How should you properly use Control Unleashed techniques when working with your cats and dogs?
I recently spoke to Leslie McDevitt, author of the internationally popular Control Unleashed books and DVD series. Leslie shared how she has successfully integrated her own dogs with her new cats (and many fosters) using Control Unleashed techniques and a gradual introduction strategy that she adjusts based on each animal’s personality.
Key Moments
[3:59] How Leslie first started working with animals
[7:00] Leslie introduces her three dogs
[12:17] Leslie introduces her two new kittens
[13:11] Leslie’s specific method for introducing cats and dogs to each other
[15:22] How to set up your own kitten paradise enrichment zone
[17:13] Why Leslie likes to use crates to during introductions
[19:20] How to work with dogs who aren’t familiar with cats
[21:49] The next step after initial introductions
[24:37] Why it’s important to give cats a way out of stressful situations
[28:18] Using food and play as a gauge of comfort levels
[31:59] What to do if you’re worried about cat and dog chases around the house
[33:21] How Leslie handles her border collie’s stalking instinct
[37:10] Why you should reward default behaviors consistently
[43:10] Balancing dogs with young children at home
[46:00] How to go easy on yourself when training a house full of pets
[48:23] Easy mistakes to make when following Leslie’s Control Unleashed methods
[52:50] How the Super Bowls game can teach you about threshold behaviors
[56:35] How to play parallel CU games
[58:19] Using social learning to your advantage
Key Links
