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How to Train Your Cat: A Step-by-Step Guide

When you are preparing for any training, the first step would be to learn about the wild instincts of your cat. While dogs are pack animals, cats on the other hand are more solitary creatures and they do not need to please people. This means that in the case of cats there is the requirement of perseverance and a different kind of strategy. The first step in this instance would not be to try trouble or scold the cat for misbehaviour. Instead a somewhat psychologically different approach is required — the positive reinforcement. Good deeds or behaviours would help build a sense and trust in your cat which would cause them to do these actions time and again. Cats are motivated best when they know that they would be pampered and showered with things for making pets of themselves. As in all life, for the training the essence is simple: positive reinforcement.

Litter Box Training Pet Cats

Use of a litter box is the first thing that every cat owner should be able to teach his or her cat. You have to retrain cat to use litter box. Some cats may pick this up with ease, however, it is still wise to make sure the process is as pain free as possible. First of all, it is important to pick the right type of litter box. It should be large enough and should be located in a quiet but reachable spot. Since cats are very clean, they will refrain from using a dirty litter box which is why cleaning is important. Also when you notice that your cat has used the litter box successfully, provide them with a treat or caress them as it helps to increase the exercise. As long there is maintenance and practice, litter box training is a task that can even be manageable for most cat owners. This is the answer to your question about how to train your cat.

Clicker Training for Cats

Cats can be trained to respond to new commands by using clicker training which is easy to do. It involves making a click sound with a small device and then rewarding your cat. The principle behind this technique is to reinforce the cat’s behaviour with the click and a reward. First off, you need to click the device and then give your cat the treat so that the message is clear. Later on, when your cat is, for example, performing the clicks and you want to encourage that action; you can always use the clicker to reinforce the action. Later on, cat owners are aware that the clicker is synonymous with ‘good behaviour’ so they act intelligently and follow the commands. This technique is the most suitable, as learners have different comprehension levels and work at their pace.

How to Train Your Cat to Come When Called?

It may prove beneficial for you to instruct your cat to come when called. Though with a reputation for their independence, cats can be taught to respond to their name or a command. Select a specific word or phrase that you would like to use consistently such as “come”, “here”, or calling your cat’s name. Whenever your cat comes over to you, praise it or give it a treat. Eventually, your cat will begin to understand that answering your calls produces useful results, and so it will be more willing to respond when called. This command may come in handy when searching for your cat or when calling it back into the house.

Teaching Your Cat to Sit Down

It can be fairly easy to teach your cat some tricks, such as how to sit down, using both encouragement in the form of treats and time as well. First, place a treat near the tip of the cat’s nose, and slowly move it upwards. The cat will lean back in an effort to follow the treat, which will cause its body to lower into a sitting position. When the cat busies itself with sitting down, do not hesitate and offer it a treat and your praise. Do this several times and begin saying the word ‘sit’ just prior to the cat performing the action. With time and practice, the cat will learn to sit on command, which is quite a skill to possess.

Addressing Cats’ Behavioral Problems

Unfortunately, not every behaviour can be trained, including the tendency to scratch the furniture, or biting. Cats scratch to either mark their territory or sharpen their claws. While this is normal behaviour, it can be a concern for homes as it is their furniture that gets targeted. Please resolve the issue by providing aggressive scratchers with a designated scratching post. If the furniture is gloated, they should be redirected gently and praised if they use the designated post. Cats can also bite when overly excited, frightened or startled and it is critical to ascertain the circumstances. Steer clear of aggressive displays, and while playing, teach your cat to be gentle. If biting happens during playing, give a ‘time out’ to your cat so they learn that biting makes playtime stop. You can use the best cat treats for training to train your cat.

Conclusion

Just like in the case of a dog, training of a cat requires a lot of patience and consistency. It is worth noting, however, that, unlike these canines, cats may take a slightly longer time to learn the commands but with consistency, they can still be trained. A couple of 5 to 10 minutes sessions every day is the best approach for the training of cats since they have a short attention span. After several days, you will witness progress as your cat begins to obey your commands and improve her behaviour. There is need for training not only because training will assist in behaviour pattern but also improve the relationship between you and your kitty creating a more peaceful environment between the two of you.

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