Description
Price: $19.95 - $13.49
(as of Mar 01, 2025 08:00:48 UTC – Details)
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 DogEnrichment exercisesHow to socialize and train a new puppyHow to reduce fear and anxiety in dogsTips for visiting the vetInformation on aging dogsExpert interviews with vets and psychologistsAnd 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
From the Publisher
Publisher : Greystone Books; Illustrated edition (March 10, 2020)
Language : English
Paperback : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 177164379X
ISBN-13 : 978-1771643795
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book provides well-researched and actionable information about training, grooming, exercise, nutrition, and advice from veterinary experts. They describe it as an easy-to-read, enjoyable read that offers great insight into dogs’ minds and good health. The book is described as interesting and educational for prospective and current dog parents.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
CLT from NJ –
very well researched book
I enjoyed the book. Although very well researched in the latest science about the way to ensure the welfare of our dogs, the thing I most enjoyed were the stories the author shared about her own dogs. Her love and care for her dogs was so very evident. I especially appreciated the section about euthanasia because I recently had to put down my sick14 yo mini schnauzer. It was comforting to hear that guilt was normal because I was feeling guilty like I let him down but intellectually I knew it was the right decision. I would recommend.
Amos Peterson –
A comprehensive book for every dog owner/trainer/lover!
Wow, I really liked how Zazie took so much science and research, condensed into this book and also made it understandable for everyday dog owners! Well, I can’t say that I’m an everyday dog owner because I have many years of experience in dog behavior. However, even with all that experience and training, I still learned several new nuggets from her book. I love the “How to Apply the Science at Home” that’s at the end of each chapter. It breaks down the main points from the chapter with practical information that you should know (or do) for your dog. I love, love, the “Checklist for a Happy Dog” in the back of the book! The book covers the entire lifespan of a dog, from beginning to end. I have to admit, I glossed over the end because even though it’s been over 4 years since I had to put my beloved dog down (who got me on the dog behavior path), it was still hard to read. Just like it was hard for Zazie to write after losing her beloved Ghost. Well done Zazie! I’ve enjoyed your blog the last 7 years or so, this book is awesome, and I hope for more to come!
Amazon Customer –
Great book, very comprehensive
I personally have well over 100 books about dogs, dog training and dog behavior. I also have 3 dogs myself. I am a highly dedicated dog trainer for “companion” dogs, continually enhancing my personal education on the subject.This book is not a repeat of what I have learned from all the other trainers, behaviorist and scientist I have studied. It is not a training book per se, even though it will greatly aid your training efforts. I often tell my clients “If you want to give your dog the best life possible, you need to get educated”. We can’t teach our dogs how to navigate our unpredictable, sometimes confusing human world, without understanding how they learn and what motivates them. Because dogs can’t talk to us how do we know the kind of life they would prefer? Her book Wag The Science of Making Your Dog Happy answers those questions and much more. Zazie’s book Wag The Science of Making Your Dog Happy will educate you in a most delightful and engaging way. I highly recommend it.
Amazon Customer –
Readable and Informative
This is a good read for prospective or current dog parents. You can skip around and read what you are interested in and there are lots of citations for further reading.
Kathleen Peters –
My dog isn’t any happier…yet
I love this book for all the insight it offers into the mind of my crazy new rescue dog. The fact that it is based on scientific research into dog behavior, and positive training methods, gives me hope that soon my nervous girlie hound dog will figure out that we intend to spoil her rotten. 🙂
Susan Wroble –
Got Dog? Then you need this book!
Zazie Toddâs Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy should be in every household with a canine. What makes Toddâs book stand out among so many in the field is that it is backed by science. In fact, Todd meticulously footnotes each chapter, so it is easy to go to the scientific studies and understand why she is making each recommendation.The book follows dogs from puppyhood to end of life, with sections that address motivation and learning, vets and grooming, children, fear, sleep, walks, and special needs. For me, the very best part was the way Todd ends each chapter with a page of key take-aways on how to apply the science at home, including a final checklist for a happy dog. This is a book you will pick up again and again â a reference for what to do now, and throughout the dogâs life.
Tim Steele –
Read this if you’re lucky enough to live with a dog
This author is well known for her critical look at the science behind animal behavior. In this book, she pulls together all the relevant information from hundreds of studies and interviews with the world’s most knowledgeable animal behavior academics and practitioners to provide a solid resource for those fortunate to live with a dog. Presented in a straight-forward and easy to read manner, a person who has a dog (or is considering getting one for the first time) will be provided nearly everything that they’ll need to know. Happy doesn’t necessarily mean spoiled – and the author provides information about training, grooming, exercise, nutrition, health, enrichment, and aging. As a professional dog trainer, I’m going to recommend this book to every one of my clients. And I wholeheartedly recommend it to you.
Helen –
Up to date information. Useful.
Filled with lots of up to date research data and recommendations. Easy reading, but I found it a bit boring. Wasnât crazy about writing style. Prefer other animal behaviorist authors. Generally a good book, though.
Sus –
A wonderful first book by one of my favourite bloggers, Zazie Todd, on one of my favourite topics: the human-animal (dog) bond and how to make it the best that it can be. Itâs a well researched, well written, easy to read, comprehensive book on how we can strive to make the world a happier place for our dogs. From the benefits of âsniffarisâ, to how dogs learn, to training methods and techniques, the importance of canine enrichment, how to spot a happy dog (and a not so happy dog), common behaviorial issues, special needs dogs and to end of life planning (something we never want to think about but need to). Interspersed with the research are personal anecdotes from Toddâs own experiences with her dogs (and who, like a lot of us from that era, fell in love with Diefenbaker from the show âDue South.â) At the end of each chapter is a wonderfully practical synopsis on how to apply the science at home. A must read for dog owners, RVTs/Veterinary Nurses, Animal Care Attendants, Veterinarians, Dog Groomers, Dog Trainersâ¦. basically everyone who works with, knows and loves a dog. As Todd states in her book âThe impact dogs have on our lives is tremendous. We owe it to them to do what we can to make them happy.â
MJ –
As an HE lecturer in the science, behaviour and training of dogs, I read a LOT of books about dogs, and much of the time I’m disappointed and frustrated at the inaccuracies in them and the lack of evidence to support the author’s opinions (and without evidence, they are just opinions and beliefs).This book, however, is an excellent review of our current knowledge about what dogs are, how they learn, what they feel, what they understand about us, and what we need to do to provide them with a happy, healthy life so they can be the best possible companion.Zazie’s writing is easy to read, getting her key points across clearly and concisely, but is thoroughly supported by current scientific literature and anecdotal evidence from the industry experts.A great read for any dog owner and any dog training professional starting out on their journey.
adriana –
Fantastic book full of good advise and easy to follow examples.
Aneeta Krishna –
In Wag, Zazie Todd provides an insight into scientific research on pet dogs in recent times. This accessible, fascinating read on our canine companions gives us much to consider in improving the quality of life for our dogs. I enjoyed the deeper look into canine psychology and the responsibility we all bear in choosing our pets and promoting responsible breeding for the future health and happiness of pet dogs everywhere.
Rufus –
An enjoyable evidence based tour of exactly what it says in the cover: the science of making your dog happy. Helpful chapter summaries too.