Cat training collars should only be used as a last resort to correct training problems.  Keep in mind that there are regular collars made to be attached to leads that can also be sold under the classification of “cat training collars” – these are great in helping you keep control of your cat, especially in towns which have cat leash laws.  (This writer happens to live in such a town.)

The Good Kind

The kind of cat training collars that just act like sturdy collars can be found in all kinds of pet animal supply shops in the real world and online.  This writer personally does not recommend leather cat training collars, as the cats seem to always figure out how to flip them off and eat them.

If you keep your cats indoors 100% of the time (and if you live in rural America, you should), then you do not need these kind of cat training collars.  They might even get caught on a household object, unless you get special breakaway kinds.  You may still want to keep a collar on your cat to keep an ID tag on if they still hear the call of the wild.

The Bad Kind

The bad kinds of cat training collars are slightly modified for small or toy dogs.  They deliver electric shocks or bursts of foul smelling aromatherapy oil like citronella.  These shock collars and aromatherapy collars aren’t even good for dogs, much less cats.  Not only are they cruel, they don’t work at modifying bad behavior.  All your dog or cat knows is that they have a demon living around their neck.

On the whole, you have to be more careful with cat training collars (even the good kind) than you would for dog training collars.  This write has not been able to successfully keep a collar on her family cats for nearly forty years.  However, our cats are strictly indoor cats.  We have discovered that our cats could always figure out how to either remove a cat training collar or hook a hind leg into the collar and nearly choke themselves to death.

If a kitten is introduced to wearing a collar and given a lot of attention and playtime to distract them from trying to take the collar off, then a cat can get used to a good cat training collar.  Otherwise, you can pretty much forget about your cat keeping a cat training collar on longer than two days.

There are a lot of common everyday objects in your cat’s life that can be used as cat training aids.  You really don’t need any fancy and expensive collar or spray if you are patient and willing to work at your cat’s pace and not at your own.  But first, if your cat has a really destructive problem behavior, please take your cat to the vet.  The behavior could be caused by an underlying medical condition.

Your Voice

The best cat training aids cat owners will find is their own voice.  Cats’ hearing is a heck of a lot better than ours, which is one way they can get around in complete darkness.  There is a theory that cats choose their favorite people because these are the people who talk to them.  Cats can understand a lot more than they let on and listen to your constantly.

You never need to hit your cat.  Just a sharp hiss can let them know immediately that you are not pleased.  You need to hiss or growl as soon as you catch them in the act.  It’s no good yelling at the cat when the deed was done hours or even minutes ago.  The cat might think you are upset with him right at that moment he was behaving, because of the change in your tone of voice.  This is how powerful these cat training aids are.

Affection

Gently petting your cat or letting your cat on your lap when the cat wants to come on your lap is another great cat training aid.  You can easily incorporate petting and chin-scratching into grooming training sessions, for example.  Many cats are not motivated by either food or toys – but they are motivated by affection.

Catnip

Catnip is one of nature’s best cat training aids.  It is cheap and plentiful.  However, not all cats get any kind of pleasure from catnip.  You do have to rub just a bit on a cat toy and then watch your cat’s reaction to see if catnip would be a good cat training aid.  Keep small children away when a cat is being introduced to catnip for the first time; some cats become incredibly aggressive.

For the most part, cats become mellow and full of purrs when they encounter catnip.  The best thing catnip is for is to smear on scratching posts, cat toys or cat furniture or other places you want the cat to scratch, play with or stick around.  The catnip makes these things a lot more attractive to scratch, kick and roll on than all of your other possessions.