Frania Shelley-Grielen

Behavior Matters are among the top reasons guardians consult professionals and for pet surrender: Aggression, Unacceptable Elimination, Anxiety, Reactivity, Resource Guarding, Pica, Separation Anxiety, Socialization, Integration and more…Understanding feline and canine body language, communication, behavioral needs, how our own behavior, home environments and how all animals learn, can help modify behavior, impact how we live with our cats and dogs, how they might think of it, and why it all matters.

Frania Shelley-Grielen's latest book, "Behavior Matters for Cats and Dogs" won Dogwise's "Best Book of 2024" and the DWAA's "Best Behavior Book of 2024." Kirkus Reviews calls it "an information-packed guide to managing and modifying cat and dog behaviors sensitively and effectively."

Frania’s books draw from formal education in animal behavior and welfare science and extensive applied animal behavior experience: An applied animal behaviorist, author, speaker and educator working professionally with cats, dogs, birds and their people, she holds a Masters Degree in Animal Behavior and Conservation from Hunter College and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from New York University. Frania is licensed by the NY State Education Department to teach the Pet Care Technician program in private career schools.

Before working professionally with animals, Frania and her husband, owned and operated a Bed and Breakfast on Florida’s Gulf Coast for four years. Mystified by how-to guidebooks written by non B&B owners, Frania’s memoir/cookbook was inspired by her guests who wanted a B&B lifestyle for themselves. This honest account of the last year in owning a too small (less than six units!) B&B became a hit in the inside circle of hospitality owners and garnered controversial major media attention (read all about that in the second edition)>