Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy

by Zazie Todd, Marty Becker (Foreword by)

Overview

As seen in The New York Times, People, SLATE, Psychology Today

"[A] must-have guide to improving your dog's life."—Modern Dog Magazine

Whether you are training a new puppy, considering adopting a dog, researching dog breeds, or simply curious about your own dog's happiness and behavior, Wag has all the answers-and then some. Respected dog trainer and social psychologist, Zazie Todd, demystifies the inner life of canines and shares recommendations from leading veterinarians, researchers, and trainers to help you cultivate a rewarding and respectful relationship with your dog-which offers many benefits for you, your family, and your four-legged friend.

Inside this engaging, practical book, readers will find:

• A Check List for a Happy Dog
• Enrichment exercises
• How to socialize and train a new puppy
• How to reduce fear and anxiety in dogs
• Tips for visiting the vet
• Information on aging dogs
• Expert interviews with vets and psychologists
• And so much more!

"Dog owners and those considering becoming one should appreciate Todd's substantial insight into how dogs and humans relate to one another."—Publishers Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771643795
Publisher:	Greystone Books
Publication date:	03/10/2020
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Zazie Todd is a social psychologist, certified dog trainer, and founder of the popular blog Companion Animal Psychology, where she writes about everything from training methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today and has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article in 2017. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats.

Dr. Marty Becker—also known as "America's Veterinarian"—is the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers and serves on the Board of Directors and as Chief Veterinary Correspondent for the American Humane Society.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY DR. MARTY BECKER
INTRODUCTION
1 HAPPY DOGS
2 GETTING A DOG
3 HOW DOGS LEARN
4 MOTIVATION AND TECHNIQUE
5 THE VET AND GROOMING
6 THE SOCIAL DOG
7 DOGS AND THEIR PEOPLE
8 DOGS AND CHILDREN
9 TIME FOR WALKIES!
10 ENRICHMENT
11 FOOD AND TREATS
12 SLEEPING DOGS
13 FEAR AND OTHER PROBLEMS
14 SENIORS AND DOGS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
15 THE END OF LIFE
16 SAFE DOGS, HAPPY DOGS
CHECKLIST FOR A HAPPY DOG
NOTES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INDEX

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Zazie Todd does dogs the immeasurably good favor of taking their happiness seriously. Todd is dialed in to the science of dogs and a thoughtful trainer of dogs. Everything she writes about, you want to know. Wag is a welcome addition to the books geared to helping you help your dog.”
— Alexandra Horowitz, author of Our Dogs, Ourselves: The Story of a Singular Bond and the New York Times bestseller Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

"[Cutting-edge] science can be hard to get your head around. So thank you Zazie Todd for sorting through it all, making it relevant, and keeping it simple. This is a book your dog will want you to read."
—Dr. Mark Evans, former RSPCA vet and TV presenter

“ Wag will become a benchmark for the way that dogs need to be cared for: as sentient creatures experiencing emotions, just like us. This is a real achievement and it will make a big difference to the lives of dogs and people.”
— Dr. Pete Wedderburn, veterinarian and author

" Wag is a must-read for all dog lovers. An amazing, well-written book that makes canine science easy to understand and apply in a useful manner to improve dogs' lives and the relationship we have with them. The anecdotes about Dr. Todd’s dogs are the highlight of the book."
— Dr. Wailani Sung, board-certified veterinary behaviorist, San Francisco SPCA

“Fortunately for all of us, Dr. Zazie Todd has written a delightful, compact, evidence-based guide to building better partnerships with our dogs and sending more joy their way.”
— Bronwen Dickey, author of Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon

"Dog lovers will find this book fascinating, and their pets will be delighted their owners have read it."
— Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard To Think Straight About Animals.

“Well-written and packed with great advice, this book could fundamentally change the relationship between you and your dog.”
— David Grimm, author of Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs

“Using the latest canine science, Zazie Todd gives us a clear and compassionate guide to bringing out the best in your dog.”
— Gregory Berns , New York Times– bestselling author of How Dogs Love Us

Editorial Reviews

The author’s evidence-based analysis simplifies the science and reduces essential elements into practical, replicable activities geared toward enriching a dog’s life.”
—Library Journal, STARRED Review

“Dog owners and those considering becoming one should appreciate Todd’s substantial insight into how dogs and humans relate to one another”
—Publishers Weekly

“Zazie Todd does dogs the immeasurably good favor of taking their happiness seriously. Todd is dialed in to the science of dogs and a thoughtful trainer of dogs. Everything she writes about, you want to know. Wag is a welcome addition to the books geared to helping you help your dog.”
—Alexandra Horowitz, author of Our Dogs, Ourselves: The Story of a Singular Bond and the New York Times bestseller Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

“[Cutting-edge] science can be hard to get your head around. So thank you Zazie Todd for sorting through it all, making it relevant, and keeping it simple. This is a book your dog will want you to read.”
—Dr. Mark Evans, former RSPCA vet and TV presenter

"Wag will become a benchmark for the way that dogs need to be cared for: as sentient creatures experiencing emotions, just like us. This is a real achievement and it will make a big difference to the lives of dogs and people.”
—Dr. Pete Wedderburn, veterinarian and author

“This book is a true gift to dogs everywhere.”
“A must-have summer read … Valuable tips interspersed with plenty of personal anecdotes make this an engaging read and one your happy pup will thank you for.”
—Helijet In Flight Magazine

“Wag is a must-read for all dog lovers. An amazing, well-written book that makes canine science easy to understand and apply in a useful manner to improve dogs' lives and the relationship we have with them. The anecdotes about Dr. Todd’s dogs are the highlight of the book.”
—Dr. Wailani Sung, board-certified veterinary behaviorist, San Francisco SPCA

“Fortunately for all of us, Dr. Zazie Todd has written a delightful, compact, evidence-based guide to building better partnerships with our dogs and sending more joy their way.”
—Bronwen Dickey, author of Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon

“Dog lovers will find this book fascinating, and their pets will be delighted their owners have read it.”
—Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard To Think Straight About Animals.

“Well-written and packed with great advice, this book could fundamentally change the relationship between you and your dog.”
—David Grimm, author of Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs

“Using the latest canine science, Zazie Todd gives us a clear and compassionate guide to bringing out the best in your dog.”
—Gregory Berns, New York Times bestselling author of How Dogs Love Us

“In reading this book, you will truly benefit from Zazie’s impeccable research, sound knowledge and immense love of dogs.”
—Pam Johnson-Bennett, best-selling author of Think Like a Cat

From the Publisher