Introduction
There are several reasons why pet owners and those in animal-related professions should know about normal and abnormal feline behavior.

• Cats now outnumber dogs in this country.
• Rather than wanting to be just cat or dog people, more and more people desire the companionship of members of both species.
• Cats are not little dogs and treating them as if they were creates problems.
• As our most recently domesticated species and the only one for which a complete written history exists, feline behavior and the human-feline bond provide valuable insight into the process of domestication.

The basic small wildcat behavioral repertoire
All domestic cats possess a basic set of behaviors which they inherited from their wild ancestors and which they may express in the most primitive form or adapt to survive in a human household.

• Solitary
• Territorial
• Nocturnal
• Predatory
• Sexual
• Maternal
• Social

Common feline behavioral problems, their causes and solutions

• Inappropriate elimination
• Aggression
  1. Direct
  2. Displaced
• Destructive behaviors

Preventing feline behavioral problems
Regardless how wildly successful a treatment for behavioral problem may be, the fact remains that experiencing it invariably stresses both the animal and the owner and undermines their relationship. Because of this, preventing problems is always the most caring as well as energy-efficient response.

• The benefits of Free-Access Crate-Training (FACT) for kittens and cats
• Environmental enrichment
• Ensuring a quality human-feline relationship

Key Concepts
Any meaningful discussion of normal or abnormal animal behavior requires an understanding of four basic concepts.

• Conservation of Energy
• The fundamental priorities of all living beings
• Domestication: natural or self- selection vs human selection
• The interaction of animal physiology, behavior, and human-animal relationships

Normal aggressive displays in wild canines
Because we can't begin to analyze, let alone treat, any abnormal behavior unless we recognize normal, an understanding of normal aggression is critical to our understanding of problem displays.

• Specific priority-related aggressive displays
• Active versus passive aggressive displays
• Expression in domestic dogs

Aggression and fear
Fearful wild animals experience specific physiological changes which, in turn, may influence their behavior and enhance or undermine survival.

• The Four-Fs of fear
• Fear-based vs "choice"-based aggressive =displays
• The gastro-intestinal two-step
• Fearful domestic dog responses
  1. The evolutionary cake
  2. Direct priority-related responses
  3. Displaced priority-related responses
      a. behavioral
      b. stress-related medical problems

Aggression and rank
Rank in wild animals serves to decrease the probability of aggression among pack members and ensure that any aggressive displays aimed at those outside the pack will occur in the most energy-efficient manner.

• Function of pack structure
• Physiology of rank
• Dynamic packs vs fixed dominance hierarchies
• Domestic dogs and rank
  1. Canine pack structures
  2. Human-canine pack structures

Aggression and Gender
The fact that the majority of American pets are neutered has led many to erroneously conclude that gender is only a factor in intact animals. However, the number of aggressive neutered animals negates this line of thinking.

• Gender and the dog
• Gender and the owner
• Gender and the animal-care professional
• Neutering and aggression

The Rehabilitation of Aggressive Dogs

• Criteria for success
• Owned dogs vs shelter dogs

Myrna Milani earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Capital University (Columbus, Ohio) and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Following a year as a full-time academic advisor to pre-veterinary students at the university, Dr. Milani entered private veterinary practice in New Hampshire. Her interest in the relationship between humans and animals as it affects the health and behavior of both led her to write seven books for the general public:

• The Weekend Dog (Rawson/Scribners, 1984; Signet paper, 1985)
• The Invisible Leash (New American Library, 1985; Signet paper, 1986)
• The Body Language and Emotion of Dogs (William Morrow, 1986; Quill, 1993)
• The Body Language and Emotion of Cats (William Morrow, 1987; Quill, 1993)
• DogSmart: The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Dog You Want, Keeping the Dog You Find (Contemporary Books, 1997 )
• CatSmart: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Caring for, and Living with You Cat (Contemporary Books, 1998)
• Preparing for the Loss of Your Pet: Saying Good-bye with Love, Dignity and Peace of Mind (Prima, 1998)

The editors of The Reader's Catalogue, which listed the 40,000 best books in print, voted The Invisible Leash and the body language books best in their categories. The Body Language and Emotion of Dogs also has been used as a textbook for collegiate courses in the human-canine bond and animal-assisted therapy and education, and in courses for professional dog trainers. Additionally, Dr. Milani has written a behavior- and bond-based veterinary text, The Art of Veterinary Practice: A Guide to Client Communication (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1995), the script for an audio tape, Understanding Your Cat's Behavior, for the general public for Proof in Advance Education Corporation, as well as scripts for the internationally broadcast "Pet Care Minutes," sponsored by Merck and the American Veterinary Medical Association. In addition to contributing articles to various professional publications, the author wrote a canine behavior column for Cornell's DogWatch newsletter and now writes for the PetCity website.

Throughout her career Dr. Milani has taught numerous courses: Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Behavior, Bioethics (including online),and wildlife ecology on the college level, and courses in the human-canine and the human-feline bond and behavior for the general public. In addition to doing private behavior/bond client consultations, she serves as a consultant to non-profit and for-profit organizations regarding animal-related issues. In her past capacity as a spokesperson, she discussed canine and feline care and behavioral problems with thousands of owners and professionals at shows and events was, and still is, interviewed regularly regarding various aspects of the human-animal bond by journalists, those researching animal-related books, television producers, and other representatives of media.

Dr. Milani has spoken to a wide variety of public and professional organizations on pertinent aspects of the human-animal relationship, and she currently enjoys a close working relationship with veterinarians nationwide who contact her regarding behavioral or bond problems and refer clients to her. Additionally, the eclectic nature of her studies have led her to develop a network of trainers, breeders, psychologists, sociologists, ecologists, ethologists, shelter personnel, wildlife experts, law enforcement officials, media specialists and other professionals with whom she routinely shares personal observations and material. She lives in Charlestown, New Hampshire with an assortment of pets and loves to work in her gardens.

DOGS AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY
This seminar will take place in the AUDITORIUM. Please read carefully the rules indicated below concerning dogs. We ask that you follow and respect the rules listed below. These rules have been approved by facility management and are non-negotiable.

• NO DOGS (working service dogs only) are allowed in the auditorium, so please leave your dog at home or in your hotel room.
• Due to the warm weather at this time of the year, dogs CANNOT be left in your vehicle even if all windows, doors and/or hatches are open. You can and will be cited by a humane society Animal Service Officer and your dog will be removed from your vehicle.

Our main concern continues to be the care and safety of the dogs. Due to past compliance difficulties, Puppyworks reserves the right to remove any dog or person from Marin Humane Society property if our dog rules are not adhered to, if individuals put their dogs at risk and/or if individuals behave in an unprofessional manner toward our event or shelter staff. Please note, the property of the Marin Humane Society is under the control of the Marin County Animal Service Officers who act independently of Puppyworks.

PEOPLE ETIQUETTE: During the lectures, please turn off all cell phone and pager audio alerts. Please take all private conversations outside while the speaker is presenting.

VIDEOTAPING/AUDIOTAPING POLICY: No videotaping or audiotaping is permitted. This seminar will be videotaped and you may order a copy at www.tawzerdogvideos.com.

BOOKS & TOYS, ETC. FOR SALE: A selection of books, videos and toys, etc. will be available for purchase.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY: Full refund issued if requested by email or phone no later than Monday, April 28, 2003. Refunds requested after Monday, April 28, 2003 will be issued a 50% credit slip that may be applied to future Puppyworks educational events. No credits or refunds after 1:00 pm on May 3rd.

PARKING: Please park your vehicle in the dirt parking lot to the right of the Humane Society or on the side streets. NO PARKING IN THE MAIN OR BACK LOTS ALLOWED. These lots must be made available to shelter visitors and employees.

FROM H101 SOUTH: Exit Bel Marin Keys Blvd., turn left at first light toward Bel Marin Keys Blvd., turn right at Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Humane Society is on your left.

FROM H101 NORTH: Exit Bel Marin Keys Blvd., go east over the freeway. Humane Society is on your left at the first light.

PARKING: Please park your vehicle in the dirt parking lot to the right of the Humane Society or on the side streets. NO PARKING IN THE MAIN OR BACK LOTS ALLOWED. These lots must be made available to shelter visitors and employees.

BEST WESTERN NOVATO OAKS
215 Alameda del Prado
Novato, CA
415-883-4400 or 800-625-7466
www.renesonhotels.com
Dogs allowed with a $50.00 refundable deposit
All rooms have refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and boards. Complimentary continental breakfast buffet each morning. Novato's newest destination restaurant, The Wild Fox, on property with room service available. ***Complimentary van shuttle service to Marin Humane Society and return.

HOTEL PET RULES: Dogs are allowed however we require a $50.00 refundable deposit at check in. If no damage is done to hotel property we will gladly refund this deposit. Please have dogs crated while in hotel guest room when left unattended. Dog walking areas outside of hotel. Please clean up after your dog at all times.

INN MARIN
250 Entrada Dr
Novato, CA
800-652-6565
www.innmarin.com, complimentary continental breakfast
$85.00 per night
PROMO CODE: PUP2
Dogs allowed

Pet friendly property with pet walking areas and waste stations on 5 acre site. Exercise room, guest laundry and complimentary shuttle to and from the Marin Humane Society is available. Guest room features include hair dryers, coffee makers(new) irons & boards, speaker phones with 2 lines, data ports, and guest room DSL.

HOTEL PET RULES: Any damage sustained to the hotel rooms as the result of an unmanaged pet will be the responsibility of the guest renting the room and appropriate repair or cleaning charges will be levied. We do require that any pets left in guest rooms unattended be crated.

COURTYARD by MARRIOTT
1400 N Hamilton Pkwy
Novato, CA
415-883-8950
$99.00 per night (mention Puppyworks to receive this rate)
No dogs allowed

BOARDING KENNELS:
Atherton Acres, 415-897-7311
Bridewell Hilltop, 415-897-5471
Country Inn, 415-897-6022
Happy Pets Inn (in Sonoma), 707-939-1919

For all inquiries, contact:
events@puppyworks.com