Are You Having A Hard Time Training Your Cat?

If you are having a hard time training your cat then the following will be very very important to you.

Successful cat training involves a lot of time playing with your cat. The playing should be gentle and often, it helps with bonding and loving each other.

Most cat training e-books tell you that the food reward or treat is an important factor, but so is the love and trust factor. The cat has to want to please you.

The very best example I have ever seen of domestic cat training was at a sunset celebration in Key West. The celebration is of tourists enjoying various entertainment acts, put on by the locals. It was a pass the hat and donate, if you enjoyed the performance.

There was a man by the name of Dominique Le Fort -catmankeywest - who had beautiful long hair, white cats. The cats each had a carrier for when they were not doing their thing. When they were, they each had a simple bar stool that they sat on. Unfazed by the crowd and all the noise. They would leap from stool to stool, through hoops and do all kinds of other neat tricks. It was truly incredible to watch.

He had to have spent many hours, days and months in training them. The cats were a delight for the big crowd. Mr. LeForte and his cats are still performing at the Hilton Pier in Key West.

Most of us will be happy if we can get our cat to respond immediately, to our summons or when we tell them no. First they must learn their name, use it often. They must also learn your language, both verbal and physical body.

For each thing you try to teach them, use a food treat/ reward. Be generous with your praise, when they do something correctly. Do things in brief segments, because their attention span is short, if they are not in the stalking mode. Make sure that what you are asking your cat to do, is safe for the cats well being, or you will destroy the trust factor.

Playing with your cat is simple and fun and can be accomplished in a couple of minutes here and there. A TV commercial is an excellent time. Make sure that the toys are safe. Each cat seems to like different items to play with.

Our cats have been rescued and they have very different requirements for what will get them to play. They may get bored with a toy after awhile and then you must find something new.

We have one cat who could be on a soccer team, she loves to play with a soft kids ball, but she wants to hide behind a curtain and bat the ball out to you. Our new rescued cat loves bottle caps [food safe] which he directs under the pantry door. Then he opens up the door and bats it back out. He also likes the back scratcher to gently scratch his back and tickle his tummy.

They have both become experts at opening our pocket doors, when they want out of a room. Trial and patience's will help you discover what your cat likes and enjoys.

A vigorous play time before your bedtime can help to ensure a good nights sleep. The more jumping and running the better you will sleep. A tired, well fed cat will help to alter its natural nocturnal needs.

Remember that a bored cat is a mischievous cat. It will find something to do. Playing with your cat, gives it a good outlet for its mental and physical needs and also helps to keep it healthy, because it is exercising. Don't just toss it a toy and ignore it. A cat needs some show of love and attention. It will also relieve your stress and gives you some exercise.

Please use a lot of common sense in choosing your cats toys. They must be safe and a good guide is that would they be safe for a kid under three years of age.

Stuffed toys should be machine washable and be very careful about what they are stuffed with. No nut shells or polystyrene beads. Cat nip is a mind altering drug. Yarn, ribbons and strings can be chewed and ingested.

Put them away when play time is finished. Vets are very expensive these days and you don't want to harm your cat. Be safe not sorry!