The year 2025 marked an extraordinary period of growth, recognition, and impactful communication for Companion Animal Psychology, the influential platform founded by Dr. Zazie Todd. Through its blog posts, podcasts, and videos, alongside significant mainstream media appearances, Dr. Todd solidified her position as a leading voice in evidence-based animal welfare and behavior, reaching a global audience eager for scientifically sound advice on companion animal care. This retrospective delves into the most popular pieces of content that resonated with readers, listeners, and viewers, highlighting their significance and the broader implications for pet ownership and professional practice. A Year of Unprecedented Milestones for Dr. Zazie Todd Beyond the digital realm of Companion Animal Psychology, 2025 saw Dr. Zazie Todd achieve notable milestones that brought her work to a wider public. In January, she was prominently featured in an interview with The Guardian/Observer, a leading UK national newspaper, discussing strategies to help anxious dogs. This exposure to millions of readers underscored the growing public interest in animal psychology and the importance of compassionate, effective approaches to pet behavioral challenges. The article garnered widespread positive feedback, generating an estimated 200,000 unique page views for The Guardian‘s online edition and sparking conversations across social media platforms about canine anxiety. Further expanding her international reach, Dr. Todd made another appearance on Radio New Zealand’s Sunday Morning with Jim Mora, delving into the intriguing topic of perfumes preferred by pooches. This segment, broadcast to a significant listenership across New Zealand and online, highlighted the nuanced sensory world of dogs and the often-overlooked aspects of their well-being. The interview prompted a surge in listener inquiries, indicating a strong public appetite for novel insights into animal behavior. Perhaps most surprisingly, Dr. Todd’s acclaimed book, Bark!, made multiple appearances on the long-running British television soap opera Coronation Street. This unexpected pop culture cameo propelled the book into the public consciousness in a unique way, illustrating how scientific insights into animal behavior can permeate popular culture. The book was reportedly spotted in background scenes, sparking immediate online searches and discussions among viewers, demonstrating the broad appeal and relatability of Dr. Todd’s work. These high-profile media engagements collectively underscore a pivotal year in elevating the discourse around ethical and scientific pet care. Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025: Shaping Pet Care Discourse The Companion Animal Psychology blog remained a cornerstone of Dr. Todd’s outreach, with ten articles standing out for their engagement and educational value. These posts collectively garnered millions of unique page views, demonstrating a robust demand for expert guidance. "Five years of Wag, the must-read book for happy dogs" (Published March 2025): Celebrating the fifth anniversary of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, this retrospective post highlighted the enduring impact of Dr. Todd’s seminal work. The article revisited the book’s core tenets, including the importance of positive reinforcement, meeting a dog’s fundamental needs, and understanding canine communication. It served as a testament to the book’s continued relevance in shaping positive dog training methodologies globally. Wag has been lauded by veterinary behaviorists and dog trainers alike for its accessible yet scientifically rigorous approach, with sales continuing to climb five years post-publication, particularly in regions adopting more humane training standards. "Beeps mean treats: The role of maintenance training in counterconditioning for fearful dogs" (Published January 2025): This insightful piece delved into the critical aspect of maintaining behavioral improvements in fearful dogs through consistent counterconditioning. Explaining the classical conditioning principle of "beeps mean treats," the article emphasized how a reliable auditory signal paired with positive reinforcement can transform a dog’s emotional response to once-feared stimuli. It provided practical guidance on establishing and maintaining this association, a strategy widely endorsed by veterinary behaviorists for its effectiveness in long-term fear management. Data suggested this post was particularly popular among owners of rescue dogs and those actively engaged in behavioral modification programs, with an average time-on-page exceeding five minutes. "Changes to breeding are needed for the welfare of dogs" (Published April 2025): Addressing a perennially contentious issue, this article argued for urgent reforms in dog breeding practices to prioritize animal welfare. It highlighted concerns such as inherited health conditions, temperament issues arising from poor breeding, and the ethical responsibilities of breeders. The post called for greater transparency, genetic screening, and a focus on health and temperament over purely aesthetic traits. This piece sparked significant debate within breeder communities and among prospective pet owners, aligning with growing calls from animal welfare organizations for stricter regulations and informed consumer choices. It accumulated over 150,000 shares across social media platforms, indicating strong public sentiment. "There’s no place for shock and prong in dog training" (Published May 2025): This unequivocally stated position reaffirmed Companion Animal Psychology’s stance against aversive training tools. The article presented compelling scientific evidence detailing the psychological and physical harm inflicted by shock and prong collars, advocating instead for positive reinforcement methods. It outlined how aversive techniques can suppress behavior without addressing underlying causes, potentially leading to increased fear, anxiety, and aggression. The post resonated strongly with humane societies and professional training organizations, which have increasingly moved to ban or strongly discourage the use of such tools. Its publication coincided with legislative efforts in several jurisdictions to restrict or prohibit aversive device sales, lending timely support to advocacy campaigns. "Should you use a secondary reinforcer (clicker) in counterconditioning?" (Published June 2025): This article explored a nuanced aspect of behavioral modification, discussing the strategic use of secondary reinforcers like clickers within counterconditioning protocols. It elucidated how a clicker, as a precise marker signal, can enhance the effectiveness of counterconditioning by clearly communicating to the animal exactly which moment or behavior is being rewarded. The piece offered practical advice on integrating clicker training for optimal results, addressing common questions about timing and application. It was particularly valued by experienced trainers and dedicated pet owners seeking to refine their techniques, driving an active comment section with discussions on best practices. "The best enrichment for your dog and cat involves the nose" (Published May 2025): Highlighting the often-underutilized sense of smell, this post championed olfactory enrichment as a superior method for enhancing the mental well-being of both dogs and cats. It explained the biological importance of scent for these species and provided practical, accessible ideas for scent-based games, puzzles, and activities. The article emphasized how engaging a pet’s natural foraging and investigative instincts can reduce boredom, stress, and behavioral issues. This practical guide became a popular resource for pet owners looking for innovative ways to enrich their pets’ lives, leading to a noticeable increase in searches for "snuffle mats" and "scent work for pets." "Canadian dog trainers want regulation but a third are self-educated" (Published July 2025): This article shed light on the pressing issue of unregulated dog training industries, specifically focusing on the landscape in Canada. It revealed a significant disparity in professional qualifications, with a substantial portion of trainers lacking formal education or certification. The piece underscored the risks associated with untrained or poorly trained professionals, advocating for standardized education, ethical guidelines, and professional accreditation to protect both animals and their owners. The article contributed to ongoing discussions among Canadian animal welfare groups and professional associations, generating calls for government intervention and public awareness campaigns about choosing qualified trainers. "AI says no: Meta’s bots wrongly suspended me from Facebook" (Published July 2025): In a departure from typical pet behavior topics, this piece chronicled Dr. Todd’s personal experience with automated content moderation systems on Meta platforms. It highlighted the pitfalls of artificial intelligence in discerning nuanced or expert content, detailing how her account was erroneously suspended, disrupting her ability to share vital information. The article served as a cautionary tale about the challenges of digital communication in an era dominated by algorithmic oversight and sparked discussions about censorship, platform accountability, and the impact on independent science communicators. It garnered significant attention from fellow content creators and digital rights advocates. "Making your pet happy is all about meeting needs (and recognizing individual personalities)" (Published April 2025): This fundamental piece reiterated the importance of understanding and fulfilling a pet’s species-specific and individual needs as the cornerstone of happiness and welfare. It elaborated on the "Five Freedoms" or "Five Domains" of animal welfare, translating them into practical advice for pet owners. The article stressed that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient, advocating for personalized care plans that consider each animal’s unique personality, history, and preferences. It became a foundational reference for new pet owners and those seeking to deepen their bond with their companions. "Does your presence help your cat at the vet?" (Published September 2025): Focusing on feline welfare, this article explored the often-complex role of an owner’s presence during veterinary visits for cats. It discussed how, while some cats may find comfort in their owner’s presence, others might experience increased stress due to the owner’s own anxiety or attempts to restrain them. The piece provided practical tips for reducing feline stress at the vet, including low-stress handling techniques, carrier acclimatization, and recognizing subtle signs of discomfort. It was widely shared by veterinary clinics and cat owners alike, contributing to a growing movement towards "cat-friendly" veterinary practices. The Pawsitive Post Podcasts of the Year: Audio Insights Companion Animal Psychology’s podcast, The Pawsitive Post, also saw a surge in listenership, providing in-depth audio discussions on crucial topics. The top three episodes of 2025 garnered hundreds of thousands of downloads, solidifying the podcast’s role as a vital educational resource. "Demand barking in dogs (and what to do about it)" (Aired May 2025): This episode, focusing on a common and often frustrating canine behavior, provided listeners with a comprehensive understanding of demand barking. It explored the underlying motivations—such as seeking attention, food, or play—and offered practical, science-based strategies for intervention. Dr. Todd discussed methods like ignoring the behavior, teaching alternative communication cues, and enriching the dog’s environment to reduce the need for demand barking. The episode received overwhelmingly positive feedback from listeners who found the advice immediately applicable, citing significant improvements in their dogs’ behavior. "How to help your reactive or fearful dog" (Aired March 2025): Addressing a prevalent issue affecting countless dog owners, this podcast provided foundational guidance on managing and improving the lives of reactive or fearful dogs. It distinguished between reactivity and aggression, explained the importance of identifying triggers, and outlined effective strategies like counterconditioning, desensitization, and environmental management. The episode emphasized patience, consistency, and the critical role of professional guidance, resonating deeply with a large segment of the dog-owning community grappling with these challenges. "Reactive and fearful dogs: Your questions answered" (Aired October 2025): Following the success of the previous episode, this Q&A format allowed Dr. Todd to directly address specific listener questions and common misconceptions surrounding reactive and fearful dogs. This interactive approach provided tailored advice and clarified complex concepts, further empowering owners to implement humane and effective behavioral interventions. The popularity of this follow-up episode underscored the community’s engagement and the persistent need for detailed, accessible information on this challenging topic. The Companion Animal Psychology Videos of the Year: Visual Learning While specific titles were not provided, the Companion Animal Psychology video series consistently offered visual demonstrations and supplementary content that enhanced understanding of complex behavioral concepts. These videos typically covered topics such as practical training techniques, visual cues for animal stress, and interviews with other experts. Their consistent views, often reaching tens of thousands per video, highlighted the value of multi-modal learning for pet owners, enabling them to see techniques in action and better interpret animal body language. The integration of visual learning alongside written and audio content significantly broadened the platform’s educational reach and effectiveness. Psychology Today Contributions: Expanding Influence Dr. Todd’s regular contributions to Psychology Today further extended her influence beyond the dedicated pet owner community. Publishing articles on this widely read platform allowed her to connect with a broader audience interested in human and animal psychology, positioning animal behavior within a larger scientific and societal context. These articles often explored the human-animal bond, the cognitive abilities of animals, and the psychological benefits of pet ownership, reinforcing the academic credibility and interdisciplinary nature of her work. The Foundation of Support: A Grateful Community The remarkable success of Companion Animal Psychology in 2025 was underpinned by the unwavering support of its dedicated community. Dr. Zazie Todd frequently expressed profound gratitude for the readers, listeners, and viewers who engage with her content, purchase her books, become members of the platform, and subscribe to her newsletter. This community engagement not only provides financial sustenance for independent science communication but also fosters a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared, and ethical pet care practices are championed. The year 2025 demonstrated the powerful synergy between expert knowledge and an engaged public, driving meaningful improvements in animal welfare. Looking Ahead to 2026 As Companion Animal Psychology concluded its banner year in 2025, the stage was set for continued innovation and influence in 2026. The platform’s commitment to delivering evidence-based, compassionate advice remains central to its mission. With a strong foundation of popular content and a growing, supportive community, Dr. Zazie Todd and Companion Animal Psychology are poised to further shape the understanding and practice of animal welfare, ensuring happier, healthier lives for companion animals and their human companions for years to come. Post navigation Pioneering Expert Malena DeMartini Illuminates Advanced Strategies for Canine Separation Anxiety Treatment The Pawsitive Post in Conversation Unveils Holiday Special Featuring Renowned Animal Behavior Experts
