I was a guest on the Tree Lady Talks podcast (and these adorable dogs introduce the episode).
| Tree Lady Talks |
By Zazie Todd PhD
I was interviewed by Sharon Durdant-Hollamby on her amazing podcast for nature lovers, Tree Lady Talks.
We chatted about how to help fearful dogs as well as the importance of counteracting outdated myths about dogs and dog training.
You can listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts, or you can watch on Youtube.
On Youtube, Sharon’s own dogs Compo and Barney (pictured above) introduce the video.
Here’s the summary of the episode:
In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon interviews Zazie Todd, an animal behaviour expert, about her book ‘Bark’ which focuses on understanding and helping fearful, anxious, and reactive dogs. They discuss the outdated training methods that can harm dogs, the importance of recognizing signs of anxiety, and the benefits of positive reinforcement training. Zazie emphasizes the need for dog guardians to understand their pets’ emotions and the various causes of fear and anxiety, including genetics and early experiences. The conversation also covers practical tips for managing separation anxiety, the role of medication, and the significance of routine in a dog’s life. Zazie encourages dog owners to seek help from professionals and highlights the ongoing research in animal behaviour that continues to enhance our understanding of dogs as sentient beings.
Takeaways (Yes, they eat those too):
- There’s a lot we can do to help fearful dogs.
- Outdated training methods can be harmful to dogs.
- Comforting your dog when they’re afraid is important.
- Dogs are sentient beings and deserve understanding.
- Reward-based training methods are effective and fun.
- Medication can assist in training fearful dogs.
- Dogs can sense human emotions and respond accordingly.
- Routine is crucial for a dog’s well-being.
- Seek help from professionals when needed.
- Loving kindness towards dogs fosters better relationships.
I hope you enjoy it!