Training a cat to have likeable behaviors
Cats can be very finicky at times. When you are trying to change
bad behaviors, this can be hard. Cats will not always do what
you want them to.
When you are trying to change a bad behavior you need to
introduce one good behavior. Redirect them into a behavior that
is more acceptable for the both of you. Make sure that you
reward your cat for any good behaviors that they may show. Use
treats, praise, cuddling, hugs, and games.
When you spot, you cat doing something undesirable you should
redirect them to something else. For instance, if you catch them
scratching at the couch you should get them a scratching post.
There are some things that you should remember, do not ever hit
your cat. This can make your cat get extremely irritated and
skittish.
Here are some ideas that can help with deterring your cat from
doing things that you may not want him to. You can use water,
try slyly squirting your cat with water, naturally they do not
like water. Try using loud noises such as: shaking pennies in a
soda can.
Use a compressed can of air to make a loud hissing noise. All of
these can be used for a quick stop when your cat is expressing a
bad behavior. In addition, with some success hopefully you can
catch them doing these bad behaviors. The discipline can be used
to help them realize that these bad behaviors are not going to
be accepted. On another note if you have gone away and you come
home to find your trash can tipped over. You can not punish them
for this. One, they will not remember doing this; secondly, they
will not know why they are being punished.
Here are a few things to try if you want to keep your cat from
jumping on your counter tops.
You can use things such as double sided sticky tape, aluminum
foil, plastic wrap. The double sided sticky tape is to be put
wherever you don't want your cat. If the cat goes near it and
puts one of their paws on it, they will stick to it.
As we all know cats do not like having sticky things on their
paws. This goes along with the plastic wrap, it has the same
effect. The aluminum foil can be used like a mirror. This will
give off a reflection of the cat.
Typically cats do not like reflection they believe they see
another cat. Or even at the most extreme you can put an electric
mat on the counter; most of the time this can be purchased at a
pet store. This mat will give off slight shocks to keep the cat
from the counter. There are some things that you can buy at
local pet stores, to keep your cat from biting on plants, and
electronic wires. You can get some bitter tasting and bitter
smelling things to put on the plants and wires. You have to be
careful what you put on these items. You can look on the back of
the product to tell if it will harm your plants. You should also
monitor how much you put on these. Your cats need toys to play
with; they need to keep themselves occupied.
You can also take the time and grow them their own plant or
grass. Just be careful and find out what type of plants that can
be harmful to your cat. One more idea to keep your cat from
getting into your plants is to get plant hangers and keep your
plants out of the cats reach.
Just a few reminders that you love your cat and you need to be
patient. All cats have at least one bad habit, there is always
some way of dealing with this. When you want your cat to behave
just treat it fairly.
They need time to learn new things, just like you would. They
also need time to break bad habits. Don't forget they are not
trying to make you mad they just want love and positive
attention.