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!


   

Can Cats Learns?

Mother Cats The Best Teachers

Kittens are born with some knowledge or instincts, however, there are many behaviors that Kittens learn and many others that they can be taught.  Knowing what Cat behavior is learned or trainable and what is instincts is the key.  Kittens learn some behavior by watching older cats reactions, especially those related to survival. Some are instinctive such as a very newborn "hissing or spitting" even though eyes are shut and it cannot see the danger but senses it.  Outdoor Kittens need to rely on their instincts as well and learn quickly for survival.  Indoor raised Kittens will learn differently, as much is provided in life for them and hence they live a sheltered life and quickly adapt to the pampered pet role.  They encounted great difficulties if they have to fend for themselves outdoors.  Cats are quick learners, but they cannot learn "street life" quick enough to live long.  Most outdoor Cats have a life span of 3 years, where indoor Cats enjoy 12-15 years.

Mother Cats teach their offspring to "hunt".  Hunting is an example of a "learned behavior".  Queens (females) allowed outside begin to bring back prey to their litter when the kittens are approxmiately 3 weeks old.  She brings back dead prey and will eat it in front of her kittens, latter she will bring "live" prey and kill it in front of them for them to eat.  Than she will bring back "live" prey for the kittens to kill and consume. 
Later on, she will take them on hunting trips.  All the time, she is programing her kittens on survival skills and how to fend for themselves.

These Kittens will learn best from their Mother than from other unrelated cats.  Feline Hunting is not instinctive, and kittens born to nonhunting mothers or without littermates may never learn to really hunt or would be very poor providers if required to fend for themselves.  These indoor Kittens will "Play", catch and appear as "hunters" but their hunting skills are flawed and kills are usually "aggresive" play rather than for the intent of eating.  This is why you will see Kittens playing and not killing rodents/animals that would be "dinner" if Mother the Hunter had any say.

Another habit often learned from "Mother", is the use of the "litter pan".  Kittens will play in the litter, but only get the concept of what to do in it when they see Mother or another Cat use it.  They than follow their instinct to "bury" feces to protect their trails from predators.  Active Moms also usually have active kittens.  She will show them how to play and often engage in play with them, show them how to use toys, cat trees, scratching posts etc. 

Other Learned Cat BehaviorsCats will learn to keep doing things that you want them to do, such as meowing to be let out or crying when they want food etc.  They soon put together that the cry is rewarded with whatever the desired reason was ie. outside, food etc.  They also learn their names particularly if the name is simple and distinct.  Cats will respond especially well to names ending with an "ee" which sounds like "Kitty" or "Fluffy",  Repeating the name, rewarding with lots of affection and treats will reinforce and they will soon come to that name.

Watching your kitten and knowing their background such as being the product of an Outdoor Queen or offspring of Indoor Cats will give you some ideas as to how they will respond in new environments.  I have barn cats, whom are feed and sheltered etc., and any offspring  knows how to hunt to some degree, escape rambunctious dogs, hungry owls and eagles.  They can fend for themselves although they also enjoy some of the good life-heated barn, food and water.  If one of my indoor Cats was placed in this lifestyle, they would have problems, no confidence, lack ability to protect themselves and probably cower in a dark corner not prepared at all for this type of lifestyle.  This often happens when Cats are abandon, become lost and placed in shelters.  Care must be exercised when placing these Cats were their "learned behavior" best suits their new environments.

Knowing about Cat Behavior, How Cats Learn and Training Cats  is key to having a happy and healthy long relationship with your feline friends.