Cat Training - Best Cat Training Methods

Cat Training: Only Positive Manipulation Will Do

Cats have a lot more intelligence than we tend to believe. Part of this lack of belief is rooted in the fact that cats just don’t learn the same way other creatures do. Telling your cat "No" is a generally futile way to begin cat training. But that doesn’t mean that your cat cannot learn verbal cues. Indeed, your very first cat training session should be to teach your cat to respond to your cat’s name. It is all about learning the most effective ways to undertake cat training.

Motivating a cat to participate positively in a cat training program is a matter of identifying the cat’s needs. All cats have a need for food and water. They also need a place where they can go potty regularly. Most cats also need to use their claws by either hunting or playing violent games. Nearly all cat breeds also require regular social interaction as well. If you deny your cat any of these things, you can be sure that negative behavior will be the result.

For example, if you don’t give your cat a scratching post or a good play toy, the cat will be forced to put its claws to use on your furniture and tapestries. In some cases, your own flesh could be involved in meeting this need, particularly if you have also neglected to fill the food or water bowls. Likewise, if you don’t give your cat a suitable place to potty, well, it could get messy in your house. If you don’t pet your cat for several days you shouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a household terror, resembling a mad man, but with claws.

Generally, cats are naturally well-behaved creatures, provided they are given a sense of autonomy. Unlike dogs, who want to please you, cats want to feel they are the ones in total control of their lives. But they will do everything they think will get them positive rewards, provided controlling commands like "sit", "stay", and "fetch" aren’t your cat training goals. It is easy to see why telling your cat "no" or giving it physical discipline will be fruitless in this light. The more correct way to correct the cat’s behavior is to figure out what need is not being met enough to promote the correct behavior. There is a benefit to saying a firm "no" when you correct a cat’s behavior, but don’t expect "no" alone, or accompanied by any kind of violence, to correct cat behavior.

If you just aren’t creative enough to figure out how to positively reward your cat for avoiding a bad behavior, there is the option of spritzing your cat’s face with water. This is effective, but may result in other unwanted rebellious type behaviors the cat will naturally undertake to regain its sense of autonomy. The best training methods with cats really are finding out what kind of reward you can give the cat to behave in the manner in which you want the cat to behave.