Can you train a cat the same way you might train a dog? Well … yes and no.
When we first adopted our young cat Annie, she would chase a small ball, retrieve it and drop it at our feet and chase it again. Of course, now in her senior years, she couldn’t be bothered to chase anything, unless it’s a “treat.”
I think we would all agree that cats are highly independent animals. Many cats appear aloof or uninterested in following your commands, but that doesn’t mean you can’t influence their behavior. If you’re patient and consistent, your new kitten or older cat can be trained in no time.
Before you start training your cat, however, consider what commands you’ll use and what types of behavioral actions you want them to learn. Some common objectives are (source: Erin Ollila, http://erinollila.com):
1. House training or litter training: Because some kittens take to potty training quickly (or even before coming home with you) after watching their mother use a litter box, this type of training time may be brief. However, you may still need to lead her back to the box in the early stages to remind her where it is.
Courtesy/Metro Creative
2. Interacting with you, other people, or other animals: You want your cat to learn to be social, not territorial. Shortly after bringing her home, invite friends or family members over to socialize; just remind them not to be too forward. Practice training in small spurts. If you only bring the new kitten and a pre-existing pet together in the living room, she may believe the other animal only exists in that space. She needs to understand she’ll encounter that pet in other areas as well.
3. Playing with toys: If you’re training your kitten to play with her toys, the lessons might be more gradual. Cats often prefer to explore new toys on their own, which means your role should be to respect her space while remaining approachable during her exploration. Then once she’s acquainted herself with a new item, you can participate.
4. Use a reward system: Rewards are great motivators, especially during training. There are two types. First, she will enjoy any positive praise you have to share. Speak in a kind, upbeat voice. Say, “What a good girl” and “good job!” while petting or scratching her fur so she knows these gestures mean well. Cats also respond well to treats. Reward her when she correctly masters the commands you’re working on. One method is to use a “clicker” system; when your can performs the correct action, sound a tool that clicks, and then give her a treat that signals a job well done. Hearing this noise each time she does well will reinforce good behavior.
If it isn’t working: Training doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes your cat will make a mistake. You should come up with a plan for how to correct or guide her when she seems reluctant to catch on. Punishment doesn’t work well when you’re trying to train a kitten, because she simply won’t understand why she’s in trouble. In fact, it could make her worse and feel more reclusive. Keep your voice calm and never physically correct your kitten during training. If your cat feels threatened by you, not only will training begin to fail, but she’ll only learn to be afraid of you.
Teaching your cat to behave in certain ways will help her become social and content around humans and other animals. Training is also important for your own well-being; if your cat learns to be calm during nail-trimming or travel, there will be no anxiety for her or you. The better mannered your cat is, the better your relationship will be.
Training your cat can be a fun experience for your entire family. Just remember to be patient and positive.
Stop by The Central Aroostook Humane Society and follow us on Facebook. Remember to be responsible: spay and neuter your pets.
