The high percentage of cats returned to animal shelters--or simply abandoned--can be attributed to behavior or soiling issues. With much passion, clinical psychologist and animal behaviorist Lachman and cowriter Mickadeit proclaim that there are no bad felines--and furthermore, that the kinds of solutions often used, from declawing to de-voicing, are truly unnecessary. In addition to specific and practical lessons in behavior modification to cure, say, spraying, they demythify such long-held beliefs as "cats always land on their feet," explain how best to introduce a child to a cat and how to overcome ailurophobia, and gently deal with grief and handling the death of a loved companion animal. Their conviction that drugs such as Prozac and operations such as onyxectomy (declawing) are only part of the program permits a very humanistic approach to a misbehavin' pet. Great advice given with empathy. Barbara Jacobs
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Cats are wonderful companions, but when they misbehave it can be challenging, if not outright difficult, to successfully treat the behavior problem in order to restore feline harmony to the home once again. In Cats on the Counter Dr. Larry Lachman uses his unique approaches, borrowed from human therapy, to analyze what makes kitty tick, and what happens when his behavior gets out of control. Using a case-by-case format, behaviorist Lachman and journalist Frank Mickadeit deal with common problems such as clawing furniture, refusing to use the litterbox or spray marking in the house, fussy eating, and fighting with other cats. Cats on the Counter is filled with fascinating stories, excellent advice, and empathy for both misbehaving pets and their long-suffering people.

Other topics include:
The Freudian Feline and Family Therapy: cat personality and structural family systems therapy
The Jekyll & Hyde Kitty: cat aggression
Kitty Prozac: preserving your cat's mental health
Ailurophobia: the fear of cats and how to treat it
Kidproofing your Cat: teaching your children how to care for your cat
Lassie Meets Morris/Morris Meets Simba: introducing dogs to cats and cats to cats
The Final Feline Moment: pet loss, grief and how to say goodbye
"Holy Cats Batman!": Kitty ESP, catnip treats, and afterthoughts