Reinforcement
starts at any age, but it is typically wise to start out with a kitten. Cats
cannot distinguish words, but they are very astute in distinguishing tones of
your voice. They will know they have
done something wrong just by the tone of voice you use. This is why it is
important to use your upset voice when they have done something wrong, otherwise
they will become confused. Let us go
back to reinforcement. Reinforcement is either positive or negative. Water is a
negative reinforcement for a cat or kitten because they typically despise being
wet. Some positive reinforcement can be hugs or fully body petting, treats, or
play time.
To
train your kitty to come to your call is to repeat their name while they are
looking at you. Look them in the eye while you are using a nice tone of voice.
Another way to call your cat is to have another sound, like snapping fingers,
or clicking noises with your tongue. These typically gain the attention of your
cat or kitten so they learn to come when you call.
Litter
box training is perhaps the easiest part of having a kitty in your life. It is
best to keep them confined to one room, the room you will have the litter box
in to train them. They will learn by
you putting them in the box and allowing them to familiarize themselves with
the smell. Cats by nature understand the feel of litter associating it with
dirt. You may have to pick them up when they first begin to go if they do not
understand the litter box and place them inside. Occasionally a cat does not like the litter you use. They show their displeasure by using the
floor. This is a time to try something
new. Most female adult cats will train
their kittens so it is important they do not leave their mother’s care to
quickly. Food works in much the same
way. Once you show them where their
food bowls are they will continue to go there. Cats are creatures of habit.
Habits
are how you will train your kitty to bring you toys. Some cats will simply meow when they want to play and casually
bat their toy, however if you give them positive reinforcement every time they
carry a toy mouse or stuffed toy they will continue to bring the toy without
the reinforcement of a treat. For an
example my kitty, Spooky, is two. She
brings me a stuffed animal every afternoon or evening when she wants to
play. She lays it down near the end of
my couch and meows until I recognize the good deed and begin to play with
her.
Cats
are trainable, perhaps not to the degree; a dog is trainable with voice
commands, but they you can succeed in training them in some ways. Cats will
enliven any home and given a lot of positive reinforcement, they can be just as
much fun if not more fun than other pets. Especially when they give you comfort
by stepping on to your lap kneading and purring. These moments can take away a
bad day at work within a few seconds.
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