Amy D. Shojai - PETiquette: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multi-Pet Household

PETiQuette

Solving Behavior
Problems in Multipet
Households

Also by Amy D. Shojai

Complete Kitten Care

Complete Care for Your Aging Dog

Complete Care for Your Aging Cat

The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats

New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats

Solving Behavior
Problems in Multipet
Households

Amy D. Shojai

Copyright by Amy D. Shojai

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

M. Evans and Company, Inc.
216 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Shojai, Amy, 1956

Petiquette : solving behavior problems in multipet households / by Amy D. Shojai.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN: 978-1-59077-076-4

1. Dogs--Behavior. 2. Cats--Behavior. 3. Dogs--Training. 4. Cats--Training. I. Title.

SF433.S465 2005

636.70887--dc22

2004027549

Typeset and Designed by Chrissy Kwasnik

Printed in the United States of America

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Dedication

To the cats and dogs who wander lost and alone,
To the caring professionals who map their way,
And to loving owners who guide pets safely home.

Others see, care, and honor your steadfast love.

This book is for you.

PART ONE
Understanding Competability

Chapter 1
The Joys Of Multiples

Chapter 2
How Dogs Think

Chapter 3
How Cats Think

Chapter 4
Pawsitive Purr-suasion

PART TWO
The Multidog Household
Common Problems and Practical Solutions

Chapter 5
Aggression Dogma

Chapter 6
Bathroom Challenges

Chapter 7
Emotional Issues

Chapter 8
Feeding Concerns

Chapter 9
Dog-To-Dog Introductions

PART THREE
The Multicat Household
Common Problems and Practical Solutions

Chapter 10
Cat-egorical Aggression

Chapter 11
Toilet Techniques

Chapter 12
Upset Kitty Feelings

Chapter 13
Suppertime

Chapter 14
Cat-To-Cat Introductions

PART FOUR
The Dog-Cat Household
Common Problems and Practical Solutions

Chapter 15
Fighting Like Cats and Dogs

Chapter 16
Potty Concerns

Chapter 17
Stressed for Success?

Chapter 18
Ringing the Dinner Bell

Chapter 19
Pleased to Meet You

PART FIVE
Common Multipet Frustrations

Chapter 20
Pet Peeves

PART SIX
Appendixes

Many individuals helped make this book a reality by sharing expertise, help, and unwavering support during the birthing process of PETiquette. My husband, Mahmoud, and my caring and supportive family never fail to inspire. Dear friends from the Cuchara gang, the Warped crew, Trinity Lutheran, my second-act family, and especially Frank, who juggles eggs better than anyone I knowyou remind me daily of whats truly important, and I cant thank you enough.

My colleagues from the Dog Writers Association of America and Cat Writers Association Inc. never fail to impress me with their professionalism. Id especially like to thank Maggie Bonham, Steve Dale, and Deb Wood for sharing some of their tips, and the staff and members at CatsForum and DogsForum and new friends at ivillage.com, who always inspire me with their unwavering dedication to helping pets.

Sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Stephen W. Crane, executive director for the 2004 Western Veterinary Conference, for arranging press privileges for me to attend the conference and interview the top behaviorists and lecturers in the field. This book would not have been possible without you. I also must thank David Frei of the Westminster Kennel Club for press privileges that made it possible for me to talk with top dog breeders, handlers, and caring owners. My dear friend and colleague, Michael Brim, offered comparable courtesies for me to contact top cat breeders and exhibitors at the Cat Fanciers Association International Cat ShowI am in your debt. In addition, my editors Enrica Gadler and Matt Harper helped bring the book to life. Grateful thanks yet again to my tireless agent, Meredith Bernstein, who does all the really hard stuff so I can live my pet-writing dream.

Finally, this book wouldnt be possible without all the special dogs and cats that share our hearts and the loving owners dedicated to providing the best care possible for their furry family members. Without you, this book would never have been written.

Many years ago, more than I care to admit, I became an accidental pet writer. I grew up rescuing orphaned bunnies and baby birds that had fallen from nests, turned turtles and snakes into pets, and lured squirrels and raccoons to eat from my hand. I loved feeding Grandmas chickens, horseback riding, and milking the cows (or trying to).

But my deepest affection was for dogs and cats.

It seemed fated when I found a job as a veterinary technician and met countless caring owners. But many felt frustrated by their relationships, and all too often, heartbreak resulted. I never set out to be a writer, and my career as a pet journalist would never have happened without the countless veterinarians, behaviorists, trainers, researchers, and pet lovers who put up with my endless questions. Thank you!

If youre reading this, you belong to the pet generation, part of the 60-plus percent of U.S. households that keep cats and dogs. The audience of pet lovers increases each year. The National Pet Demographics (NPD) Group Pet Ownership Forecast, 2006 projects that the cat population in U.S. households will swell to 82 million, while the dog population is expected to increase to 64 million by 2006. Thats a lot of furry love!

PETiquette is written for owners like you who share homes with multiple pets. According to the 2003/2004 American Pet Product Manufacturers Association National Pet Owners Survey, 23 percent of those surveyed own two dogs, while 12 percent own more than three dogs. Similarly, 28 percent of all cat owners own two cats, and 21 percent own more than three cats. Of these, over 40 percent of owners live with both a cat and a dog.

The more time we spend with our cats and dogs, the stronger our bond becomes. The medical profession has legitimized these attachments through multiple research studies that prove the positive impact pets have on human health. So, while in the past we may not have admitted these affections, today our love affair with pets has become a very public one. The 2004 National Survey of People and Pet Relationships by the American Animal Hospital Association states that 94 percent think their pet has human-like personality traits, such as being emotional or sensitive. Deep affection toward and a new awareness of our enhanced relationship with petsand the way cats and dogs relate to each otherdrives todays owner to seek the most current, highest-quality behavior care to preserve this loving bond. Pet spending doubled from $17 billion in 1994 to a projected $34.3 billion for 2004, a trend that will certainly continue for the foreseeable future.