Summary

A dog trainer shares insights about cat behavior and the importance of understanding a cat's environment to address problematic behaviors, drawing parallels to human relationships.

Abstract

During a casual encounter in the park, a dog trainer imparts wisdom about cats to the author, who is an avid cat lover. The trainer, despite being a self-proclaimed "cat person," has recently adopted a bulldog. He explains that a true cat behaviorist focuses on modifying the cat's environment rather than directly training the cat, much like the approach taken by Jackson Galaxy on his show "My Cat From Hell." The trainer emphasizes empathy over anger when dealing with cat behavior issues, such as inappropriate urination, suggesting that such actions may be a cat's way of communicating distress. He also mentions practical techniques like marking the spot where a cat has urinated and keeping a journal to identify potential triggers for the behavior. The conversation reveals that understanding a cat's perspective and environment is crucial for resolving behavioral problems, a principle that can also be applied to human relationships.

Opinions

The dog trainer values empathy and environmental adjustments over traditional training methods when dealing with cats.
He believes that problematic cat behavior, such as peeing on the carpet, is often a symptom of an underlying issue in the cat's environment.
The trainer admires Jackson Galaxy's approach to cat behavior, which involves being attentive to a cat's needs and emotional state.
The author of the article is intrigued by the insights shared by the dog trainer and sees the value in applying these principles to improve cat-human relationships.
The trainer suggests that cat owners should investigate the circumstances surrounding unwanted behaviors to address the root cause, akin to playing detective.
The article hints at the potential stress a new pet, like a bulldog, can cause to a resident cat, and the importance of managing such transitions carefully.

What I Learned About Cats From a Dog Trainer on a Walk in the Park

What he shared with me relates to relationships with people too

“That is the most confident cat I’ve ever seen.”

The cat was sitting calmly in the middle of the sidewalk, in front of a footbridge at the park.

The man was 20 feet away with his bulldog.

“Yeah, it isn’t scared of any size dog,” I said.

Technically, the cat is a stray. But she joins my son and I during night walks in the park, sits on a bench next to us, naps on our patio, and I feed her every day, so I consider her my outdoor cat.

The dog trainer told me he has two cats and he just bought the bulldog for $100 after he learned it was going to be sent to the pound.

“I’m really a cat person,” he said

I liked him instantly as a cat person myself.

“I guess there are no cat trainers.”

“Actually, I know one. He is a cat behaviorist.”

“How does he train a cat?”

“He doesn’t train the cat, but changes things in the environment that are bothering the cat.”

“Like a new bulldog in the home.”

He laughed.

“Or a cat peeing on the carpet.”

“Sounds like the cat is angry.”

“Exactly. He tries to find out what is making the cat angry in their environment and change it.”

“Like arguments between a husband and wife.”

He told me his friend, Jackson, hosts a show on Animal Planet called “My Cat From Hell” where he tries to be Super Nanny to psycho cats who are wreaking havoc in a home or relationships.

“I saw an episode where a cat was peeing all over the house, and he said the response of most people would be, “Why did you do that?’ But our response should be, ‘Are you okay?’

“More empathy and less anger.”

“That’s right.”

I felt the conversation was about to end, but then he shared one last tidbit about the cat behaviorist.

“He gets the cat owner to tape an ‘X’ on the floor where the cat peed and then has the owner journal what was happening when the cat peed on the floor to try to find out what is going on.”

“Something must have triggered the cat.”

“You got it. He tries to discover the when, the where and the why the cat peed on the floor.”

“It sounds like he is playing the game Clue.”

I wanted to ask him more questions like how his cats are responding to having a dog in the home, but he said goodbye and was on his way.

But I learned a lot about cats from a dog trainer.

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