Cat training: How to train your cat in an easy way
When you learn how to train your cat, you’ll start with very basic steps that reward desired behaviours and discourage unwanted ones. But can you train a cat the same way you train a dog? Yes and no. Because they are highly independent animals, cats can seem aloof or uninterested in following your commands. However, this does not mean that you cannot influence their behaviour. If you are patient and consistent, your new kitten or adult cat can be trained in no time.
What do you want to train?
First, determine what you want your cat to learn, then work toward it a little at a time each day. However, before you start training your cat, consider what commands you will use and the type of behaviors you want your cat to learn. Think about what you might have wondered in the past. How to train your cat to use the litter box, how to keep her calm on trips to the vet, and so on. How can you teach him not to scratch your rugs or furniture? These are some options that you can work on during training.
Some common goals include:
· Training at home or in the sandbox.
· Come when called or signaled.
. Stay calm and still to groom him.
· Interact with you, with other people or other animals.
· Play with toys, with you or with another cat.
· Travel quietly (enter the transporter and go in the car).
There are important reasons to learn why and how to train your cat. But above all, teaching him to behave in certain ways will make him more sociable and happy with humans and other animals. Training is also important for your own well-being; If your cat learns to be calm while trimming his nails or traveling, there will be no anxiety for him or you. The better your cat’s manners, the better your relationship will be.
Keep each “session” short and natural
Having determined which lessons you and your cat will master, it’s time to get started. First and foremost, your cat’s attention span is shorter than yours; you can’t expect him to stay interested every time you’re ready to coach. Let the lesson dictate how long he is willing to be in your company.
Because some kitties learn to use the litter box quickly (and even before they get home to you) after seeing their mother use a litter box, this type of training time can be brief. However, you may need to guide him to the litter box at first to remind him where he is. If you’re training your kitty to play with his toys (and with you), the lessons can be more gradual. Cats often prefer to explore new toys on their own, which means your role will be to respect their space by staying within reach during their exploration. Once he has gotten used to the new object, you can participate.
Start small
If you’re excited about training, you might want to jump right in and teach your cat everything at once. However, to be successful, it is a better idea to practice one lesson at a time. Once your cat has mastered whatever you are working on, you can move on to the next training exercise. For example, when you bring a new kitten home, you’ll want to litter box train him right away. Once you’ve got this down you can work on interacting with other pets, then calmly groom him, and so on.
Do not limit it to a single area
Once your cat has learned a command, practice it in different areas of the house. If you are introducing a kitty with other pre-existing pets, and you only bring them together in the room, they may believe that the other animal exists only in that space. This is not a problem if the other animal is a fish, but if your kitty is meeting a dog, she needs to understand that she will be found in other areas as well.
Like litter box training, some types of training will require using different areas of the house. If you are training him to live indoors, it is sometimes necessary to have more than one litter box on hand. Keeping him from scratching rugs and furniture will also require more complex lessons, and he’ll find those items in more than one room.
Involve other people
If the only residents are you and your cat, you don’t have to worry too much about involving others in the training process. Still, you want your cat to be social and not territorial. Soon after bringing your cat home, invite friends or family members over to socialize with your new pet. Just remind them not to be too pushy with their introduction. Just as you train him little by little, you must allow your cat the same freedom of action.
If you’re bringing a kitten into a larger family, it’s even more important to involve everyone in the training process. There are many reasons why the family should be involved, but it is important primarily for reasons of consistency and building relationships. After all, you will see these faces every day. Everyone must be clear about the goals of the training and the methods used to be successful.
Use a reward system
Rewards to reinforce good behavior are very motivating, especially during training. There are two types of rewards for your new furry friend to try. First, keep in mind that he will enjoy any praise you share. Talk to him in a kind, high-pitched voice to remind him how proud you are. Say “Good boy” or “Well done” while stroking or scratching his hair so he knows it means you’re pleased.
Cats also respond well to treats. Reward him with small bites of Science Diet® cat food when he masters the commands you are working on. One way to do this is with a “click” system. When your cat does the behavior or action well, sound a clicker and then give him a treat that means well done. Hearing that sound every time he does something right will reinforce the good behavior you’re training him to do.
If it’s not working
Training doesn’t happen overnight and sometimes the cat will make a mistake. Can you train the cat to recover? Of course, but before you start, you should make a plan on how to correct or guide him when he seems reluctant to do something. Punishments don’t work well when you’re trying to housetrain a kitten simply because the cat won’t understand why he got into trouble. In fact, it can be worse and more isolated.
Never hit, shake, or physically correct a kitten during training, and don’t forget to keep your voice as calm as ever. If the cat feels threatened by you, not only will the training fail, but the only thing he will learn is to be afraid of you.
Try Learning how to train your cat can be a fun experience for the whole family. Just remember to be patient and positive, and you’ll both make it.