Chris Aytug, MBA, CFTBS & Fear Free Trainer
What is a Cattitude Adjustment? A type of feline behavior consultant
There are many kinds of cat behavior professionals. They have minor differences in name but each have different qualifications. Veterinary Behaviorist, and Cat Behavior specialists are veterinarians. I am not a veterinarian, so I cannot prescribe medications or offer medical advice BUT I work with local vets.
I am a certified feline training and behavior specialist, and a Fear Free Professional trainer. I come from a zoology, evidence-based medicine background (working for GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceuticals for 20 years) and I evaluate the cat's entire routine and situation to help in ways medicine sometimes can’t, especially as I conduct in-home or extended online visits.
Through environment analysis and identifying triggers, I can help uncover underlying causes of a behavior and provide key solutions to solving these challenges.
Sometimes they are simple solutions like increasing environmental resources (“Catification”), rethinking handling/petting, or testing litterbox buffets. Other times the cat needs a revised feeding schedule, different types of play or specialized training, to reclaim feline wellness. But each case is unique and I give each one my full attention until resolved to the caregiver's satisfaction
See my story below...
Who is Chris?
What I do....
Having grown up on a small farm in New Jersey with cats, dogs horses and farm animals, I knew very early that my true loves were cats and horses. I have ridden since I was 7, have been an equine caregiver since the age of 12 and compete in the sports of dressage and eventing.
I have devoted myself to a new career: Improving the relationships between cats and humans, and to teaching people how to meet the important needs of their cats.
I educate and empower cat owners, and will help you get the information and gain the skills to manage your cat’s mental & behavioral health and create a contented, well-balanced and well-behaved feline.
Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), the Pet Professional's Guild (PPG) and their feline behavior forums.
I am a certified Fear Free Training Professional (special training to train behaviors to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress) and am a member of the FL Force-Free Veterinary Behavior and Training Network.
Through all these associations lies a unifying concept - to use the least forceful, gentlest methods to achieve results.
In 2024, I will work towards obtaining my Advanced Certification in Cat Behavior and Training.
Qualifications / Training Highlights
A lifelong horse owner/competitor and cat owner and lover, I almost went to vet school at NC State, after obtaining a BS in Zoology from Duke University but followed a different path and completed an MBA at the Fuqua School of Business. For 30 years, while working full time in the science-based jobs in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, caring for many personal cats and training/competing horses, I have:
- For Auxthera: Counselled dog owners on ways to obtain healthy weight on Trimauxil
- Volunteered as a cat/kitten foster mom and cat volunteer for the Humane Society of North Central FL
- Helped to spay/neuter numerous community cats through the Alachua country trap/neuter/return (TNR) program - Operation Catnip
Recent Education
- 2022/2023 - 20+hours behavior extern/observer at All Cats Vet Clinic in Gainesville, FL
- Q1 2023, audited prestigious feline behavior consultant course through the IAABC and completed 25+ hours of feline behavior CEUs
- May 4-7 2023, - IAABC Annual Conference (Houston) - 17 hrs feline behavior CEUs
- July/Aug 2023, behavior extern at Newberry Animal Hospital (Springhill)
- Sept. 2023, Achieved Feline Behavior & Training Certification from the accredited Animal Behavior Institute
- Oct. 2023, Achieved Fear Free Professional Trainer Certification
- Jan 2024, invited to be "Group Expert" on science-based "My Cat Behavior Help" FB page
- April 2024, attended 12 hours behavior and pain lectures at Florida Veterinary Medical Association
- Currently: Enrolled in 2024 Advanced Feline Training and Behavior Certification through ABI
-see PROFESSIONAL RESUME for training details
Community Partners and Memberships
