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holly_keimig's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an invaluable resource on how to make life with cats much better for both of you. It delves into why cats behave the way they do and how you can use their natural responses to things to train them to be happier with the things humans have to do to share lives happily with cats (vet trips, travel, brushing, etc). There is a lot of information about specific scenarios such as adding another cat to the mix, how to introduce a cat to a pet dog, how to make a cat more able to cope with a new baby in the house, etc. There are fundamental skills that can be taught fairly quickly that will help in most any setting too. Having tried out some of the tips with a very headstrong cat of my own, I saw progress in just a few nights of trying the ideas put forth in the book. This would be a good reference book to own if you are a cat owner. I highly recommend!
yvnn's review against another edition
3.0
I got my first cat and I thought: what better than to read this book?
Let me start by saying that half of it was pretty useful. It gave me insights in cat behavior and where it comes from. I especially like the parts where they talk about why certain behavior is embedded in a cat and what you can do to make him feel comfortable about it.
What I disliked most is the constant repetition in the book. Long story short: whatever you want to teach your cat, approach him in steps, reward him after every step. Don't train for too long and repeat the training every day. So about halfway in the book it felt to me like I was reading the same thing over and over again, explaining each time why you should do it that way. Maybe for some people this works, but for me it felt very repetative and started to annoy me.
And then the cat came. Maybe he is just a little angel but I didn't need any of the steps. He gets in and out of the carrier without any problems, he loves the vet and he doesn't care about treats or rewards. So for me, about 60% of this book wasn't relevant. I think it probably will be for others, just not for me.
Also, the writing in 2 parts makes it even more repetative. I would have liked it when the training and explaining about the behavior was more intertwined, instead of talking a bit about the training in the behavior part, and the other way around. Not a great book, can be helpful but most of all it's not really an easy read.
Let me start by saying that half of it was pretty useful. It gave me insights in cat behavior and where it comes from. I especially like the parts where they talk about why certain behavior is embedded in a cat and what you can do to make him feel comfortable about it.
What I disliked most is the constant repetition in the book. Long story short: whatever you want to teach your cat, approach him in steps, reward him after every step. Don't train for too long and repeat the training every day. So about halfway in the book it felt to me like I was reading the same thing over and over again, explaining each time why you should do it that way. Maybe for some people this works, but for me it felt very repetative and started to annoy me.
And then the cat came. Maybe he is just a little angel but I didn't need any of the steps. He gets in and out of the carrier without any problems, he loves the vet and he doesn't care about treats or rewards. So for me, about 60% of this book wasn't relevant. I think it probably will be for others, just not for me.
Also, the writing in 2 parts makes it even more repetative. I would have liked it when the training and explaining about the behavior was more intertwined, instead of talking a bit about the training in the behavior part, and the other way around. Not a great book, can be helpful but most of all it's not really an easy read.
amandadelbrocco's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like this provided very simple steps as building blocks to teaching your cat things. Unfortunately, I have not implemented any of them- though this is not the fault of the book or the authors.
wahine2748's review against another edition
5.0
The authors of this book really underatand how cats learn and think, so all "training" is centered around how to get a cat to do what you want using its natural inclinations. This isn't about training it do unnatural things. It's about making your relationship with your cat better and making you both happier.
mischiefphantom's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.75
Already helping me in training my cat. Hopefully, I will soon be able to get her to go to the vet for a check up.