How to train a cat is such a funny question to answer because, at first, the cat does seem like it will be a very difficult task. But, once you get past the cute stage, and the cat starts to come into its own, you’ll find that training a cat has become very easy. Yes! You really can train a cat to obey you on command, use a litter box, and pretty much everything else, and it is all much simpler than you ever thought possible. Almost every article on this subject is written by someone who has actually experienced everything in this article and, who no longer wish to deal with their angry cat, but who still wants to know how they can take their cat from being a one-word kitty to a fully-grown active, socially acceptable feline.
So, what are these tips and tricks? Well, first of all, you need to remember that cats are basically just animals. As such, they require rewards and treats in order to gain good behavior. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t feed your cat or give it a reward for good behavior, it will quickly learn that it must be rewarded in order to continue doing the same behavior.
One of the best tips on how to train a cat, and the first thing that any cat owner should implement, is positive reinforcement. Using positive reinforcement in any form (especially praise) is a great way to train your cat and reinforce good behavior. Simply click the clicker, and then immediately give the cat a reward for exhibiting good behavior. If the cat doesn’t do what you want, simply click the clicker again and then shower the cat with praise. Very soon, the cat will associate the clicking with the positive reinforcement that it receives and will always exhibit good behavior.
The second most common cat behavior problem is scratching. Obviously, this is something any cat owner wants to avoid. Unfortunately, when a cat does not have enough outdoor play time, it tends to scratch more, so the key here is to create more time out of the day when you can teach your cat where it can scratch on its own and when it can have some fun with a clicker.
The third most common cat behavior problem that almost every cat owner has is the litter box problem. When cats are trained, they very rarely need litter boxes. For example, if you train your kitten to go outside when it needs to relieve herself, then you can set the litter box up anywhere, but make sure it is in a location where your cat can see it. That way, she will not feel like it is dirty inside the box. I have found, by using the clicker, that even older cats will usually understand where they should put their litter box after they have been house-broken.
The fourth most common cat behavior problem that almost every cat owner finds is “the scratchy toe.” Cats tend to scratch when they become restless, when they are feeling territorial or just when they want to be left alone. The easiest way to remedy this is to reward your kitty with a tasty treat when it goes in the correct place and then praise your cat each time it scratches that spot.
