There is a common myth that while dogs can be trained to do all sorts of complicated tricks and tasks that cats do not have the intelligence or the inclination to be trained. While it is true that cats can be much more stubborn than dogs certainly have enough intelligence to be trained to be best mates floor at least, and with a little patience, most cats can learn some basic rules.
In fact, there are many examples of cats who have been trained to do more than use a litter tray and stop scratching the furniture. YouTube has several video clips of cats who have been trained to use a human toilet, although unfortunately does not seem to have been taught how to clean. There are also several cat circuses worldwide with headquarters in Florida, Moscow and France, where the cats have learned to do all sorts of fun feats (all humanity, of course).
The key to teach your cat which behaviors are good and which are bad, is consistency. Every time you see your cat doing something undesirable should immediately stop. Similarly, when it is performing the desired action you are trying encourage you to be praised and rewarded.
To stop unwanted behavior, the element of surprise is a powerful tool. Cats hate loud noises and sudden and the initial shock is usually stopped in their tracks. Clapping loudly or shaking a tin can full of coins two favorite noisemakers used by the owners frighten your cat. Squirting a little water in the cat from a spray bottle is also a common practice. It is important to accompany the action with a command, for example, shouting "No!" or "Enough!" After a while, the cat will associate the command with the unpleasant noise, or get a runny nose, and stop doing what you're doing without you needing to get a spray bottle or can or coins.
The exception to this rule is if the cat is behaving ill because of stress. Maybe you just moved home, another animal or human has moved into the house, or are there other factors that upset your pet. In this case, adding to their stress levels to yelling or spraying water on it is only likely to exacerbate the problem, or make you act differently. If your cat is stressed that an environmental factor, bad behavior, you probably will be temporary and should be treated with compassion and patience until you return to normal.
Cats are learning fast, and can be very smart when it comes to following his own path. If your cat realizes that the noise or the water is coming from you, and nothing worse that arises from misconduct, or worse, he realizes that nothing will happen when they're not here to see it, may continue to act up. This is where you will have to pit wits Human vs. cat!
Removing temptation is the first step. Never leave food lying on a surface that does not want the cat to jump to, especially when your cat is a cat. If you never learn to associate an area with food, then do not go looking there. The second step is the replacement. If your catch scratch, then you will need a scratching post in turn, instead of wallpaper or furniture. If you are jumping on top of areas that may need a href = "http://www.thecatpetshop.com/scratching-trees_posts.html"> cat tree or a raised bed where they can feel safe. If they are pissing outside the litter tray you may want to replace the litter tray or a different type.
One way to prevent your cat from jumping on kitchen counters, Mantlepiece and other surfaces is to place double sided tape on the area that usually jumps on. The sticky sensation in the legs will stop most cats jumping. Another method of capture are not weapons to build pyramids of empty beverage cans, Tupperware or dominoes fall in a disturbing noise when her cat.
A cat training is ultimately buy in lots of foil. Cats do not like the texture of crumpled paper so you do not walk on it if placed on a surface, and can also be used to cover odors that leave your cat scratching or spraying your favorite places. Your home can look like the inside of a UFO for a couple of weeks, but if you have provided elsewhere for your cat to perform their natural habits that will be worth at the end.
Tom Woodcock is a general Cat Enthusiast and Owner of The Cat Pet Shop. If you want more great tips, advice or Free Cat information the visit The Cat Pet Shop’s Blog
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