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FOREWORD

MY LOVE OF animals first led me to become a veterinarian, and I have had the great fortune to spend my life advocating for animal welfare and meeting many others who do too. I have authored twenty-five books about pets, was the resident veterinarian on Good Morning America for seventeen years, and have had a nationally syndicated pet/vet column for almost twenty years. I’m also the founder of Fear Free, an initiative whose goal is to make visits to the veterinarian less stressful for pets, so I know the importance of teaching pet owners how to care for their pets’ physical and emotional health. That’s why I’m so thrilled to see this book by Dr. Zazie Todd.

As a regular reader of Todd’s fascinating blog, Companion Animal Psychology, I know that she loves nothing more than writing about dogs, science, and happiness. And in this book, Todd clearly and expertly explains the science that tells us how to ensure our dogs are happy, elaborating on many of the subjects she covers in her blogposts and touching on lots of new ones as well. Wag begins by explaining how and why we should think about good welfare for our dogs, and then takes us on a tour of what science tells us about every aspect of a pet dog’s life. From making good decisions when choosing a puppy to getting socialization right, from the importance of play to the best ways to provide enrichment to engage dogs’ brains, and how to have safe, happy interactions with people of all ages, Wag has it all. Each chapter ends with user-friendly tips that pet owners can apply in their everyday lives.

With Todd’s background in psychology, the importance of emotional well-being is something she knows only too well. When people know how to increase positive welfare for their pets, it makes a difference to their dog—regarding both physical and emotional health—and it improves the human-animal bond. Wag gives dog owners the knowledge and the tools to augment their dog’s positive welfare with a goal of optimal happiness and enrichment.

When she interviewed me in 2018 about my most recent book, From Fearful to Fear Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias, I gave her the authentic story behind Fear Free, and my stunning realization that failing to take care of the emotional health of pets can cause them physical harm. Increasing feelings of happiness and calmness and providing plenty of enrichment is the key to good animal welfare (and also an integral part of Fear Free Happy Homes, which helps people enrich their pets’ lives). Research about animal welfare and behavior is a fast-changing field, and this important book is meticulously researched and up to date on the latest science about dogs. In addition, Todd has interviewed canine scientists, veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists, shelter managers, and dog trainers to find out what they most want people to know about dogs. Whether they are talking about their research from a dog’s point of view or sharing the one tip they think would make the world better for dogs, their perspectives are enlightening and sometimes surprising.

Todd is not only an engaging and encouraging science writer who is passionate about good animal welfare, she works with dogs too. She is a member of the Fear Free Advisory Group, a certified dog trainer, and the owner of several pets. As a result, Wag is filled with lots of relatable personal anecdotes about Todd’s own dogs, Bodger the Australian Shepherd and Ghost, a Siberian Husky/Alaskan Malamute cross. We learn about how they came into her life, challenges during their training sessions, and their doggy quirks. Todd’s love of dogs shines through in these charming stories.

If, like me, you care about dogs’ emotional welfare, you will want to read this book. Wag is scientifically accurate and beautifully written, a rare blend of science and soul. Read on to find out how Wag can help you have an even happier dog.

—MARTY BECKER, DVM