Shelley-Grielen is dedicated to making the lives of cats and dogs the very best they can be.

In her easy-to-read book, she emphasizes that when cats and dogs are happy, it's a win-win for all.

She also encourages readers how not to train a dog as seen on TV, and favors positive, force-free protocols.

Behavior concerns are among the top reasons people consult professionals and for abandonment or surrender.

Most people with whom I’m in contact agree that books about the behavior of cats and dogs, and teaching each individual how to have the best life possible, vary greatly in quality. In Dogs Demystified, I covered a large number of topics, stressing that it’s essential to focus on the individual personalities of our canine companions. It’s important to take their point of view on matters at hand, and we must offer as much agency—freedom of choice—as possible and give them the opportunity to consent when we ask something of them.

I didn’t write much at all about cats, so that is among the many reasons why I was pleased to read a recent award-winning book by cat and dog expert Frania Shelley-Grielen, simply titled Behavior Matters for Cats and Dogs, which is very much grounded by the slogan, “Don’t just bring them home—keep them there.”

Most people don’t know that behavior concerns are among the top reasons for people consulting professionals and for companion animals to be either abandoned or surrendered to shelters. I’m pleased Frania could take the time to answer a few questions about her “information-packed guide to managing and modifying cat and dog behaviors sensitively and effectively” (Kirkus Reviews), an excellent seamless follow-up to a different sort of interview I did with dog and cat expert Dr. Zazie Todd, also about giving these and other companion animals the best lives possible using science, extensive on-the-ground experience, and positive force-free training. Here’s what........

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