The Cat Matrix is a generic therapy plan, based on +200 therapy plans I wrote for cat owners to improve and resolve their cat's unwanted behavior.
In this chapter, I will explain how you, as a professional, can use this model to improve unwanted behavior in your clients' cats.
After years of providing therapy, I noticed that in 70% to 80% of all my therapy plans, I repeatedly gave the same advice. It became apparent that no matter how different or varied stress manifested in cats, the causes (and thus the associated solutions) were very often the same.
You can assume that regardless of the unwanted behavior the cat exhibits, all these 50 steps contribute to resolving and improving the problem. That is why it is a generic therapy plan.
It provides you with structure, a clear overview, and in each case, you can select the steps that you believe the client should best implement to influence the behavior.
For each step, you will learn about its practical implementation for your client at home, the scientific theory behind it, what resistance your client might have to this information, and how to deal with it. This way, you have all the information to help your client.
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1. Cat Wheel: Influences & Causes of Behavior (1 hr 12 min)
Briefly and concisely, you will get a comprehensive overview of all the reasons, causes, and influences that make one cat behave differently from another. This theory is very important when explaining to cat owners why we want to change certain things in the home, the cat's offerings, or their own behavior and reactions. We examine this from the perspective of the cat as a species as well as from the perspective of the cat as an individual. Through a fun visual model called the cat wheel, you will learn about the impact of, among other things, socialization, hunting instinct, instinct, medical condition, and communication on cat behavior.
2. Absolute Basics for a Happy Cat (1 hr 33 min)
In these 10 steps, we look at the absolute basic steps that you must optimize for every unwanted problem, regardless of whether it seems related to the unwanted behavior or not. Even if the cat shows no problems, this is the best approach for preventing unwanted behavior. We already see significant improvement in half of the situations when these steps are implemented.
3. Strengthening the Relationship with the Owner (34 min)
The owner is often, unknowingly and unintentionally, a cause of stress in cats. By adjusting the owner's behavior and making small changes in making contact, observing and interpreting the cat's behavior, and the owner's reaction to it, we make a big difference in the cat's stress levels. You can incredibly help the owner by strengthening the relationship with their cat and simultaneously reducing stress in the home.
4. Eliciting & Stimulating Natural Behavior (1 hr 33 min)
Eliciting the cat's innate hunting instinct has many benefits. Both for preventing unwanted behavior and for resolving unwanted behavior, play and hunting in all its forms can have a big impact on the cat's behavior. It reduces stress, increases the cat's self-confidence, and has a positive effect on the cat's physical and mental well-being. In this section, you will learn very pragmatically how you can get your clients to play with their cat more and in the right way, and how you can use it for unwanted behavior.
+ In-depth sessions on Enrichment for Cats (4 hrs)
5. Training & Management (2 hrs 8 min)
The steps in the fourth part of the Cat Matrix are not applicable to all situations, but for many, they are a great addition. Together with your client, you will further analyze certain things such as territories and where best to place resources, what things you will actively teach, such as a recall, clicker training, and its name. Training is one of the best tools we have to actively reduce stress levels in the home. In this part, you will learn how to teach this to your client.
+ In-depth Clicker Training for Cats (7 hrs)
6. Dealing with Unwanted Behavior & Behavior Problems (2 hrs 1 min)
In this section, we discuss in depth how to view unwanted behavior, what you can tackle and when you should refer to a behavior therapist, what are the most important steps for prevention, management, and modification of unwanted behavior. We examine the methods for unwanted behavior and behavior problems.
7. Getting Started with the Cat Matrix (1 hr 17 min)
How do you use the Cat Matrix in your business or practice? How will you use it, and how do you guide your client through it? How do you select which steps and how do you ensure that your client follows them as well as possible? Of course, you are not a behavior therapist and you do not make diagnoses, but it is important that you present the behavioral advice you give to your client clearly, structured, and professionally. This way you make a big difference for your client and their cat.
