Cat Training - Kittens To Cats by Julia Camden

If you are not familiar with cat training, it can be a very frustrating and slow process. Cats are naturally highly independent animals by instinct; unlike dogs, praise is usually not enough of a reward for them when being trained.

The easiest time to train a cat is when it is a kitten, since it allows you to establish routines while they are young and maintain consistency into their adult life. Cat training can be done in many ways, so it is a good idea to consult a professional or a book for advice on the best methods.

Cats enjoy treats and toys as rewards. Treats can be given easily and are quick responses to correct behavior. Toys, on the other hand, can become a distraction if you want to keep training and the cat wants to continue playing. When training a cat, remember to work in short sessions as the cat's brain is very small and they have a short attention spans.

When you decide to train your cat, start with simple things. To teach your cat to raise his front paws for a treat simply hold the treat within paws reach above his head while he is sitting. In order to get the treat, he will naturally raise his paws and grab at it.

Repeat 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.

Simply wait until they are sitting, then hold a treat close to them between their front paws. They will fairly naturally lay down to get the treat. At first give it to them right away, then hold it longer and longer. After some consistent work at this, the cat can be trained to lay down and wait until you give the treat.

After 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.

Both you and your cat can find the training experience rewarding. Important to remember is that if you are not having fun with it, then it probably isn't working. If you get frustrated, take a break. If you start again when you are both in a better mood, you will make progress, and faster as well.

About the Author

Because cats are more independent creatures people often think they can't be trained. Although the methods may be different than with other animals, it is actually easy to train a cat.