Is Your Cat Open To Suggestions?

Unlike dogs or horses, not all cats will tolerate clicker training or just about any other training method.  When you want to train your cat, you really need to get to know your cat.  What is the cat’s likes and dislikes?  Is there a special toy or treat that just knocks him out?  That is the treat you would reserve just for sessions when you train your cat.

Is your cat neutered?  Usually, neutering makes the cat see a point to training, while an unneutered cat will be too preoccupied with finding a mate to pay any attention to you.  If your cat is really elderly (over fifteen) this is not a good time to begin to train your cat.  Training might prove to be too stressful.  Generally, kittens and young cats under five are more open to training in order to relieve their boredom.

The Clicker

The clicker is a tiny plastic and metal device that acts as a noisemaker and nothing else.  You should ideally click and then treat the cat within two seconds of the click.  They need to get that association between the clicking noise and the appearance of a treat (or toy, or affection).

When you train your cat, go for only a few sessions of a few minutes long interspersed throughout the day.  Don’t wake your cat from a sound sleep in order to start a training session.  They hate this.  Work with your cat’s schedule, not against it.  Make training your cat flexible and on the cat’s time, not yours.

A good first “trick” is to get the cat to walk over to a mat and stand on it.  Lay down the mat and watch the cat.  Put a treat on the mat.  Whenever the cat approaches the mat, click and treat.  Let the cat figure it out.  Yes, this will take a while.  Remember to use toys and affection and not just food, as many cats do not have that big of an appetite.  Give a great amount of praise (a “jackpot”) when the cat stands on the mat.

Not So Great Expectations

When I train my cat, I know I’m not training a dog and I’m not training up a child in the way he should go.  I’m working with a cat.  I have to expect the cat to learn at her won pace.  I also have to accept that she will perform at her own pace.  When I train my cat, I must always be patient, persistent and keep a sense of humor.

For example, if I’m going to train the cat to come when called (which can be done), I have to use the same command.  It’s no good using one word one day and another word the next.  I also need to be consistent with the reward when I train my cat.  My cat does not have a big appetite and is getting on in years.  What she does love is attention, so her reward is attention, affection and praise.

Picture It In Your Mind

Whether or not you believe cats can read minds, clearly picturing the desired behavior in your mind can often help get through to the cat.  Remember, you do talk a different language that your cat and you are in a rush while cats have all the time in the world.  Some animal behaviorists say cats can read their owner’s body language for clues.  If thinking about what you want the cat to do helps give you the correct body language, then by all means, do it.

Reward Good Behavior

When I train my cat to come when called, I reward good behavior with a lot of affection and spending a few minutes generally adoring her.  When she doesn’t come when called, I ignore her entirely, until she comes within reach.  This is pretty much the pattern in training my cat to do much of anything.

Some cats work very well with clicker training, although I have yet to train my cat using that method.  This is where you make a noise (usually a little click) and then immediately give the cat a treat.  Like Pavlov’s dog, they soon associate the sound of the click with a treat.  Other rewards could be affection or playing with a special toy that is only given in times when I train my cat.

All that being said, how on earth can you train you cat to be a good pet? How can you train your cat to listen to you, to come when its called, to use its litter box and to stay off your furniture? It takes work and it takes dedication, but you can train your cat. You just have to show it lots of love and lots of positive reinforcement if you expect your training efforts to succeed.

Get Your Cat To Listen

Never hit your cat. No matter if your cat is on your furniture, if it’s scratching your good couch, if it’s urinating on the counter, or whatever else it’s doing that’s driving you up a wall. Hitting an animal is never ok. All that’s required if your cat is doing something you don’t like, is to make a loud noise. Clap your hands and yell no. Or, get a jar and fill it with change, then rattle it next to the cat when it’s doing something undesirable.

The most famous way of training your cat, however, is to use a squirt bottle. You can get them at any hair supply store or even your local grocery store and they work wonders for training your cat. When your cat’s bad, just squirt it. Cats hate water and they will usually come to know that the behavior they’re engaging in is undesirable and they’ll stop it over time.

Will Your Cat Come When Called?

Cats are independent. Many men consider cats to be like women. When you pursue them, they don’t want you. When you ignore them, that’s when they want attention. Cats, like women, are strange creatures. However, just like women, cats are not easily understood. Using positive reinforcement will get a cat to come. Try treats to lure your cat while you call its name. Cats love treats and they’re great ways to train your cat. If that doesn’t work, try using toys to lure your cat. Some cats just won’t come to you unless they want to; that’s a fact of life that you’re probably going to have to live with, but you can try.

Use The Litter Box

Show your cat where the litter box is, gently scratch it paws in the litter and there, your cat’s litter trained. That’s the easiest time you’ll ever have training your cat.

Staying Off The Furniture

If your cat won’t stay off your good couch, or your counters, you can use the squirt bottle, which again works wonders, or you can try the loud noises. Again, don’t hit your cat. You can also try a device they sell at many pet stores that makes a vibration whenever it gets on a piece of furniture you don’t want it to be on. It doesn’t hurt the cat and it’s a great cat training tool.

Lack Of Understanding

It is also very usual to come across pet cats that don’t obey instructions though the reason for this is nothing more than lack of understanding what is expected of them rather than a mindset of disobeying. Thus, it would pay to follow certain guidelines that can help you train a cat because, if you do it right, you will be able to succeed while if you do things in the wrong way, chances are that all your labor will be in vain.

When it comes to training a cat you need to understand that you must be very patient as well as have enough time to devote to the training process. What’s more, learning to train a cat is different from how you would train your dog. The best way to get results is using positive reinforcement and to also avoid scolding your cat because that can accentuate the misbehavior rather than curtail it.

The fact of the matter is that a cat can easily learn what it is taught as long as you start to train a cat when it is still young, because that will improve the chances of success. To begin with, before you train a cat you need to teach the cat to come when it is called and the simplest way of getting it to learn this command is to hold a treat and then call its name. Best results are also achieved when the cat is in a good mood and there is no noise to distract attention.

Another important aspect to training a cat is using a harness and leash and to also teach it not to panic or struggle when wearing the harness or leash. You can also toilet train your cat by giving it a litter box in which to eliminate and you should also ensure placing the litter box where it is warm as well as dry because cats like such places.

These are very basic tips that a cat owner should become acquainted with and also use in order to train a cat, which in the end should turn your wayward pet cat into a more disciplined pet.

In that sense, people usually think of dogs as the training subjects. However, training cats can also be done. That’s right. Most people think of cats as completely independent. They typically run the house and they come only when they want to. But you can be successful at training cats, just like you can when training dogs, you just have to stick with it and make sure you positively reinforce the good behavior when it does occur.

Potty Training

The fact is, training cats to use the litter box is much easier than training dogs to go to the bathroom outside. All you have to do when training a cat to use the litter box is stick them in there, rub their paws in the litter and that’s about it. A cat’s instinct is to go to the bathroom in the litter box. Of course, they don’t have litter boxes in the wild, but a cat’s instinct is to cover up their urine and feces with dirt or other debris so that predators or other animals don’t know it’s there. So, you see, it’s natural for a cat to use a litter box. Just show your cat where the litter box is and you’re about done. That’s probably the easiest time you’ll ever have training an animal.

Scratch Posts

The hardest thing you’ll probably do while training your cat is teaching it not to scratch your good furniture. Cats love to stretch and dig their claws into fabric, wicker, or anything else that allows them to sharpen their claws. It’s funny, though, that they seem to always want to scratch your good furniture. This is what scratch posts are for. Scratch posts are for training your cat to use that instead of your furniture.

You have to get them used it the post, though. Put their paws on it and show them how to scratch it. Some of these posts can be expensive and some cats are particular to certain types of posts. That means, depending on your cat, you may have to try several posts before training your cat effectively. Once you find that scratch post your cat likes, however, you’ll see that they’ll enjoy using that instead of your good furniture.

There are other things you can do when training your cat but these two above examples are typically the most popular questions cat owners ask when trying to train their beloved pets.

Circus Tricks

Now, if you’re looking to train a cat to jump through hoops, stand and balance on multi colored balls or whatever else circus cats do, yes, you’d have to be an expert at training a cat do train it to do those things. That would pretty much be impossible unless you know what you’re doing and have lots of experience. However, if you just want to train your cat to do domestic things so that it’s a good and loyal pet, that’s not impossible at all.

Domestic Training

To train a cat, you need to show it what you want it to do. Litter training is easy. To litter train a cat, you simply set it in the litter box and rub its paw in the litter. There, it’s litter trained. If it’s not, just do that a couple of times and your cat will get used to it. Then, when it does its business in the pan, give it a treat. This is called positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement can also be a pet and a comment that it’s a good cat. Give your cat love, show it what you want it to do and you’ll see that training a cat is easy.

Will It Come, Too?

Sure your cat will come if you show it what you want it to do and you positively reinforce it. Call its name and pat your thighs. When your cat does finally come, give it a treat or pet it and love it. Then, do it again and again. You must remain consistent and you must show it that it’s doing a good job. That’s all there is to training a cat.

So no matter what you want to train your cat to do, whether it’s to come when you call its name or something as simple as litter training, just make sure you stick with it and don’t give up. If you’re training your cat for the circus, however, good luck because you have a long and difficult road ahead of you.

Training Problems

There are some cases when a cat fails litter training after that initial showing of where the box is. This could be for several reasons. If your cat is wild, such as would be the case if you took it in from the wild, it may not be used to such domestic settings. Let your cat get used to your home and you’ll see litter training will soon follow. If your cat is a kitten, or was brought from the pound, and still doesn’t like the litter box, it could be because of the litter you’re using. Cats are very particular. They may not like certain scented kinds of litter, or some textures; so try some different forms of litter and watch your litter training efforts improve.

My Cat Went On The Floor!

If your cat was fine after the initial litter training but has recently been going to the bathroom on the floor, on your counters, or in your bed, ask yourself if something is different. Sometimes, litter training won’t work if your cat is mad at you. First of all, how often are you changing your litter box? If your litter box is full of urine and feces, your cat won’t want to go there. Cats are very clean and particular animals and like a clean box so change the litter often. Or, get the scoopable kind that you can easily clean. That should help your litter training efforts. If you’ve changed litter brands or changed the location of the box, this could also hamper litter training. Keep things consistent and your cat will be much happier and you’ll see that you’ll have no problem with litter training.

Litter training, again, is the easiest thing you’ll have to do to train your cat. That makes cats great household pets. They go in one location, they don’t have to be taken outside like dogs, and as long as you clean the box often, you’ll never have to litter train again.

Enjoy Their Company Forever

The importance of early kitten training cannot be emphasize enough because it in fact will help the new addition to your home to understand how it must behave and how to become an independent member of the family. Of course, it will require the owner expending a lot of effort and devoting plenty of time before success from their kitten training will become evident.

Kitten training is especially recommended because when the cat is still young she will be more amenable to be taught new things and bad habits will not as yet have developed. What’s more, kitten training is much more likely to succeed if owners first of all study and understand their behaviors.

Generally, kittens are very affectionate and also are known to behave well and it is only when their mood changes that you may need to suspect that something is wrong. In any case, the first step that you should take while kitten training is to ensure that your kitten is given plenty of exercise. In order to help them remain active you could even give them toys with which to play and thus keep her from becoming destructive and doing damage to the home.

The second most important aspect to kitten training is teaching them where the toilet is. A good option in this regard would be providing her with a litter box that is big enough for her to enter and leave as well as move about in.

Finally, kitten training involves using a scratching pad with which to teach your kitten where it should scratch and thus help her to understand that it is not proper to scratch whatever comes in front of her.

Kitten training also means heaping praise on the kitten whenever she does the right thing and giving her a reward when she performs a desired action is also a good idea because it helps to reinforce your training instructions. On the other hand, kitten training is not about shouting and screaming at your cat and not is it ever advisable to hit or strike your cat.

Given time and proper attention, kitten training will soon bear fruit and your efforts and time spent will be properly rewarded when you notice how your kitten behaves in the desired manner.

They’re Nocturnal

One of the big things to keep in mind about feline behavior is that these are nocturnal creatures.  That means they sleep, on average, eighteen hours a day.  Don’t expect to go jogging on the beach with a cat.  Do expect to have the cat listen attentively about your misadventures stepping on a horseshoe crab after you jogged on the beach.  If they are going to get into mischief, they tend to do it when they think you’re asleep.

They’re Hunters

The domestic cat is responsible for the extinction of at least seven bird species.  This is partially due to their incredible hunting skills.  The will hunt even when not hungry, so they can store the food for future lean times.  They also will bring dying prey to your feet because they are trying to help feed you.  This is what the feline behavior books all say.  Personally, I think it’s because cats like to watch you hit the ceiling.

This is one reason why cats need to be kept indoors, because of the havoc they can wreak on the native wildlife.  Also, killing someone’s pet rabbit is not going to endear you to the neighbors.  A cat will hunt when given the opportunity.  They can’t help it.  Don’t give them the opportunity.  Keep them indoors with lots of toys and a window to look out of.

They’re Carnivorous

One aspect about feline behavior can’t be changed or they will die – they have to eat meat in order to survive.  Although dogs can become vegetarians and thrive, cats can’t.  Don’t expect your cat to become a vegetarian.  And they really shouldn’t eat a lot of non-meat items, although rice is great for them, as well as a minor serving of veggies.  But unless a cat has an adequate amount of protein, they can die.  However, if they don’ want to eat for a few days, that’s okay.  That’s normal feline behavior.

Then in 1995, Nicholas Evans’ best selling novel came out entitled “The Horse Whisperer.”  Suddenly, talking in whispers was hot.  Now there are two “Dog Whipserers” (depending on which side of the Atlantic you live), a “Rabbit Whisperer” (I kid you not) and various people billing themselves as a “cat whisperer”.

Do You Love Your Cat?

If you truly love your cat, you won’t have any need of a cat whisperer because the cat will already have you well trained.  Just by taking the time to daily interact and observe your cat’s normal ways of doing things will you be able to tell how your cat is feeling and sometimes what mischief they are contemplating.  You still need to take your cat to the vet, though.  No cat whisperer should ever skimp on vet care.

Cats are not like dogs in that they have a need to please.  They see no reason to do the things that dogs do.  (”You want the ball?  You get the stinking ball yourself.”)  Life with a cat is basically a series of compromises.  When you love a cat and become really good friends with the cat, then these compromises really aren’t so bad.

Never Stop Learning

You can absorb a lot of information on cat behavior of the problems that certain breeds are prone to merely by reading some cat care books from the library.  There hasn’t been a lot of changes in the theory of cat care in the last thirty years, so pretty much any book you pick up will have some valuable information to it.

As your own cat whisperer, you will know your cat’s mood just with body language.  A fat tail means a mad cat.  A skinny tail curling like a question mark means a happy cat.  There’s not that much in between.  Cats shed not because they hate your furniture, but because they can’t help it.  Learn to live with it.

When you notice a big or sudden change in eating, eliminating, walking or sleeping behavior, than you know it’s time to go to the vet.  As a cat whisperer, you will know your cat will be cranky when they are sick, so don’t take any injuries personally.