Are all cats assholes? Of course not! For reasons unbeknownst to them, cats have gained a reputation that misleads people into thinking that all cats are (for lack of a better word) catty.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth, and I’m on a mission to put a stop to this cat prejudice once and for all.

My special guest on this episode of It’s Training Cats and Dogs is the incredible Beth Brown (CCBC, CPDT-KSA, CCUI), Ear to Tail owner and behavior expert who works with shy and fearful animals. Her biggest pet peeve is when people assume it’s normal for a cat to be an asshole, which (spoiler alert) it isn’t!

Together, we discuss how Beth uses her expertise to help people manage relationships between their pets with a focus on multispecies homes.

So, if you want to find out how to turn your ‘asshole’ cat into a perfect angel, this is the episode for you!

Key Moments

[06:24] Common misconceptions about cats

[09:29] How to approach the adoption of unsocialized cats

[13:25] Why cats aren’t the low maintenance animals many people believe them to be

[15:29] The problem with treating your cat like a dog

[18:32] Body language cues to look out for when training multiple species

[24:25] Beth’s ideal type of client

[30:48] Beth shares the story about how she trained a shelter cat to become a show cat who won first place

[34:05] Why foster homes are so important for finding dogs and cats good homes

[36:40] Why we shouldn’t label our pets as ‘good’ or ‘bad’

[41:20] How to adjust your expectations when you welcome a new dog or cat into your family

[42:58] A story about how I met my cat Rio and how far he has come since his days at the shelter

[46:15] Beth reveals one of her favorite stories about a friend who adopted a ‘difficult’ cat

[52:23] How to get better at offering multiple choices for your pets

[54:34] Tips to help make everyday life more enjoyable (and less stressful) for your cat

[58:27] How training other animals can help you become a better trainer

Key Links

• Ear to Tail website
• Follow Ear to Tail on Instagram
• Follow Ear to Tail on Facebook
• The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) 
• Get on the waitlist for "From Cranky to Coexisting"

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please remember to subscribe to stay up-to-date and leave a positive rating and review – it would mean a lot to me and my pets!