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 planshow her dog Peru met the love of her life, a cat named Haroldwhat parallels there are between your work with your pet and your work with yourselfwhy "self care" most likely isn't the way to goTimestamps:0:00:00 - Pet Relationship Feelings and StoriesMarissa and I play two truths and a lie... I lose (shocker)0:05:00 - From the Shelter to A HomeMarissa 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 CatWe discussed introducing cats and dogs, active management, safety, and the joy of watching them become friends.0:29:53 - Hold Space in Pet TrainingClients 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/65If 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 ❤️😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:subscribe to the podcastleave 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 podcasttell 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 animalwhat makes the direction of behavior change, and not the speed, the most important aspect of a training planwhy 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 otherhow you decide which animal to call away when they need space from each otherWant 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/63If 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 podcastleave 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 podcasttell 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 therehow 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 housematesand 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 podcastleave 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 podcasttell 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 situationhow the intricacies of reinforcement can get complicated relatively quicklywhy 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/masterclassesPrivate Training ProgramsIf 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 podcastleave 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 podcasttell 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 buddyhow "green flag behaviors" influenced Kayla's decision to adopt Norbertwhy 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 hereWant 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/57If 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 podcastleave 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 podcasttell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

What is involved in taking cats and dogs who can't even look at each other to being able to spend time together as housemates?In this episode, Naomi walks through the general process she uses to help her clients' cats and dogs learn to coexist. What you'll hear in this episode:why helping each animal feel safe is always the first stepwhat types of behaviors both your cats and dogs need to knowwhy you can't "just train the dog to leave the cat alone"Want to dive a bit deeper?Find links to all the resources I discussed in this episode and some bonus content in the full show notes: praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/55And 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 podcastleave 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 podcasttell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁P.S. Here's Kerry's website - kerrypinnisicounseling.com (but she wants me to make sure you know that she isn't currently taking new clients for ongoing therapy, but if you are already in long term individual therapy and would like to work with her for EMDR or Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, you can reach her through the website)

What are the first things you should do when you bring a kitten home to live with your adolescent dog? In this chat with fellow pet professionals Josh and Mandy Boutelle, we talk about how they helped their new kitten, Fig, quickly settle into life with their exuberant dog, Fern.What you'll hear in this episode:how they started creating positive experiences for the pets as soon as Fig came homewhy they waited a week before posting online that Fig had joined their familywhat signs indicated that Fern might be able to coexist with a catwhy they didn't keep Fig and Fern separated for long why kittens and potted houseplants don't mixWant to dive a bit deeper?Check out this episode's show notes for Mandy and Josh's full bios and contact info, pictures of Fig and Fern, bonus content, and the resources we mentioned - praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/53If 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 podcastleave 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 podcasttell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

In this inaugural "What the hell is...?" episode, Naomi gives her cousin Kerry the skinny on the concept of cat testing.This episode is for you if...➔ your dog was "cat tested" in the shelter or rescue➔ your dog wasn't "cat tested" in the shelter or rescue➔ you don't know what "cat testing is"➔ you just like the sound of the phrase "cat testing"What you'll hear in this episode:what cat testing is (sort of) how it can help predict your dog's behavior around cats (sort of)what you can do with the information you get from cat testing (sort of) 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/51And 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 podcastleave 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 podcasttell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁P.S. Here's Kerry's website - kerrypinnisicounseling.com (but she wants me to make sure you know that she isn't currently taking new clients for ongoing therapy, but if you are already in long term individual therapy and would like to work with her for EMDR or Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, you can reach her through the website)

If you've ever wondered whether your cat is teasing your dog for the fun of it or deliberately antagonizing the dog to get a rise out of them (and attention from you), this episode is for you.In this Dog and Cat Chat, Chelsea and I come up with a plan to teach her mischievous cats how and when to give their reactive dog brother some space. What you'll hear in this episode:why "see cat ➔ eat cookie" isn't totally workinghow "annoying little brother syndrome" affects your training planhow to help your dog feel that his warnings are being listened to why a dog that is reactive to things outside needs to be able to de-stress insideWant to dive a bit deeper?Find some bonus content in the full show notes: praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/49Sign up for your own Dog and Cat Chat! Go to praiseworthypets.com/chat to book your own this free mini-coaching session.😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:subscribe to the podcastleave 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 podcasttell a friend about It's Training Cats and Dogs - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

When your pets are “absolutely apart” and only seeing each other during short, micromanaged setups, you might be thinking:Am I being paranoid about my pets' safety?Am I the barrier to their coexistence? Am I being too impatient if I just want to "let them work it out"? These worries are super common and all boil down to this main question: how do I know if my cat and dog are ready to spend more time together? In this episode of It’s Training Cats and Dogs, Naomi laid out the main things to think about when making the decision to attempt some more extended interactions.What you'll hear in this episode:when your pets might be ready to level uphow to create a comprehensive plan for their first extended interactionswhy this prep will make the whole thing go smootherWant to dive a bit deeper?Check out this episode's show notes: praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/47What phase of coexistence are your pets currently in? (free quiz)Get in touch with Naomi to discuss whether the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club and private coaching is a good fit for you and your pets!😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:subscribe to the podcastleave a review on Apple PodcastsDM me on Instagramtell a friend about it - there's no link, cause that's a real life kind of thing 😁

Naomi's off on vacation so this week we're rewinding back to one of the podcast's earlier episodes! Revisit Naomi's chat with the amazing Leslie McDevitt, author of the popular Control Unleashed books and DVD series.Leslie broke down how she sets up her house to allow for easier introductions and how she uses Control Unleashed games and concepts to keep her cats and dogs living happily together.Key Moments[3:59] How Leslie first started working with animals[7:00] Leslie introduces her three dogs[12:17] Leslie introduces her two new kittens[13:11] Leslie’s specific method for introducing cats and dogs to each other[15:22] How to set up your own kitten paradise enrichment zone[17:13] Why Leslie likes to use crates to during introductions [19:20] How to work with dogs who aren’t familiar with cats[21:49] The next step after initial introductions[24:37] Why it’s important to give cats a way out of stressful situations[28:18] Using food and play as a gauge of comfort levels[31:59] What to do if you’re worried about cat and dog chases around the house[33:21] How Leslie handles her border collie’s stalking instinct[37:10] Why you should reward default behaviors consistently[43:10] Balancing dogs with young children at home[46:00] How to go easy on yourself when training a house full of pets[48:23] Easy mistakes to make when following Leslie’s Control Unleashed methods[52:50] How the Super Bowls game can teach you about threshold behaviors[56:35] How to play parallel CU games[58:19] Using social learning to your advantageKey LinksFollow Naomi on InstagramFollow Leslie on Facebook2021 Conference Unleashed RecordingControl Unleashed YouTube Channel  Mochi's Tunnel Your Next Step:Naomi will be back with a new episode next week! But if you enjoyed taking this look back, you can do your own rewind to some of our earlier episodes. Check out another interview with a pet professional! Or maybe a deep dive into a specific topic?With the 50th episode of the show quickly approaching, we want to celebrate! What would you love to hear on our special episode? DM Naomi on Instagram @praiseworthypets with your suggestions!

What do you do when your puppy just wants to play and your cats are so terrified they hightail it under the bed? It only takes a few unwanted games of chase to instill enough fear to make keeping your pets in the same space difficult - as Teri found out with Moose, Pumpkin, and Tofu.With the household divided between Moose’s separation anxiety and the cat’s fear, being able to spend quality time with everyone seems impossible.In this Dog and Cat Chat, Naomi guides Teri through ways to build the cats confidence and ability to move around the space so they can start combining their household again.Time Stamps:[00:23] Introducing Pumpkin and Tofu the frightened cats, Moose the puppy with severe separation anxiety[02:41] Examining current management strategies and talking about some new options[06:49] Moose’s current on-leash interactions with the cats in their upstairs space[08:05] Ways to build the cats’ confidence upstairs when Moose is around[15:21] Planning interactions and creating a sense of safety for the cats[18:10] Summarizing the action planIf you want to join me on the podcast for a Dog and Cat Chat, head on over to praiseworthypets.com/chat to book in a session!

While reaching for the cookies is a common go-to for reinforcement, there are other forms that are just as powerful - sometimes even more so than food!Listen to this episode to learn the basics of possession-based play skills so you can have a fantastic alternative to food in your reinforcement toolbox.This bite-sized episode is a peek into one of Naomi's Cat and Dog Coexistence Club Masterclasses.Time Stamps:[00:55] Introduction: The Power of Play[01:15] What is Reinforcement?[02:34] The Three Main Types of Reinforcing Events[06:19] The Easiest for Reinforcing: The Completely Controlled Events[07:54] The differences between Play-based Reinforcement and Food-based Reinforcement[09:55] Teaching Toy Skills: Types of Play[11:03] Teaching Toy Skills: The Framework of Possession-based playIf you want access to these Masterclasses live, you can join the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Membership is included in all of my private training programs so head over to the Praiseworthy Pets website and take the quiz to find out which program would suit you best!ResourcesRead the transcription or watch the section of the Masterclass from this episodeEpisode 33: Treat Options for your Non-food Motivated Pet