January Blog of the Month: The Cat Coach Blog

With so many wonderful cat blogs on the net, it's time to point the spotlight on some of my favorite ones. I really hope to make this into a monthly tradition, where we interview a cat blogger and gain some insight into a great spot on the web for cat lovers.

Starting this month with Marilyn Krieger, CCBC, a certified cat behavior expert whom we've had the privilege of hosting in two past Expert Forum projects: Litter Box Advice with Marilyn Krieger and Multi-Cat Households Challenges.

Marilyn's blogs on her site The Cat Coach and has agreed to answer a few questions for us -

Please, tell us about yourself and your cats

I am a certified cat behavior consultant and owner of The Cat Coach, LLC (thecatcoach.com). I solve cat behavior challenges through on site and phone consultations. My recommendations consist of a combination of positive reinforcement, environmental changes and education. It is very important for my clients to understand why their cats are engaging in particular behaviors. In addition to helping clients modify the behaviors, the knowledge helps increase people’s appreciation and understanding of their cats.

When I’m not helping clients, I am writing. My book, Naughty No More! published last year, focuses on changing unwanted behaviors through clicker training, environmental management and other positive reinforcement based methods. I also write the monthly behavior columns for Cat Fancy Magazine and the weekly behavior columns on www.catchannel.com/experts/marilyn-krieger/default.aspx

I am also the coordinator for California Bengal Cat Rescue, rescuing and finding homes for Bengals throughout the state. And… in my spare time I volunteer at the Peninsula Humane Society, as a cat behaviorist, answering cat behavior calls on their behavior help line.

I share my home with Bengals, a Savannah and one Norwegian Forest Cat. My oldest cat, Maulee and my Savannah, Sudan, both have been featured two different seasons on Animal Planet’s Cat’s 101.

What is the focus of the Blog - Your special angle on cats?

I guess I’m a myth buster. I want people to understand the behaviors of their cats. Unfortunately, there are many myths and wrong information about cats. Many people assume that cats can’t be trained and unwanted behaviors stopped or modified. Unfortunately this misconception can prove fatal to cat, leading to cats being surrendered to shelters and euthanized for fixable behavior problems. One of my goals is to educate people about cats and cats behavior. One way I do this is through blogging.

When and where do you usually write your blog posts? Where are your cats when you’re writing and do they help out?

My working area/desk expands the length of my office. It is made out of 3 different desks that are joined to each other. I am never alone when I write. All of my cats are usually within petting distance—one on my lap, another sleeps on the modem while the other cats make themselves comfortable on the papers and books which live on my desk.    

Are you currently involved, or have you been involved in the past in other cat writing projects? Can you tell us a little bit about those?

As touched on in an earlier question, I do write. I consider myself primarily a cat behaviorist who happens to write. In addition to writing articles and columns, I have written a book. Naughty No More! is available both as a soft-cover book as well as in e-book format. I am proud to say that it received both a Muse Medallion and the Tidy Cats Feline Behavior Award in the 2011 Cat Writers annual competition.

In addition to Cat Fancy Magazine and it’s web site, catchannel.com, I have written articles and columns for USA Today, Catnip Magazine, Kittens USA, as well as other journals, blogs and web sites.

And yes, I am always involved with other writing projects. I do not like to discuss projects I am working on until the work is completed.

Is there a single blog post that you're most proud of?

180° of Separation: http://thecatcoach.com/blog/2011/12/senior-cats-kittens-180%C2%B0-of-separation/

My work at the shelter inspired me to write this particular blog. At the end of 2011 I noticed that a lot of people were contacting me at the shelter with problems that were a result of adopting a kitten to keep their senior cat company. Neither cats or people were happy with the situation. I felt I needed to write this article, hoping that people will do their homework before adopting a new cat.

Please take a minute to visit Marilyn's blog here, and let us know what you think!