How YOU Can Train Your CAT!

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Table of Contents
C!i#" on the Chapter Tit!e to for*ard to a topi#.

........................................................................................................................................1 +o* ,-. Can Train ,our CAT/..................................................................................1 Dis#!aimer.......................................................................................................................) Ta !e of Contents............................................................................................................0 C!i#" on the Chapter Tit!e to for*ard to a topi#.............................................................0 1hat 2asi# Trainin& Does ,our Cat 'eed3..................................................................4 +o* to 5ain the Respe#t of ,our Cat............................................................................6 +o* To Litter7 o( Train ,our 'e* Cat........................................................................8 1hat Cat 2ehaviors 'eed to e 2ro"en3.....................................................................19 +o* to Stop S#rat#hin& and C!a*in&...........................................................................1) +o* to :revent ,our Cat Eatin& +ousep!ants.............................................................10 +o* to Stop ,our Cat ;umpin& on Counters and Ta !es.............................................16 +o* to Stop ,our Cat Runnin& -ut the Door.............................................................1< 1hat Cat 2ehaviors 'eed to e Learned3....................................................................)9 +o* to Tea#h ,our Cat to Come 1hen Ca!!ed...........................................................)0 +o* to 1a!" ,our Cat on a Leash...............................................................................)4 +o* to Tea#h ,our Cat to Sit on Command................................................................)8 +o* to Tea#h ,our Cat to A##ept 2rushin&................................................................)< +o* to Tea#h ,our Cat to +ave +is 'ai!s C!ipped.....................................................)= +o* to Tea#h ,our Cat Tri#"s >rom 'atura! 2ehaviors.............................................01

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What Basic Training Does Your Cat Need

Cats are anima!s. +umans are anima!s as *e!! ut supposed!$ of a hi&her order. In order to !ive to&ether in a #ompaniona !e and happ$ re!ationship there are some thin&s that $our #at needs to !earn. -*nin& an anima! of an$ sort shou!d e more p!easure than pain, ut there *i!! e #onsidera !e pain if the anima! is in #ontro! of the househo!d. So *hat is the asi# trainin& $our #at needs, to esta !ish a happ$ re!ationship in the fami!$3 >irst, there is toi!et trainin&. There *ou!d e nothin& *orse than to #ome home from a hard da$ at the offi#e to find an unmentiona !e !ump on $our est edspread. So *here to &o to the toi!et is one of the most important thin&s to train $our #at or "itten. Cats are natura!!$ #!ean anima!s so it is %uite eas$ to train to use a !itter tra$. Simp!$ p!a#e him on it after his mea!. -ther asi# trainin& ma$ depend on *here $ou !ive. If $ou !ive in an apartment, $ou ma$ need to train $our #at to !ead so that $ou #an ta"e him outside. If $ou !ive in the #ountr$, this ma$ not e ne#essar$. If $ou !ive #!ose to ma?or traffi#, ut have a a#"$ard, $ou ma$ need to train $our #at to "eep a*a$ from the road, other*ise he is !i"e!$ to &et run over. Another important item that *i!! need attention is to stop $our #at from s#rat#hin& the furniture. Cats !ove to s#rat#h and it is their nature to sharpen their #!a*s. The$ don@t ?ust do it to ruin furniture, ut this is *hat *i!! happen if the$ are not trained. Remove $our #at from the furniture immediate!$ he starts to s#rat#h and p!a#e his pa*s a&ainst his s#rat#hin& po!e. If $ou trave! a !ot and *ish to ta"e $our #at *ith $ou, trave! trainin& is a must. It@s not *ise to a!!o* $our #at freedom in the #ar, as it ma$ happen to #!im onto $ou *hi!e $ou are drivin& and this #an #ause an a##ident. A!so, if $ou happen to have an a##ident

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*ith the #at !oose in the #ar, it #ou!d e in?ured unne#essari!$. A #at trave! #a&e shou!d e used, ut ma"e sure it is steadied $ usin& a seat e!t to ho!d it in p!a#e. -ne more important thin& to train $our #at in is not to #!im up the s#reen doors and *indo*s. To save $our s#reen from ein& torn to shreds, insta!! a #at door and train "itt$ ho* to &o throu&h it. Most peop!e start out *ith a "itten rather than a fu!!7&ro*n #at, so it is easier to train them. -n#e #ats are fu!!$ &ro*n it is ver$ hard to rea" them of #ertain ad ha its, so start *hi!e the$ are $oun& and "eep it up. Don@t !et them &et a*a$ *ith ehavior that is not a##epta !e to $ou.

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How to !ain the "es#ect of Your Cat

1henever *e humans de#ide to "eep an anima! as a pet, there are some &round ru!es that shou!d e esta !ished. Remem er that $our territor$ is not $our petBs natura! territor$ and that a!! anima!s sti!! ehave as anima!s no matter *here the$ !ive. Tr$in& to #han&e $our #at@s ad ehavior re%uires #onsisten#$ and patien#e. If $ou !ove $our #at the !ast thin& $ou *ant is to seem !i"e the enem$ 7 someone to e dis!i"ed or even feared. So ho* #an $ou train $our #at so that his ehavior is a##epta !e in $our *or!d and sti!! remain friends3 The ans*er is not to !et him ru!e the roost. ,our #at *i!! not respe#t $ou if he is the oss. ,ou need to !et him "no* *ho is oss *hi!e sti!! &ainin& his trust and affe#tion. This means that he must e re*arded positive!$ *ith treats and #udd!es *hen he does thin&s that $ou approve of. 2ut *hen he insists on doin& thin&s he "no*s $ou don@t !i"e, $ou must remain #a!m, ut ?ust as determined to &et $our *a$, as he is to &et his *a$. >rom the time the$ are "ittens, #ats *i!! o e$ the authorit$ of the %ueen #atC in other *ords, their mother. So $ou have to adopt that p!a#e in the #at@s !ife. -ne *a$ to do this is to #arr$ the "itten around $ the s#ruff of his ne#" o##asiona!!$. This is the *a$ in *hi#h his mother *ou!d have moved him. The s#ruff of the ne#" is the !oose s"in on the a#" of the ne#". It is %uite eas$ to &ra and does not hurt either "itten or &ro*n #at to e #arried this *a$. ,ou *i!! noti#e *hen $ou pi#" him up !i"e this he *i!! sudden!$ &o !imp and ?ust han& there. That is *hat he *ou!d do if his mother had him in her mouth $ the s#ruff. Even if $our #at is no !on&er a "itten, he *i!! !et $ou #arr$ him $ the s#ruff *ithout #omp!aint. So *hen $ou find him doin& thin&s he shou!dn@t do, pi#" him up $ the s#ruff of the ne#" and put him do*n a*a$ from his mis#hief. Ma"e sure $our "itt$ has p!ent$ of p!a$ and stimu!ation so that he is not ored and he *i!! e a etter7 ehaved #at, too. Soft and s%uea"$ to$s *i!! "eep his attention fo#used on p!a$ instead of mis#hief. Even a #ard oard o( or !ar&e paper a& to #reep into *i!! entertain him for hours.

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How To $itter%bo& Train Your New Cat

-ne of the most important thin&s to do *ith $our ne* #at or "itten is to train it to use the !itter o(. In the *i!d, one of a #at@s more usefu! ehaviors is to s#rat#h a ho!e in some "ind of soft medium to &o to the toi!et. This ehavior is sti!! stron& in domesti#ated #ats, *hi#h ma"es it easier to train them. 1hen #ats have a##ess to a $ard 7 espe#ia!!$ one *ith a &arden, the$ *i!! often prefer to &o outside. 2ut if $our #at is #onfined to the house or apartment, it is ne#essar$ to provide him *ith a !itter tra$ or o( to prevent pudd!es and other nast$ thin&s happenin& to $our f!oor. The !itter tra$ shou!d e *ide and sha!!o*, ut *ith verti#a! sides. This *i!! he!p to retain the medium *hen the #at is s#rat#hin& and di&&in&. It shou!d e in a p!a#e *here human traffi# is at a minimum. The !aundr$ is often the p!a#e #hosen for the !itter tra$. Sand #ou!d e used in the tra$, ut #ommer#ia! #at7!itter is est due to its hi&h a sor en#$. And #ats seem to !ove usin& it. If $ou have a ne* "itten, it is not too ear!$ to start trainin& him to use the !itter o( immediate!$. As soon as he has finished drin"in& his mi!", ta"e him to the !itter tra$ and set him do*n &ent!$ on the !itter. It@s a &ood idea to feed him #!ose to the !itter tra$ at first, so he *i!! "no* *here it is. If $ou feed $our ne* "itten in the "it#hen and then #arr$ him into the !aundr$ to the !itter tra$, $ou #annot e(pe#t him to "no* his *a$ into the !aundr$ the ne(t time round. So feed the "itten ne(t to the !itter tra$ unti! the ha it of usin& it is *e!! esta !ished. After this, it *i!! e possi !e to #han&e the feedin& p!a#e if desired. If the "itten does a pudd!e an$*here e!se ut in the !itter tra$, e sure to #!ean it up *ith stron& sme!!in& disinfe#tant to #omp!ete!$ remove the odor, other*ise "itt$ *i!! simp!$ fo!!o* his nose ne(t time he *ants to &o. -n#e $ou have p!a#ed the "itten onto the !itter tra$ a fe* times, he *i!! soon &et the idea of *hat he is supposed to do. Cats and "ittens are ver$ eas$ to train to use a !itter tra$. :!a#in& an attra#tive #over over the !itter tra$ is a &ood idea, ut ma"e sure "itt$

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"no*s ho* to use the tra$ *ithout the #over first. Then $ou #an #over it up and sho* him the *a$ in.

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What Cat Beha'iors Need to be Bro(en

There are severa! #at ehaviors that are not a##epta !e for pets. +o*ever, mu#h *i!! depend on $our o*n st$!e of !ivin& and *hether $ou !ive in the #ountr$ or the #it$. -ne of the *orst #at ehaviors is s#rat#hin&C that is, s#rat#hin& humans. Cats@ #!a*s #an inf!i#t rather nast$ s#rat#hes, so this is one ehavior that shou!d e dis#oura&ed as mu#h as possi !e. It *on@t e possi !e to e!iminate it entire!$ as it is a #at@s nature to s#rat#h and it does so to prote#t itse!f. Ma"in& sure $our #at is not fri&htened and never fee!s threatened *i!! &o a !on& *a$ to preventin& s#rat#hin& $ou or others in the fami!$. Spra$in& is another ehavior that is un*e!#ome in the home. Cats spra$ to mar" their territor$, so it is simp!$ a natura! thin& for them to do. -ne *a$ to dis#oura&e this ehavior is to u$ a ott!e pheromone. It is a s$ntheti# #at spra$ and is odor!ess to humans, ut #ats #an sme!! it. If $our #at thin"s another #at has mar"ed out its territor$, then it *on@t e so !i"e!$ to do the same thin&. ;umpin& onto hi&h p!a#es is a!so norma! #at ehavior, ut it ma$ not fit in *ith $our !ifest$!e if $ou have anti%ue vases sittin& on she!ves. 'either is it hea!th$ to have "itt$ on the #ounter *hi!e $ou are preparin& food for the #hi!dren. Cats #an e a dan&er to themse!ves as *e!! as to others *hen the$ ?ump une(pe#ted!$ onto p!a#es that ma$ not support them. It &oes *ithout sa$in& that $ou *i!! *ant $our #at to use the !itter tra$. If he does not, he ma$ have to e#ome an outside #at. Another ehavior that is natura! for #ats is to &o huntin&. 1e !i"e them to #at#h mi#e and rats, ut *hen "itt$ #omes in !i#"in& feathers from his ?o*!s, *e *onder if that !itt!e ird *as amon&st those fa#in& e(tin#tion. A e!! on his #o!!ar *i!! he!p to prevent "itt$ from "i!!in& too man$ irds. It@s not a ver$ ni#e thin& to e #udd!ed up to "itt$ on!$ to have him une(pe#ted!$ sin" his teeth into $our arm. ,et itin& is a!so a natura! #at ehavior. If $our #at is a iter, dis#oura&e him $ p!a#in& him on the f!oor immediate!$ *hen he ites. It ma$ e that he had finished *ith #udd!in& an$*a$ and this *as his *a$ of !ettin& $ou "no*. If his

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itin& seems e(#essive, $ou ma$ need to "eep that ro!!ed up ne*spaper hand$. +e *i!! soon understand not to ite.

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How to )to# )cratching and Clawing

There is nothin& *orse than a #at that is #onstant!$ s#rat#hin& the furniture. ,our eautifu! furniture #an e ruined ver$ %ui#"!$ $ this ehavior, so it is *ise to do somethin& a out it as soon as possi !e. S#rat#hin& is natura! ehavior for a #at, so it *on@t e possi !e to prevent him from doin& it a!to&ether. 1hat $ou must do is train him to s#rat#h on somethin& that doesn@t matter. S#rat#hin& po!es made of rope *ound around a rod are avai!a !e espe#ia!!$ for this purpose. It is a &ood idea to &et one as soon as $ou &et $our "itten. If $ou tea#h him to use it ri&ht from *hen he is !itt!e, then it *i!! e easier. If the "itt$ doesn@t seem to !i"e the s#rat#hin& po!e as mu#h as $our est #hair, then u$ some #atmint and smear it on the rope. The aroma is ver$ attra#tive to #ats. A!so &et a spra$ ott!e fu!! of *ater to spra$ in his fa#e *hen he s#rat#hes $our furniture. Cats hate havin& *ater in their fa#es. There is on!$ one pro !em *ith thisC $our furniture ma$ e >ren#h7po!ished and so *atermar" ver$ easi!$. 1hat to do3 The idea is to tea#h "itt$, not hurt him, so ro!! up one or t*o sheets on!$ of ne*spaper and use it to tap his fa#e *ith. It *on@t hurt him, ut he *i!! hate the noise and fee! of it. This is a!so a &ood *a$ to stop him s#rat#hin& peop!e. After ein& sma#"ed *ith it a fe* times, simp!$ hearin& the rust!e of paper *i!! often stop him. Sometimes, #ats *i!! #rou#h around a #orner and sprin& out at $ou or the #hi!dren. Don@t for&et that *hi!e it is norma! ehavior for a #at to do this sort of thin&, the ehavior needs to e #ontro!!ed or it ma$ #ause in?ur$. The ro!!ed up ne*spaper tri#" *i!! soon dis#oura&e "itt$ from poun#in& and s#rat#hin&. If $ou ho!d him up $ the s#ruff of the ne#" at the same time, $ou *i!! e(ert dominan#e over him, te!!in& him $ou are the top #at. Sma#" him !i&ht!$ on the pa*s or fa#e *ith the paper, and then put him do*n. If $our #at puts out his #!a*s *hen $ou are pettin& him, &ent!$ push at them unti! he retra#ts them. In this *a$ $ou@!! tea#h him that #!a*s out *hi!e ein& petted on !aps is una##epta !e ehavior.

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How to *re'ent Your Cat +ating House#lants

Man$ peop!e &ro* !ove!$ housep!ants that add to the am ien#e of their home. 2ut *hat happens *hen "itt$ atta#"s and eats that housep!ant $ou *ere so proud of3 -ne da$ $ou have a hea!th$ p!ant, ne(t da$ the !eaves are han&in& in tatters and the on!$ thin& !eft to do is thro* it in the trash in. 'au&ht$ "itt$/ 2ut *ait efore $ou span". >irst, $ou must de#ide *hat #aused $our #at to atta#" the p!ant. There are t*o main reasons that #ats eat p!ants. -ne is that &reen food is part of their diet. If $our "itt$ has not een &iven an$ ve&eta !es or &reener$ to eat, he #ou!d e simp!$ fo!!o*in& his instin#t for surviva!. In this #ase, ma"e sure "itt$ &ets to &o outside fre%uent!$ so he #an eat the &rasses of his #hoi#e. Eatin& &rass *i!! a!so he!p to remove fur a!!s that #an #at#h in his throat. If $ou #annot !et $our #at outside, then &ro* some spe#ia! #at &rass in a pot and a!!o* him free a##ess to it. A &ood pet shop *i!! provide the ri&ht "ind of seed. Another reason $our #at ma$ have atta#"ed the potted p!ant is that the reeDe rust!ed its !eaves and so it e#ame an enem$ to e atta#"ed and eaten. This is a natura! ehavior for #ats in the *i!d. If this is the #ase, then move the p!ant to a p!a#e *here "itt$ #annot readi!$ see it E some*here a*a$ from drafts and reeDes. It ma$ suffi#e to p!a#e the p!ant upon a !o* ta !e, or $ou ma$ need a hi&her she!f for it. -f #ourse, on#e "itt$ has had a *onderfu! time destro$in& that p!ant $ou !oved so mu#h, he mi&ht de#ide he *ants to do it a!! the time. In this #ase, $ou ma$ have to !ive *ithout indoor p!ants, or "eep "itt$ #onfined to a room *here there are none *hi!e $ou are out of the house. -n the other hand, it ma$ have een sheer oredom that made him atta#" the p!ant E he #ou!d have ?ust needed somethin& or someone to p!a$ *ith. 5ive "itt$ p!ent$ of attention *hen $ou are home. Ma"e sure he has p!ent$ of his o*n to$s. The$ need not e e(pensive store7 ou&ht to$sC homemade ones are eas$ to ma"e and easi!$ rene*a !e. Dan&!e a sma!! *isp of s#run#hed up paper a fe* in#hes off the f!oor $ t$in& it from somethin& *ith strin&. A #hair run& *ou!d do, or a #up oard door"no . Fitt$ *i!! !ove to poun#e on this and *rest!e on his a#" *ith it. A !i&ht, sma!! a!! *i!! have him

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s"itterin& a!! over the f!oor as he #hases it. 1ith p!ent$ e!se to interest him, he shou!d soon for&et a out $our indoor p!ants.

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How to )to# Your Cat ,um#ing on Counters and Tables

-ne important thin& in trainin& $our #at is to stop him ?umpin& up on the ta !e or #ounter. ,ou ma$ thin" its no i& dea! to have "itt$ on the #ounter E in fa#t some peop!e ma$ thin" it rather #ute. 2ut stop and #onsider. Fitt$ doesnBt rea!!$ "no* *hat he is &oin& to !and on *hen he ma"es that i& !eap from f!oor to #ounter. Do $ou rea!!$ *ant him to !and on those #oo"ies that are ?ust read$ to &o into the oven3 -r he #ou!d easi!$ "no#" somethin& hot or rea"a !e onto the f!oor not to mention that it is unsanitar$. So ho* #an $ou stop him3 The tri#" is to use somethin& he hates to dis#oura&e this ha it. Most #ats hate sudden, !oud noise, so if $ou ma"e a !oud noise in his fa#e *hen he ?umps up, heB!! %ui#"!$ ?ump a#" do*n. Soon heB!! e&in to asso#iate the !oud noise *ith that parti#u!ar a#tivit$ and heB!! stop. So *hat #an $ou use to ma"e a !oud noise3 An empt$ soda #an *ith a fe* pe !es or mar !es in it is one &ood idea. Sha"e it in "itt$Bs fa#e so it ratt!es !oud!$ and start!es him. +e *onBt !i"e that. If $ou a!so sa$ no severa! times ver$ !oud!$ he ma$ soon stop ?umpin& as soon as he hears that #ommand. Some peop!e e!ieve &ro*!in& is a &ood idea. This is ho* "itt$Bs mother *ou!d tea#h him *hat is a!!o*ed and *hat is not. This is one *a$ in *hi#h #ats #ommuni#ate *ith one another, too. A ott!e fi!!ed *ith pe !es #ou!d a!so e used, ut the noise is s!i&ht!$ muted $ the p!asti# or #ou!d e dan&erous in &!ass. Another idea is to ro!! a fe* sheets of ne*spaper up and s!ap the #ounter ri&ht in front of him *ith it. Then if he does not ?ump do*n, pi#" him up $ the s#ruff of the ne#" and p!a#e him on the f!oor. 'ever s#oop him up from the ta !e and #udd!e or "iss him, as this is a positive reinfor#ement and *i!! en#oura&e him to ?ump up ne(t time he *ants some attention. Spra$in& "itt$ *ith a spra$ ott!e fu!! of #!ean *ater is another method of dis#oura&in& the ha it of ?umpin& onto the #ounter. If "itt$ simp!$ *onBt stop ?umpin&, tr$ doin& severa! thin&s at the same time. Feep a #hi!dBs horn E the sort $ou #an !o* into E near $. As soon as "itt$ &ets to the top of the #ounter, !o* the horn in his fa#e, spra$ him in the fa#e *ith the *ater and tap him smart!$ on the head *ith

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the ro!!ed up ne*spaper. Do it ever$ time $ou see him up there and heB!! soon &et tired of a!! that stress and stop. At !east, *e hope so/

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How to )to# Your Cat "unning Out the Door

If $ou !ive in an ur an area or an$*here near a ma?or traffi# route, $ou ma$ need to stop $our #at from headin& out the door ever$ time $ou open it. Cats #an e easi!$ fri&htened in traffi# and $ou donBt *ant $our pet to meet *ith a nast$ a##ident. 'ot on!$ *i!! an a##ident e unp!easant for $our pet, veterinarian fees tend to ma"e a !ar&e ho!e in $our ud&et. Stoppin& "itt$ from runnin& out the door *i!! not e eas$, ut #an e mana&ed *ith patien#e. It is #ertain!$ easier to train a sma!! "itten than a &ro*n #at *hose ha its ma$ e in&rained. 1hether $ou have a #at or a "itten, it *i!! need to e trained to sta$ indoors un!ess $ou a!!o* it to &o out. To do this, use the #atBs natura! traits, *or"in& *ith his nature rather than a&ainst it. 1e "no* that #ats dis!i"e !oud, start!in& noises, so ever$ time the door is open and "itt$ heads that *a$, tr$ and e read$ *ith a !oud noise E ut et*een him and the door. DonBt #ome up ehind him *ith it or $ouB!! ?ust fri&hten him ri&ht out the door. -ne &ood *a$ to train $our "itt$ is to en!ist the aid of another person to stand ?ust outside the door. Then $ou #an open it and as soon as $our "itten po"es his nose out, have the other person s%uirt him *ith a spra$ ott!e or *ater &un. T*o peop!e *i!! e even etter. -ne #an have a spra$ ott!eC the other #an have the noisema"er. This *i!! fri&hten $our #at a#" into the room *here $ou #an e *aitin& to soothe him and te!! him *hat a &ood #at he is for #omin& a#". To add even more to the !esson, $ou #an e sure to #a!! him a#" ?ust efore the noise and *ater spra$ happen. If $ou ma"e $our voi#e sound a!armed, "itt$ *i!! soon &et the messa&e and it *i!! tea#h him that an a!armed voi#e means somethin& unp!easant is &oin& to happen to him. This #an e usefu! at other times, too. +e ma$ e outside in the $ard and $ou sudden!$ noti#e heBs a out to ?ump over the fen#e. To #a!! him a#" in a voi#e of a!arm *i!! save him from &ettin& !ost or #hased $ a do& or even another #at.

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-f #ourse, a!*a$s remem er to use positive reinfor#ement su#h as pettin& or treats *hen he does the ri&ht thin&.

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What Cat Beha'iors Need to be $earned

There are a num er of ehaviors that $our #at needs to !earn so that $our re!ationship *i!! e a happ$ and stress7free one. +avin& a #at as a pet has man$ enefits, ut these #an e out7*ei&hed if the #at is a!!o*ed to ru!e the roost, espe#ia!!$ if his nature is e(u erant and mis#hievous. Certain ehaviors need to e !earned $ $our #at for the safet$ of other mem ers of the house as *e!! as to enhan#e the re!ationship et*een #at and humans. An important thin& for "itt$ to !earn is to use his !itter tra$. .rinatin& on furniture or #arpet *i!! spoi! it for !ife and !eave an odor that is impossi !e to remove. It is a!so unhea!th$ to have pudd!es or other unmentiona !es on the f!oor *here todd!ers ma$ e #ra*!in&. A #at or "itten a!so needs to !earn to #ome *hen #a!!ed. This ma"es is easier to &et him out of dan&er if he has *andered a*a$ and it a!so ma"es feedin& time more or&aniDed. If $ou need to &o out and the #at must e shut in, $ou need to e a !e to #a!! him and have him turn up in a reasona !e time7frame or $ouB!! e !ate for *or" or *herever $ou *ere off to. Cats are no#turna! anima!s. ThatBs *h$ the$ sudden!$ #ome to !ife around sunset and *ant to &o *anderin&. ThatBs *h$ the$ snooDe a !ot in the da$. This ehavior is impossi !e to prevent entire!$, ut $ou #an "eep "itt$ !o#"ed inside at ni&ht and p!a$ *ith him durin& the da$. The !ess he s!eeps in the da$, the more he *i!! s!eep at ni&ht. If $ou trave! a !ot and *ant to ta"e $our #at, then he *i!! need to !earn ho* to trave! #omforta !$ in a #ar and itBs important for him not to *ander a*a$ and &et !ost on#e $ou arrive at $our destination. It *ou!d e a &ood thin& for $our #at to !earn ho* to !ead in a harness, and then $ou #an ta"e him out for a *a!" *ithout *orr$in& that he *i!! stra$ or run into dan&er.

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Cats a!so need to !earn not to e destru#tive. ItBs a #atBs nature to sharpen his #!a*s and to hunt and ?ump. These ehaviors are not so *e!#ome in the home, so the #at must !earn *here he is a!!o*ed to s#rat#h and *hat he #an ?ump on safe!$. +e doesnBt "no* that the stove *i!! urn him if he ?umps onto it, nor does he rea!iDe that he mi&ht "no#" do*n $our anti%ue vase if he ?umps up on that she!f. These are the sorts of thin&s a #at needs to !earn.

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How to Teach Your Cat to Come When Called

It@s important to train $our #at to #ome *hen it is #a!!ed for a variet$ of reasons. ,ou ma$ need to &o out sudden!$ and $ou don@t *ish to !eave $our #at outside *here he ma$ e in dan&er of other pro*!in& #ats or do&s #hasin& him. If $ouBve trained $our #at to #ome *hen #a!!ed, the tas" of &ettin& him inside *i!! e simp!e. So ho* #an *e train a #at to #ome *hen #a!!ed3 -ne of the easiest *a$s is to use his !ove of food. ,ou don@t have to train him to "no* his name. Cats ma$ e #a!!ed a name, ut this is often for the #onvenien#e of the o*ners, rather than the #at. Fitt$ doesn@t #are *hat he@s #a!!ed and often *i!! ans*er to an$ name, so !on& as it is said in the same tone of voi#e. 2ut a#" to usin& food for trainin&. 1hen it is time to feed $our "itt$, ma"e a !oud and spe#ifi# noise, !i"e ratt!in& a spoon or "nife on the side of the #at food #an. +e *i!! asso#iate that noise *ith ein& fed and #ome ver$ %ui#"!$. 2ut don@t !eave it at that. ,ou don@t *ant to have to ratt!e a spoon ever$ time $ou *ant $our #at to #ome. 1hi!e ratt!in& the spoon, #a!! the "itt$@s name over and over. Sa$ it !oud!$ enou&h to e heard a ove the ratt!in& spoon. Ger$ often a hi&h7pit#hed @"itt$7"itt$7"itt$@ *i!! do the tri#". +e *i!! &et used to the ratt!in& spoon meanin& food, and the sound of $our voi#e *i!! e asso#iated *ith the ratt!in& spoon, so that ver$ soon he *i!! #ome oundin& up *hen $ou simp!$ #a!! *ithout ratt!in& the spoon. It is &ood to reinfor#e this &ood ehavior $ offerin& a treat, so *hen he #omes at $our #a!! and $ou don@t intend to feed him, &ive him a !itt!e re*ard instead. It #an e a food re*ard, a #udd!e *hi!e te!!in& him *hat a &ood "itt$ he is, or $ou #ou!d offer him a to$ and p!a$ *ith him for a *hi!e. Fittens !ove to #hase a *isp of paper tied to a strin&, so it needn@t e an e(pensive to$. Cats respond to "indness and p!a$ as *e!! as to food. If $our "itt$ doesn@t #ome prompt!$ to e fed, de#rease the amount of food $ou &ive him. 1hen he is rea!!$ hun&r$, he *i!! #ome mu#h more prompt!$. This is the time to ratt!e that spoon and #a!! !oud!$.

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How to Wal( Your Cat on a $eash

It is not the most usua! thin& to see a #at ein& *a!"ed on a !eash. Traditiona!!$, it is do&s that have !eads and #ats that roam free. +o*ever, these da$s, *ith so man$ sma!! irds and anima!s on the ver&e of e(tin#tion, $ou ma$ *ant to #onsider trainin& $our #at or "itten to *a!" on a !eash. This *i!! prevent him from huntin& do*n and "i!!in& utterf!ies or sma!! irds. It *i!! "eep him from #!im in& trees to ta"e a $ irds from their nests. It *i!! a!so "eep him out of dan&er, as $ou *i!! e monitorin& his *herea outs in a responsi !e manner. Rather than ?ust usin& a #o!!ar and !eash to *a!" $our #at, thin" a out usin& a harness. A #atBs head is %uite sma!! #ompared to the rest of it and a #o!!ar ma$ e in#!ined to pu!! over his head and off. The harness straps shou!d en#ir#!e the ne#" and the od$ ?ust ehind the front !e&s, *ith t*o more straps to ?oin the #ir#!es to&etherC one throu&h the front !e&s and one do*n the a#" of the ne#". There *i!! need to e a #!ip for the !eash as *e!!. Li&ht !eather or s$ntheti# materia! is &ood for a #atBs harness. DonBt use an$thin& too heav$ or the #at *i!! re?e#t it. ItBs a!so important to &et $our #at used to the !oo" and fee! of the !eash efore $ou ta"e him *a!"in& in it. After he has e#ome used to seein& the !eash, H$ou #ou!d !eave it in his edI then !et him *ear it for a fe* minutes ea#h da$ efore !eadin& him around $ the !ead. 1hi!e sti!! indoors, tu& &ent!$ on the !ead *hi!st #a!!in& $our "itt$. 1hen he #omes to $ou, praise him, ut never for#e or s#o!d him if he doesnBt #ome, or heB!! thin" the !eash is a punishment. 1hen $ou *a!" $our #at on his !eash, donBt *a!" him the same *a$ as $ou *ou!d a do&. Do&s !i"e to run fast and are happ$ to trot at a &ood &ait eside $ou, on#e the$ have !earned to !ead. Cats are %uite different. The$ donBt usua!!$ run or *a!" fast in a strai&ht !ine from A to 2. The$ tend to stop and start, to *ander a out and to inspe#t stran&e rust!in&s in the &rass. >or $our #at to en?o$ *a!"in& outside *ith $ou, $ou must a!!o* him to do at !east some of these thin&s. 'ever pu!! the #at a!on& rou&h!$. +e *i!! e !i"e!$ to tr$ and a#" off ver$ %ui#"!$. 5ent!$ en#oura&e him to #ome *ith $ou and praise him *hen he #omes in the ri&ht dire#tion. +o!d out treats for him as $ou #a!! him to #ome.

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Cats a!so fee! the heat easi!$. ,ou #anBt e(pe#t to &o for a %ui#" run around the !o#" on the hot side*a!" *ith a #at. Remem er "itt$ has no shoes for prote#tion a&ainst the !isterin& heat or #o!d sno*. 1herever possi !e *a!" $our #at in the shade and on &rass. Sun is a!! ri&ht if itBs not ver$ hot. Respe#t $our #atBs need to rest *hen $ou are *a!"in& him. ItBs a &ood thin& to stop and sme!! the roses $ourse!f. Let $our *a!" e in a #a!m and stress7free environment. ,our #at *i!! !i"e!$ e afraid of !oud traffi# or s"ate oarders Doomin& past his tai!. 1ith these fe* pointers, $our #at shou!d soon e&in to en?o$ his dai!$ *a!".

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How to Teach Your Cat to )it on Command

Some peop!e *ou!d have us e!ieve that it is impossi !e to tea#h a #at an$thin&, ut if he #an e tau&ht to #ome for his dinner then he #an e tau&ht other thin&s as *e!!. It ma$ re%uire patien#e and #onstan#$, ut the end resu!t *i!! e *orth it. 'ot man$ #ats have een tau&ht to sit on #ommand, $et it is not impossi !e to tea#h $our #at this tri#". Ma"e sure $our #at is *ide7a*a"e and a !itt!e hun&r$ efore $ou start to tea#h him this one 5et him used to a##eptin& edi !e treats from $our hand, so that he "no*s *hen he sme!!s it, that $ou have somethin& in $our hand for him. Choose a time that the #at is standin&. Approa#h him *ith the treat and !et him sme!! that it is in $our #!osed fist. -n#e he has sniffed $our hand, move it over the top of his head. 'ot hi&h a ove him or he mi&ht ?ump to rea#h it. ;ust s!ide $our hand over the top of his head, a out one in#h a ove it. ,ou *i!! see that to "eep his nose near the treat, he *i!! sit. If he does not sit, &ent!$ push on his a#" E?ust in front of the tai! 7 unti! he does. -f #ourse, $ou must a!so &ive voi#e #ommands. Sa$ JSitK in a firm voi#e at the same time that $ou move $our hand. As soon as "itt$ sits, &ive him the treat and praise him. ,ou need to do this severa! times throu&hout the da$ to remind him *hat it is a!! a out. ItBs no use doin& it on#e this *ee" and then for&ettin& a!! a out it unti! ne(t *ee". Cats are not !i"e!$ to remem er an$thin& !i"e that for a *ho!e *ee". -n#e $our #at sits %ui#"!$ for his treat, $ou #an tr$ doin& it *ith no treat. Sti!! use $our hand motion, ut *ith nothin& in the hand. 1hen he sits, open the hand and sho* him there is nothin& there, ut sti!! praise and stro"e him for o e$in&. The ne(t time $ou do it and he o e$s, have a treat for him, ut &radua!!$ *ean him off the treats. ,ou *i!! need to ma"e him sit at !east t*i#e a da$ for some time efore he &ets the han& of it. -n#e he is used to sittin& *ithout a treat, tr$ &ivin& the #ommand *ithout the hand motion. If he does not o e$, &o a#" to usin& the hand motion *ith the treat for a *hi!e !on&er. In this *a$ $ou *i!! train $our #at to sit, and it *i!! amaDe $our friends.

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How to Teach Your Cat to Acce#t Brushing

Cats !ove to e stro"ed, so it is eas$ to tea#h $our #at to a##ept rushin&. 2rushin& *i!! he!p to remove !oose hair and prevent "itt$ &ettin& a fur a!! stu#" in his throat. It a!so he!ps to remove irritatin& pri#"!es he ma$ have pi#"ed up on his *a!"s outside. ,ou *i!! e a !e to "eep ta s on his &enera! hea!th if $ou rush him re&u!ar!$, too. Choose a time *hen "itt$ is fee!in& a it s!eep$ and *ants to #ur! up on $our *arm !ap. +ave the rush hand$ so $ou donBt have to distur him to &et it. If he hasnBt seen the rush efore, ho!d it near his fa#e so he #an sniff it a!! over if he *ants. In this *a$ he *i!! understand that it *onBt hurt him and so he *onBt e fri&htened of it. In fa#t, itBs a &ood idea to ru $our o*n hands a!on& the hand!e of the rush so he #an dete#t $our s#ent on it. If heBs used to $ou, he *i!! e reassured that this stran&e too! is to e trusted. -n#e he has inspe#ted and a##epted the rush, e&in to rush $our #at *ith s!o* and &ent!$ movements. A!*a$s rush *ith the !a$ of the hair, not a&ainst it. If "itt$ tries to &ra the rush *ith his pa*s to p!a$ *ith it, put it a*a$ immediate!$. ,ou donBt *ant him to start p!a$in& ever$ time he sees the rush, $ou *ant him to !earn to "eep sti!! and !et $ou rush him. As soon as "itt$ has %uieted do*n, start to rush him a&ain. Start at a out ear !eve! and *or" a#"*ards *ith a !on&, f!uid movement. 'ever tr$ to rush his fa#e, or $ou mi&ht dama&e his de!i#ate e$es and *his"ers. 2rushin& the tan&!es out of ad!$ matted hair #an #ause pain, so e #arefu! to do it &ent!$. If "itt$ e(pe#ts pain ever$ time he sees the rush, he *onBt e amena !e to the pro#ess. Severa! different rushes #an e usefu! *hen &roomin& $our pet. A !ar&e rush *ith stiff rist!es is &ood for the od$, *hi!e a sma!!er, softer rush #an e easier to mana&e the e!!$ and tai!. If $our #at has !on& tai! hairs, $ou ma$ need a rush *ith rist!es that are a !itt!e stiffer then the sma!!er rush has. A #om #an a!so e a hand$ part of $our #at &roomin& too! o(.

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How to Teach Your Cat to Ha'e His Nails Cli##ed

Cats #an #ause a &reat dea! of dama&e *ith their sharp #!a*s, not on!$ to furniture, a!so to the humans in their househo!d. If $ou have this trou !e, $ou mi&ht *ant to #onsider havin& $our #atBs #!a*s #!ipped. This is espe#ia!!$ important if $ou have sma!! #hi!dren in $our home. Cat #!ippers are avai!a !e at most pet shops. DonBt use the same #!ippers on $our #at that $ou ma$ use for $ourse!f. These are not ri&ht for an anima! and *i!! pin#h his #!a*s painfu!!$. ItBs a &ood idea to &et $our "itt$ used to havin& his #!a*s hand!ed ri&ht from *hen he is tin$. 1ait unti! he is fee!in& s!eep$ E on $our !ap is a &ood p!a#e to have him. +and!e his pa*s and #!a*s fre%uent!$ $ &ent!$ ho!din& them s%ueeDin& them, pi#"in& them up and &enera!!$ p!a$in& &ent!$ *ith them. In this *a$, he *i!! see that $ou mean him no harm *hen tou#hin& his feet. Remem er that #atsB feet are ver$ sensitive and tender. ,ou *i!! e a !e to ma"e "itt$ unsheathe his #!a*s if $ou &ent!$ s%ueeDe his pa*s. Run $our fin&ers &ent!$ over the #!a*s severa! times, ut if he tries to s#rat#h $ou, simp!$ stop and *ait unti! he e#omes s!eep$ a&ain. It ma$ ta"e severa! da$s for "itt$ to e&in to a##ept havin& his #!a*s and pa*s tou#hed. It is *ise to do it often, even *hen his #!a*s donBt need #!ippin&, e#ause then he *i!! e so used to it he *onBt mind. -n#e $ou thin" he is happ$ to have $ou p!a$ *ith his #!a*s and he doesnBt tr$ to s#rat#h $ou, $ou #an introdu#e the #!ippers. A&ain, *ait unti! he is in a s!eep$ mood efore $ou start to #!ip. It ma$ e a &ood thin& for $ou to ?ust ho!d him, *hi!e another person does the #!ippin&, that *a$ $ouB!! e a !e to prevent an$ sudden movements on "itt$Bs part that #ou!d resu!t in in?ur$ to him or $ou. 1hen $ou are p!a$in& *ith "itt$Bs #!a*s, ta"e a &ood !oo" and $ouB!! see the pin"ish #!oud$ part near *here the nai! #omes out of its sheath. That is the e%uiva!ent to the %ui#" of a humans nai!. 2e sure to never #!ip into this part or $ou *i!! #ause a &reat dea! of pain to "itt$ and his #!a*s *i!! !eed. If "itt$ tru!$ doesnBt !i"e to &et his nai!s

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#!ipped and $et the$ must e done, he #an e *rapped up in a to*e! to he!p ho!d him and prote#t $ou from s#rat#hes. Some peop!e have their #atBs front #!a*s removed. It #an e a painfu! pro#ess, ut if $ou have a #at that $ou ?ust are not a !e to train not s#rat#h $our anti%ue furniture this #an e an option. This pro#ess shou!d on!$ e done $ a veterinarian and if $ou fo!!o* his, or her, instru#tions the initia! dis#omfort is short !ived.

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How to Teach Your Cat Tric(s -rom Natural Beha'iors

The est *a$ to tea#h a #at tri#"s is $ ma"in& use of his natura! ehavior. In the Doo $ou *i!! often see a !ion or ti&er that *i!! ?ump for his food. In the *i!d, these anima!s do su#h thin&s natura!!$. The$ are a part of the #atBs norma! ehavior, so this ma"es it mu#h easier to train them. So *hat other natura! ehaviors do #ats have3 The$ !ove to #!im and ?ump, so an$ tri#" that in#!udes this *i!! e one that "itt$ shou!d ta"e to *ith no trou !e. >or instan#e, $ou #ou!d tea#h him to ?ump from one stoo! to another to &et his food. -f #ourse, if he then *ants to ?ump from the stoo! onto the #ounter *here $ou donBt *ant him, $ou mi&ht have a pro !em. Cats !ove to #hase and poun#e on an$thin& that rust!es, so that if $ou have a tri#" *here $ou *ant "itt$ to #hase somethin&, ma"e sure it a!so rust!es. Litt!e "ittens are more p!a$fu! than mature #ats, so this is a &ood time to tea#h them tri#"s. Fittens *i!! often #hase a shado* on the f!oor. If this is the shado* of $our hand, $ou #an ma"e it &o up the *a!! and "itt$ *i!! ?ump after it. An o!der #at *i!! often #hase a tennis a!! the #hi!dren are hittin& to ea#h other a#ross the $ard, espe#ia!!$ if it oun#es. To the #at, it !oo"s !i"e a mouse oundin& a!on&. This ehavior #an often e in#orporated into *hat seems to e some "ind of tri#", ut in rea!it$, it is a natura! ehavior modified or added to and the resu!t e#omes a tri#". Cats are ver$ %ui#" to see movin& thin&s, so $ou #an &et $our #at to !oo" as if it is sha"in& its head, ?ust $ usin& a movement at ea#h side of the room. This #an e started up a it #!oser, then &radua!!$ moved further a*a$. A noise ma$ e used first, to &et the #at to !oo" that *a$. 1hen tea#hin& $our #at tri#"s, donBt #onfuse him $ tr$in& to do severa! at on#e. .se one movement or tri#" at a time and stop as soon as "itt$ !oses interest. Choose the time of da$ that "itt$ seems to e most p!a$fu! to en#oura&e these p!a$fu! ehaviors and "itt$ *i!! soon #ome to !oo" for*ard to them. In no time $ouB!! have him doin&

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tri#"s and heB!! thin" itBs the est fun heBs ever had. DonBt for&et to re*ard him ever$ time he does somethin& $ou *ant him to and a!*a$s e patient. 'ever punish "itt$ if he doesnBt do *hat $ou *ant.

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