Kristi Benson

04/17/2026

Archer joins us as the Fourth Guest. Although he didn't weigh in, he added a certain gravitas.

New podcast alert! Kristi Benson and I chatted with Melissa McCue-McGrath to find out what it was like taking part in a citizen science project to train pet dogs to sniff out an invasive species. At the end we asked Melissa to tell us about her new book, Misadventures of the World's Okayest Dog Trainer, which is about all the awkward stuff new dog trainers need to know. And of course we asked her to tell us what she's been reading. This was a really fun convo!

Listen to The Pawsitive Post in Conversation wherever you get your podcasts, watch on Youtube, or do both and read a transcript on my website.

04/11/2026

Two awesome people speaking about dogs and science and communication!

As you know, Companion Animal Psychology recently celebrated it's 14th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Marc Bekoff interviewed me for his Psychology Today blog.

I love Marc's work and am very honoured that he chose to interview me. Check out the piece and let me know what you think!

I'll put a link in the comments and in my stories, but you can also find it via the link in bio--scroll down to the media section.

04/07/2026

Just in time for my webinar with The Pet Professional Guild tomorrow on senior dogs / younger dogs!

Zazie and Kristi chat about how to ensure all the dogs are happy when you have both senior dogs and a younger dog (or puppy) in the same household.

03/31/2026

14 years! Congrats, Zazie!

I'm celebrating 14 years of writing (and podcasting) about how to help our dogs and cats have better lives.

I'm still here because this stuff matters, not just to dogs and cats, but also to their people. As I've said many times over the years, when you know what your pet needs and provide it for them, they will be happier and less likely to have behaviour issues--and you will be happier too, because what's nicer than having a happy and contented pet?!

The other reason I'm still here, of course, is because this stuff matters to you, too. I'm so grateful for the community of people that has built up around this blog, and for all the emails and messages I get whenever I publish a new post or when people have questions. I love to hear from you.

I'm excited about some things that are coming up later this year that I will be able to share with you soon.

I'd like to say a special thank you to Kristi for being such an excellent Special Correspondent to Companion Animal Psychology and for being such a fun co-host on the podcast.

And I'd also like to say a special thank you to everyone who has supported the blog over the past year. I couldn't have done it without you.

If you’d like to support my work, you can become a member or founding member of Companion Animal Psychology, or you can buy me a coffee, all via the link in bio.

Thank you, all, and Happy 14th Anniversary!

03/30/2026

Helping dog families unite!

Here's how to combine different households that already have at least one dog—while keeping the people and the dogs happy.

03/12/2026

I'm so glad to be presenting a webinar next month for The Pet Professional Guild, "Mixing Young and Senior Dogs: Management, Safety and Training". The webinar is on April 8th, at 4:30 EST. PPG Members can use their webinar coupon to sign up! Find out more details here:

https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/webinars-events/webinars/mixing-young-and-senior-dogs-management-safety-and-training-with-kristi-benson/

02/02/2026

We were lucky enough to get to read this book early, and have a lovely chat with Patricia about it!

You heard it first at Bark! Fest, where Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. told us the exciting news about her first mystery novel: "I've had a scene in my mind for years. Probably 10 years, I've had a scene that starts at a sheepdog trial." And now it's almost here! Away to Me will be out on Feb 24th. It is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold. We were lucky to sit down and chat with Patricia again about this book for The Pawsitive Post in Conversation. Look out for our new episode, coming soon!

Preorder Away to Me from Bookshop (which supports indie bookstores in the US) : https://bookshop.org/a/105832/9781496757111
or from Amazon: https://amzn.to/49UWfpP
or from your local bookstore.

01/20/2026

Kristi Benson and I are celebrating a milestone for our podcast. The Pawsitive Post in Conversation has published 50 episodes! Thank you to everyone who listens or watches! We hope there will be many episodes to come.

01/14/2026

A new blog on Companion Animal Psychology!

New post! Kristi Benson is not just my amazing co-host on The Pawsitive Post, she's also Special Correspondent to Companion Animal Psychology, where she writes the most beautiful and thought-provoking pieces. This time, she waxes lyrical on what it means to be a Good Dog, and it all started with a meme about women... It's called Just Dog is Good Enough. Check out the piece on my blog via the link in bio or here: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2026/01/just-dog-is-good-enough.html

01/08/2026

Dogs with separation anxiety are struggling--and their guardians are struggling too. In the latest episode of The Pawsitive Post in Conversation, Kristi Benson and I are joined by sepanx expert Malena DeMartini of Treating Separation Anxiety In Dogs , author of two fabulous--and so, so helpful--books about separation anxiety in dogs and creator of the incredible CSAT course, to learn about how to help dogs who are upset when their people go out. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, watch on Youtube, or do both and find all of the shownotes on my website (link in bio).

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/jeYuAuEB0PU
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2183505/episodes/18459551
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-to-help-dogs-with-separation-anxiety-with/id1685998335?i=1000743970099
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xmsxcN3zYdcjZTAGuC1c8
Watch, listen, or read the highlights: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2026/01/separation-anxiety-how-to-help-dogs-who.html

01/08/2026

It's fun to see the cities where our podcast, The Pawsitive Post in Conversation, gets the most listens. A special shout-out to our listeners in Melbourne, Port Townsend, and Stockholm, for being the top 3. (And weirdly, yesterday it was Manchester not Stockholm!). I love how the top cities are on different continents. Kristi Benson and I love making the podcast--thanks to all of you for listening