Cat & Dog Behavior & Care Advice
Amy Shojai, CABC, Pet Expert & Award-Winning Author
DWAA Hall of Fame & AVMA Veterinary Media Award Winner
Dog Training & Cat Training: How to Clicker Train Pets
People often ask when to start puppy training, and training a kitten or cat training is no different. Pets can learn at any age. January is “Train Your Dog Month” so it’s a great time to revisit clicker training. Clicker training pets offers a great way to teach pets to learn, think, and please you. Pets—and people—will repeat behaviors that reward them and naturally avoid behaviors that offer no benefit. Owners don’t have to be master dog trainers to use this technique, and dogs and cats learn quickly how to behave. You can even trick train cats! Read on to learn how.
Kennel Cough Got You Down? Protect Dogs from Holiday Hacking
Coughing dogs are no fun for you, or your dog. With holidays near, many dogs may spend time away from home being boarded. That can expose your furry friend to kennel cough. Or other newer canine respiratory dog illnesses. Learn how to protect your dog, by understanding more about kennel cough, a very contagious disease.
New Puppy Introductions: New Pets Enrich Furry Lives
Did you adopt a new pet over the holidays? New puppy introduction to pets — in my case, dog to cat and puppy to dog introductions — is one kind of dog school that everyday dog obedience classes may not teach. While dog to dog introductions are a bit easier in some ways, puppy to cat introductions work very well when both pets are supervised. Puppy school starts in your home with basic dog training. When it involves a smaller pet like a resident cat, safety is also an issue.
On Sunday, May 31, 2020, a stray puppy showed up at our house. We didn’t plan on a new pet, especially since Bravo-Dawg developed major health challenges. As it turned out, Bravo adopted the new baby as his very own comfort-pup. Here’s how to introduce pups to adult dogs so they become fast friends.
How To Give Pets As Gifts
Giving pets as gifts prompts discussions every time the subject comes up. Most recently, we got our “gift puppy” and “gift kitten” when they adopted us, and we’re so glad Karma-Kat, Trinity-Kitty and Shadow-Pup are part of our holidays. But for many folks, this year means a new puppy or new kitten for Christmas. Learn how to gift pets–and please share your experiences in the comments!
13 Pet Holiday Dangers to Avoid: How to Keep Cats & Dogs Safe
I write about pet holiday dangers every year. This listicle (and a fun infographic at the bottom) offers more than a dozen problems. I’ve included links to more detailed information for those wanting a deeper dive on all the must-knows for pet holiday safety!
“Cat-mas” Gift Book: Christmas Cat Legend
Several years ago, an editor friend urged me to turn this story into a children’s book. But (as those who read my thrillers understand) I don’t write for kids! Children are, IMO, the toughest audience of all.
But I do love the story. My friend passed away not long after I’d worked with her on another of her terrific pet-theme anthologies.
People, and ideas, come to us for a reason and so I followed the suggestion. Better late than never, right? This gift book, not specifically a “kids book,” I offer as a story for people of ALL ages who love Christmas…and cats.
Share the joy of the season with a heartwarming, original telling of the very first Christmas in this gorgeous full-color gift book for cat lovers of all ages!
Counting Thanksgiving Blessings, the Pet Writer Way in 2025
Time for my annual Count My Blessings post. The past year has meant change, change, and more change, and that’s good and also challenging. But some things never change…I’m thankful to you—yes, those who read this blog, the cat book lovers, and the dog book lovers, and folks who have “adopted” my thriller series. And those who offered awesome applause and support any of the other venues mentioned…
How to Create A Cat Safe Christmas Tree
Cat safe Christmas tree? Is there any other kind? I post this blog every year and — with Shadow-Pup & Trinity-Kitten now in the house, I’ve decided to forgo the Christmas tree this year. Sometimes you have to choose your battles. Here’s how to do it, though–and I may give in and give it a try after all!
Amy Shojai’s Thriller TRICK OR TREAT RELEASED!
“Love, loyalty, and a supremely smart service dog make TRICK OR TREAT a definite treat for thriller readers. Come for the wonderful Shadow and be drawn in by a can’t-miss plot that plays all the tricks.” – Clea Simon, author of The Cat’s Eye Charm, a Witch Cats of Cambridge cozy mystery
Here are the links to get your latest September & Shadow adventure!
7 Tips How to Prepare Cats, Dogs, and People for Holiday Visits
How to Prepare Cats, Dogs, and People for Holiday Visits
Holiday celebrations include visiting family and friends. It also means keeping pets safe during the holidays. Since we consider cats and dogs part of the family, pet holiday visits require special preparations. Changes to routine can increase fear, anxiety, and stress in everyone, and especially our pets. Hitting the road also raises stress levels, so unless your pets adore car travel, prepare with advice in this article. Here are some tips for reducing the angst once you arrive, so that everyone enjoys family pet holiday visits.

















