{"id":1810,"date":"2019-03-29T11:12:27","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T11:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ffc.devcoyote.co.uk\/?p=1810"},"modified":"2019-03-29T11:13:10","modified_gmt":"2019-03-29T11:13:10","slug":"how-to-train-a-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/felinefriendlycare.com\/how-to-train-a-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Train a Cat"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cats learn naturally and, like humans, they learn differently. But can you train a cat like you would train a dog? Well, yes and no. Like with dogs, the sooner you start the training, the better but, unlike dogs who often can’t help themselves, the degree of success when trying to train a feline can vary significantly from breed – and cat – to breed.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, here are a few answers to the more common questions for budding lion tamers out there.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Can You Really Train Cats To Do Tricks?<\/b><\/p>\n

Lions and tigers are just big cats – and they can certainly be trained. \u00a0There are even cat agility courses (hamster ones as well – they are really cute!). \u00a0And all the cats on TV adverts have been trained – those are not random activities. \u00a0If you look at YouTube videos, you will see cats can teach themselves much the same tricks as they use on TV, but it is a skillful person who can get the cat to do, essentially, what the CAT wants to do, but when the TRAINER wants it to do it. \u00a0Check out \u00a0Didja. \u00a0Because our pet cats are very good at manipulating us, and in general owners do not have the observational skills or timing to be clear to the cat what they want it to do, owners find it hard to train their cat.<\/p>\n

Are Certain Breeds Easier To Train Than Others?<\/b><\/p>\n

All cats can be trained. \u00a0However, kittens are very easy to train (they are looking to learn things). \u00a0Some of the oriental types like burmese and siamese, and the very human-oriented ones like rexes, are easier to train. Really, it is about finding what motivates the individual cat.<\/p>\n

Do You Use Food Rewards When Training Like You Would For A Dog?<\/b><\/p>\n

Several studies have shown only 1\/3 of cats are motivated by food \u2026 kittens are motivated as above. \u00a0If the cat IS motivated by food you can train some pretty complex things.<\/p>\n

Does Trick Training Provide Much-Needed Mental Stimulation For Cats?<\/b><\/p>\n

Interaction with another living being is the main stimulation for the cat. \u00a0Some go nuts for the various mechanical toys, but unless there is an interactive component, the cats either get obsessed (because there is no \u2018final kill\u2019 for the hunt) or get bored. \u00a0We have bred cats to want to be with us (which is the core of \u2018domestiCATion\u2019) so trick training – if you are clear on the outcome and don\u2019t frustrate the cat – is excellent. \u00a0Even just teaching them how to \u2018hunt\u2019 one of the many toys-on-rods is stimulation and interaction – with YOU!<\/p>\n

Would You Be Able To Describe Three Fairly Common\/Easy Cat Tricks And How Owners Can Start Training Their Pet To Perform Them?<\/b><\/p>\n

Most cats will \u2018come\u2019 when you shake the dried food box. Cats think their name is \u2018xcchhh xchhh xchhh\u2019 \u2026 if you say their name before shaking the box, and give them a bit of the food when they run to you, pretty soon you can stop shaking the box and call them by name. Remember to call their name BEFORE shaking the box though!<\/p>\n

Teach the cat how to chase one of the wand toys – move it at 25 cm \/ sec with halting movements (that is how a mouse runs). Let it catch the toy or ribbon on the end. \u00a0Once the cat is chasing reliably, \u2018run\u2019 the wand over some little jumps etc. \u00a0Technically this is \u2018target\u2019 training but most people find it difficult to get the reward or the clicker going at just the right time for the cat to understand what they want. \u00a0Cats understand chasing and CATching instinctively.<\/p>\n

Purr – sit still, let the cat come to you, rub around face (don\u2019t pat on head)<\/p>\n

Finally, Do You Have Any Other Training Tips Or Advice For Cat owners?<\/b><\/p>\n

Ignore what you don\u2019t want the cat to do, hiss rather than spray if the cat is attacking you (in young cats it is excess hunting energy so redirect to a wand toy). Remember indoor cats need at least 2 x 20 minutes of games (TIME it – it is a long time). Train your cat to have its nails clipped and take a pill – easiest when cat is young.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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