Cat Training Tips And Strategies

Cats are typically self-sufficient and thus do not need a lot of training. It is unfortunate, though, that some kittens can form bad habits as they mature. Such bad habits are common in cats that have been adopted, neglected, abused, taken in as a stray, or even purchased from a breeder. Even then, though, it seems that cats have a natural instinct guiding them to the litter box and thus a majority of them do not require "potty training."

An essential component of cat training is rewarding your cat for appropriate behavior. Many pet owners make the mistake of only punishing their cat when they misbehave and scratch the furniture, for example. However, this is unlikely to be a successful training method because cats simply don't understand what you mean when you shout at them or punish them.

One of the things cats love to do most is scratch, they also need to do this. The reason is because it helps them remove the old layers of their nails. So its essential that you purchase your cat something to scratch on like a scratching post. They may not use them at first because they will prefer their normal spots of clawing. The good news is though that you can train a cat to use them! One way to do this is to confine the kitten to one room that contains its scratching and climbing posts and with nothing else to scratch or climb on it iwll eventually use them.

If your cat still doesn't want to use the posts, there are a couple of things you can try in order to make the post more appealing. Placing treats on the platforms of the climbing posts or putting catnip on the scratching post may encourage your cat to use it. It is important however, to never force the cat's claws into the posts in order to try to teach them how to use the post. Forcing your cat in this way will cause it to develop a dislike for the post. This is very important to keep in mind during kitten training.

Having ready the right reward in cat training allows you to teach them to answer to certain commands. Prime examples of this are telling your cat to meow, sit up, or even fetch like a dog. You must be certain to give them a treat after the desired behavior. You can also use a clicker, which is commonly used for dog training though, but will give the same desired effect. Each time your cat obeys your command make it click and give it a treat. This will help it learn.

During your cat training routine, it is important that the treats you award to your animal are healthy. Remember to stay positive, and that any negativity toward your cat during training will only scare him or her and harm the pet and owner relationship. Stay firm, and know that by teaching your cat good behavior you will ensure your cat (and yourself) a happier, healthier life.