KITTEN TRAINING IS BEST STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Begin once you feel a kitten starts to trust you.
To come on command is one of the first things you might want to teach your kitten. It is not difficult. Call your kitten at mealtime, every day. Repeat it when the food is presented. Also repeat the name consistently while playing with your kitten. In some way, even playing is a form of kitten training.
Of course, a simple name of one syllable is easier remembered by your cat. But nothing is impossible. Well, almost nothing....
CATS ARE QUICK LEARNERS. THAT IS: IF THE OWNER DOES IT WELL.
If your kitten doesn’t seem to know what a litter box is for, you can help. Put the kitten in the tray, hold the front paws and show how to scratch. Most cats quickly understand what you mean.
Kittens are easier to train than adult cats. But if the relationship with the owner is good, adult cats may learn just as well. They may only need more time.
PUNISHMENT WON’T WORK WITH CATS. REWARD DOES.
Physical punishment leads to mistrust. Cats don’t want to be beaten – who does, actually? Nevertheless, there are situations in which you will want to punish. Do it in such a way that the cat will not blame the owner.
The water pistol is a clear favorite among cat owners. It is a perfect instrument to use for kitten training. However don't confuse a cats dislike of being sprayed with water as a dislike of water in general. Though cats may often refrain from drinking water, it is very important and necessary for them to do so. They are picky drinkers and perhaps you can offer a water fountain as a reward too. We recommend the Miaustore fountain.
IF YOUR CAT EATS FROM A PLANT, SPRAY YOUR CAT WITH A LITTLE WATER FROM A WATER PISTOL.
Do it without saying a word, and without attracting any attention. The cat will then associate eating from plants with an unpleasant water spray, not with the one who operates the water pistol.
Never reward bad behavior. Otherwise your cat will think it was OK.
If your cat uses your furniture to sharpen its nails or simply to have fun, buying a cat scratching post is highly recommended. Do not declaw kittens. Declawing might save your sofa, but it is cruel, unnatural and unnecessary. It is the opposite of kitten training.
Just like scratching, urine spraying is normal feline behavior. It is caused by male hormones. You can reduce spraying by neutering your tom cat. And again, by using the water pistol.
In some cases cat repellant may be effective too. At least it keeps your cat away from locations you want to keep odour and urine free.
Kitten training can be used for various purposes. You can train a cat to sit, lie down, jump and even play the piano – yes, Walt Disney’s Aristocats were more realistic than you ever thought.
If you want your kitty to jump on the table or play a melody from, let’s say, Andrew Lloyd Webber, you will have to use the same principle. Use a command (a new one for every trick) and give your cat a reward – a snack works best. And do this over and over again. It may take twenty times before your cat knows the trick well.
CLICKER TRAINING IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY OF TRAINING YOUR CAT.
Karen Pryor is an American clicker trainer with an excellent reputation. “In clicker training you watch for the behavior you like, mark the instant it happens with a click, and pay off with a treat. The treat may be food, a pat, praise, or anything else the learner enjoys. If the learner makes a mistake all you do is wait and let them try again”, she explains on her web site.
Clicker trainers focus on building behavior, not stopping behavior. Cats quickly learn that the marker signal means that something good is coming.
With clicker training you can teach your cat to come when called, play without biting or scratching, stay off the table, walk on a leash, do cute tricks and games, all with a click and a treat.
It’s a very interesting method of kitten training. Every cat owner can do it. Clicker training has been successful with many cats.
But whatever kind of kitten training you choose, always remember this:
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Cute kitten names? Max is a popular tom cat name, Lady a favorite for queens. If you want your cat to have a more original name, you have to use your imagination. Or get some expert help. ‘Muffin. Kitty. Snowball. All stupid names that no self respecting cat would have – if it weren’t for … Continue reading Cute Kitten Names Are Easily Found – But Does Your Cat Listen?
The sound cats in heat produce are spooky and almost pornographic at the same time. If you live in a city, it’s likely you know the nightly growling, screaming, and repeated crying of mating stray cats. It can take very long. Queens and tom may mate ten times after each other! There’s no set period … Continue reading Don’t Want Kittens? Keep Cats In Heat At Home!
A spraying cat marks his or her territory with cat urine. By spraying cats say ‘this is mine’. It’s also a proven method to attract the other sex with cat urine odor. Unfortunately spraying is a smelly habit. But there is good news: you can stop your cat from doing it! If you are lucky, … Continue reading You Have A Spraying Cat? Do Something About It!
Cat behavior has fascinated people throughout history. Cats are independent, but still social animals, and combine a hunting instinct with playfulness. Cats are territorial animals. Dogs belong to their master, cats stick to their home. That’s why your cat doesn’t like traveling. Cats see their home as holy ground. They mark it by rubbing, scratching … Continue reading Cat Behavior: Independent, But Still Social Animals
