Cat Training Pointers

While training a cat is very distinct from training a dog, you can accomplish it. The methods are different, but the result is the same. If you're a "cat person,", you enjoy such things as a cat is a cat. You realize you won't put a leash on them and train them to sit, heel or stay. You won't train your pet to use your toilet to do their business. To you, a litter box is the proper place for your cat to do what comes naturally.

Something you certainly can do with a bit of patience, consistency, and "cat psychology" is encourage or stop certain behaviors. By praising your cat (and some gentle correction), you can keep your cat from using your nice furniture as a scratching post. You'll only need to put some thought into how cats process information and respond.

Cats cannot speak, read or learn from the same lessons from which we learn. If a cat does something and receives an incentive or praise, they may repeat it. If they do something that brings about an unpleasant reprimand, chances are they will avoid it at some point. It might not happen the first time they are scoldedbut they will learn. If you generously reward your cat for positive behavior, the chances are good that the positive behavior will continue. If you discipline for negative behavior, he will avoid that one behavior.

Everyone makes mistakes. Perhaps your cat assaults you at an early hour on your day off. A lot of meows and cuddles along with a purr or two, and you are up out of bed giving him food and playing. Your cat has you conditioned to respond. Your cat has learned ways to get what he wants, at your expense. A cat is going to do anything that you may allow him to do. Since a cat is nocturnal, his hours and yours are subject to be different. Training your cat to respect your wishes will demand your altering your behavior as well.

So don't reward your cat with food or activity when it attempts to wake you up. If you can play with your cat later in the morning, ignore the cat's efforts to disturb your sleeping time. Also, never allow your bedroom to be your cat's playground. Certainly you want to be understanding of your feline's needs, but you can't allow yourself to become its slave!

Wake your cat up in daytime to play with it. This helps the cat adapt to your schedule over a couple of weeks. Have patience with this, and never give into the cat's demands or you will have to start over again. If you're beginning to get that this can be a contest of wills, you may very well be right!

If everything doesn't progress as you like, and your cat continues to pounce on you at 4am, keep a water gun at your bedside. Any time your cat disturbs your sleep, give him a squirt. It will not take long for your cat to see the message. It will likewise help to close the bedroom door. If the cat is meowing outside the door, you should crack the door open and squirt there as well.