Cat Training - Coping with Difficult Cats

Cats, being very independent-minded animals, require very different training motivations and methods than dogs, which usually want to please their owners. Training a cat can be frustrating for the new or inexperienced owner, but there are methods that work.nnKitten training is much easier than training an adult cat. If you train a cat while it is young, the cat will remember the training throughout its adult life. There are many ways in which cats can be trained. Contact a professional or visit your local library for advice on training your cat.nnCats enjoy being given toys and treats as rewards for their training. Treats, however, are quickly given and are gone within seconds, while toys can lead to distraction when the cat would rather play with the toy than train. Remember that the average cat's brain is about the size of a peanut, and that cats do not tend to have long attention spans.nnCat training should begin with simple tasks, getting your cat to raise its front paws for a treat is fairly simple, simply wait until the cat is sitting, then hold the treat close above their head. The cat will fairly naturally reach up for the treat.nnRepeat this action regularly on a daily basis. Soon your feline will put its paw in the air to meet yours as it approaches their cranium. Soon the same action will occur to receive a reward. This process can also be used to train your animal to sit.nnHold a treat between your cat's front paws while it is sitting down, and your cat will lay down to try to pick up the treat. Start by giving your cat the treat immediately, then wait a bit longer each time. Eventually, your cat will learn to lie down and stay down until you give it the treat.nnAfter the cat learns the behavior, introduce verbal commands associated with that behavior. Consistently verbalize the command after every time the cat performs the action. As this process is repeated over time, the cat learns to identify and associate the command with the desired behavior.nnCat training can be rewarding for both your cat and you. Keep in mind that if your cat isn't having fun, he probably isn't learning anything, so stop when you and your cat get frustrated. Start again when both of you are ready, and you will make better progress.