Cat Training Guide
When learning how to train your cat, you'll begin with simple steps that both reward good behaviour and discourage bad behaviour. Can a cat be trained in the same way that a dog can? Both yes and no. Cats may appear aloof or uninterested in obeying your commands because they are highly independent animals. That doesn't mean you can't have an impact on their behaviour. Your new kitten or older cat can be trained in no time if you are patient and consistent.
Determine what you want your cat to learn first, then work toward it in small steps each day. However, before you begin training your cat, consider the commands you'll use and the types of behavioural actions you want her to learn. Consider what you may have wondered in the past: how to train your cat to use a litter box, how to keep her calm during vet visits, and so on. What can you do to teach her not to scratch your rugs or furniture? All of these are options that you can work on during training.
Among the common goals are:
Litter training or house training
When you call or make a gesture, he will come to you.
Grooming requires remaining calm and still.
Interacting with you, with other people, or with other animals.
Toys, you, or another cat are being played with.
Traveling in peace (getting into carrier and riding in the car).
There are numerous reasons why you should learn why and how to train your cat. Above all, teaching her certain behaviours will help her become more social and content around humans and other animals. Training is also important for your own health; if your cat learns to be calm during nail trimming or travel, neither she nor you will be anxious. The better your cat's manners, the better your relationship.
Keep each "session" brief and natural.
After you've decided which lessons you and your cat will learn, it's time to get down to business. To begin with, your cat's attention span is shorter than yours; you can't expect her to remain engaged every time you're ready to be the trainer. Allow the lesson to determine how long she will stay in your company.
Because some kittens respond quickly to potty training (or even before coming home with you) after seeing their mother use a litter box, this type of training may be brief. However, in the early stages, you may need to lead her back to the little box to remind her where it is. However, if you're teaching your kitten to play with her toys (and you), the lessons may be more gradual. Cats frequently prefer to investigate new toys on their own, so your role should be to respect her space while remaining approachable during her investigation. You can then participate once she has become acquainted with a new item.
Start small
If you're eager to get started, you might want to teach your cat everything at once. To be successful, however, it is best to practise one lesson at a time. You can progress to the next training exercise once your cat has mastered whatever you're working on. When you first bring a new kitten home, you may want to litter train her right away. After that, you can work on interacting with other pets, calm grooming, and so on.
Don't confine her to a single field.
Once your cat has mastered a command, practise it in various areas of your home. If you only introduce a kitten to other preexisting pets in the living room, she may believe the other animal only exists in that space. If your other animal is a fish, this isn't a problem, but if your kitten meets a dog, she should be aware that she will encounter him in other places as well.
Some types of training, like litter training, may necessitate the use of different areas of your home. When housebreaking a cat, it is sometimes necessary to have more than one litter box available. Keeping her from scratching the carpet and furniture will necessitate a more thorough lesson, as she will encounter these items in more than one room.
Get Other People Involved
If you and your cat are the only two residents, you don't have to worry about involving others in the training process. Nonetheless, you want your cat to learn to be social rather than territorial. Invite friends or family members over to socialise with your new cat soon after you bring it home. Just remind them not to be overly direct in their introduction. You should give your pet the same leeway you give yourself when training.
It's even more important to include everyone in the training process if you're bringing a kitten into a larger family. There are numerous reasons why the entire family should participate, but consistency and relationship-building are the most important. After all, she'll be seeing these people every day! Everyone should understand the training objectives and methods that will be used to achieve success.
Make Use of a Reward System
Rewarding good behaviour is a great motivator, especially during training. There are two kinds of rewards for your new furry friend to try. First and foremost, know that she will appreciate any positive feedback you provide. Speak to her in a friendly, upbeat tone, and tell her how proud you are of her. While petting or scratching her fur, say, "What a good girl!" and "good job!" so she knows these gestures mean well.
Cats respond well to treats as well. When she correctly masters the commands you're working on, reward her with small kibbles of Science Diet® cat food. One method is to use a "clicker" system. When your cat performs the appropriate behaviour or action, make a clicking sound with a tool.
If It Doesn't Work
Training takes time, and your cat will make mistakes from time to time. Is it possible to teach a cat to recover from it? Of course, but before you start, you should devise a strategy for correcting or guiding her when she appears hesitant to catch on. Punishment does not work well when training a kitten because your cat will not understand why she is being punished. In fact, it may make her worse and make her feel even more isolated.
You would never slap, shake, or physically correct your kitten during training, so keep your voice as calm as possible. If your cat perceives you as a threat, not only will training fail, but she will also learn to fear you.
If you must redirect bad behaviour (such as scratching furniture), make a quick, sharp noise. It will also help if you repeat the same phrase, such as "Bam!" "Whoa!" or "Yow!" The goal is to raise your cat's awareness and divert her attention away from the current action or behaviour. Avoid using words that you frequently use, such as "no!" or "hey!" because your cat will be confused if she hears them in a different context.
Learning how to train your cat can be a rewarding experience for the whole family. Just remember to be patient and optimistic, and you'll both make it.
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