Page 234 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

232 C ARE AND BEHA VIOR

TRAINING YOUR CAT

Training your cat may sound like a strange, even impossible, thing
to do and contrary to the nature of such a free-spirited animal. But
basic training, such as teaching your cat to sit, has benefits, and
some cats make willing pupils. Training your cat will make it easier
for you to control and manage his behavior. You may even be able
to teach him a few tricks or train him to walk on a harness and lead. Cat with harness

Anything for food Basic training
Cats are happy to learn if there’s an edible reward. Unlike Your cat cannot be trained unless he has a name—preferably
dogs, cats don’t respond to discipline. Simply calling to your a short name of one or two syllables that he will find easy to
cat will not teach him to sit or come to you, but a tasty recognize and respond to. If you’ve adopted an adult cat, it’s
tidbit—such as a piece of dried salmon or a chicken treat—and best not to change his name, even if you dislike it. Training
lots of gentle praise will help greatly. Cats learn best when sessions should last for one or two minutes, never much
hungry; just before meals is ideal. During training, break treats longer, and preferably in a quiet room, free of distractions.
into small portions. Too many too soon and your cat will stop To get a cat to come to you, call him by his name while
feeling hungry and lose interest. Cats learn best from about tempting him with a treat. As he approaches, take a step
four months old. Young kittens lack concentration; old cats back and say, “Come.” When he has walked up to you, give
are generally not interested. Active shorthaired cats, such as the treat and praise him. Repeat this, increasing the distance
Siamese, are generally easier to train than other breeds. each time until he will run to you from another room on
hearing your command. If you then phase out the treats,
he should still respond to your call.
COMING TO YOU
Teaching your cat to come
to you on command is Meow on cue
useful if you leave him Once your cat has learned to come when called, you
outside during the day but can try training him to meow on cue. Hold a treat in
want to bring him indoors
at night or when you go out. your hand and call to him, but withhold the treat until
he meows—even if he tries to swipe the morsel from
your hand. As soon as he does meow,
say his name and at the same
time hand over the treat.
Practice both with and without
giving a treat to reinforce the
behavior, until your cat always
meows at the sound of his
name. You can then begin
to phase out the treats.

ATTRACTING ATTENTION
When your cat can meow in response
to his name, it will help you to find him.
It could even be a lifesaving skill if he
becomes trapped somewhere.