Our pets' body language is often baffling! Behaviors that look like intense affection can mean something else entirely. When your cat and dog refuse to leave each other alone, how can you tell what is a positive interaction or not?

This is the struggle Abigail is having with her elderly cat Titus and her puppy Totchka. Is Titus’ intense greetings and grooming of Totchka not the prosocial interaction it appears to be?

Key Moments

[00:24] Introduction and Cast of Characters: Titus the elderly cat who tackles and forcibly grooms Totchka the puppy

[05:30] Examining an interaction - the duration, the body language, the environment and the human response.

[09:27] Why separating the pair before and after the interactions might not be the best plan.

[11:17] Using management and setups to safely teach Titus and Totchka to interact appropriately with each other safely.

[15:41] How reinforcing natural behaviors can help pets offer appropriate behaviors during problem interactions.

[17:35] Next steps: Recognizing progress and what to do next.

If you're awesome like Abigail and want some guidance regarding your pets' interactions, come join me on the podcast for a free Dog and Cat Chat! Just go to praiseworthypets.com/chat to book a time.