60: Wag: The Science of a Happy Dog with Dr. Zazie Todd

Could your doodle be happier? 🐾 Dr. Zazie Todd, PhD, author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, joins me to unpack the science behind what makes our dogs truly thrive.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ The #1 mistake well-meaning dog parents make when trying to make their pup happy
✔️ Why positive reinforcement is key to training success (and what science says about punishment-based methods)
✔️ How to tell if your dog is genuinely happy—and what to do if they’re not
✔️ The critical puppy socialization window most people miss (and how to do it right!)
✔️ Why adolescence is a challenging (but normal!) phase in your doodle’s development

📖 This episode is extra special because Wag was the The Doodle Pro® Academy's  Book Club pick for Zoomies to Zen™! Our community loved this book so much, and I’m thrilled Dr. Todd joined us to answer our members’ burning questions.

🐶 Want a sneak peek? We discuss why dogs NEED rewards (yes, even food rewards!) and what science says about fading them out. Plus, Dr. Todd shares a surprising study about what treats dogs will run fastest for!

📚 Get Dr. Zazie Todd’s book, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy

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✔ FREE early copy—no cost, just your feedback!
✔ Help shape the final version before launch.

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Transcript

Podcast Episode: Wag - The Science of Making Your Dog Happy with Dr. Zazie Todd

[00:00:00] Dr. Zazie Todd:
I think when people get a dog, they want their dog to be happy. Yes, they want to have a happy dog and a good relationship with their dog. That’s a really nice way to get people thinking about how to improve their pet’s welfare, enhance their dog’s life, and at the same time, strengthen their bond.
When you know what your dog needs and you provide it, your dog is going to be much happier. That leads to a better relationship with you, and they’re much less likely to develop behavior issues, which is good for both you and your dog.
I wanted to give people lots of tips so they could achieve that with their own dogs.
[00:00:41] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
Doodle breed dogs are easy to love but can be challenging to parent. I’m Corinne Gearhart, also known as The Doodle Pro®, and I’m here to help doodle parents have a more fulfilling and rewarding experience with their doodles.
No one has worked professionally with as many different doodle breeds as I have, and I love sharing my expertise in a fun, compassionate, and non-judgmental way. From years in the pet care and dog training industry, I’ve built an incredible network of skilled trainers, groomers, and veterinary professionals to share their knowledge with you.
I hope you enjoy today’s episode as I help you parent your doodle like a pro!
[00:01:33] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
I’m so excited to have the author of our Book Club pick, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, Dr. Zazie Todd, here today. Zazie, thank you so much for joining us—we’ve been counting down the days!
[00:01:45] Dr. Zazie Todd:
Thank you so much for inviting me! I’m thrilled your Book Club chose my book. It’s an honor, and I’m excited to chat with you and your listeners today.
The Science of Dog Happiness
[00:01:53] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
One of our Doodle Pro® Academy students said, “This is the book I wish I’d read before we even brought our dog home.” We’ve really enjoyed reading it together.
[00:02:09] Dr. Zazie Todd:
That’s so lovely to hear—thank you!

From Psychology to Canine Science
[00:02:12] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
You have a background in academic psychology and then transitioned into dog training. Can you share how that journey unfolded?
[00:02:31] Dr. Zazie Todd:
My background is in social psychology. For years, I wanted a dog but couldn’t because of work commitments. When I immigrated to Canada with my husband, we finally had the opportunity—and we got two dogs, Ghost and Bja, who I write about in Wag.
I started a blog called Companion Animal Psychology. My mom gave me a copy of John Bradshaw’s Dog Sense, and I thought, “Why didn’t I know canine science existed?” Psychologists were mostly interested in rats, mice, and pigeons—not dogs and cats.
Eventually, I enrolled in Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers. It was incredible. I thought I was a pretty good trainer before, but I wasn’t—Jean’s program changed everything. It gave me the practical experience to complement my academic background.
Why Science Takes Time to Reach Pet Parents
[00:04:54] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
As someone with a PhD, was it frustrating to see misinformation about dog behavior on TV?
[00:05:08] Dr. Zazie Todd:
It was surprising. In any field, it takes time for science to filter through. In child development, it can take up to 40 years for research to become common knowledge. The same applies to dog training.
Even though we now have more access to scientific information, myths still persist. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing evidence-based, practical advice to help people have better relationships with their dogs.
We’re All Doing the Best We Can
[00:06:25] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
Most pet parents are doing the best they can with the information they have. It’s easy to rely on advice from TV, neighbors, or what our parents did with dogs.
[00:06:45] Dr. Zazie Todd:
Exactly. Everyone loves their dog and is doing their best. No one knows everything, not even canine scientists. My goal with Wag was to explain the science in an accessible, non-judgmental way.
At the end of each chapter, I include tips on how to apply the science at home, plus a checklist for a happy dog. No one does everything on the list, but it helps people identify areas where they can make small changes to improve their dog’s well-being.
The Importance of Positive Reinforcement
[00:15:42] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
Can you explain why reward-based training is so important?
[00:16:21] Dr. Zazie Todd:
Reward-based methods—like using treats—are effective because they reinforce the behaviors you want to see more of. In contrast, aversive methods like shock collars or yelling cause stress, fear, and anxiety.
Studies show that dogs trained with positive reinforcement are happier, more engaged, and have stronger bonds with their guardians. They’re also more eager to learn because they know good things happen when they get it right.

But Do We Always Need Treats?
[00:18:32] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
My son asked me, “When can we stop using treats?”—which is such a common question from pet parents.
[00:18:41] Dr. Zazie Todd:
It’s a great question! The truth is, if you phase out rewards too soon, the behavior will likely disappear. Dogs, like people, need ongoing motivation.
And treats aren’t just bribes—they’re paychecks. Would you keep going to work if your paycheck stopped? Probably not!
Understanding Puppy Socialization
[00:30:04] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
Let’s talk about puppy socialization. Many breeders and vets recommend keeping puppies isolated until they’re fully vaccinated, but that misses the critical socialization window.
[00:32:52] Dr. Zazie Todd:
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends starting puppy classes as early as seven to eight weeks old, after their first set of vaccines.
The leading cause of death in dogs under three isn’t disease—it’s behavior issues. Socialization reduces the risk of fear and aggression later in life.
Puppy classes provide controlled environments where puppies can safely interact with other dogs and people, laying the foundation for a confident, well-adjusted adult dog.
Final Thoughts
[00:40:21] Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro®:
Thank you so much for joining us, Zazie! Wag has been a favorite in the Doodle Pro® Academy, and we’ve loved diving into the science of making our dogs happier.
[00:40:45] Dr. Zazie Todd:
Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure. I love seeing how passionate doodle parents are about creating joyful lives for their dogs.
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