Check out this video showing how I trained Bentley, a foster cat, to have his nails trimmed without restraint! He came to me after being a bite/scratch case when he was scared and over-handled. After only a week of consistent work I was able to trim the nails on one paw at a time without restraint - or complaint! - from Bentley who became a willing participant in the process! Remember the Power of Choice! #cat #nailtrim #positivereinforcement #training #behaviormodification

I have a post card I bought years ago while I was at a seminar about canine behavior. It reads, "Trust your crazy ideas." I keep it in my desk and look at it often. I also have a candle holder that reminds me to "Believe When It's Beyond Reason to Believe" in my office. I keep it where I see it daily. Those reminders were fresh in my mind the day I was introduced to Ares. As the story goes, Ares was carried into a shelter by a Good Samaritan who claimed to have found him on t

(This is Part Three in a series addressing petting-induced aggression. Click here for Part One and Part Two.) The Tip of the Iceberg in Feline Research on Petting-Induced Aggression In 2005, Kakima, et al reviewed a group of 25 cats presented for behavioral concerns in Japan. Of these cases, 17 (68%) presented for significant aggression toward humans. This is a large percentage when compared with other countries such as the UK (23%) or the United States (13%). The authors pre

(This is Part Two in a series about petting-induced aggression. You can read Part One here.) One clear example of human-feline miscommunication happens as a result of petting-induced aggression. This is described during a situation wherein a cat is near a human (often sitting on their lap or next to them) and they seem to be enjoying the physical contact (petting). With lightening quickness, the once pleasurable interaction turns violent. At times, the human is left with dama

I once had the privilege of hearing Malcolm Gladwell speak to a small audience just after the release of his book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants. As part of the experience, the audience was given the opportunity to ask Mr. Gladwell questions about his books. As a fan who has read nearly all his books, I had a particular question burning to be asked. Mr. Gladwell generally does not address the same subject more than once to illustrate his

(Note: this is a reprint of a blog contributed to Dogster.com as a guest blogger in 2011) When people find out that part of what I do at the SPCA Serving Erie County includes foster care for dogs and cats, the statement I most often hear is, I couldn’t do that. There was a day when I might have thought the same thing. However, there are thousands of animals in shelters and rescue groups who need a helping hand (or home) to unleash their potential. If your heart is jumping at