Tips On Training Your Cats

One of the Cats most remarkable traits, is the ability to ignore humans as well as being one of the few domestic species that we Humans have yet to master.  The quote by Mary Bly "Dogs come when they're called, cats take a message and get back to you later" is so very true.  Cats are smart and training a Cat is  very much different than training a dog.  Most dogs will do something for you out of love and respect particularly if you have created a bond with them or shown them that you are the top dog and leader of the Pack.  However, Cats are suspicious, curious and much harder to fool.  They wants to know whats in it for them ie. reward, and than they might consider doing it-emphasis on might consider.  Therefore, when training a Cat, you will probably have to start with some Cat Treats to entice and reinforce "why you should do what I ask when I ask".  Expect to go through the cat treats and you must have plenty of patience.  This takes time, a lot of time.

A Cat learns by experience.  If a good experience, they may try repeating it.  If the experience was unpleasant, they will avoid it.  So you really need to plan ahead to ensure good experiences and also know when to back off if it looks like the training session is going to bomb.  Don't lose your cool, just turn the bad session into something positive, like calling your cat to "come" (another training tool) for another treat. 

Certain Cats are more trainable than others.  There are some Cat breeds with a  more "dog like temperance" such as Siamese, Burmese, Ragdolls, Oriental Shorthairs and Persians  to name a few.  These Cats do take to training-come, beg, walk on a leash, roll over etc., much like their "dog" counterparts.

Often those remarkable Cats used in the Movie Industry were found in animal shelters by Cat Trainers whom know what to look for.  In order to live, these Stray Cats needed to survive on "instinct, street smarts, and bravery and so a Movie set with people, lights, camera, action, are a walk in the park to these street warriors.  They know how to handle stress and fear.  They can figure things out and they know how to deal with it.  They are  alert, nosy, interested in what is going around, not afraid of noises, people, other animals.  Flight or fight? They don't run in fear but rather would fight their way out.  Their "experiences" make them "trainable" to do what most average Cats would totally freak out over.

The Ultimate tip for training success is love for the animal.   Patience, consistency, authority, repetition, and rewards are the key training tools.  Punishment does not work on a Cat.  A Cat does not learn like a dog-no sharp vocal tones.  This just upsets Cats, making them fearful and even aggressive.

Your Cat will have a very different idea about what it should be doing and where it should be doing, so it is best to establish a routine as soon as you can with a new pet feline.  Litter training is probably the most important.  Do not rub the Kitten's nose in its mistakes as this tells the kitten to regard this spot as a permanent toilet!  If you have trouble with your kitten using the kitty litter tray, try moving it around and keep it away from its feed and sleeping area.  If you find a frequent "accident" area, move its food close by the spot.  Use "cats normal behavior" to your advantage.

Most Cats learn to keep doing things that you want them to do.  Such as "asking" to be let out by meowing or going to the door, scratching at the door.  Cats do not learn to NOT DO the things you do not want them to do, such as scratching furniture by withholding rewards.  They  do not make those connections.  To train a Cat to not scratch the furniture, you must use gentle deterrents that are not directly associated with the owner.  A squirt from a Water Pistol works wonders, shoots fairly far.  Great for training Cats to stay off the table, cupboards, refrain from scratching furniture etc.  They do put together the "bad action with the consequences of being hit with water.  Sharp vocal "No" will also get their attentions but don't over do it.

Do you know that Cats can be trained to use Toilets, come when called, sit up, beg, eat with paws, walk on a leash, jump through hoops, play piano, play dead, roll over, open a door (including a refrigerator door), hide food in boxes, shake, fetch plus other tasks?   Again, the key to training is "Pet Owners Knowledge" which you can buy, and than you must provide the patience, reward and do the repetition.  

"Come" is the most important thing you can train your Cat to do.  Indoor or Outdoor, to have the complete control to call your Cat to you is so very important and may save their lives and yours if you should need to go back into a burning house after your pet, rescue during a storm, or cross a busy street after a runaway.
For people whom travel with their Pets, calling their Cats to come to them is a must!    Practise calling your Cat to come daily, reward with affection, treats etc.  Continue training in "other areas" starting with secure places like a back yard, Vet office etc., and gradually moving to less secure places like a park, a neighbours' yard to ensure that your pet is "focused on you" and less on the unfamiliar situation they are in.

Cats are most remarkable pets and using lots of love and patience in your training session will reward you and your pet with a "pawsitively" good experience.   HERE IS SOME EXCELLENT RESOURCES!