Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog

by Zazie Todd

The must-have guide to addressing anxious, fearful, or reactive behaviours in your dog through positive reinforcement, from certified dog trainer and animal behaviourist Zazie Todd.

Is your dog showing signs of fear, anxiety, or reactivity, such as biting, food guarding, shyness, or aggressive barking? You’re not alone. Close to 75% of dogs struggle with fear-based behaviours, and require our support and understanding to feel safe and secure.

In Bark!, Zazie Todd provides solutions for these behaviours. Decoding the latest canine science, she shows readers how to address the root cause of your dog’s fears, with expert advice and practical tips on:

How to tackle common canine fears, such as loud noises, the vet, separation anxiety, and other dogs.
How to manage a dog’s natural fear responses through positive reinforcement.
How to keep your dog, yourself, and others safe when they are fearful or reactive.
How to create safe havens for your dog, and make yourself a secure base for them no matter where they are.

Compassionate, practical, and rooted in science, Bark! helps dog owners understand the many factors that might be causing fear within your dog, and how you can help them lead a safe and happy life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Dogs, Science, Self Help

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3'5* rounded up

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has plenty of really nice tips on what to do with different fears and anxieties the dog might have. A lot of information is backed up with different articles and research, which makes it trustworthy. At the same time, I felt that some things were rushed through and if I didn’t read or hear about them previously from other sources, I would probably not understand the idea (e.g. stress systems in the body). Also, I wish the book had more examples of some behaviors and more detailed cases covered for each fear, instead of constantly saying ‘get professional help’. I DO have professional help, but I would still love to hear more success stories or caveats that I could encounter.

The book is structured in a way that you can read only general information (Part 1) and then a chapter dedicated to a fear your dog has (part 2). This is very convenient, especially considering that a dog rarely has multiple different fears simultaneously, so all the book content won’t be relevant to an individual dog anyway. Also, if reading the book from A to Z, then you will face a lot of repetitive advice, because there are some steps and approaches that you have to follow in any scenario (e.g. be patient, progress with the dog's speed, etc.).

Part 3 of the book is almost completely useless if you are not from the US, Canada or UK. It gives some more insight on how to look for the right help, what different certifications mean and how to pass training yourself. However, that is not applicable to most countries in Europe and around the world, as they all have different regulations and the mentioned programs are not common here. Additionally, in Part 3, the author gives her slightly negative opinion on rehoming and euthanasia, and while the latter is indeed the last resort, rehoming can be the best option many people can do for their dogs due to so many different factors.

[Nikolas Toner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful, good, I should reference this

[ThDogs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information within is correct and well-cited, covering a huge range of topics on helping an anxious, fearful or reactive dog. I especially appreciated that included muzzles, the bite scale index, when to be concerned about bites, muzzles, the ranges of behavioural modification.

It's just a very boring read. The writing style is very passive, dry and attempts to be conversational, with a tendency to just run to one topic to the next without even a change in formatting. There were hardly any diagrams or illustrations to go with what is being explained, so it ends up being mostly long walls of text where a simple diagram would have conveyed what was being explained quicker. It was just very very dull and I felt like my soul was being sucked out of me. I read research articles for fun and this was so very very boring in comparison.

The foreword mentioned that the foreword reader would pick the book up, look at one section as it was applicable, then put it down again. That is honestly probably the best way to read this book, versus sitting down and reading it over a few sittings. Best read in very very small doses.

[Guzel Garifullina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful source for guardians of nervous dogs. Science-based and measured, with tips and steps to get you started, and additional resources and advice on seeking help. Great source to better understand dog behavior and learn how to build a relationship with your dog.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog by Dr. Zazie Todd is an excellent and, in my opinion, essential resource for pet parents or professionals who have or are thinking of bringing a dog who is anxious, fearful, or reactive into their homes.

Early in the book, Dr. Todd notes that data indicates “…up to 72.5 percent of dogs have some kind of fear or anxiety…” I have had four dogs in my life with some level of anxiety, and as a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A), I see many clients with dogs for this very reason. It is essential for us to understand these are not bad dogs. As the author notes “It’s not helpful to assign blame to a dog who is, in fact, simply struggling.”

The book contains three sections, each building on the other. The nineteen pages of scientific references at the end support each section, which only recommends humane methods.

Dr. Todd explains the differences between anxiety, fear, and reactivity and how these emotional responses are often linked to aggression. She also discusses the many reasons why so many dogs are fearful. She does a superb job of outlining the many myths, or nonsense taken as fact, that are still being perpetuated about dogs, often by pet care professionals. She concludes with three tips crucial to helping an anxious or fearful dog: 1) Your first priority is to help your dog feel safe. 2) Pick a treat your dog loves, and 3) Find an activity you do with your dog that makes you both happy and do it!

The book also discusses how to tell when your dog is stressed, which is critical if you are going to help your dog feel safe, which, as noted above, is your number one priority. Dr. Todd has included an excellent section on stress and stressors and the intricacies of the fight-or-flight system. Dog bites are examined, along with helpful advice on how to keep your dog from biting.

The book discusses dogs afraid of other dogs, those who react towards people, dogs scared of noises, the veterinarian, being left alone, and others they see as threats that might take their food and other stuff. Dr. Todd even discusses how fear-related issues can lead to dysfunctional repetitive behaviors like tail chasing,

In part 3, the book offers suggestions on how and where to get help for your dog and yourself, noting: “Getting help for your dog from behavior professionals is one thing that people say really helps.” The book includes a section on how to evaluate behavior professionals, as, in many cases, you will be looking for more than a dog trainer who teaches sit, down, and come.

I like this book so much that I now recommend it to all my clients. I am also giving copies to every team member at Green Acres Kennel Shop and ForceFreePets.com, as well as several veterinarians in the area. Thank you! Dr. Todd!

[Shel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book you wished you'd had when you adopted your first fearful dog. And the book you want if you've just brought your first fearful pup home. Packed with useful, helpful and factual information about how to live better with a nervous pup and help them through their fears.

I love the stories of helping fearful dogs, the quotes from trainers and behaviorists, the sections on helping dogs with specific fears, and the important tips for living with a fearful dog.

As I said this book is packed with useful information. These were my three favorite takeaways:

I love the section "Naughtiness Can Be Good". Yes, sometimes that's how we know when a fearful dog is getting more comfortable, they start showing some of their natural doggy behaviors --what we love about dogs! And then as dog trainer Maria Karunungan says, "...it's up to us to find a way that is acceptable (for example, by giving them chew toys or a place where they can dig). And some kinds of naught are fine to allow, like having fun shredding their toys. If it's not causing any harm, it's okay to let them do it."

I loved the section explaining the role of psychotropic medications and Dr. Claudia Richter of Pacific Veterinary Behavior Consulting's explanation of how they work to help ease anxiety, not change the dog's personality. "...the anxiety is just floating at the top and just drowning your dog's personality, and my goal is to turn that around...maybe we can get his or her personality to float to the top and suppress the anxiety, and then you can really see that personality shine."

Finally, I loved the reminder of what a slow process it can be to overcome fear, and that we want to do everything we can to avoid instilling fear in dogs --and as I like to say instead do what we can to make then more confident, at ease, playful, and safe.

Pairs well with the author's two other excellent books: Wag! The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy.

[Kos · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 3.5 ⭐.
I know this is geared more towards people who haven't already seen trainers and behaviorists, so most of the knowledge presented here wasn't particularly new.
For a book that prides itself on science and being research-based, it tends to pick some outstandingly poor studies that are presented as fact. For example, in a paragraph how men are found to be more likely to use aversives and against R+ training because of toxic masculinity (all sound conclusions that are seen time and time again in dog sport groups and experiences from women in male dominated sports like bitesports), it includes a sentence that goes: "According to one study, depressed males are especially likely to use aversives". The author should've just left that out. Stop padding out the book with badly done studies. It's making other arguments significantly weaker.

Also perpetuates the myth that head collars aren't aversive and that dogs shouldn't be alone for more than 4 hours.
It gets the definition of trigger stacking - a CRUCIAL thing that reactive dog handlers should be aware of - dead wrong. It's several trigger of a managable level occuring individually during a period of time, gradually working your dog up to it's reaction threshold and overstimulation. It's NOT the presence of multiple triggers at once.

It gives horrible advice on how to deal with oversocial frustration-based reactivity in dogs, that you should just let them play with other dogs and fullfill that need - without any mention that impulse control and practicing neutral passes is NECESSARY. In the entire book.

The rest of the book is sound even though it takes a very black and white stance on a lot of things.
I expected other dog trainers to look this over, considering the author is more than happy to cite who they're good friends with.

[Anna Podhorodeski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is (of course) not to replace professional advice, but it serves as an optimistic yet cautious and thoughtful resource for dog owners who want to improve their anxious pups' lives. Most of the information was already familiar to me as someone with an anxious rescue dog, but having it compiled in one place - with notes, citations, clear chapters, and actionable advice - is valuable.

I would say this book is well-suited for anyone currently considering adopting an anxious dog or those with a nervous dog who are unsure where to begin (tl;dr, talk to your vet and start working with a qualified trainer). While I found it a bit preachy about positive reinforcement at times (and I say this as someone who agrees with the author's stance and who uses ethical, positive-reinforcement and evidence-based dog training methods), it's clear that the author's perspective comes from a deep-rooted care and compassion for animals.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This accessibly written book collects the current state of knowledge about fearful dogs. It includes info about different types of training certifications, different anxiety medications that might be prescribed for dogs, basic info about training and protecting fearful dogs, and many citations in the endnotes for readers who might want to dig deeper. I also appreciated Todd's many acknowledgements of the emotional and life-management those of us who live with anxious or fearful dogs confront.

[Jac Filer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fine book with some useful tips. Everyone who has a fearful or reactive dog can find something relevant and helpful. A few of the techniques in this book proved to be immediately beneficial, even if only in incremental measure for the time being.

But, like every book of this nature, some sections simply aren't relevant to my situation. Most readers are bound to encounter a chapter or two that gets just a skim or a quick read.

[Vinita Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t read this cover to cover. I read the sections that apply to my dog. My favorite piece of advice in here was to continue working with your dog on training activities. Fortunately, East knows a lot of the basic commands and is having fun doing them daily…probably because of all the extra treats. I will probably still need to work with a trainer for some of her behaviors, but this was a good starting point for help.

[Shannon Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, but it ultimately boils down to this: if you have a dog with moderate or severe reactivity or other associated behaviors, see a behavioral specialist or trainer. Her approach also relies heavily on reward-based training or treat motivation, but unfortunately, my reactive dog doesn't care at all for food or treats!

[Ligaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

We currently have a 60+ pound Doodle mix that is pure chicken. I learned some things here, so that's very valuable. I'm hoping that the author's instructions will allow our pup to live a more stress-free life. This book took me a while to wade through. I didn't enjoy the writing despite me really wanting to get the information offered.

[Jenny Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic book on treat-training with some extra information on why some dogs may be anxious/fearful/reactive and how to avoid or manage these cases. The big takeaway is to not use aversive techniques.

[Judith Tutin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about helping my both fearful and reactive dog and you probably will too. That said, it was a little too much on the laissez-faire end of the of the dog parenting continuum for me. I agree with another reviewer who felt the reader was referred to experts a little too often.

[Pamela Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The science part of classical conditioning, conditioned responses, unconditioned responses, etc was too dry and I have a masters degree in psych. I didn’t pick this up to study. But the second half of book was much more readable.

[EyesonArt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tool book for new dog owners, it's useful to have general ideas about dog's anxiety and fear behaviors. Might not be new topic/concept for experienced dog owners.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for people that have a fearful, growly dog. It is written conversationally. There is a lot of helpful tools, encouragement, and real life stories.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book would be most useful when your dog is a puppy.

[M.A. Arana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tips, backed by research and personal experience.

[Kirsten Lindell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite helpful! Read this in short bouts as needed during dog training

[Lori Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative and persuasive! I wish I’d known all of this when we first adopted our dog.

[Melissa DuBois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro book on dog anxiety and behavior. There wasn't a lot of specific advice or tips, but more so resources and what to look for in a dog trainer.

[Jacinta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful descriptions of fear in dogs and basic positive training processes. Sadly, details were overwhelmed by the advice to pay for a trainer, because they can fix everything.

[Lauren Goldman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I appreciate the digestible science this book offers to the average dog owner. I will say the FF training is shoved down the reader’s throat.

Not all dogs can solely live on FF training styles, and if that’s the case, there is little this book offers.

I was hoping this book would address help around my overly social dog’s reactivity (yes I’ve worked with many trainers to manage) but it fell short. I did take a few knowledge nuggets away, not enough to justify bashing prong collars for 200+ pages though.