How to train a cat.
How to train a cat is a small article on basic cat training.
Cats can be trained, as well as dogs. A cat can be trained to perform on cue. All successful animal training is accomplished through praise and food rewards.
Compare a cat and a dog ! A dog is built from nature to be a pack animal, which means – to be dominated by a higher ranking member of the pack (owner). On the contrary, cats being solitary predators (hunts for living), and will by nature avoid or attack those who show hostility towards them. (enemy or owner). The key thing in the training program is to spot the food treat immediately each time, it responds to a verbal cue from the owner, followed by a desired behavior, from the cat.
A cat should come, when called upon. This is of course basic feline training for cat-owners. Even though your cat is a “house” cat, it should always anyway master this simple etiquette.
Chose your lines, do the Kitty, Kitty, Kitty-line or simple call it by name. I prefer to call my cats by name. They are still part of the family. Call the cat before serving his most wanted meal a day and reward it for coming with a special food treat. (same training as with dogs and horses).
If your cat has a destructive scratching problem, it is very easy to solve. It is very easy to train a cat to scratch on a post. The scratching post must meet some basic criteria to be acceptable to the cat;
A) Dimensions should be right for cat size
B) Made of soft wood, not carpet
C) Mounted stable
It should be placed in front of the previous scratching target or offer – usually in a room where cat and family spends time together. To encourage the cat to use it, scratch on the post yourself with your nails and call the over. Praise the cat, whenever he uses the post.
It will soon become a natural habit for the cat.
Good Luck
