The Ultimate Guide To How To Train Your Cat?

Basic cat training can initially assist you in teaching your cat to come to you when called, get in and out of a cat carrier, tolerate being handled for basic health checks, or have their claws cut. If feasible, it’s ideal to begin cat training from a young age.

How to train your cat? When most people think about animal training, they think of commands like stay, turn over, and give a paw. However, if your cat learns to perform more or less of anything due to your activities, you train or teach them. Cat training has the extra benefit of allowing you to engage with your feline companion.

Are There Any Commands That You Can Teach Cats?

On the other hand, cats may be taught to do certain things. Cats can learn a variety of commands. Sitting, rolling over, and shaking a paw are instructions that cats may learn. We must be highly motivated, set aside some time, and, most importantly, be patient while training cats because they prefer to do things at their own pace.

Where Do I Start With Training My Kitten?

The most effective way to educate your cat is to use positive reinforcement. This entails praising your cat for exhibiting desirable behaviour. You want your cat to enjoy learning and be encouraged to do so. The cat is more likely to do what we want them to do if they enjoy it.

Training Goals

The most prevalent goals are:

• Housebreaking or litter training is used to describe the process of teaching a dog
• They’ll come to you if you make a call or gesture.
• For grooming, be calm and motionless.
• Whether it’s with you, other people, or animals
• Playing with toys, you, or another cat is a favourite pastime.
• Taking a peaceful journey, such as getting into a carrier and travelling in a car.

There are several compelling reasons to understand why and how to train your cat. Above all, teaching her appropriate behaviour will assist her in being social and content in the company of humans and other animals.

In a nutshell, cat training is associating words with natural behaviour and rewarding your cat for obeying.

Tricks That You May Teach Your Cat To Do

Calm And Kind

Encourage your cats to perceive hands as a constant source of pleasure. Dab a little homemade or store-bought treat paste on your knuckles or the back of your hand to avoid biting. Say “gentle” when your cat or kitten licks your hand, and calmly withdraw your hand if she tries to squeeze or bite.

It’s Worth Keeping An Eye On

Toss high-value goodies at your cat’s paws, then say “Find It” once your cat has found out how to catch them. It’s as easy as that. Tupperware containers or even your hands may then be used to play the shell game. Encourage licking with a glob of kitten paste if she claws or bites your hand. Reveal the goodie once she gently touches or licks your palm with her paw.

1. SIT

Click and praise your cat whenever she sits. You’ll soon see your cat sitting to cue you when you bring out the treats. Once you’ve figured out her behaviour, add the phrase “sit.” After that, use a targeted wand or a pointing signal to entice her into position. This stance is deserving of a click and a reward. Use the clicker and rewards intermittently to phase out clicking every correct response gradually.

2. Stay Seated On Your Mat.

Usually, a cat pad can be constructed by placing a flat mat, towel, or cloth napkin on the counter, couch, or tabletop. Curiosity won’t kill your cat, but it will make her lose her mind! Click as she walks across the mat.

Then toss a reward slightly away from the mat to entice your cat back for another round. Using the word “on your mat” as a trigger, gradually introduce it. Introduce the “stay” cue after your cat goes to her mat freely and stays there. Use the mat to attract your cat to stay in a specific area while eating or to prepare food, such as her cat tree.

Come

Cats may learn to come when they first enter your home. Combine happy memories with the sound of a treat cup being shaken with the word “coming.” Place goodies in a cup or container, shake them and praise your cat until they know the sound. When your cat comes, click and give her a treat. Reduce the time between saying “come” and shaking the rewards until she reacts.

1. In the Container

Most cats will readily leap inside a box or examine a bag. Having a guideline for this action is helpful when it comes time to draw out the cat carrier. Pull out the cat carrier well before you need it, stuff it with treats, and even give your cat or kitten breakfast. When your cat jumps into the page or box, click and praise him. Add the “in the box” trigger.

2. Target

You may use a handmade or store-bought target wand or simply your finger. You may train your cat to be aware of the target by positioning it two inches from his nose. Click and reward her the instant she touches it.

3. Marking with a coloured pen or any other clue

Many cat trainers choose clicker trainers because they assist cats in recognizing the particular behaviour you want to reward with perfect timing and a distinct sound. The clicker training approach does not need the purchase of a clicker.

When partnered with a high-value treat, a ballpoint pen or the click of your tongue is an equally powerful sound marker. Other training tricks may include jumping, begging or requesting, using high five, etc.

Concentrate On Specific Behaviour

While cats may learn many things at once, it is believed that teaching them one thing at a time is the most successful method. Allow your cat to master the current goal before going on to the next one for the best results.

Good Conduct Is To Reward

Usually, positive reinforcement works exceptionally well with cats. Our favourite pets enjoy participating in activities that benefit them. As a result, anytime your kitty performs admirably, praise her, scratch her, or give her a treat.

Every time you give them a gift, you can use the clicker. They’ll be able to relate the goal, the reward, and the clicker sound.

Punishing Poor Behaviour Is Not A Good Idea

Usually, punishment has a negative effect on cats. This disciplinary approach has been proven ineffective, and it frequently causes tension and worry. Instead, attempt to divert your cat whenever you notice undesirable behaviour. Make a quick, sharp sound if you’re teaching them not to scratch the furniture.

Subsequently, the cat will become preoccupied, and the action will halt. Avoid using famous words such as “hey” or “no,” and keep your sound choices constant. This prevents them from being perplexed when they hear these sounds in various circumstances.

Impudent Behaviour Must Be Corrected

Many of us would instead start with the basics before moving on to more advanced techniques. We want our cats to utilize their litter boxes and avoid trouble like biting, furniture scratching, and counter climbing.

Getting The Cat To Stop Biting

It’s crucial to understand when and why your cat bites in the first place to complete this task. Is it a harsh player, or does it retaliate if you infringe on their personal space? Stop playing as soon as your cat starts biting and scratching you throughout the game. Distract yourself from the activity by standing or sitting still and ignoring your pet.

If you stick to this strategy, they’ll figure out that you won’t play with them if they’re too harsh.

Making Your Cat Use The Litter Box Is A Difficult Task

The first step is to find a litter box for your cat that is an ideal solution. It should be conveniently accessible and in a calm, secluded location that isn’t too far away. Maintain a clean and fresh litter box at all times. After eating, place the cat in the litter box and gently scrape the sand with its front paw until they urinate.

Yes, your cat should rapidly figure out the litter box’s function.

Bottom Line On How To Train Your Cat

If you’re serious about teaching your cat skills but are having problems, get help from a local trainer. Just make sure that they are familiar with cats. Also, be sure that everybody you recruit believes in positive reinforcement.