How to Train Your Cat

No matter how much cat owners may claim otherwise, cats are simply not as bright as dogs. They lack the cognitive ability to link cause and effect as clearly, which means it's much harder to train them to do anything. However, while your kitty will never learn to fetch, roll over or get the newspaper, you can train him to obey a few basic rules, such as urinating in the litter box and not clawing the new carpet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two-sided tape
• Pet repellant
• Scratching post
• Catnip

1. Play with your cat, as many types of misbehavior come because the cat is simply bored and has nothing to do. Schedule 20 or 30 minutes to play with him every day at the same time. You'll likely find that wild behavior and other problems will disappear.

2. Adopt a regular feeding schedule. A cat's digestive system functions like clockwork, and steady, regular feeding will result in the steady, regular passing of waste. If you have a good idea of when he will urinate, you can make sure that he uses the litter box.

3. Clean the litter box regularly. Most cats don't use the box because they think it's too soiled. Scooping out the waste once a day and replacing it with 1 inch or so of fresh litter will train the cat to use it regularly.

4. Confine the cat's space until he learns to use the litter box. Limit his movement to one room, with fresh food and water available as well as a fresh litter box. Once he learns that it is the place to urinate, you can give him access to the rest of your house, leaving the litter box in place.

5. Make unwanted behavior unrewarding to the cat. He shreds the drapes and claws on the furniture because he enjoys the sensation. Make the sensation unpleasant by applying two-sided tape to the furniture, so that it will stick to the cat when he tries to claw it.

6. Spray pet repellant on any area you don't want the cat to claw. Also, netting tends to work well because it will snag the cat's claws.

7. Provide a positive alternative to any negative behavior. While discouraging the cat from destroying certain objects or urinating where he shouldn't is effective, it becomes doubly effective when you provide a pleasant alternative. A scratching post that is spiced with catnip, for example, may further deter him from clawing the couch. Praise and a treat for successfully using the litter box may encourage regular trips there.

Tips & Warnings

• Cats don't respond to reprimands. They don't mentally link your displeasure with any misbehavior on their part, so punishing them after they have misbehaved is useless.
• Cats are stubborn. Be prepared to exercise patience and stick to the regimen if you want to train them properly.

[katio92]

on 12/20/2008 thats bs! my cat fetches, sits, stays, rolls over and goes for walks, it just depends on your cats personality