Cat Training

How YOU Can Train Your CAT!

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Table of Contents C!i# on the Chapter Tit!e to for*ard to a topi#.

.................................................................................................................................. ......1 +o* - Can Train our CAT/.................................................................................. 1 Dis#!aimer....................................................................................................................... ) Ta!e of Contents ............................................................................................................ 0 C!i# on the Chapter Tit!e to for*ard to a topi#. ............................................................ 0 hat 2asi# Trainin& Does our Cat 'eed3 ..................................................................4 +o* to 5ain the Respe#t of our Cat ............................................................................6 +o* To Litter7o( Train our 'e* Cat ........................................................................8 hat Cat 2ehaviors 'eed to e 2roen3..................................................................... 19 +o* to Stop S#rat#hin& and C!a*in&........................................................................... 1) +o* to revent our Cat Eatin& +ousep!ants............................................................. 10 +o* to Stop our Cat ;umpin& on Counters and Ta!es............................................. 16 +o* to Stop our Cat Runnin& -ut the Door............................................................. 1< hat Cat 2ehaviors 'eed to e Learned3 .................................................................... )9 +o* to Tea#h our Cat to Come hen Ca!!ed........................................................... )0 +o* to a! our Cat on a Leash............................................................................... )4 +o* to Tea#h our Cat to Sit on Command................................................................ )8 +o* to Tea#h our Cat to A##ept 2rushin&................................................................ )< +o* to Tea#h our Cat to +ave +is 'ai!s C!ipped..................................................... )= +o* to Tea#h our Cat Tri#s >rom 'atura! 2ehaviors............................................. 01


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What Basic Training Does Your Cat Need Cats are anima!s. +umans are anima!s as *e!! ut supposed!$ of a hi&her order. In order to !ive toðer in a #ompaniona!e and happ$ re!ationship there are some thin&s that $our #at needs to !earn. -*nin& an anima! of an$ sort shou!d e more p!easure than pain, ut there *i!! e #onsidera!e pain if the anima! is in #ontro! of the househo!d.

So *hat is the asi# trainin& $our #at needs, to esta!ish a happ$ re!ationship in the fami!$3

>irst, there is toi!et trainin&. There *ou!d e nothin& *orse than to #ome home from a hard da$ at the offi#e to find an unmentiona!e !ump on $our est edspread. So *here to &o to the toi!et is one of the most important thin&s to train $our #at or itten. Cats are natura!!$ #!ean anima!s so it is %uite eas$ to train to use a !itter tra$. Simp!$ p!a#e him on it after his mea!.

-ther asi# trainin& ma$ depend on *here $ou !ive. If $ou !ive in an apartment, $ou ma$ need to train $our #at to !ead so that $ou #an tae him outside. If $ou !ive in the #ountr$, this ma$ not e ne#essar$. If $ou !ive #!ose to ma?or traffi#, ut have a a#$ard, $ou ma$ need to train $our #at to eep a*a$ from the road, other*ise he is !ie!$ to &et run over.

Another important item that *i!! need attention is to stop $our #at from s#rat#hin& the furniture. Cats !ove to s#rat#h and it is their nature to sharpen their #!a*s. The$ don@t ?ust do it to ruin furniture, ut this is *hat *i!! happen if the$ are not trained. Remove $our #at from the furniture immediate!$ he starts to s#rat#h and p!a#e his pa*s a&ainst his s#rat#hin& po!e.

If $ou trave! a !ot and *ish to tae $our #at *ith $ou, trave! trainin& is a must. It@s not *ise to a!!o* $our #at freedom in the #ar, as it ma$ happen to #!im onto $ou *hi!e $ou are drivin& and this #an #ause an a##ident. A!so, if $ou happen to have an a##ident


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*ith the #at !oose in the #ar, it #ou!d e in?ured unne#essari!$. A #at trave! #a&e shou!d e used, ut mae sure it is steadied $ usin& a seat e!t to ho!d it in p!a#e.

-ne more important thin& to train $our #at in is not to #!im up the s#reen doors and *indo*s. To save $our s#reen from ein& torn to shreds, insta!! a #at door and train itt$ ho* to &o throu&h it. Most peop!e start out *ith a itten rather than a fu!!7&ro*n #at, so it is easier to train them. -n#e #ats are fu!!$ &ro*n it is ver$ hard to rea them of #ertain ad haits, so start *hi!e the$ are $oun& and eep it up. Don@t !et them &et a*a$ *ith ehavior that is not a##epta!e to $ou.


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How to ain the "es#ect of Your Cat henever *e humans de#ide to eep an anima! as a pet, there are some &round ru!es that shou!d e esta!ished. Rememer that $our territor$ is not $our petBs natura! territor$ and that a!! anima!s sti!! ehave as anima!s no matter *here the$ !ive. Tr$in& to #han&e $our #at@s ad ehavior re%uires #onsisten#$ and patien#e. If $ou !ove $our #at the !ast thin& $ou *ant is to seem !ie the enem$ 7 someone to e dis!ied or even feared.

So ho* #an $ou train $our #at so that his ehavior is a##epta!e in $our *or!d and sti!! remain friends3 The ans*er is not to !et him ru!e the roost. our #at *i!! not respe#t $ou if he is the oss.

ou need to !et him no* *ho is oss *hi!e sti!! &ainin& his trust and affe#tion. This means that he must e re*arded positive!$ *ith treats and #udd!es *hen he does thin&s that $ou approve of. 2ut *hen he insists on doin& thin&s he no*s $ou don@t !ie, $ou must remain #a!m, ut ?ust as determined to &et $our *a$, as he is to &et his *a$. >rom the time the$ are ittens, #ats *i!! oe$ the authorit$ of the %ueen #at in other *ords, their mother. So $ou have to adopt that p!a#e in the #at@s !ife.

-ne *a$ to do this is to #arr$ the itten around $ the s#ruff of his ne# o##asiona!!$. This is the *a$ in *hi#h his mother *ou!d have moved him. The s#ruff of the ne# is the !oose sin on the a# of the ne#. It is %uite eas$ to &ra and does not hurt either itten or &ro*n #at to e #arried this *a$. ou *i!! noti#e *hen $ou pi# him up !ie this he *i!! sudden!$ &o !imp and ?ust han& there. That is *hat he *ou!d do if his mother had him in her mouth $ the s#ruff. Even if $our #at is no !on&er a itten, he *i!! !et $ou #arr$ him $ the s#ruff *ithout #omp!aint. So *hen $ou find him doin& thin&s he shou!dn@t do, pi# him up $ the s#ruff of the ne# and put him do*n a*a$ from his mis#hief.

Mae sure $our itt$ has p!ent$ of p!a$ and stimu!ation so that he is not ored and he *i!! e a etter7ehaved #at, too. Soft and s%uea$ to$s *i!! eep his attention fo#used on p!a$ instead of mis#hief. Even a #ardoard o( or !ar&e paper a& to #reep into *i!! entertain him for hours.


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How To $itter%bo& Train Your New Cat -ne of the most important thin&s to do *ith $our ne* #at or itten is to train it to use the !itter o(. In the *i!d, one of a #at@s more usefu! ehaviors is to s#rat#h a ho!e in some ind of soft medium to &o to the toi!et. This ehavior is sti!! stron& in domesti#ated #ats, *hi#h maes it easier to train them. hen #ats have a##ess to a $ard 7 espe#ia!!$ one *ith a &arden, the$ *i!! often prefer to &o outside. 2ut if $our #at is #onfined to the house or apartment, it is ne#essar$ to provide him *ith a !itter tra$ or o( to prevent pudd!es and other nast$ thin&s happenin& to $our f!oor.

The !itter tra$ shou!d e *ide and sha!!o*, ut *ith verti#a! sides. This *i!! he!p to retain the medium *hen the #at is s#rat#hin& and di&&in&. It shou!d e in a p!a#e *here human traffi# is at a minimum. The !aundr$ is often the p!a#e #hosen for the !itter tra$. Sand #ou!d e used in the tra$, ut #ommer#ia! #at7!itter is est due to its hi&h asoren#$. And #ats seem to !ove usin& it.

If $ou have a ne* itten, it is not too ear!$ to start trainin& him to use the !itter o( immediate!$. As soon as he has finished drinin& his mi!, tae him to the !itter tra$ and set him do*n &ent!$ on the !itter. It@s a &ood idea to feed him #!ose to the !itter tra$ at first, so he *i!! no* *here it is. If $ou feed $our ne* itten in the it#hen and then #arr$ him into the !aundr$ to the !itter tra$, $ou #annot e(pe#t him to no* his *a$ into the !aundr$ the ne(t time round.

So feed the itten ne(t to the !itter tra$ unti! the hait of usin& it is *e!! esta!ished. After this, it *i!! e possi!e to #han&e the feedin& p!a#e if desired. If the itten does a pudd!e an$*here e!se ut in the !itter tra$, e sure to #!ean it up *ith stron& sme!!in& disinfe#tant to #omp!ete!$ remove the odor, other*ise itt$ *i!! simp!$ fo!!o* his nose ne(t time he *ants to &o.

-n#e $ou have p!a#ed the itten onto the !itter tra$ a fe* times, he *i!! soon &et the idea of *hat he is supposed to do. Cats and ittens are ver$ eas$ to train to use a !itter tra$. !a#in& an attra#tive #over over the !itter tra$ is a &ood idea, ut mae sure itt$


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no*s ho* to use the tra$ *ithout the #over first. Then $ou #an #over it up and sho* him the *a$ in.


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What Cat Beha'iors Need to be Bro(en There are severa! #at ehaviors that are not a##epta!e for pets. +o*ever, mu#h *i!! depend on $our o*n st$!e of !ivin& and *hether $ou !ive in the #ountr$ or the #it$. -ne of the *orst #at ehaviors is s#rat#hin& that is, s#rat#hin& humans. Cats@ #!a*s #an inf!i#t rather nast$ s#rat#hes, so this is one ehavior that shou!d e dis#oura&ed as mu#h as possi!e. It *on@t e possi!e to e!iminate it entire!$ as it is a #at@s nature to s#rat#h and it does so to prote#t itse!f. Main& sure $our #at is not fri&htened and never fee!s threatened *i!! &o a !on& *a$ to preventin& s#rat#hin& $ou or others in the fami!$.

Spra$in& is another ehavior that is un*e!#ome in the home. Cats spra$ to mar their territor$, so it is simp!$ a natura! thin& for them to do. -ne *a$ to dis#oura&e this ehavior is to u$ a ott!e pheromone. It is a s$ntheti# #at spra$ and is odor!ess to humans, ut #ats #an sme!! it. If $our #at thins another #at has mared out its territor$, then it *on@t e so !ie!$ to do the same thin&.

;umpin& onto hi&h p!a#es is a!so norma! #at ehavior, ut it ma$ not fit in *ith $our !ifest$!e if $ou have anti%ue vases sittin& on she!ves. 'either is it hea!th$ to have itt$ on the #ounter *hi!e $ou are preparin& food for the #hi!dren. Cats #an e a dan&er to themse!ves as *e!! as to others *hen the$ ?ump une(pe#ted!$ onto p!a#es that ma$ not support them.

It &oes *ithout sa$in& that $ou *i!! *ant $our #at to use the !itter tra$. If he does not, he ma$ have to e#ome an outside #at. Another ehavior that is natura! for #ats is to &o huntin&. e !ie them to #at#h mi#e and rats, ut *hen itt$ #omes in !i#in& feathers from his ?o*!s, *e *onder if that !itt!e ird *as amon&st those fa#in& e(tin#tion. A e!! on his #o!!ar *i!! he!p to prevent itt$ from i!!in& too man$ irds.

It@s not a ver$ ni#e thin& to e #udd!ed up to itt$ on!$ to have him une(pe#ted!$ sin his teeth into $our arm. et itin& is a!so a natura! #at ehavior. If $our #at is a iter, dis#oura&e him $ p!a#in& him on the f!oor immediate!$ *hen he ites. It ma$ e that he had finished *ith #udd!in& an$*a$ and this *as his *a$ of !ettin& $ou no*. If his


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itin& seems e(#essive, $ou ma$ need to eep that ro!!ed up ne*spaper hand$. +e *i!! soon understand not to ite.


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How to )to# )cratching and Clawing There is nothin& *orse than a #at that is #onstant!$ s#rat#hin& the furniture. our eautifu! furniture #an e ruined ver$ %ui#!$ $ this ehavior, so it is *ise to do somethin& aout it as soon as possi!e.

S#rat#hin& is natura! ehavior for a #at, so it *on@t e possi!e to prevent him from doin& it a!toðer. hat $ou must do is train him to s#rat#h on somethin& that doesn@t matter. S#rat#hin& po!es made of rope *ound around a rod are avai!a!e espe#ia!!$ for this purpose. It is a &ood idea to &et one as soon as $ou &et $our itten. If $ou tea#h him to use it ri&ht from *hen he is !itt!e, then it *i!! e easier.

If the itt$ doesn@t seem to !ie the s#rat#hin& po!e as mu#h as $our est #hair, then u$ some #atmint and smear it on the rope. The aroma is ver$ attra#tive to #ats. A!so &et a spra$ ott!e fu!! of *ater to spra$ in his fa#e *hen he s#rat#hes $our furniture. Cats hate havin& *ater in their fa#es. There is on!$ one pro!em *ith this $our furniture ma$ e >ren#h7po!ished and so *atermar ver$ easi!$. hat to do3

The idea is to tea#h itt$, not hurt him, so ro!! up one or t*o sheets on!$ of ne*spaper and use it to tap his fa#e *ith. It *on@t hurt him, ut he *i!! hate the noise and fee! of it. This is a!so a &ood *a$ to stop him s#rat#hin& peop!e. After ein& sma#ed *ith it a fe* times, simp!$ hearin& the rust!e of paper *i!! often stop him. Sometimes, #ats *i!! #rou#h around a #orner and sprin& out at $ou or the #hi!dren. Don@t for&et that *hi!e it is norma! ehavior for a #at to do this sort of thin&, the ehavior needs to e #ontro!!ed or it ma$ #ause in?ur$.

The ro!!ed up ne*spaper tri# *i!! soon dis#oura&e itt$ from poun#in& and s#rat#hin&. If $ou ho!d him up $ the s#ruff of the ne# at the same time, $ou *i!! e(ert dominan#e over him, te!!in& him $ou are the top #at. Sma# him !i&ht!$ on the pa*s or fa#e *ith the paper, and then put him do*n. If $our #at puts out his #!a*s *hen $ou are pettin& him, &ent!$ push at them unti! he retra#ts them. In this *a$ $ou@!! tea#h him that #!a*s out *hi!e ein& petted on !aps is una##epta!e ehavior.


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How to *re'ent Your Cat +ating House#lants Man$ peop!e &ro* !ove!$ housep!ants that add to the amien#e of their home. 2ut *hat happens *hen itt$ atta#s and eats that housep!ant $ou *ere so proud of3 -ne da$ $ou have a hea!th$ p!ant, ne(t da$ the !eaves are han&in& in tatters and the on!$ thin& !eft to do is thro* it in the trash in. 'au&ht$ itt$/ 2ut *ait efore $ou span.

>irst, $ou must de#ide *hat #aused $our #at to atta# the p!ant. There are t*o main reasons that #ats eat p!ants. -ne is that &reen food is part of their diet. If $our itt$ has not een &iven an$ ve&eta!es or &reener$ to eat, he #ou!d e simp!$ fo!!o*in& his instin#t for surviva!. In this #ase, mae sure itt$ &ets to &o outside fre%uent!$ so he #an eat the &rasses of his #hoi#e. Eatin& &rass *i!! a!so he!p to remove fur a!!s that #an #at#h in his throat. If $ou #annot !et $our #at outside, then &ro* some spe#ia! #at &rass in a pot and a!!o* him free a##ess to it. A &ood pet shop *i!! provide the ri&ht ind of seed.

Another reason $our #at ma$ have atta#ed the potted p!ant is that the reee rust!ed its !eaves and so it e#ame an enem$ to e atta#ed and eaten. This is a natura! ehavior for #ats in the *i!d. If this is the #ase, then move the p!ant to a p!a#e *here itt$ #annot readi!$ see it  some*here a*a$ from drafts and reees. It ma$ suffi#e to p!a#e the p!ant upon a !o* ta!e, or $ou ma$ need a hi&her she!f for it.

-f #ourse, on#e itt$ has had a *onderfu! time destro$in& that p!ant $ou !oved so mu#h, he mi&ht de#ide he *ants to do it a!! the time. In this #ase, $ou ma$ have to !ive *ithout indoor p!ants, or eep itt$ #onfined to a room *here there are none *hi!e $ou are out of the house. -n the other hand, it ma$ have een sheer oredom that made him atta# the p!ant  he #ou!d have ?ust needed somethin& or someone to p!a$ *ith. 5ive itt$ p!ent$ of attention *hen $ou are home. Mae sure he has p!ent$ of his o*n to$s. The$ need not e e(pensive store7ou&ht to$s homemade ones are eas$ to mae and easi!$ rene*a!e.

Dan&!e a sma!! *isp of s#run#hed up paper a fe* in#hes off the f!oor $ t$in& it from somethin& *ith strin&. A #hair run& *ou!d do, or a #upoard doorno. Fitt$ *i!! !ove to poun#e on this and *rest!e on his a# *ith it. A !i&ht, sma!! a!! *i!! have him


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sitterin& a!! over the f!oor as he #hases it. ith p!ent$ e!se to interest him, he shou!d soon for&et aout $our indoor p!ants.


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How to )to# Your Cat ,um#ing on Counters and Tables -ne important thin& in trainin& $our #at is to stop him ?umpin& up on the ta!e or #ounter. ou ma$ thin its no i& dea! to have itt$ on the #ounter  in fa#t some peop!e ma$ thin it rather #ute. 2ut stop and #onsider. Fitt$ doesnBt rea!!$ no* *hat he is &oin& to !and on *hen he maes that i& !eap from f!oor to #ounter. Do $ou rea!!$ *ant him to !and on those #ooies that are ?ust read$ to &o into the oven3 -r he #ou!d easi!$ no# somethin& hot or reaa!e onto the f!oor not to mention that it is unsanitar$. So ho* #an $ou stop him3

The tri# is to use somethin& he hates to dis#oura&e this hait. Most #ats hate sudden, !oud noise, so if $ou mae a !oud noise in his fa#e *hen he ?umps up, heB!! %ui#!$ ?ump a# do*n. Soon heB!! e&in to asso#iate the !oud noise *ith that parti#u!ar a#tivit$ and heB!! stop. So *hat #an $ou use to mae a !oud noise3 An empt$ soda #an *ith a fe* pe!es or mar!es in it is one &ood idea. Shae it in itt$Bs fa#e so it ratt!es !oud!$ and start!es him. +e *onBt !ie that. If $ou a!so sa$ no severa! times ver$ !oud!$ he ma$ soon stop ?umpin& as soon as he hears that #ommand. Some peop!e e!ieve &ro*!in& is a &ood idea. This is ho* itt$Bs mother *ou!d tea#h him *hat is a!!o*ed and *hat is not. This is one *a$ in *hi#h #ats #ommuni#ate *ith one another, too.

A ott!e fi!!ed *ith pe!es #ou!d a!so e used, ut the noise is s!i&ht!$ muted $ the p!asti# or #ou!d e dan&erous in &!ass. Another idea is to ro!! a fe* sheets of ne*spaper up and s!ap the #ounter ri&ht in front of him *ith it. Then if he does not ?ump do*n, pi# him up $ the s#ruff of the ne# and p!a#e him on the f!oor. 'ever s#oop him up from the ta!e and #udd!e or iss him, as this is a positive reinfor#ement and *i!! en#oura&e him to ?ump up ne(t time he *ants some attention.

Spra$in& itt$ *ith a spra$ ott!e fu!! of #!ean *ater is another method of dis#oura&in& the hait of ?umpin& onto the #ounter. If itt$ simp!$ *onBt stop ?umpin&, tr$ doin& severa! thin&s at the same time. Feep a #hi!dBs horn  the sort $ou #an !o* into  near$. As soon as itt$ &ets to the top of the #ounter, !o* the horn in his fa#e, spra$ him in the fa#e *ith the *ater and tap him smart!$ on the head *ith


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the ro!!ed up ne*spaper. Do it ever$ time $ou see him up there and heB!! soon &et tired of a!! that stress and stop. At !east, *e hope so/


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How to )to# Your Cat "unning Out the Door If $ou !ive in an uran area or an$*here near a ma?or traffi# route, $ou ma$ need to stop $our #at from headin& out the door ever$ time $ou open it. Cats #an e easi!$ fri&htened in traffi# and $ou donBt *ant $our pet to meet *ith a nast$ a##ident. 'ot on!$ *i!! an a##ident e unp!easant for $our pet, veterinarian fees tend to mae a !ar&e ho!e in $our ud&et. Stoppin& itt$ from runnin& out the door *i!! not e eas$, ut #an e mana&ed *ith patien#e. It is #ertain!$ easier to train a sma!! itten than a &ro*n #at *hose haits ma$ e in&rained.

hether $ou have a #at or a itten, it *i!! need to e trained to sta$ indoors un!ess $ou a!!o* it to &o out. To do this, use the #atBs natura! traits, *orin& *ith his nature rather than a&ainst it. e no* that #ats dis!ie !oud, start!in& noises, so ever$ time the door is open and itt$ heads that *a$, tr$ and e read$ *ith a !oud noise  ut et*een him and the door. DonBt #ome up ehind him *ith it or $ouB!! ?ust fri&hten him ri&ht out the door.

-ne &ood *a$ to train $our itt$ is to en!ist the aid of another person to stand ?ust outside the door. Then $ou #an open it and as soon as $our itten poes his nose out, have the other person s%uirt him *ith a spra$ ott!e or *ater &un. T*o peop!e *i!! e even etter. -ne #an have a spra$ ott!e the other #an have the noisemaer. This *i!! fri&hten $our #at a# into the room *here $ou #an e *aitin& to soothe him and te!! him *hat a &ood #at he is for #omin& a#.

To add even more to the !esson, $ou #an e sure to #a!! him a# ?ust efore the noise and *ater spra$ happen. If $ou mae $our voi#e sound a!armed, itt$ *i!! soon &et the messa&e and it *i!! tea#h him that an a!armed voi#e means somethin& unp!easant is &oin& to happen to him. This #an e usefu! at other times, too. +e ma$ e outside in the $ard and $ou sudden!$ noti#e heBs aout to ?ump over the fen#e. To #a!! him a# in a voi#e of a!arm *i!! save him from &ettin& !ost or #hased $ a do& or even another #at.


16

-f #ourse, a!*a$s rememer to use positive reinfor#ement su#h as pettin& or treats *hen he does the ri&ht thin&.


18

What Cat Beha'iors Need to be $earned There are a numer of ehaviors that $our #at needs to !earn so that $our re!ationship *i!! e a happ$ and stress7free one. +avin& a #at as a pet has man$ enefits, ut these #an e out7*ei&hed if the #at is a!!o*ed to ru!e the roost, espe#ia!!$ if his nature is e(uerant and mis#hievous. Certain ehaviors need to e !earned $ $our #at for the safet$ of other memers of the house as *e!! as to enhan#e the re!ationship et*een #at and humans.

An important thin& for itt$ to !earn is to use his !itter tra$. rinatin& on furniture or #arpet *i!! spoi! it for !ife and !eave an odor that is impossi!e to remove. It is a!so unhea!th$ to have pudd!es or other unmentiona!es on the f!oor *here todd!ers ma$ e #ra*!in&.

A #at or itten a!so needs to !earn to #ome *hen #a!!ed. This maes is easier to &et him out of dan&er if he has *andered a*a$ and it a!so maes feedin& time more or&anied. If $ou need to &o out and the #at must e shut in, $ou need to e a!e to #a!! him and have him turn up in a reasona!e time7frame or $ouB!! e !ate for *or or *herever $ou *ere off to.

Cats are no#turna! anima!s. ThatBs *h$ the$ sudden!$ #ome to !ife around sunset and *ant to &o *anderin&. ThatBs *h$ the$ snooe a !ot in the da$. This ehavior is impossi!e to prevent entire!$, ut $ou #an eep itt$ !o#ed inside at ni&ht and p!a$ *ith him durin& the da$. The !ess he s!eeps in the da$, the more he *i!! s!eep at ni&ht.

If $ou trave! a !ot and *ant to tae $our #at, then he *i!! need to !earn ho* to trave! #omforta!$ in a #ar and itBs important for him not to *ander a*a$ and &et !ost on#e $ou arrive at $our destination. It *ou!d e a &ood thin& for $our #at to !earn ho* to !ead in a harness, and then $ou #an tae him out for a *a! *ithout *orr$in& that he *i!! stra$ or run into dan&er.


1<

Cats a!so need to !earn not to e destru#tive. ItBs a #atBs nature to sharpen his #!a*s and to hunt and ?ump. These ehaviors are not so *e!#ome in the home, so the #at must !earn *here he is a!!o*ed to s#rat#h and *hat he #an ?ump on safe!$. +e doesnBt no* that the stove *i!! urn him if he ?umps onto it, nor does he rea!ie that he mi&ht no# do*n $our anti%ue vase if he ?umps up on that she!f. These are the sorts of thin&s a #at needs to !earn.


1=

How to Teach Your Cat to Come When Called It@s important to train $our #at to #ome *hen it is #a!!ed for a variet$ of reasons. ou ma$ need to &o out sudden!$ and $ou don@t *ish to !eave $our #at outside *here he ma$ e in dan&er of other pro*!in& #ats or do&s #hasin& him. If $ouBve trained $our #at to #ome *hen #a!!ed, the tas of &ettin& him inside *i!! e simp!e. So ho* #an *e train a #at to #ome *hen #a!!ed3 -ne of the easiest *a$s is to use his !ove of food.

ou don@t have to train him to no* his name. Cats ma$ e #a!!ed a name, ut this is often for the #onvenien#e of the o*ners, rather than the #at. Fitt$ doesn@t #are *hat he@s #a!!ed and often *i!! ans*er to an$ name, so !on& as it is said in the same tone of voi#e. 2ut a# to usin& food for trainin&. hen it is time to feed $our itt$, mae a !oud and spe#ifi# noise, !ie ratt!in& a spoon or nife on the side of the #at food #an. +e *i!! asso#iate that noise *ith ein& fed and #ome ver$ %ui#!$. 2ut don@t !eave it at that. ou don@t *ant to have to ratt!e a spoon ever$ time $ou *ant $our #at to #ome.

hi!e ratt!in& the spoon, #a!! the itt$@s name over and over. Sa$ it !oud!$ enou&h to e heard aove the ratt!in& spoon. Ger$ often a hi&h7pit#hed @itt$7itt$7itt$@ *i!! do the tri#. +e *i!! &et used to the ratt!in& spoon meanin& food, and the sound of $our voi#e *i!! e asso#iated *ith the ratt!in& spoon, so that ver$ soon he *i!! #ome oundin& up *hen $ou simp!$ #a!! *ithout ratt!in& the spoon.

It is &ood to reinfor#e this &ood ehavior $ offerin& a treat, so *hen he #omes at $our #a!! and $ou don@t intend to feed him, &ive him a !itt!e re*ard instead. It #an e a food re*ard, a #udd!e *hi!e te!!in& him *hat a &ood itt$ he is, or $ou #ou!d offer him a to$ and p!a$ *ith him for a *hi!e. Fittens !ove to #hase a *isp of paper tied to a strin&, so it needn@t e an e(pensive to$. Cats respond to indness and p!a$ as *e!! as to food.

If $our itt$ doesn@t #ome prompt!$ to e fed, de#rease the amount of food $ou &ive him. hen he is rea!!$ hun&r$, he *i!! #ome mu#h more prompt!$. This is the time to ratt!e that spoon and #a!! !oud!$.


)9

How to Wal( Your Cat on a $eash It is not the most usua! thin& to see a #at ein& *a!ed on a !eash. Traditiona!!$, it is do&s that have !eads and #ats that roam free. +o*ever, these da$s, *ith so man$ sma!! irds and anima!s on the ver&e of e(tin#tion, $ou ma$ *ant to #onsider trainin& $our #at or itten to *a! on a !eash. This *i!! prevent him from huntin& do*n and i!!in& utterf!ies or sma!! irds. It *i!! eep him from #!imin& trees to tae a$ irds from their nests. It *i!! a!so eep him out of dan&er, as $ou *i!! e monitorin& his *hereaouts in a responsi!e manner.

Rather than ?ust usin& a #o!!ar and !eash to *a! $our #at, thin aout usin& a harness. A #atBs head is %uite sma!! #ompared to the rest of it and a #o!!ar ma$ e in#!ined to pu!! over his head and off. The harness straps shou!d en#ir#!e the ne# and the od$ ?ust ehind the front !e&s, *ith t*o more straps to ?oin the #ir#!es toðer one throu&h the front !e&s and one do*n the a# of the ne#. There *i!! need to e a #!ip for the !eash as *e!!. Li&ht !eather or s$ntheti# materia! is &ood for a #atBs harness. DonBt use an$thin& too heav$ or the #at *i!! re?e#t it.

ItBs a!so important to &et $our #at used to the !oo and fee! of the !eash efore $ou tae him *a!in& in it. After he has e#ome used to seein& the !eash, H$ou #ou!d !eave it in his ed then !et him *ear it for a fe* minutes ea#h da$ efore !eadin& him around $ the !ead. hi!e sti!! indoors, tu& &ent!$ on the !ead *hi!st #a!!in& $our itt$. hen he #omes to $ou, praise him, ut never for#e or s#o!d him if he doesnBt #ome, or heB!! thin the !eash is a punishment.

hen $ou *a! $our #at on his !eash, donBt *a! him the same *a$ as $ou *ou!d a do&. Do&s !ie to run fast and are happ$ to trot at a &ood &ait eside $ou, on#e the$ have !earned to !ead. Cats are %uite different. The$ donBt usua!!$ run or *a! fast in a strai&ht !ine from A to 2. The$ tend to stop and start, to *ander aout and to inspe#t stran&e rust!in&s in the &rass. >or $our #at to en?o$ *a!in& outside *ith $ou, $ou must a!!o* him to do at !east some of these thin&s. 'ever pu!! the #at a!on& rou&h!$. +e *i!! e !ie!$ to tr$ and a# off ver$ %ui#!$. 5ent!$ en#oura&e him to #ome *ith $ou and praise him *hen he #omes in the ri&ht dire#tion. +o!d out treats for him as $ou #a!! him to #ome.


)1

Cats a!so fee! the heat easi!$. ou #anBt e(pe#t to &o for a %ui# run around the !o# on the hot side*a! *ith a #at. Rememer itt$ has no shoes for prote#tion a&ainst the !isterin& heat or #o!d sno*. herever possi!e *a! $our #at in the shade and on &rass. Sun is a!! ri&ht if itBs not ver$ hot.

Respe#t $our #atBs need to rest *hen $ou are *a!in& him. ItBs a &ood thin& to stop and sme!! the roses $ourse!f. Let $our *a! e in a #a!m and stress7free environment. our #at *i!! !ie!$ e afraid of !oud traffi# or sateoarders oomin& past his tai!. ith these fe* pointers, $our #at shou!d soon e&in to en?o$ his dai!$ *a!.


))

How to Teach Your Cat to )it on Command Some peop!e *ou!d have us e!ieve that it is impossi!e to tea#h a #at an$thin&, ut if he #an e tau&ht to #ome for his dinner then he #an e tau&ht other thin&s as *e!!. It ma$ re%uire patien#e and #onstan#$, ut the end resu!t *i!! e *orth it. 'ot man$ #ats have een tau&ht to sit on #ommand, $et it is not impossi!e to tea#h $our #at this tri#. Mae sure $our #at is *ide7a*ae and a !itt!e hun&r$ efore $ou start to tea#h him this one

5et him used to a##eptin& edi!e treats from $our hand, so that he no*s *hen he sme!!s it, that $ou have somethin& in $our hand for him. Choose a time that the #at is standin&. Approa#h him *ith the treat and !et him sme!! that it is in $our #!osed fist. -n#e he has sniffed $our hand, move it over the top of his head. 'ot hi&h aove him or he mi&ht ?ump to rea#h it. ;ust s!ide $our hand over the top of his head, aout one in#h aove it. ou *i!! see that to eep his nose near the treat, he *i!! sit. If he does not sit, &ent!$ push on his a# ?ust in front of the tai! 7 unti! he does.

-f #ourse, $ou must a!so &ive voi#e #ommands. Sa$ JSitK in a firm voi#e at the same time that $ou move $our hand. As soon as itt$ sits, &ive him the treat and praise him. ou need to do this severa! times throu&hout the da$ to remind him *hat it is a!! aout. ItBs no use doin& it on#e this *ee and then for&ettin& a!! aout it unti! ne(t *ee. Cats are not !ie!$ to rememer an$thin& !ie that for a *ho!e *ee.

-n#e $our #at sits %ui#!$ for his treat, $ou #an tr$ doin& it *ith no treat. Sti!! use $our hand motion, ut *ith nothin& in the hand. hen he sits, open the hand and sho* him there is nothin& there, ut sti!! praise and stroe him for oe$in&. The ne(t time $ou do it and he oe$s, have a treat for him, ut &radua!!$ *ean him off the treats. ou *i!! need to mae him sit at !east t*i#e a da$ for some time efore he &ets the han& of it. -n#e he is used to sittin& *ithout a treat, tr$ &ivin& the #ommand *ithout the hand motion. If he does not oe$, &o a# to usin& the hand motion *ith the treat for a *hi!e !on&er. In this *a$ $ou *i!! train $our #at to sit, and it *i!! amae $our friends.


)0

How to Teach Your Cat to Acce#t Brushing Cats !ove to e stroed, so it is eas$ to tea#h $our #at to a##ept rushin&. 2rushin& *i!! he!p to remove !oose hair and prevent itt$ &ettin& a fur a!! stu# in his throat. It a!so he!ps to remove irritatin& pri#!es he ma$ have pi#ed up on his *a!s outside. ou *i!! e a!e to eep tas on his &enera! hea!th if $ou rush him re&u!ar!$, too.

Choose a time *hen itt$ is fee!in& a it s!eep$ and *ants to #ur! up on $our *arm !ap. +ave the rush hand$ so $ou donBt have to distur him to &et it. If he hasnBt seen the rush efore, ho!d it near his fa#e so he #an sniff it a!! over if he *ants. In this *a$ he *i!! understand that it *onBt hurt him and so he *onBt e fri&htened of it. In fa#t, itBs a &ood idea to ru $our o*n hands a!on& the hand!e of the rush so he #an dete#t $our s#ent on it. If heBs used to $ou, he *i!! e reassured that this stran&e too! is to e trusted.

-n#e he has inspe#ted and a##epted the rush, e&in to rush $our #at *ith s!o* and &ent!$ movements. A!*a$s rush *ith the !a$ of the hair, not a&ainst it. If itt$ tries to &ra the rush *ith his pa*s to p!a$ *ith it, put it a*a$ immediate!$. ou donBt *ant him to start p!a$in& ever$ time he sees the rush, $ou *ant him to !earn to eep sti!! and !et $ou rush him.

As soon as itt$ has %uieted do*n, start to rush him a&ain. Start at aout ear !eve! and *or a#*ards *ith a !on&, f!uid movement. 'ever tr$ to rush his fa#e, or $ou mi&ht dama&e his de!i#ate e$es and *hisers. 2rushin& the tan&!es out of ad!$ matted hair #an #ause pain, so e #arefu! to do it &ent!$. If itt$ e(pe#ts pain ever$ time he sees the rush, he *onBt e amena!e to the pro#ess.

Severa! different rushes #an e usefu! *hen &roomin& $our pet. A !ar&e rush *ith stiff rist!es is &ood for the od$, *hi!e a sma!!er, softer rush #an e easier to mana&e the e!!$ and tai!. If $our #at has !on& tai! hairs, $ou ma$ need a rush *ith rist!es that are a !itt!e stiffer then the sma!!er rush has. A #om #an a!so e a hand$ part of $our #at &roomin& too!o(.


)4

How to Teach Your Cat to Ha'e His Nails Cli##ed Cats #an #ause a &reat dea! of dama&e *ith their sharp #!a*s, not on!$ to furniture, a!so to the humans in their househo!d. If $ou have this trou!e, $ou mi&ht *ant to #onsider havin& $our #atBs #!a*s #!ipped. This is espe#ia!!$ important if $ou have sma!! #hi!dren in $our home.

Cat #!ippers are avai!a!e at most pet shops. DonBt use the same #!ippers on $our #at that $ou ma$ use for $ourse!f. These are not ri&ht for an anima! and *i!! pin#h his #!a*s painfu!!$. ItBs a &ood idea to &et $our itt$ used to havin& his #!a*s hand!ed ri&ht from *hen he is tin$. ait unti! he is fee!in& s!eep$  on $our !ap is a &ood p!a#e to have him. +and!e his pa*s and #!a*s fre%uent!$ $ &ent!$ ho!din& them s%ueein& them, pi#in& them up and &enera!!$ p!a$in& &ent!$ *ith them. In this *a$, he *i!! see that $ou mean him no harm *hen tou#hin& his feet. Rememer that #atsB feet are ver$ sensitive and tender.

ou *i!! e a!e to mae itt$ unsheathe his #!a*s if $ou &ent!$ s%ueee his pa*s. Run $our fin&ers &ent!$ over the #!a*s severa! times, ut if he tries to s#rat#h $ou, simp!$ stop and *ait unti! he e#omes s!eep$ a&ain. It ma$ tae severa! da$s for itt$ to e&in to a##ept havin& his #!a*s and pa*s tou#hed. It is *ise to do it often, even *hen his #!a*s donBt need #!ippin&, e#ause then he *i!! e so used to it he *onBt mind.

-n#e $ou thin he is happ$ to have $ou p!a$ *ith his #!a*s and he doesnBt tr$ to s#rat#h $ou, $ou #an introdu#e the #!ippers. A&ain, *ait unti! he is in a s!eep$ mood efore $ou start to #!ip. It ma$ e a &ood thin& for $ou to ?ust ho!d him, *hi!e another person does the #!ippin&, that *a$ $ouB!! e a!e to prevent an$ sudden movements on itt$Bs part that #ou!d resu!t in in?ur$ to him or $ou.

hen $ou are p!a$in& *ith itt$Bs #!a*s, tae a &ood !oo and $ouB!! see the pinish #!oud$ part near *here the nai! #omes out of its sheath. That is the e%uiva!ent to the %ui# of a humans nai!. 2e sure to never #!ip into this part or $ou *i!! #ause a &reat dea! of pain to itt$ and his #!a*s *i!! !eed. If itt$ tru!$ doesnBt !ie to &et his nai!s


)

#!ipped and $et the$ must e done, he #an e *rapped up in a to*e! to he!p ho!d him and prote#t $ou from s#rat#hes.

Some peop!e have their #atBs front #!a*s removed. It #an e a painfu! pro#ess, ut if $ou have a #at that $ou ?ust are not a!e to train not s#rat#h $our anti%ue furniture this #an e an option. This pro#ess shou!d on!$ e done $ a veterinarian and if $ou fo!!o* his, or her, instru#tions the initia! dis#omfort is short !ived.


)6

How to Teach Your Cat Tric(s -rom Natural Beha'iors The est *a$ to tea#h a #at tri#s is $ main& use of his natura! ehavior. In the oo $ou *i!! often see a !ion or ti&er that *i!! ?ump for his food. In the *i!d, these anima!s do su#h thin&s natura!!$. The$ are a part of the #atBs norma! ehavior, so this maes it mu#h easier to train them. So *hat other natura! ehaviors do #ats have3

The$ !ove to #!im and ?ump, so an$ tri# that in#!udes this *i!! e one that itt$ shou!d tae to *ith no trou!e. >or instan#e, $ou #ou!d tea#h him to ?ump from one stoo! to another to &et his food. -f #ourse, if he then *ants to ?ump from the stoo! onto the #ounter *here $ou donBt *ant him, $ou mi&ht have a pro!em.

Cats !ove to #hase and poun#e on an$thin& that rust!es, so that if $ou have a tri# *here $ou *ant itt$ to #hase somethin&, mae sure it a!so rust!es. Litt!e ittens are more p!a$fu! than mature #ats, so this is a &ood time to tea#h them tri#s. Fittens *i!! often #hase a shado* on the f!oor. If this is the shado* of $our hand, $ou #an mae it &o up the *a!! and itt$ *i!! ?ump after it.

An o!der #at *i!! often #hase a tennis a!! the #hi!dren are hittin& to ea#h other a#ross the $ard, espe#ia!!$ if it oun#es. To the #at, it !oos !ie a mouse oundin& a!on&. This ehavior #an often e in#orporated into *hat seems to e some ind of tri#, ut in rea!it$, it is a natura! ehavior modified or added to and the resu!t e#omes a tri#.

Cats are ver$ %ui# to see movin& thin&s, so $ou #an &et $our #at to !oo as if it is shain& its head, ?ust $ usin& a movement at ea#h side of the room. This #an e started up a it #!oser, then &radua!!$ moved further a*a$. A noise ma$ e used first, to &et the #at to !oo that *a$.

hen tea#hin& $our #at tri#s, donBt #onfuse him $ tr$in& to do severa! at on#e. se one movement or tri# at a time and stop as soon as itt$ !oses interest. Choose the time of da$ that itt$ seems to e most p!a$fu! to en#oura&e these p!a$fu! ehaviors and itt$ *i!! soon #ome to !oo for*ard to them. In no time $ouB!! have him doin&


)8

tri#s and heB!! thin itBs the est fun heBs ever had. DonBt for&et to re*ard him ever$ time he does somethin& $ou *ant him to and a!*a$s e patient. 'ever punish itt$ if he doesnBt do *hat $ou *ant.


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Cat Training

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