Podcast · Kids & Family

It's Training Cats and Dogs!

by Naomi Rotenberg, Praiseworthy Pets · English · Kids & Family

The podcast for cat-AND-dog people. This is the show for pet professionals and pet parents who want to level up their cat and dog coexistence skills. In each episode, we talk nerdy about how to get your pets (or your client's pets) living safer and happier lives together. Your host is Naomi Rotenber

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest: 16 May 2023
Language: English

Latest episode

16 May 2023 · 51 min

Finding Balance in Our Lives with Pets - with Marissa Martino

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…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E64 · 21 Mar 2023 · 47 min
If it’s not working out, what are your options? - with Gia Savocchi
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…
E63 · 7 Mar 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
How to introduce a puppy to a (blind) cat - with Sammy Hyde
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…
E62 · 22 Feb 2023 · 33 min
We weren't making progress... then we joined the Club!
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…
E61 · 24 Jan 2023 · 36 min
My cat won’t come downstairs because she’s so scared of the dog!
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…
E60 · 10 Jan 2023 · 55 min
Can a dog with prey drive live with a cat? - with Simone Mueller
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…
E59 · 13 Dec 2022 · 26 min
Evening chill time... Will your dog rest? Or lunge at the cat?
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:…
E58 · 29 Nov 2022 · 33 min
My cat is making the dog nervous!
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…
E57 · 15 Nov 2022 · 46 min
My dog adopted a cat, and now I have to pay for it! - with Kayla Fratt
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…
E56 · 8 Nov 2022 · 21 min
Not making progress with the "typical" path to coexistence?
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…
E55 · 1 Nov 2022 · 42 min
How the hell do I...help my cat and dog get along?
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 step what types of behaviors both your cats and dogs need to know why 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:…
E54 · 25 Oct 2022 · 19 min
To calm the dog down? Or to boost the cats' confidence? That is the question.
When you've got an intense, chase-y dog and some scared cats, how do you prioritize your training projects? In this Dog and Cat Chat, I explain why (in Jenna's case), I suggested that she focus on addressing the cats' skittishness first before tackling her dog's intense reactions to seeing the cats move. What you'll hear in this episode: why two kittens might be better than one how to make seeing the other animal less of an event (when they are absolutely apart) how to help nervous cats explore their territory (and why it was priority #1 for Jenna) Want to dive a bit deeper? Find links to…
E53 · 18 Oct 2022 · 46 min
The Training Starts As Soon As You Walk In The Door - with Josh and Mandy Boutelle
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 home why they waited a week before posting online that Fig had joined their family what signs indicated that Fern might be able to coexist with a cat why they didn't keep Fig and Fern separated for long…
E52 · 11 Oct 2022 · 21 min
Ok, they're separated... now what?
You bring a new pet home and you're keeping them separated from your resident pet like everyone says to do... but what are the next steps?! In this Dog and Cat Chat, I give Agnes a plan of action for Daisy, her young, prey-drivey dog and Chrys, her newly adopted chill-dude orange cat. What you'll hear in this episode: why scheduling time for your cat to have the full run of the house (often) is important why an "airlock" of barriers is essential why the goal is NOT to get the animals closer to each other what to do if the plan "doesn't work" Want to dive a bit deeper? Find links to the…
E51 · 4 Oct 2022 · 22 min
What the hell is... "Cat Testing"?
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…
E50 · 30 Aug 2022 · 18 min
The Why of "It's Training Cats and Dogs"
This baby podcast is now 50 episodes old 🤯 That's kind of a big deal! Let's celebrate with some of my super deep (and also a bit silly) musings about: how this podcast came to be why I'm doing this whole thing in the first place what's next in the world of "It's Training Cats and Dogs" aka even more awesome-ness when the podcast will be back - and how it will be even better than ever! Want to dive a bit deeper? Sign up to be a podcast supporter here! P.S. Whether you've been here since episode 1 or if this is your first foray into the coolest podcast out there - thank you so much for…
E49 · 23 Aug 2022 · 23 min
Dog: "Back off, please!" Cat: "Yeah...Nope."
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 working how "annoying little brother syndrome" affects your training plan how to help your dog feel that his warnings are being listened to why a dog that is reactive to things…
E48 · 16 Aug 2022 · 1 hr 11 min
“Dog-Like” Cats and “Cat-Like” Dogs - with Matt Schimsky
If someone says their cat acts "like a dog"... do you know exactly what they mean? Is having a "dog-like" cat considered ::better:: than having a cat-like cat? In this chat with fellow trainer Matt Schimsky, we talk about society's stereotypes about cats vs. dogs (and why they affect our relationships and willingness to train with our animals). What you'll hear in this episode: why Matt didn't like cats (until he lived with them) how his experience with "dog-like" cats has affected the way he train what crucial step you need to include in your pets' exercise and enrichment routine (that…
E47 · 9 Aug 2022 · 18 min
Are my cat and dog ready to spend more time together?
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…
E46 · 2 Aug 2022 · 31 min
Choreographing routines for your cat and dog
It’s hard work managing a full house even when everyone gets along, and for Bee, whose pets can’t be in the same space without tensions running high (and sometimes blood being shed!), it’s getting beyond frustrating. In this episode, Naomi shares some strategies on how to adjust "baby gate hell" and teach King and Ralph how to effectively give each other space. Key Moments [01:48] King's increasing aggression towards the dog, who wants any kind of attention from him, even if she's getting beat up [06:59] Using setups and cues to teach King less aggressive alternatives for seeking space…
E45 · 26 Jul 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
Episode Rewind: Control Unleashed with Cats and Dogs - with Leslie McDevitt
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…
E44 · 19 Jul 2022 · 58 min
Do You Know Your Current Pet Enough to Add a New One? - with Caroline Mattioli
Before bringing a new animal into your household, is your resident pet ready? In order to make the initial introduction and integration process go as smoothly as possible, one of the best things you can do is take a long, hard look at the pet(s) you already have! Doing the prep work before bringing a new pet into the mix will set everyone up for success. Caroline Mattioli, KPA-CTP joins Naomi to talk about how she introduced her resident dog Onyx to Jack the kitten and Tiki the Chihuahua. She details how knowing Onyx’s history, personality, and behaviors helped her implement the right…
E43 · 12 Jul 2022 · 21 min
How to Build a Scaredy Cat's Confidence
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…
E42 · 5 Jul 2022 · 20 min
Do my Cat and Dog Love Each Other TOO Much?
Our pets' body language is often baffling! Behaviors that look like intense affection can mean something else entirely. When your cat and dog refuse to leave each other alone, how can you tell what is a positive interaction or not? This is the struggle Abigail is having with her elderly cat Titus and her puppy Totchka. Is Titus’ intense greetings and grooming of Totchka not the prosocial interaction it appears to be? Key Moments [00:24] Introduction and Cast of Characters: Titus the elderly cat who tackles and forcibly grooms Totchka the puppy [05:30] Examining an interaction - the duration,…
E41 · 28 Jun 2022 · 12 min
How to Use Possession-Based Toy Play for Reinforcement: Masterclass Sneak Peek
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…
E40 · 20 Jun 2022 · 16 min
The Cats Just Want Their Space! - Dog and Cat Chat with Yasmin
Sometimes you just don't know what to do when your cats and dogs don't get along. Feeling stuck isn't uncommon, but that doesn’t stop it from being frustrating! Sometimes it takes a second set of eyes to look at what’s going on and identify find those areas where a little change could make all the difference. Yasmin’s two old lady cats, Zelda and Pangea, are struggling with the young canine member of the family, Fenna. Fenna chases the cats the moment they even try to find a bit of space from her. What can Yasmin do to calm Fenna down enough for Zelda and Pangea to tolerate her company?…
E39 · 14 Jun 2022 · 52 min
Kids, and dogs, and cats... oh my! - with Jen Shyrock
Overseeing a multi-species household can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Cats and dogs, pets and children, different breeds and different ages - with all the combinations comes a variety of behaviors and personalities. So, how can you find coexistence between so many moving parts? Jen Shyrock of Family Paws has hands-on experience living in a household of cats, dogs and kids (and even a couple of guinea pigs!). She shares her thoughts on teaching kids to interact with pets from a young age, considering the needs of everyone in your family, and the importance of respect when it comes to…
E38 · 7 Jun 2022 · 19 min
"Gimme space, cat!" - Dog and Cat Chat with Lara
We can all get a little cranky as we get older and that goes for our pets as well. When animals start dealing with ailments such as arthritis that cause pain and discomfort, is easy for them to find triggers in things that were no problem before. That’s the situation with Lara’s dog Bowie, who’s arthritis has caused some steps backward in his relationship with Neptune the cat. Before, they were coexisting peacefully and now, Bowie wants Neptune to stay away from his space! So what can Lara do to help Bowie relax again and see Neptune as something completely unrelated to his aches and pains?…
1 Jun 2022 · 6 min
YOUR Journey to Coexistence
It's an almost universal roadmap to coexistence: management enrichment setups But what should you actually DO within this general process to help YOUR specific animals learn to live together peacefully? What steps will take you from point A to point B? Sometimes you need someone to show you the way. Want more in-depth personalized guidance and support from Naomi? Itching to get your cat(s) and dog(s) moving on the path towards coexistence? Take this quiz to determine what phase of the journey you and your pets are currently in , and which training programs would be best to get you where you…
E37 · 31 May 2022 · 33 min
The Dog Puts the Cat's Head In His MOUTH! (Dog and Cat Chat with Josie)
Naomi chats with Josie in this Dog and Cat Chat about her adolescent dog Kinai and his wildly different interactions with her two cats. How much of this behavior can be attributed to general environmental stress or something else entirely? Time Stamps: [00:31] Introduction [01:13] The cast of characters: the dogs (Nimeria and Kinai) [01:37] Background of relationship between Kinai and the cats [02:06] The cast of characters: the cats (Anya and Prudence) [02:48] Background of reactive interactions between Kinai and Anya [03:59] Background of Kinai’s high prey drive towards Prudence [04:30]…

About It's Training Cats and Dogs!

It's Training Cats and Dogs! is a English kids & family podcast from Naomi Rotenberg, Praiseworthy Pets. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Naomi Rotenberg, Praiseworthy Pets
Language: English
Category: Kids & Family
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest episode: 16 May 2023
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1583553979

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