People who love pets often focus on dogs when it comes to obedience and training. Dogs are known to be constant ‘please retainers’ and obedient companions, which makes them the traditional view of what a trained pet ought to be. But when it comes to cats, there is some doubt. There are people who would find it ridiculous suggesting that a cat be trained. This is commonplace, considering cats are more known for being lone hunters, rather than trained pets in the household. Can cats be trained like dogs? The answer is a resounding yes but there are a few important points regarding this statement. For starters, there are techniques specifically crafted to train cats to cater to their unique behavioral set. In this article, we will cover the essentials of cat and dog training and how the former can be trained to respond to commands.
Comparing Cats and Dogs
Feral cats and domesticated dogs are often believed to have a different evolutionary history. Therefore it is reasonable to inquire about their differences. This article is an overlapping guide in regards to cat and dog training, succession in any one of the fields is often generalized to others, so it is best to create hyper awareness of their categorical differences first.
Unlike dogs, cats are motivated to perform a task more for their sake than the trainer’s pot with pleasure. This is because, like oxen, dogs are social animals that live in packs and rely on group interaction. Essentially, the requirement for training a cat is that it should embrace the primal intuition of a cat, so to speak.
Psychology of a Cat Training
In order to train your cat efficiently, it is very important to comprehensively understand its behavioral tendencies. These are some of the key areas wherein you can capitalize on:
- Food: Cats love to eat. Deciding what your cat considers to be a treat is crucial as they would then be able to provide good training, be it commercial snacks, cooked chicken, or even catnip.
- Play: Almost every mammal is playful, and cats are no different from the others. Playing with cats can be more than just entertainment, it can be used as an incentive as well. Cats like feather toys, so keep them handy when training them.
- Curiosity: In essence, cats are curious souls. They can be trained through this instinct by changing or adding new items or toys to the things that they like.
- Affection: Most cats like being a focus of attention. A simple pet or a scratch on the ear may give a cat joy and, therefore, should be given to the cat as a reward for good behavior.
Involving these motivators in your training methods will ensure that your cat becomes more interesting and fun to train in the future.
Effective Training Techniques for Cats
In this segment we shall highlight the techniques that you would need to train your cat. If you have read this earlier then go back and read how cat behavior is motivated when you have a cat.
1.Positive Reinforcement
This is the most important step in cat training along with its behavioral change. The principle is simple-locking your pet in a negative behavior causes a negative consequence but performing the desired behavior brings a positive reward. This is done by applying the following three steps:
- Choose your reward: It could be a treat, or any kind of toy, or some affection that your cat desires.
- Start timing your reward: Timing is essential since rewarding your pet after they have performed the expected behavior commands is key. Giving a good treat after the expected behavior creates an impact the next time.
- Start being consistent: Once you have taught your cat how to follow the basic commands there is a need to assure that the next time the same commands are used similar rewards are used. A set of verbal and nonverbal cues can help out in avoiding confusion in the future.
- Never punish your pet: If an undesired behavior performed by your pet occurs do not punish it but instead redirect its attention elsewhere and praise them for it. For instance, if your cat chews the sofa instead, assure them that they have a scratching stand and they would get praised for it.
2. Clicker Training
Clicker training can be classified as a rather popular and effective technique which generally makes use of clickers (a small mechanical device producing a distinct sound) and snacks/food rewards. As a result, this method conveys to the cat in a very specific way and immediately when it has done a specified action. The following steps will help you in doing that:
- Introduce the Clicker: First, you have to let your cat listen to the clicker noise and then provide them with a treat. You must do that sequentially and on average five times so that the cat associates the click with some kind of positive outcome.
- Use the Clicker During Training: If your cat performs a behavior that you desire, such as sitting down, or coming to you after you call it, simply press the device and later after the click reward the cat pet.
- Shape Behavior: Gradually build on the subsequent desired behaviors. For instance, if you want your cat to jump through a hoop, you can train it to go to the hoop, pat it and finally jump through it.
3. Find a Toy or Treat
Luring a cat is also easy to do. It can be done by giving a cat a toy or a treat. For example, if a cat is to be trained in jumping on high surfaces, a treat should be shown to the cat while standing at that particular end so as to encourage him or her to jump up. Here is how to implement this method:
- Place the Treat on the Positions: Intentionally position the treat at the various intended positions, for example, just above the head of the cat.
- Draw and Pull Them to Throw the Treat: In order for the cat to get the treat, they will automatically have to accomplish the task. For instance, the task for them may be in the form of sitting or jumping.
- Reinforce Them Quickly: The instant the cat jumps up high and receives the treat reward it should be emphasized to reinforce them.
Cat Training Basics
Although the American Kennel Club does not recommend the repetition of commands on cats as there is no necessity, some of the basic commands can still come in quite handy. Here are a few to consider:
1. Sit
A bottom up training technique which uses a treat as positive reinforcement can be extremely helpful in commanding cats to sit.
- Keeps a treat near their heads or above their heads so that cats are forced to stare upwards. When their head tilts up, their butt automatically lowers Down.
- As soon as a cat’s bottom touches the floor, the trainer should be able to make the right remarks with the statement ‘Sit’ followed by an immediate reward for the wonderful effort.
2. Come
A good way to make it possible to keep your cat safe, is training him to come whenever he is called.
- Identify them in some way, by their name or by some command.
- Encouragement’s: Tell them to come over and treat them with some food or play.
3. High Five
This is a very interesting and fun trick to teach a cat that is sure to impress people.
- Take a food snack and keep it for them near your hand to make them paw at it.
- Each time they reach for your hand it is a high five and each time you tell them, – “High five.”
Advanced Training Techniques
When your cat is familiar with the basics of tricks, you are free to try more advanced training techniques.
1. Target Training
In target training, you aim to get your cat to touch a target with her nose or paw, or any other spacial body part.
- Group of objects help here. Begin by bringing in touch aids and reward the cat each time it touches it.
- The next step involves making it a bit more challenging like further relocating the item or changing where it is positioned.
2. Walking on a Leash
Leash policies are not synonymous to only dogs, cats can harness it too. Here’s a way to go about it:
- Let your cat in on the action and give him a harness that is snug. First let your cat put it on around the house to get the pace before he goes outside.
- Attach the leash and let your pet roam ahead while you follow them closely. – Reward this behavior for staying close and promote him to accompany you.
1. Distractions
It is well known that cats are active and explore more than dogs, so they can be faster than their canine counterparts.
- Minimize Distractions: There has to be minimum distractions meaning this is approached within a quiet environment. Increase the difficulty gradually by adding light distractions when the cat focuses more.
2. Lack of Interest
If your pet cat is unwilling to practice when in training, mark changes in your methodology.
- Change Rewards: Use different kinds of treats or toys that can make your cat go nuts.
- Make it Playful: Play more so that your cat does not get bored and feels involved in training sessions.
3. Stubbornness
Cats can think differently and may not be inclined to obey commands at times.
- Patience is Key: The most difficult part is first to understand that the whole process of making the cat understand takes time, and at times, your cat may need its space.
- Short Sessions: To avoid the cat from becoming disinterested and therefore bored of the learning when it trains, make effort on arranging short and entertaining interactive sessions which involve the cat getting motivated to learn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Training
1. Can I train my cat to use the toilet?
Yes, you can teach your cat to use the toilet and eliminate the need for a litter box. There are toilet-training aids that slowly and gently introduce the cat on how to use the lavatory. Initially, you start by placing the cat litter tray on the toilet seat and gradually decreasing the amount of litter inside it.
2. Is it too late to train an older cat?
No, older cats and kittens are equally capable of being trained. Of course, age may be a factor that makes it a bit more challenging to teach an old cat new tricks, but it is absolutely possible as long as we put some effort into it.
3. What if my cat is unresponsive during training?
First, you can change your incentives as some cats seem dull. Adding your voice, or training in a different place can work as well. If the cat gets bored or stressed out of the sessions then it may not be a good idea to train him or her.
4. Can cats learn tricks like dogs?
Yes, as an example cats can be trained to rollover and for something fun, they can also be trained to do a high five or even fetch a toy. The most important part is figuring out what your cat values and making sure that the training sessions are appropriate in duration to make them enjoyable.
Final thoughts
Hence, given these circumstances, is it correct to say that cats can be trained as dogs are trained? The answer is most certainly an affirmative “yes” subjecting to the understanding that the training is adjusted to fit the characteristics of cats. After all, dogs are pack animals who would do anything to please the alpha. Most certainly cats require an entirely different mix of patience and creativity. Given the right mix of exploiting the arms of their instincts and motivations, applying the theory of positive reinforcement, and the practicing constancy, it is plausible to train your cat to take commands and even do tricks.
There’s a lot more to training than merely conveying commands; it is also a good way through which you can interact with your cat, challenge them, and promote their health. So, Are you prepared to start your training? Work on introductory commands while being as consistent as possible and making it fun for both you and your cat.
