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Training Your Cats or Kittens
With Positive
Reinforcement
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Pets make
our home more complete by being there to greet you after a hard day at work or
snuggling up to you while you sleep. Cats have been termed the most fickle of
creatures; however, they are sweet lovable creatures whether you raise them
from infancy or as adults. Most cats recognize their owners by the sound of
their voice, the car they drive and who spoils them the most. Like dogs, cats
can be trained. A cat can be trained to come to your call, to bring their toys
when they want to play, as well as more domestic issues such as using a litter
box. The key to training a cat or kitten is reinforcement.
Reinforcement starts at any age, but it is typically wise to start out with a
kitten. Cats cannot distinguish words, but they are very astute in
distinguishing tones of your voice. They will know they have done something
wrong just by the tone of voice you use. This is why it is important to use
your upset voice when they have done something wrong, otherwise they will
become confused. Let us go back to reinforcement. Reinforcement is either
positive or negative. Water is a negative reinforcement for a cat or kitten
because they typically despise being wet. Some positive reinforcement can be
hugs or fully body petting, treats, or play time.
To train your kitty
to come to your call is to repeat their name while they are looking at you.
Look them in the eye while you are using a nice tone of voice. Another way to
call your cat is to have another sound, like snapping fingers, or clicking
noises with your tongue. These typically gain the attention of your cat or
kitten so they learn to come when you call.
Litter box training is
perhaps the easiest part of having a kitty in your life. It is best to keep
them confined to one room while training them to use it. They will learn
through repetition and placing them in the box and allowing them to familiarize
themselves with the smell. Cats by nature understand the feel of litter
associating it with dirt. Occasionally a cat does not like the litter you use.
They show their displeasure by using the floor. This is a time to try something
new. Most female adult cats will train their kittens so it is important they do
not leave their mother's care too quickly. Food works in much the same way.
Once you show them where their food bowls are they will continue to go there.
Cats are creatures of habit.
Habits are how you will train your kitty
to bring you toys. Some cats will simply meow when they want to play and
casually bat their toy, however if you give them positive reinforcement every
time they carry a toy mouse or stuffed toy they will continue to bring the toy
without the reinforcement of a treat.
Cats are trainable, perhaps not
to the degree; a dog is trainable with voice commands, but you can succeed in
training them in some ways. Cats given lots of positive reinforcement will be
just as much fun if not more fun than other pets. Especially when they give you
comfort by stepping on to your lap kneading and purring or when they nestle in
your long hair. These moments can take away a bad day at work within a few
seconds.
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Call or email for more information:
818.506.1311
Sabina@PetsNanny.net
"Your love will show through me
while you're
away!" |
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