Teach Your Kitten To High
One great trick you can teach is how to high-five or “wave.” Kittens love using their paws to play and pounce on everything, so they may easily gravitate to this type of trick.2 If you’re using clicker training, hold a toy above your kitten’s head and “click” when she lifts her paw to bat at it. Say “wave” as she goes to bat at the object and let her play with the toy. Then start saying “wave” before she lifts her paw. After some time, she’ll begin to make the connection and start waving her paw at the word “wave” without needing to see a toy.
Practice Engage/disengage Games With The Dog Separately From The Cat
Start teaching the dog to pay attention to you instead of squirrels and other exciting things.
Use the protocol outlined in the video below.
As described, you need to:
You can also play the Ready, Set, Down game with a tug or a flirt pole for extra practice around exciting toys.
Cats Can Learn Tricks Too
A lot of cat owners dont think to train their cats until its too late to do so easily. Cats are similar to dogs in that they are more easily trained at a young age. If your cat has free rein and no concept of commands for five years, its natural for it to take longer for them to grasp the concept!
Its true that cats dont have the same inclination toward following instructions as dogs do. But really, cats can be trained to do almost everything a dog can. The key differentiator will be what you use to train your cat, since they often have different motivations than dogs.
For most cats, positive encouragement and petting will not be nearly as effective as it is for dogs, but treats and tasty things are much more of an incentive. To avoid feeding your cat too much, you may want to use some of their everyday kibble as treats during training, which you can just take out of the pre-measured portion in their bowl. Feeding right before mealtime using kibble can also be extremely effective, since your cat will be hungry and eager to eat.
Additionally, many cats will respond well to training if you start by training them on things they want or like already. For example, you might be able to teach your cat to fetch by using their favorite toy they love to chase.
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Can You Use Dog Training Methods On A Cat
Well, that depends entirely on what method you use to train your dog!
If were talking alpha training and all that antiquated dominance nonsense, no.
Seriously, go ahead and try to dominate your cat. I guarantee hell do whatever the kitty equivalent to laughing in your face is!
If were talking reward-based training, though, then yes, its absolutely doable.
Just like it does with dogs, reward training teaches your cat that if he does A, he gets tasty B.
Read on for tips on how to train your cat like a dog using similar methods
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Can You Train A High Prey Drive Dog To Live With A Kitten
Dogs are predators but we often dont really want them to act out those predatory instincts. Some dogs are more high prey drive than others. Is it even possible to train a high prey drive dog to live with a kitten? If so, how?
Our Certified Dog Behavior Consultants tackle this question in todays Ask a Behavior Consultant.
Can a dog with a high prey drive be trained to live with a kitten? We introduced our dog to the kitten wed like to adopt, and the kitten was calm but our dog seemed like she wanted to bite her and shake her like a toy.
Sincerely, Cats Are Friends Not Food
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Can I Train A Cat Like I Can A Dog
Yes, you absolutely can train a cat in similar ways to which you would train a dog, with many commands working well for both animals, including shaking hands, high-five, sit, and roll over. Cats, much like humans, require mental as well as physical stimulation, and training can be a great way to achieve both of these. In fact, teaching your cat simple commands can have a wide range of benefits, both for you and your feline companion.
As well as mental stimulation, training a cat to perform simple commands can help to relieve boredom, which is particularly useful for indoor or energetic cats. It can also help relieve any stress the cat may be feeling, which can in turn minimise unwanted behaviours. In addition, simply spending more time with your feline can be a great bonding experience for your both, resulting in a closer companion. Plus, the sense of accomplishment youll feel when your cat finally perfects the command is second-to-none!
We always recommend using positive reinforcement when training an animal. Cats will respond better to much training that is reward-based. Punishing them, or using negative reinforcement can stress the cat, making it harder to continue with the training session and may result in other unwanted behaviours.
The Power Of Positivity
Training gives you a more effective way to communicateand you may even find your cat communicates back.
Delgado saw this when she taught her cat to use the scratching post instead of trying to teach her not to scratch the couch: When my cat wanted a treat, shed go to the scratching post and put a paw on it and look at me like, ‘Hey, are you going to give me a treat for this?’
When you start ignoring undesirable behavior, youll need to hold your ground through the extinction burst, as trainers call it.
Initially the animal will try harder, so if you stop getting up to feed your cat in the middle of the night it’ll probably meow louder and walk on your face, says Delgado. You have to be very consistent in not responding.
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Work With Your Cats Natural Instincts
If you want to train a cat like a dog using reward training, you first have to teach them what the reward system means.
Ive had both cats and dogs for my entire adult life.
All those years have taught me one thing- dogs almost instinctively know that rewards are something we earn while cats think that their very existence deserves a reward.
Teach them that rewards are earned
So, teach them that while their existence is definitely worthy of SOME rewards , they have to earn the good stuff!
For that, youll want to work with their natural instincts and reward them for things theyre already doing.
I recommend starting with litter training. Cats naturally want to go where they can cover up their business, which is why theyre such a breeze to litter train.
When you see your cat coming out of the box, immediately say, Good kitty! and hand over a reward.
Continue to condition your cat to see treats as a reward by using them during playtime.
For example, you can hold a treat up above kittys head to encourage him to reach for it or fill an interactive ball with treats.
Basically, whenever your cat does something you like, reward him. It wont take long for him to learn that the good stuff only comes when he earns it.
If you want to see the last two tips in action, check out the video below. Its long but super entertaining AND informative.
How To Teach A Cat Tricks
Tricks, clickers, commands Those are just for dogs, right?
Thinkstock
Contrary to popular belief, cats are trainable. You can teach them useful behaviors as well as novelty tricks. You can even train them to compete in agility tournaments.
There are some differences between the way cats and dogs are trained, of course. Cats arent as likely to be motivated by praise as dogs. Cats are also less instinctively driven to work in partnership with their human companions. But that doesnt mean theyre not superstars in waiting. With the right methods and a little creativity on your part your cat will soon amaze you with the things he can learn.
Remember: Cats respond to positive reinforcement, not negative punishment
Cats should only be taught new behaviors with positive, reward-based training. Punishment and dominance are not healthy methods, nor are they effective. Punishment creates stress, and stress is one of the most common causes for problem behaviors in cats, including eliminating outside of the litter box and compulsive grooming, says the ASPCA website. So with that in mind, here are some steps to get you started:
2. Get your cat used to receiving rewards in response to specific behaviors. Start with a simple trick to show your cat that good things happen during your training sessions.
3. Practice, practice, practice but not too much. Repeat this training process several times in a row so that your cat learns why hes getting rewarded.
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Introducing Kittens And Puppies
If you are introducing a kitten to a dog, keep in mind that kittens may not have any fear of dogs, so you must watch the dog carefully. Because kittens are small and want to run and play, dogs with a strong prey drive may be very excited by a kittens movements. Even if your dog is OK with your adult cats, it is important to watch her closely when shes with a kitten. If your dog is young and high-energy, she could hurt or kill the kitten simply by trying to play. So, for safetys sake, keep kittens and dogs apart any time you are not watching them.
Introducing adult cats to puppies can sometimes be easy, since a well-socialized adult cat might be fine with a puppy acting like a puppy. However, if your rambunctious puppy is chasing your shy cat, it is up to you to intervene. Until the puppy is old enough to have more self-control and has had some training, you will want to manage their interactions. You dont want your puppy to learn that chasing the cat is a fun game. Baby gates can be used to keep the animals safely and comfortably apart. To help you keep an eye on your puppy, you can also put her on a leash. That way, if she begins to chase the cat, you will be able to easily direct her away from that behavior.
Best Guard Cat Breeds
Honestly, there arent really any specific cat breeds that are more likely to guard your house than others.
However, there are a few cat breeds that are like dogs, as well as some that are more easily trained to do different tricks, including guarding a house.
Then, there are the breeds that reach the size of a small dog, which definitely has the potential to scare an intruder!
Examples include:
This breed deeply loves his humans, plays fetch, and readily learns new tricks.
- Burmese
They love children and are pretty well-known for their dog-like mannerisms.
- Ragdolls
This darling breed loves to greet his people at the door. While thats not the same thing as guarding the door, it can work to your advantage if youre trying to train him to howl when strangers enter.
One of my favorite breeds, the Maine Coon can grow up to 25 lbs, making him large enough to startle an intruder.
- Ocicat
Being one of the most highly trainable kitties gives him the most potential to learn how to become a guard cat.
Now that we know which cats are more likely to act like guard cats, lets talk about whether its possible to train them to do so.
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Answer From Jacque Schultz Ma Cpdt
Feline elimination problems are the No. 1 most common cat issue. It is estimated that one out of every 10 cats will have lapses at some point in his life.
So what can you do to try to change the situation, especially if hes been having accidents for years?
First, get a vet check to make sure he is healthy. All the behavior help in the world cannot fix a problem that is medical in nature. Some cats have chronic issues, so if you treated something a few months ago, it doesnt mean the cat isnt sick again.
Second, if he gets a clean bill of health, I would use a two-week confinement program with him. Heres how:
For cats, seeing the cat carrier is often the first sign that something bad is about to happen . So the first step to reducing the stress of vet visits is to create positive carrier associations for your cat a process that will take some time and patience but can be well worth it.
Try these ten simple steps, then check out the bonus troubleshooting tips from Banfields expert veterinarian below:
Body Language Of Dogs And Cats
When introducing your dog to a cat, pay attention to the body language of both animals. If the cats ears are pinned back or his tail is swishing back and forth, this is a good indicator that he is displeased. You particularly want to be aware of dog body language that could be potential warning signs. If your dog has a strong prey drive , she might become very focused on the cat. Shell stiffen, stare, and may start barking or whining. If you see these signs, do not let her near the cat. Ideally, her body language will be loose and relaxed around the cat. Its OK if she pays attention to the cat, but you dont want to see her fixated on him.
In addition, a dogs interaction with a cat can change depending on the environment. Just because your dog is OK with the cat inside the house doesnt mean shell exhibit that same behavior outdoors. She might fixate on the cat and start stalking him when they are outside together. So, be aware of her body language around the cat in each new situation, until you know how she is going to respond toward him.
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Can You Toilet Train A Cat
Can you train cats to use the toilet? is one of Koskis least favorite questions. Just because you can train a cat to do something doesnt mean that you should, she says.
Toilet training goes against your cats nature. Cats like to crawl into a secure and safe area thats sandy and scratch around before they use the restroom and hopping on the toilet does nothing to address these needs, adds Graddy.
In the worst-case scenario, a toilet-trained cat could potentially injure herself when jumping on or off the outlet or the training could trigger a desire to create a mess elsewhere in the house.
So, while some cats can be trained to use the toilet, sticking to a traditional litter box is your best bet.
Your Cat Should Explore First
Yes, you are the master of your pet, but your poor cat is very new to being outside. You shouldn’t pick them up and walk all the way across your yard and set them down. That is very terrifying for such timid and observant animals.
In the beginning, you need to allow your cat to explore the area first. The smoothest way to get through training is by going at their pace. Of course, if they are going near something they shouldn’t you definitely need to protect them at all costs, so a light tug and saying “no” is fine. But they need to start off going where they feel comfortable and safe.
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Gate Barrier With Distance
Now that the two pets have been able to sense, smell, and hear one another, it is time to allow them to see each other. Get a pet gate or baby gate that you can set up in the doorway of the room where the new pet is staying. This works best if you have another person who can help you. That way, each pet is being supervised directly.
Both pets should be a reasonable distance from one another on either side of the door. Offer treats, praise, and gently pet each animal while slowly opening the door . Do not make a big deal about this, just keep the mood calm and allow each animal to discover the open door from a distance. If either pet becomes vocal, aggressive, anxious, or over-excited, immediately remove that animal from the situation and divert its attention to something like a toy.
Repeat this exercise several times a day for one or more days. You can move onto the next step when you feel that both pets can see each other without overreacting.
Keep Your Cat Up And Walking
The number one benefit to walking your cat is the exercise. Yes, you want them to explore, have fun, and have a generally good life, but indoor cats are notorious for being lazy and often gain weight and become obese. If this is your main reason to walk them, then you know it is important to keep them moving and walking while they’re outside.
After several weeks or possibly months, your cat is probably going to be getting a lot better getting their harness on and going outside easily. However, I bet your cat will be stopping a lot on your walks and you will be saying “This is definitely not like walking a dog”.
When I first started talking Layla out on walks, she would stop every couple of feet to smell a leaf, turn her head and stare, or just stand in place which was problematic because she needed to walk and get her exercise. The thing that helped me with this issue was allowing the leash to tug the harness just slightly while I stood in place and kept the foot motion and walking sounds going. This sort of tricked her into thinking I was going on without her and it continued the walk.
When your cat gets introduced to the outside world, he or she may express to you that they want to go out more . So it is imperative that you watch your doors so your cat won’t run out. They are depending on you, and as they get comfortable they may forget that without you they could possibly get hurt or lost.
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