Tabby cat giving a high five to a trainer, paw outstretched
Black cat wearing a harness walking at an outdoor farmers market
Orange kitten touching a target stick for the first time
Senior calico cat resting calmly inside an open carrier
Fluffy white cat sitting on a trainer lap during a session
Grey cat wearing a leash looking out a window
Two cats sitting side by side peacefully after training session
Kitten learning to sit on command with clicker in background
Tortoiseshell cat receiving a treat during positive reinforcement training
Cat looking up attentively at trainer holding a treat
Certified Feline Behaviorists · Portland, OR

Your cat is smarter
than you think.

One clicker session at a time — guided by behaviorists who smell faintly of freeze-dried salmon.

✦ 400+ cats trained✦ CCBC certified✦ Apartment-friendly methods

"Cats don't ignore you. They're waiting to see if it's worth their time."

— Whisker Behaviorists · On feline attention
Our Programs

Classes for every cat,
every challenge.

"A cat who scratches the couch isn't being destructive. They're leaving a message. Learning to read it changes everything."

— Whisker Behaviorists · On scratching behavior
Our Approach

Unhurried. Evidence-based.
Gently amused by everything cats do.

Positive reinforcement only

We use treats, toys, and timing — never punishment, spray bottles, or anything that erodes trust.

Science-backed methods

Every technique is grounded in feline behavioral science and updated with current research.

Apartment-friendly

All methods work in small spaces. We help you make 600 sq ft feel like a cat kingdom.

Sessions that fit your life

Evening and weekend slots. Sessions designed for busy people with demanding cats.

"The 3 a.m. zoomies have a reason. Understanding it is the first step to a full night's sleep."

— Whisker Behaviorists · On nocturnal activity
The People Behind the Clicker

Certified behaviorists.
Genuinely cat-obsessed.

Keiko Tanaka, feline behaviorist, holding a small ginger kitten in the studio
Fluffy kitten sitting in Keiko's lap during a training session

Keiko Tanaka

200+ kittens graduated

CCBC · Fear-Free Certified

Kitten development & carrier confidence

Keiko spent six years working with shelter cats in Japan before bringing cooperative care techniques to Portland. She believes every cat has a learning style — her job is to find it. She keeps freeze-dried salmon in every pocket.

Kitten FoundationsCalm Cat for Vet Visits
Amara Osei, feline behaviorist, smiling with a tabby cat on her shoulder
Black cat confidently wearing a harness during an outdoor training session with Amara

Amara Osei

180+ cats leash trained

CFC · IAABC Member

Leash training & multi-cat conflict

Amara came to cat behavior after a career in environmental enrichment for zoo felids. She brings the same spatial thinking to apartment living — restructuring rooms so cats feel like they have territory even in 600 square feet.

Leash & AdventureMulti-Cat Harmony
400+Cats graduated
98%Client satisfaction
12 yrsCombined experience
0Punishment-based methods
Free Consultation

Book a Free
Temperament Chat

30 minutes, no obligation. We start with your cat — not a sales pitch.

We respond within 24 hours. No spam, ever.

Free Guide

5 Things Your Cat Is
Trying to Tell You

A practical PDF from our behaviorists — covering tail language, slow blinks, the midnight sprint, and why your cat knocks things off tables. (It's not spite.)

Why tail position tells you more than meowing
The slow blink decoded
What midnight zoomies actually mean
Reading whisker tension
When to call a behaviorist vs. a vet

Not ready to book?

That's fine. Cats operate on their own timeline, and so can you. Browse the guides, grab the free PDF, or just read about the classes. We'll be here when you're ready.