Cat Training

You Want Me To What?

Ever heard of cat training?

It's commonly believed that you can't train a cat. That cat's are so in control and uninterested in humans that you are more likely to end up doing what a cat wants than the other way around.

Cats are aloof, arrogant, self-reliant, and too cool to behave.

They do what they want, when they want and not before.

Sounds like any attempts at training would be futile, right?

Well, not necessarily.

I've found a resource that teaches how to train your cat in useful commands like sit, stay or come. And they even go so far as to train cats in tricks like jumping through hoops, twirling and high jumping.

The last three are useful for getting indoor cats active and provides fulfilling playtime with their owners and look! No claws!

Why Would I Try Cat Training?

It's true, cats are generally pretty happy being independent and spending time by themselves.

But just like people, cats have their own personalities and while all cats enjoy human contact, some need more than others.

For house cats in particular, spending time training your cat helps to build an affectionate rapport with your cat, as well as making it clear that you are top cat.

Generally, cats fit in with our households so well that we don't even think of training them. Kitten training is pretty straight forward. Kittens tend to learn to use their kitty litter easily, or to toilet outside and they do an excellent job of keeping themselves clean. So the usual regime of training that may be necessary for say, a dog, just doesn't seem to apply.

Here are some points to think about:

• Training your cat helps to build the rapport between you and your cat.
• It establishes your role in the household as the top cat.
• It provides an excellent outlet for play and activity.
• It helps to teach your cat how to behave in a positive way with people (no play with teeth or claws).
• Cats love the routine of training.

What Is Involved In Cat Training?

There are two main approaches to cat training. They are:

• Target Training
• Clicker Training

Target Training
In a nutshell, this training method uses a 'tool' to direct your cat's attention to the desired behavior. For example, if you wanted to teach your cat to beg, you would use your tool, in this case a long stick with a fluffy feather on the tip, to attract the cat's attention upwards until she is sitting up on her haunches in the 'beg' position, and then reward her.

Clicker Training
A clicker (a small noise making device) is clicked every time the cat performs a desired behavior followed immediately by a small treat. The idea is that the clicker helps to condition the cat to respond to commands by associating the clicker with a reward. For example, if you wanted to teach your cat to sit, then at the precise moment your cat sat down you would click the clicker, praise your cat and give her a small treat. You can't give your cat a treat when she's in the process of sitting, it's too confusing. So having the clicker allows you to pinpoint the moment your cat has done something that earns a reward.

Cat Training Resource

You will find more tips on cat training and a free sample of how to train your kitten to 'sit' here…

But why would you stop at 'sit', when there are a whole range of commands that cats are capable of and enjoy following.

Training your cat to follow commands doesn't just make your life easier; it can also help to improve the relationship you gave with your cat.

Too often gentle play can turn into a full blown attack leaving you scratched and bewildered. Training your cat helps to keep this in check as well as teaching you both a new way to play that keeps those teeth and claws completely out of the picture.

The best resource I've been able to find on cat training is the Complete Cat Training Book.

Not only does this book cover cat training step-by-step, it also covers how to solve problem cat behavior, cat psychology and how to improve affection with your cat.

The book comes with a money back guarantee and a free email consultation with a cat behavior expert, plus more freebies on cat treats and cat pampering. Check it out here…

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