Starting from Scratch: How to Correct Behavior Problems in Your Adult Cat [Paperback]

Pam Johnson-Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2007

The award-winning author of Think Like a Cat tells how to turn problem cats into purr- fect pets

Certified Animal Behavior Consultant Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of Think Like a Cat, is back to help readers bring out their pet's inner pussycat regardless of the cat's age. Geared specifically for owners of adult cats, be they recently adopted or long time family pets, this book illustrates how it's never too late to correct behavior problems. With her trademark wit and common sense, Pam covers every aspect of a cat's lifestyle, behavior, and environment and gives cat owners specific techniques to help seemingly set-in-their-ways cats change for the better. Authoritative and entertaining, Starting from Scratch is the next best thing to a house call from the world's top feline behaviorist.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"She''s the queen of cat behavior!"
- Steve Dale, author of My Pet World syndicated newspaper column

"She can, in fact, work miracles with problem cats."
-Pet Life Magazine

About the Author

Pam Johnson-Bennett is a certified cat behavior consultant and author of 7 other books on cat behavior and training. She is the former vice president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and is the founder/co-chair of the IAABC's cat division. She is a member of the American Humane Association's Advisory Board on Animal Behavior and Training. She is a Professional Member of the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals and the Animal Behavior Management Alliance.

Pam is the behavior expert for Friskies where she writes a weekly blog on their website. You can also find articles and videos on her website, catbehaviorassociates.com

Previously, she was the behavior expert for Yahoo, iVillage and Cat Fancy's Cat Channel. She was also the behavior columnist for Cats Magazine and the Daily Cat.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (November 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143112503
• ISBN-13: 978-0143112501
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Animal Behavior & Communication
  • #16 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Cats

More About the Author

Pam Johnson-Bennett, CABC, PCBC is a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant and author of 8 books and countless articles. Pam is a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting and is the highest selling cat book author in the world. Many have tried to copy her "think like a cat" behavior approach without success.

She is a former vice president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and currently heads up that organization's Cat Division. She is a Professional Member of the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals. Pam is a member of the American Humane Association's Advisory Board on Animal Behavior and Training and a member of the Advisory Board for Tree House Humane Society. Pam is the behavior expert for Friskies where she writes a weekly blog on their website. You can also find numerous behavior articles on her website http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com.

Pam speaks on behavior at veterinary conferences and animal welfare organizations around the country. She is also a frequent guest on national TV and radio, including Fox News Network and CNN. Previously, she was the behavior expert at Yahoo, ivillage, and the Cat Channel. She was the behavior columnist for Cats magazine and the Daily Cat. She has been profiled in countless publications including Newsweek, USA Weekend, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Cats, PetLife, Enquirer, Prevention, Complete Woman, Newsday, Seattle Times, Woman's World, The Tennessean, and many more.

In addition to her work with cats, Pam is the co-author of Cookies for Dinner. This book chronicles the funny and often embarrassing side of motherhood. Cookies for Dinner is available at amazon. You can also read her blog on motherhood at http://www.twoloonsandabook.com

Pam owns Cat Behavior Associates, LLC, a private veterinarian-referred behavior practice. Visit her website at http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably The Best I've Read On Behavioral Problems..., February 20, 2009

By 

realtime "MB" (Western WA.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Starting from Scratch: How to Correct Behavior Problems in Your Adult Cat (Paperback)

Anti Icky Poo! Starter Kit, Feliway (75mL) Spray and This Book started me and my cat- a 2 year old scottish fold- on the road to recovery after I found she'd been peeing out of the box for some time. She's extremely timid.
I consider myself pretty hands-on & knowledgeable about all things cats- I've never had a 'pee-er- but this book had not 1, not 2, but SEVERAL important points and things to try I hadn't known or thought of.
The importance of interactive playtime and bonding is stressed and I
have seen a change already. I would highly recommend this
book before you spend tons of money on flower remedys, and please, please always remember it's NOT the cat so do not ever punish, grumble, or emit any sort of negativity your cat will feel.
If you only get one book I'd get this one- I got 3 others- twisted whiskers, psycho-kitty, and cat behavior book- none compared to this book, even for considerate and knowledgeable 'cat-people' it's full of revelations. And Rmember-SPAY, NEUTER, and DON'T DECLAW!

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Encyclopedia of Feline Behavior, September 24, 2008

By 

Denise N. Davis (Indian Head, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Starting from Scratch: How to Correct Behavior Problems in Your Adult Cat (Paperback)

I had picked up one of the author's older books a while ago and was pretty impressed, but it was mostly a collection of stories. So, while interesting, it was no where near complete.

This book, on the other hand, is practically an encyclopedia of feline behavior. VERY cool. She starts with body language, her recommendations for setting up their environment and building confidence, and then goes onto common problems and how to solve them.

The only real blank is that she seems to assume that your cat is used to and at least somewhat trusts YOU. The section on a shy cat assumes that the cat is afraid of visitors.

I just skimmed it, so perhaps it's in one of the introductory sections that I missed (like the play therapy section, which she covered a bit in her other book so I didn't read it in this one). I'll reread it more in depth later and update.

I really like her approach, though, because she does not recommend discipline that the cat will associate with the person - like water bottles, noise makers, yelling, and stuff like that. Instead of negative approaches (like locking the cat out of the bedroom) she suggests positive approaches (like creating an interesting environment in another room). Definitely more work, but I think more successful in the long run.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't miss with this author!, August 13, 2008

By 

noel_nicole "cat mom" (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starting from Scratch: How to Correct Behavior Problems in Your Adult Cat (Paperback)

Pam Johnson-Bennett is one of the best authors in the newly emerging field of cat behavior and this book is no exception. She offers no-nonsense, practical ways of understanding and dealing with your cat's quirks and problems. Her solutions are rarely the "QUICK AND EASY" variety (if you wanted that, I guess you should have gotten a pet rock). But this book goes a long way toward helping you understand your complex and mysterious little housemate. If you take the time to follow her instructions and do what she says, you will get results. Do it for your cat!