Episode 32

New Dog! It's Going Well...I Think? with Lauren Hurlock

Being proactive when you first introduce a new pet is a fantastic way to nip any potential problems in the bud.

Lauren joined me for a Dog and Cat chat to get some tips on setting up management and training behaviors for the brand new addition to their two cat household - a poodle named Lou.

Key Moments:

[00:39] Introduction to the cast of characters: Callie the Tortie, Buster the black cat and the new addition, Lou the poodle

[01:51] The current state of affairs with Lou’s introduction

[02:53] Lou’s current temperament and behavior

[03:42] How Lou’s current interactions with the cats are going

[04:10] Deeper look into current interactions - BIG behaviors

[05:44] Ways to manage interactions and environment for both the dog and cats to have safe spaces.

[06:05] Building a management plan for minimizing behaviors in sticky spots

[08:02] Creating a settle place for Lou outside the kitchen

[09:21] Feeding the cats up high in the kitchen

[10:08] Teaching Lou to recognize subtle cat body language

[10:30] List of recognizable stressed body language

[10:52] Training Lou with the Whiplash Turn

[12:44] Setting up treat stations

[13:06] What does a happy dog and cat relationship look like?

[16:42] Using established, individual cues in managed interactions

[17:49] Training go to place behaviors in both cats and dog

[19:07] Tips for recognizing management needs

[19:46] Managing couch time

[21:10] Logging behaviors

If you’ve just recently added new animal to your family and want some ideas on how to examine any potential problems and create a management plan, you can be awesome like Lauren and do one of these Dog and Cat Chats! Head over to praiseworthypets.com/chat to sign up.

About the Podcast

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It's Training Cats and Dogs!
The podcast for cat-AND-dog people.

About your host

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Naomi Rotenberg

MA, KPA-CTP
specializing in cat and dog integration

Hi! I'm Naomi, and I'm a "cat-and-dog person" 👋 My goal with this podcast is to speak to people with multi-species households who currently feel alone. There are lots of highs and lows when trying to manage the relationships between your animals. This podcast will give you clear, actionable information and guidance about the unique issues that come up between cats and dogs. And the monthly interviews with my fellow trainers who have cats and dogs will definitely help you realize that you aren't alone!

A bit about me: I'm a certified professional dog trainer (KPA-CTP) and have my MA in Animal Behavior and Conservation. I live in my own multi-species household in Philadelphia, PA with my husband, two human kids, Uri (a mini American Eskimo Dog), and Rio (a domestic shorthair cat). I also LOVE Twizzlers (the original kind, NOT pull-and-peel).

I look forward to getting to know you and your pets on your journey towards a more peaceful and safe coexistence!