Cat Training & Cat Behavior Tips & Ideas.

Is training a cat really possible? If you listen to most people out there the answer would be no. But if you ask those same people why, you'll get all kinds of answers. Are those answers based on experience or are they just repeating what they've always heard. Training a cat is possible and there are many things you can teach them. Just don't try to use most dog training methods on a cat. Cats think and respond differently and so we have to use different strategies.

Most cat owners aren't looking for a way to teach their cat to do 500 different tricks. If you could just get your cat to stop scratching the furniture, or stop climbing on the table or biting electric cords. There are many cat behavior problems that are pretty much standard and if you can get those solved you'll be elated. So, we need to learn the basics of cat behavior so we can begin our journey of training our cat.

Let's use the example of a cat that is constantly scratching the furniture and avoiding the scratching post. Take the time to observe what alternatives you have given your cat. Scratching is a natural instinct for a cat so you won't stop them from scratching. We need to look at what choices we have given our cat. Two things to look at are to make the scratching post more desirable and your furniture less desirable.

As your cat gets in the habit of behaving appropriately, you can decrease your training actions. To continue with the example of inappropriate scratching, you might start by putting double-sided tape on the sofa that your cat has been scratching, moving the scratching post right next to the sofa, and sprinkling the post with catnip. Then as your cat displays the proper scratching behavior, you can gradually move the post to a more convenient location, a few inches at a time.

Teaching your cat tricks is something a lot of people would love to be able to do. Imagine the bragging rights. Think about it, how many people have cats that can do tricks? Pick a time when your cat is pretty relaxed. Get out the treats and begin to encourage your cat to do the trick your wanting them to learn. The treat is a positive reinforcement, so reward your kitty for anything positive. This way they will learn to associate performing in a certain way with getting that treat.

Let's say that you want your cat to learn to sit when you tell her too. Take the treat and hold it above their head while gently pushing down on their back end. When they sit or even come close, give them the treat as a reward. Make sure you don't hesitate in giving them the treat. Remember we want them to associate the treat with the action they just made. Be patient and keep at it. Training a cat can take a lot of patience, but also be extremely rewarding. You may be surprised at what all your cat can learn.

Yes, it is possible for you to go from bad cat behavior to very good cat behavior. Training a cat does take patience, and if you can be patient and do the right things, you can win at cat training. If your cat isn't responding well to any kind of training, then you should consult with a good veterinarian.

Kitten Behavior is not as hard to alter as many would have you to believe. Kittens, as with other small animals, are very capable of learning. Once older that a couple of months, they rapidly become as fascinated by human activities as they are by adult cats.

Kittens I have lived with have learned to fetch cat toys, insisted on drinking only from glasses of water, and developed the unfortunate habit of using the bathroom floor as a toilet (not having mastered the toilet itself), all apparently in attempts to mimic people in the house.

A particular kitten of my acquaintance carefully picked up a small bag of dried cat food, carefully carried it up two flights of stairs to my daughter's bedroom, before dropping the bag next to his food bowl and meowing at my daughter to be fed. Running out of patience he then shredded the bag and ate the contents!

Older cats can become frustrated with kitten behavior, like the constant harassment of curious kittens, following them relentlessly trying to play with them or copy them, although sometimes a kitten in the house can rekindle playful behaviour in older cats, giving them a new lease on life. Kittens have a strong hunting instinct, and love to play hunting games. Feet under sheets in bed are a particular kitten hunting favorite, as are spiders, insects, and any mouse shaped toy. Watch out for needle sharp baby claws!

I have observed kittens hunting dandelions, raindrops, house flies, moths, and my own toes. Leg and curtain climbing can be a problem with small adventurous cats, as claws provide excellent grip on denim and curtain fabrics. Don't be surprised if you find yourself retrieving kittens from your curtains.

Cats enjoy being higher than anyone else in the room, and will migrate to high places. Kittens particularly seem to enjoy sitting on shoulders or high shelves. Kittens are much less circumspect than older cats, and will dive into anywhere that seems interesting, including paddling pools, baths and trays of paint, so they need a degree of supervision around water. Should your kitten get any dangerous substance on it's fur, make sure you wash it thoroughly. A kitten's inclination to lick itself clean can lead them to ingest poisonous substances if not washed off quickly.

Cats of all ages enjoy plenty of daytime naps, and love nothing more than a nice cozy bed or sofa, or a favorite spot in the sunshine for some mid afternoon basking. Once kittens are old enough for their inoculations they can safely roam gardens, although if living near busy roads should be supervised until they get used to the great outdoors. They are inclined to practice their hunting skills, and particularly in springtime can sadly decimate the local wildlife with their hunting abilities.

Some owners have chosen to have their pets declawed, though personally I would be concerned that a declawed cat has no natural defense against dogs and foxes, and a lessoned climbing ability.

Kitten behavior like not using the litterbox, or jumping up on your kitchen table or countertops, or using her claws to scratch places she shouldn't like your furniture, draperies, etc. can be altered with the proper training.

Kitten Behavior can also depend some on the breed of cat that you have. Some behaviours are a result of natural instincts which you really can't alter, but many are based on habit and expectations. Those you can change.