How to Train a Cat by Kate Johns

Cats are very intelligent creatures. Although, it may seem like they don't have a single care in the world, they do want to learn and play. In order to train a cat to fetch a toy, or run and jump through hoops, or climb up a post, you have to make it fun for them. That's the key to training your cat--make it fun, and he or she will want to play. And in the process you will have outsmarted your cat into training to do what you really want.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• You will need a cat that wants to have fun, preferably a kitten.
• Cat toys, climbing things, hoops.
• Pieces of dry food to give your cat as praise.

1. Cats seem to do what they want only when they want to. In order to train your cat, you have to make it a game. Make a game out of the training sessions and don't make it a lot of hard work. Have your cat fetch and ball and return it to you, by placing something that moves on the end of the ball, such as a piece of yarn, or a feather. This way, your cat will really want to chase that ball. To get your cat to bring it back to you, praise her and hold a piece of dry cat food out in front of you. She should respond by coming to you to eat. And she might even bring the ball back with her.

2. Start as early as possible training your cat. You know the old saying---you can't teach an old dog new tricks. This does apply to cats as well as dogs. Teach kittens to fetch, and run after a ball, and to climb once they are at least six weeks of age. You may have to wait until they are a little older, to actually keep their limited attention span.

3. Make certain that you continually praise your cat for the good work she does. When she runs after a ball of yarn, and tousles with it, or when she climbs and goes over a board, praise her many times over. Give her a piece of dry food as a reward and a scratch behind her ears. When she doesn't do the trick, praise her, by telling her she is a good cat, but don't give her a treat, She hasn't earned it after all!

4. Create tricks and objectives for your cat to reach for, by keeping them in line with what she does naturally. Create fun, stimulating tricks for your cat to do, such as climbing, leaping, swatting, running, hiding, and catching a moving object such as a toy mouse and fighting with it. This way, she will be able to conquer and divide the acts you have come up with and feel proud of herself for accomplishing them.

Tips & Warnings

• Always praise your cat for a job well done.
• Never tell her she is wrong, or use negative reinforcement. It won't work, your cat will just get mad at you and probably find a corner to hide in and sulk.
• Older cats can be taught new things to do, but it just takes more time.