Do you want to understand your pet's behavior ?

I think there has to be a balance. Some problems have several symptoms and some symptoms can be caused by several problems. If you are just trying to fix the unwelcome behavior without understanding the reason behind it, you will fail more than you succeed. It's like thinking if a baby cries it's hungry. And every time it cries you give it a bottle. Well, guess what? It could be sick, have a dirty diaper, be tired. You won't stop the problem if you don't know the cause.

Also, I've been studying animal behavior for a couple of years by reading books, the internet, and listening to animal behaviorists on the radio so I can better understand my cats. I've learned a lot about dogs, cats, African Grays, etc. I've even taken things I've learned about a dog and modified it to train my cat. Or I've taken something I've learned about cats and given advice on here about a dog. Since I understood the reasons for the behaviors, I was able to modify my information to fit the situation and come up with workable solutions.

I've read your answers to various questions and I'd be highly interested in reading your manual when you're done. I'm not a professional but I've read enough to know that you know what you are talking about.

I would like to know BOTH! There are certain behaviors that need attention in my pets. I do know the answer to the question 'WHY?'. It is simply something that the owner is doing wrong. But to know what I'M doing wrong to encourage poor behavior from my pets would definitely be beneficial! And then, of course, how to correct my mistakes to work with and prevent my pets from doing certain behaviors. I encourage you to write a manual....especially for the most common mistakes that pet owners make. I would be your first customer!!

I'd like to start with, I'm not a "pet owner." My cat is my companion. & so much for "animal behavioural professionals." Some don't even believe a cat is capable of love, just that humans project this emotion on them, or that the cat butters up to you only when they want something. I think that all cats have different natures, personalities. Learn to bond, love, be alert to the many, many expressions, tones of voice, & each of you will make compromises (& have respect for each other). When you've truly, honestly, established a relationsip, you won't need to "get him to do--so he/she is easier to live with." If that's the goal, don't get a cat. Get a dog who will do almost anything for a treat, not so a cat. I know exactly why she does everything that she does, & she knows me in the same way. I realize I'm focusing on cats, but I've found (two) to be incredibly sensitive to my feelings, nurturing & attentive, & even stoic. The very best I could I say is never to treat the dog or cat other than you would a friend. They aren't toys, they aren't babies, & you never "own" a cat. Be alert to their feelings, & their health & safety. Science of behaviour, my tochis. Too many assumptions & false premises. They are individuals, just as you & I.

My preference would be a manual that concentrates mainly on pet behaviour but also addresses how to correct inappropriate behaviour (behaviour the pet has been taught is wrong).

ya i would want to understand my pets behavior that's a good idea for a manual

I would want to know why it happens and what I can do to stop problem behavior.

I want to know why my dog digs at his blanket before he lays down.

I also would like to know why he sometimes kicks his legs after he uses the bathroom (I kind of assume it is like cats where they want to cover their tracks).

Pretty much, anything he does, I want to know why. It would also be great to know how to get him to stop doing things like chewing on cardboard and not listening to me when I call him.

That would be great so when your pet is sick you will now what to do!