unique post offered a personal yet broadly relevant account of Dr. Todd’s experience with algorithmic moderation on social media. While not directly about animal behavior, the article resonated with many users who have encountered similar issues with automated content flagging and account suspensions. It highlighted the challenges and frustrations associated with AI-driven content enforcement, even for legitimate and educational content creators.
9. Making your pet happy is all about meeting needs (and recognizing individual personalities): This foundational article emphasized a holistic approach to pet happiness, stressing the importance of understanding and fulfilling an animal’s species-specific and individual needs. It likely covered aspects such as appropriate diet, exercise, social interaction, mental stimulation, and a safe environment, while also acknowledging that each animal has a unique personality and preferences. This post’s high ranking reflects a desire for comprehensive, individualized pet care strategies.
10. Does your presence help your cat at the vet?: This article explored the nuanced role of an owner’s presence during veterinary visits for cats. While an owner’s comforting presence can be beneficial for some cats, for others, the stress of the visit might be exacerbated by an owner’s anxiety or attempts to restrain them. The article likely discussed strategies for making vet visits less stressful, known as "Fear Free" or "Cat Friendly" practices, and the importance of assessing individual feline reactions. This topic highlights the increasing awareness of feline stress and the efforts to improve veterinary experiences for cats.

The Pawsitive Post Podcasts of the Year: Audio Insights for Pet Owners

The Pawsitive Post, Companion Animal Psychology’s podcast arm, continued to provide valuable audio content, with specific episodes garnering significant listener engagement in 2025. These podcasts offer in-depth discussions, often featuring expert guests, making complex topics accessible to a broad audience.

1. Demand barking in dogs (and what to do about it): Topping the podcast charts, this episode addressed a common and often frustrating canine behavior. Demand barking, where a dog barks to elicit attention or resources from their owner, can be challenging to manage. The podcast likely offered practical, humane strategies for reducing and redirecting this behavior, emphasizing consistent training and managing environmental triggers. Its popularity indicates a widespread need for guidance on this particular behavioral issue.
2. How to help your reactive or fearful dog: This episode provided comprehensive strategies for owners dealing with reactive or fearful dogs. Canine reactivity, often characterized by barking, lunging, or growling at specific triggers, is a prevalent issue that significantly impacts both dogs and their owners. The podcast likely delved into counterconditioning, desensitization, management techniques, and the importance of a positive reinforcement approach, reflecting the ongoing demand for solutions to these complex behavioral challenges.
3. Reactive and fearful dogs: Your questions answered: Following closely, this Q&A style podcast built upon the previous episode by directly addressing listener queries regarding reactive and fearful dogs. This format allows for a deeper exploration of specific scenarios and common misconceptions, providing tailored advice and reassurance to a community actively seeking solutions. The consecutive ranking of these two episodes underscores the critical and ongoing need for support in managing canine anxiety and reactivity.

Visual Engagement: Companion Animal Psychology Videos of the Year

Beyond written articles and audio podcasts, Companion Animal Psychology also leveraged video content to engage its audience in 2025. While specific details on the content of the top videos are not provided, the inclusion of video as a popular medium highlights the platform’s commitment to diverse forms of educational outreach. Videos offer a powerful way to demonstrate concepts, illustrate behaviors, and connect with viewers on a more dynamic level. This multimedia approach ensures that information is accessible to individuals with different learning preferences, further broadening the reach of evidence-based animal behavior science. The use of platforms like YouTube for these videos also facilitates wider sharing and discovery, contributing to the overall mission of improving animal welfare.

Fostering a Knowledgeable Community: The Broader Impact

The success of Companion Animal Psychology in 2025, as evidenced by its popular content and Dr. Zazie Todd’s media presence, underscores the growing public demand for reliable, scientific information about animal behavior and welfare. In an era often characterized by anecdotal advice and conflicting training philosophies, platforms like Companion Animal Psychology serve a vital role in providing an authoritative, evidence-based voice. By consistently promoting humane training methods, ethical pet ownership, and a deep understanding of animal needs, the platform contributes significantly to improving the lives of countless companion animals and strengthening the human-animal bond. The active engagement from its community, reflected in the popularity of interactive content and discussions, signifies a collective desire for continuous learning and responsible pet care.

The emphasis on topics such as the rejection of aversive training tools, the importance of enrichment, and responsible breeding practices, reflects a positive shift in societal attitudes towards animals. This movement away from dominance-based or punitive approaches towards empathy-driven, welfare-focused methods is a critical development for animal welfare advocacy. The platform’s success in disseminating these messages through various media channels is instrumental in shaping a more compassionate and informed future for companion animals.

Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and Community Engagement

As Companion Animal Psychology concludes its review of 2025, the overarching message is one of gratitude and forward momentum. Dr. Zazie Todd extends her sincere thanks to the dedicated community of readers, listeners, and viewers whose support makes the platform’s work possible. This reciprocal relationship between content creator and audience is fundamental to the platform’s continued growth and impact. For those wishing to support the mission, options include purchasing Dr. Todd’s books, becoming a member or founding member of Companion Animal Psychology, or contributing through platforms like Ko-fi. Additionally, signing up for the newsletter ensures continued access to the latest insights and updates.

As the community looks towards 2026, the commitment to providing accessible, evidence-based information on companion animal psychology remains steadfast. The trends observed in 2025 suggest a continued public hunger for knowledge that empowers pet owners to provide the best possible lives for their animal companions, fostering deeper understanding and stronger bonds between humans and animals globally. The collective effort to advance animal welfare through education continues to be a guiding principle, promising another year of insightful content and meaningful engagement.