It's Training Cats and Dogs!

How can the human side of pet training - understanding and addressing our emotions and mental state - contribute to a stronger bond with our animals and more effective training process?

In this chat with fellow pet professional Marissa Martino, we talk about...

• why it's not just about teaching behaviors and working through training plans
• how her dog Peru met the love of her life, a cat named Harold
• what parallels there are between your work with your pet and your work with yourself
• why "self care" most likely isn't the way to go

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Pet Relationship Feelings and Stories

Marissa and I play two truths and a lie... I lose (shocker)

0:05:00 - From the Shelter to A Home

Marissa and I discuss strategies for helping clients adopt dogs with a history of living with cats, shelter evaluations, and their ability to predict behavior.

0:13:05 - Introducing a Dog to a Cat

We discussed introducing cats and dogs, active management, safety, and the joy of watching them become friends.

0:29:53 - Hold Space in Pet Training

Clients learn to accept their situation, set boundaries, measure success, and celebrate attempts to transform with their animal.

0:39:23 - Resourcing Yourself vs. Self-Care (and Fun!)

Marissa and I discuss resourcing ourselves, shifting mindset, and strengthening relationships with animals.

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Check out this episode's show notes for Marissa's full bio and contact info, as well as pictures of Peru and Harold - praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/65

If you're a pet professional...

Check out my mentorship and consulting options - I can be a second set of eyes on one of your current cat-dog clients... or you can shadow some of my cases!

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

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If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

In some cases, you can be doing ALL the right things to help your pets coexist, but everyone is still stressed and unable to live together peacefully.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of pressure on well-meaning pet parents who are struggling. And that really sucks.

In my chat with fellow pet professional Gia Savocchi, we talk about:

• how external pressures might cause people to keep their pets in a less-than-ideal situation
• the unhealthy double-standard: adoption = good, rehoming = bad
• how to intervene in conflicts between your animals (instead of relying on one to stand up for themselves)
• why educating the general public about normal dog and cat behavior is so important

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Check out this episode's show notes for Gia's full bio and contact info, pictures of her pets, bonus content, and the resources we mentioned - praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/64

If you're a pet professional...

Get in touch with Naomi to get a second set of eyes on one of your current cat-dog cases with a Pet Pro Strategy Session!

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

When introducing two animals, how do you know when to move onto the next step? What are potential red flags that tell you to slow down?

In this chat with fellow pet professional Sammy Hyde, we talk all about her blind cat Murdoch, the "king of the household." We broke down the ways Murdoch made it clear that he didn't want to live with another cat, and how things progressed differently when new puppy Freja came into their home.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• why you have to be an objective observer of your pets’ behavior when they AREN’T with the other animal
• what makes the direction of behavior change, and not the speed, the most important aspect of a training plan
• why the animals showing a lot of interest in each other (even if it seems friendly) isn't the green light for them have free access to each other
• how you decide which animal to call away when they need space from each other

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Check out this episode's show notes for Sammy's full bio and contact info, pictures of Freja and Murdoch, bonus content, and the resources we mentioned - praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/63

If you're a pet professional...

Get in touch with Naomi to talk about one of your current cat-dog cases - I'm here to help!

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

Have you been working with your pets for a while to try to get them to live together peacefully... but you're just not seeing the results you want?

In this episode, Naomi talks with Menghan, one of the amazing members of the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club. Menghan breaks down her experience in the community and the transformations her cat (Lindy) and her dog (Penny) have gone through since getting more personalized help with their training plan and support from other super cool cat-and-dog people 😎

What you'll hear in this episode:

• how Lindy and Penny's relationship started (and how they interact now)
• why they didn't get much closer in the first month of Club membership
• what Menghan was trying before she reached out for more help
• when the pets had a breakthrough and things started to fall into place

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Find pics/videos of Penny and Lindy throughout their journey to coexistence (and some of the questions Menghan posted in the community) in the full show notes: praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/62

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

What do you do when when your resident animal is super stressed by their new housemate? Like so stressed that they don't feel safe enough to do the things they used enjoy? And what if the animals were initially "fine" together?

In this Dog and Cat Chat, Alicia and I brainstormed about how she could help her cat Cleo feel confident enough to come downstairs when Maisy (the dog) is around.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• why you need to give your pets safe spaces and teach them how to get there
• how to help a cat come down the stairs and up to their elevated safe spaces (without touching the floor)
• when you might want to keep an eye out for your new pet's behavior to potentially change towards their housemates
• and what does food motivation have to do with all of this?

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Find links to the resources I discussed in this episode and some bonus content in the full show notes: praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/61

Sign up for your own Dog and Cat Chat!

Go to praiseworthypets.com/chat to book your own free mini-coaching session.

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

Dogs are predators who often see cats as prey. How can we help them live peacefully together? What is prey drive anyway?

There's all of this and so much more in this chat with Simone Mueller, world-renowned trainer and behavior consultant who literally wrote the book on predation in dogs (and how to address it).

We talk about:

• why (and how) her method of training dogs who chase cats is different than mine
• how to train FOR the situation, and not IN the situation (sort of)
• how to identify whether your dog wants to eat your cat or play with them (and why it might not even matter)!

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Check out this episode's show notes for Simone's full bio and contact info, pictures of PETS, bonus content, and the resources we mentioned - praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/prey-drive-towards-cats

If you're a pet professional...

Get in touch with Naomi to get a second set of eyes on one of your current cat-dog cases with a Pet Pro Strategy Session!

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

Why might the same contexts trigger totally different behaviors in our pets? It can make their interactions really tough to predict...

In this episode, Naomi talks through the theoretical reasons why your pets' behavior might not be as predictable as the antecedent-behavior-consequence model seems.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• the four (and a half) reasons* why different behaviors can happen in seemingly the same situation
• how the intricacies of reinforcement can get complicated relatively quickly
• why being a detail-oriented observer can help you predict your pet's behaviors

*note: there are MANY more reasons - these are just the ones I covered in this session :)

Want to get in on these Masterclasses?

Check out the 3 ways you can access the Club's monthly Masterclasses! Click here - praiseworthypets.com/masterclasses

Private Training Programs

If you've gotten stuck in your efforts to help your cat and dog get along... I can help you make progress again! Get 1:1 guidance and the support you need to get their relationship moving in the right direction. Go to praiseworthypets.com/services-for-pet-parents for more info.

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

Does your cat do some things that kinda freak your dog out?

In this Dog and Cat Chat, Naomi and Matilda talk through some ways to address both sides of cat-dog relationship - to find appropriate outlets for Beau's sometimes over-the-top behavior AND to give Delilah the skills to cope when he triggers her.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• why you might not want your dog to lay down and "be calm" when the cat is being exciting
• how you noticing "pre-behaviors" gives you insight into what is triggering your pets
• what to do about "[horizontal] zoomies"
• when reinforcing with food might not be the best option

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Find links to some bonus content in the full show notes: praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/58

Sign up for your own Dog and Cat Chat!

Go to praiseworthypets.com/chat to book your own this free mini-coaching session.

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

What do you do when you find the perfect kitten in a ditch right before you embark on a months-long journey through North and South America in a Sprinter van? Bring him along, of course!

In this chat with fellow pet professional Kayla Fratt, we talk about the recent addition to her "van-hold" - Norbert.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• why Norbert's temperament (and age) made him a perfect small-space travel buddy
• how "green flag behaviors" influenced Kayla's decision to adopt Norbert
• why Norbert's natural rhythm is messing with Kayla's sleep (and some troubleshooting we did together)
• how you can tweak the introduction framework (but don't skip steps)
• what to consider when harness training your cat

P.S. If you want to catch up on my first chat with Kayla before you listen to this "Part Deux" - listen to it here

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Check out this episode's show notes for Kayla's full bio and contact info, pictures of Norbert, Niffler, and Barley, bonus content, and the resources we mentioned - praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/57

If you're a pet professional...

Get in touch with Naomi to get a second set of eyes on one of your current cat-dog cases with a Pet Pro Strategy Session!

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

What adjustments do you make to a "typical" integration plan when the cat doesn't make himself scarce?

In this Dog and Cat Chat, Melissa and I come up with a plan to make Gem and Bart's interactions more predictable after a chase that ended with the cat in the dog's mouth 😲

What you'll hear in this episode:

• why letting a bold cat decide when to see the dog might not be the best idea
• how important it is to stop and congratulate yourselves on reaching a mini-milestone (because the journey to coexistence can be long)!
• what kinds of setups to do when the dog is more freaked out than the cat
• why you can't be one-and-done with a setup (even if your first attempt goes super smoothly)

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Find links to the resources I discussed in this episode and some bonus content in the full show notes: praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/56

Sign up for your own Dog and Cat Chat!

Go to praiseworthypets.com/chat to book your own this free mini-coaching session.

And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️

😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

• subscribe to the podcast
• leave a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts)
• DM me on Instagram - tell me what you liked about the episode, questions you have, or suggestions for the podcast
• tell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁