Cat Training and Kitten Training

Almost every time I receive an inquiry about a problem with a cat, the caller’s description begins with, “All of a sudden, for no reason at all [cat’s name] has begun to…”

But similar to situations with children, adults and dogs, troubled behavior in cats comes from something. There can be numerous reasons why your usually perfect kitty is now displaying less-than-perfect-behavior. The key in resolving the problem, once any possible health issues are ruled out, is to find what’s contributing to his or her anxiety and/or stress.

In my consultation with you, coupled with observation of your cat in his or her usual environment, I’ll help sort out what’s really going on. Then I’ll formulate a program of customized interventions for your specific situation and I’ll guide you through the techniques you’ll need to effectively help your cat.

Behavior issues and other reasons to consider a consultation about your cat:

Introducing a new cat to your family dog or cat (or children)

Multi-species households that aren’t getting along – teaching your animals to live together

Inappropriate elimination – your cat intermittently won’t use its litter box or has stopped using it

Play aggression – “hide and seek” attacks, such as swiping at pants, feet; biting or scratching

Inter-cat aggression

Redirected aggression – when kitty doesn’t get what he/she wants, so instead redirects his/her frustration at the closest person or animal

Fear aggression – cat hides, cowers or otherwise displays fear; most often occurring in multi-cat households when one cat invades another’s territory; sometimes starts as play and then escalates

Nocturnal activity – when your cat seems to “wake up” at night and gets involved in “hunting,” playing, jumping, destructive activity or otherwise disturbing the household.

Methods

Training Cats and Dogs is an evolving program developed over my years in practice, working with people and teaching them how to train and better understand their animals. At a fundamental level, my techniques come out of the simple observation that when a dog or cat does something and gets pleasure from it, he or she will do it again. This idea shapes the basis for the methods I use and teach: reinforce good behavior with attention, praise, treats and play; ignore or redirect bad behavior. Praise, practice and patience are the essential instructions you’ll hear from me often.

Since my program works best when it integrates easily into daily life, my focus begins by understanding your own specific situation and parameters, and your needs and expectations. Once I get a clear picture of these, I shape a program of straightforward, simple techniques and then guide you through the process of learning to use them. While teaching you how to work with your pet, I also coach you to better understand his or her communications and needs.

After each of our sessions together, you will see a real, marked improvement in your own abilities to use techniques that work in training your pet. You’ll also see your pet’s behavior and abilities improve, and based on your commitment to practice, your pet will continue sharpening his or her abilities to attentively listen and respond to your commands. At the end of most lessons, I’ll also leave you with written materials that will remind you of the step-by-step processes our lesson has covered.

I offer competitively priced selections of packages that allow you to choose a program that works for your schedule, budget and needs. Whether the situation calls for a customized, multi-step program or a one-time Consultation, together we can figure out what your situation requires and the best way to shape our work. Call me so we can discuss your specific needs.