3 Ways to Learn More About Dogs and Cats This New Year
This year, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to continue learning more about the furry creatures that live rent-free in my house. I’ve found that reading books, listening to podcasts, and following experts on TikTok in my free time helps me to deepen my knowledge and to be more intentional in my interactions with my pets.
There are tons of reasons why you might be looking to learn more about cats and dogs. Maybe you’ve found yourself working in a shelter environment; maybe you’re an avid dog enthusiast or cat aficionado; or maybe you’re just looking to learn a bit more about your furry family members. Whatever your reasons, you’ve found the right place. Read on and join me in my mission to learn about our most loyal companions.
#1: Check Out Online Resources
We live in the digital age, so there are obviously tons of ways for you to learn about dogs and cats from the comfort of your phone or computer. That being said, with an abundance of information comes an abundance of MIS-information. For every evidence-based tip or factoid, there are 10 that are based on nothing but opinions and pseudo-science (and yes, that’s an official statistic. Just trust me).
If you’re looking to learn more about dogs and cats, you can always surf the web like this little guy.
Youtube Channels
Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution – Zak is a big proponent of positive-reinforcement dog training (green flag), and he uses this YouTube channel to give evidence-based advice to dog owners.
Stonnie Dennis – I like Stonnie because his training methodology focuses on cooperation over obedience. He advocates that people learn to listen to what dogs are saying before expecting them to listen in return.
Jackson Galaxy – Jackson is a cat expert who works with shelter staff and cat owners. I thought I was a total cat expert when I first found Jackson on TikTok, but I feel like I’m constantly learning new things from his content.
Podcasts
Animal Training Academy (On Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher) – Host Ryan Cartlidge features a number of experts on this dog-training podcast.
Dog Talk with Dr. Jen (On Apple) – Dr. Jennifer Summerfield is a veterinarian and dog trainer who teaches her listeners how to handle a number of behavioral struggles, from aggression to separation anxiety.
The Purrcast (On Spotify, Wondery, Amazon Music, and Apple) – Sara Iyer and Steven Ray Morris are both lifelong cat lovers who “talk to cat people because they can’t talk to their cats.”
Blogs
Reading other blogs is another great way to broaden your knowledge on this subject. For all of your animal behavior needs, check out Karen Plescia and Jackson Galaxy. To learn more about the shelter environment and shelter animals, check out Trish McMillan or take a look at the other content on our blog!
Social Media
Many of the experts listed above also have TikToks, Instagrams, Twitters, and Facebook pages where they share bite-sized animal tips.
#2: Crack Open a Book
If you prefer to do things the old fashioned way, there are a lot of great books out there. I’ve included a list of books below. Full disclosure: I’ve read some of these, but some are still on my TBR list.
My Top 3 Dog Books
The Other End of the Leash by Patricia B. McConnell
How to Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication by Stanley Coren
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
My Top 3 Cat Books
Cat Sense: The Feline Enigma Revealed by John Bradshaw
The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions by Thomas McNamee
Decoding Your Cat: The Ultimate Experts Explain Common Cat Behaviors and Reveal How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Caption: If you’re not the “web surfing” type, you can always get cozy with a book by one of the many dog and cat experts out there.
#3: Talk to an Animal Behavior Consultant
If you’re an overwhelmed shelter employee or volunteer, an animal behavior consultant is a great resource to help you find your footing. Laurie Lawless has worked with animals for 13 years and is a certified dog behavior consultant and dog trainer. After helping hundreds of dogs throughout her expansive career, Laurie now consults with shelters and their staff to help them become more knowledgeable about the animals in their care. Check out the Lawless Dogs website to learn about Laurie and access her staff training, shelter intervention, and online coaching services.
Animal behavior consultants, like Laurie Lawless, can help shelter staff to enhance the lives of the animals in their care.
