Ten Cutting Edge Cat Training Tips

Cat owners are a proud bunch - and for good reason!  Cats are some of the best companions a human can have.  If you are fortunate enough to have one or more of these beautiful animals, then you could most likely use some quick, simple training tips to improve your and your cat's quality of life.  Here are the top ten tricks and techniques that will help you to manage any situation that may come up involving your cat.  These tips will probably even get your imagination working, so that you may come up with your own creative ways to deal with your pet.

The main thing to remember when training any animal is that consistency is key.  No  matter what training method you use, if you are sporadic or inconsistent, you are guaranteed to get sporadic and inconsistent results!  Don't send mixed signals to your cat, but be clear about your intent.  When she understands your desires, she is much more likely to fulfill them.  Remember that training is for a lifetime, so give it more attention than just the 10 minutes it may take you to read this article!

Here are ten cutting edge tips that will help you to deal with your cat, whether you are a new or seasoned cat owner.

1. Punishing your cat will only result in frustation.  Cats could care less if you try and punish them. Seriously. If you’ve ever trained a dog, it is likely that you were taught to use some form of 'punishment' to teach him which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. Cats do not learn this way. Period. Treating your cat like a dog is a big waste of time. Your kitty will sit and purr innocently at you, all the while he is planning his next 'misdeed.'

2. Never hit or spank your cat. Once again, it is important not to treat your cat like you would a dog. Many people will give a dog a smack on the behind when he misbehaves. However, this is not acceptable with a cat because of their delicate bone structure. So how are you supposed to teach a cat anything? You are going to have to outsmart it! But don't fret, because with all the tips you will learn in Cutting Edge Cat Care, you will have all the tools you need to turn your cat into the well-behaved companion you desire. (Before you get all the information, don't fall for some common but not recommended methods, such as clicker training for your cat.)

3. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your feline friend. As you  will no doubt learn the longer you have your cat, catching your cat "red-handed" is nearly impossible. Consequently, it is a lot easier to actually reward your cat's positive behavior when you see it. Regularly offer your cat a "treat" whenever you see her doing the behaviours you want her to continue – such as using her scratching post or doing her business in the litter box.

4. Cat toys make for a happy cat and happy cat owner. Many cats who seem to be mischievous and poorly behaved are not - they are actually just bored! Cats in the wild are predators, and though yours may be domesticated, he may spend him free time exercising those instinctive predatory skills. Remember this the next time your cat is seeming to destroy everything in the house and drive you crazy with activity!  Some interesting, constructive cat toys can provide him with alternatives that may tame him down – at least temporarily.

5. Don't neglect your cat - even when you are away. Again, if your cat is bored or lonely while alone in the home, he may act out by inadvertently becoming destructive. Here’s a quick tip for you: Get a timer for your T.V., turn the channel to Animal Planet or any other outdoor or nature channel. Then set the timer to turn the T.V. on and off at various times during the day. The randomness and fascinating images and sounds will interest your cat for periods of time.

6. An ordinary spray bottle full of water can become your (and your cat's) new best friend. If you are lucky enough to catch your cat red-handed, grab your handy water bottle and give him a quick spray in the face. This will divert his attention from what he is doing and abruptly stop the unwanted behavior. You can easily pick up one of these spray bottles in the gardening section of your local market, or even near the hair spray in the health and beauty section.  Next time your cat does an undesirable behavior, give him a quick squirt. If you are consistent, your cat will eventually associate the unpleasant squirt with the behavior in question, prompting him to avoid that particular behavior.

7. Blow in your cat’s face. Although it may sound way too easy, it actually works. If your cat is constantly in your face and you want him to learn to ack off a little and give you your space, try it. Just go ahead and lightly blow right in his face. It is not harmful, but he won't like it. Soon, he’ll associate the blowing with the action of bothering you, and you won’t be overwhelmed by the slightly excessive attention he used to give you.

8. You aren't the only one who likes a “room with a view”. Your cat is naturally curious, as you may have heard. ("Curiosity  killed the cat” sound familiar?) Actually, it's more likely that a cat owner at her wit's end went berserk over something their bored cat destroyed! Most of the time, your cat's "bad behavior" is nothing more than his curiosity getting the best of him. You can help avoid curiosity-based destruction by making sure your cat has a way to look out the window.  A comfortable ledge or window sill that he can sit in will suffice to allow your kitty to observe all the birds and squirrels outside. Did you know that you can actually buy an extension for your window sill, if it isn’t large enough for him to sit for extended periods? Check them out at your local pet store.  Or you can make your own, or have a friend help you if he is skilled at that type of thing.

9. Spend quality time with your cat. But I thought these were supposed to be training tips, you're thinking. Actually, you should be aware that the extent to which you get to know your cat has a direct effect on how well-behaved your cat will be. The reason for this is that the more quality time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll be able to communicate with her. All animals, whether domestic or wild, have their own 'language' or way of communicating with each other. You can learn your cat's unique facial expressions, body language, and sounds when you take the time to do so. Once you have reached this level of understanding with your pet, you might even begin to feel that you can “read her mind.” Your cat will begin to understand your body language, facial expression, and tone of voice as well. When you can 'read' your cat this way, you can predict unwelcome behavior in advance, and even stop it with just a stern glance in her direction.

10. Deal with cat fights right away.  The best policy is to confine the aggressive cat and reward the victim. If you have more than one cat, you have undoubtedly experienced the occasional “cat fight.” Felines are territorial animals. They may periodically feel over-protective of their territory, and a fight may ensue. If you happen to witness a catfight, you should immediately step in to end the action. You can do this with the help of your new best friend, the spray bottle. Squirt the aggressor. Try to avoid squirting the victim. Then quickly move to confine the “bully” in a less attractive space, such as a small room or closet. In the meantime, take the time to reward the cat who didn’t attack – especially if she did not retaliate against the aggressor. Give her a treat, or free roam of the house, whichever she seems to enjoy more. The next time your two cats are together, keep a close eye on them to make sure that they do not repeat the fight.

We hope these cat training tips will be helpful to you in dealing with your cat.  However, keep in mind that they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to training your cat. As you and your pet begin to know each better, you’ll develop a language all your own; you will understand each other in a way that is mysterious to everyone else around you. You’ll soon learn the subtle nuances of your cat's body language, facial expressions, and sounds.  And she will do the same with you. When you master this effortless communication with your cat, training her will be easier and more rewarding than you ever imagined.