ArticlesV11N2 - Cat Training

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The key to cat training is to make sure that what you want her to do is...
Rewarding and Pleasurable

What you want your cat to stop doing must never be rewarding or fun. In fact, it must be downright unpleasant. But, before you reach for the whip... read on. This is not as straight forward as you may think.

It's a common mistake to think that training a cat is the same as controlling or disciplining bad behavior. Quite the contrary. Training animals, and training cats in particular, requires a mind set that recognizes that they are intelligent creatures in their 'own' right. It's a universal law that all creatures (human or otherwise) seek comfort, reward and affection, while always trying to avoid discomfort, pain and loss. As training programs have evolved over time this fact has come to dominate the motivation behind modern training theories. Gone are the days of thinking that animals are dumb and it's 'us' against 'them' for control of the world we share. If anyone does still think that way... they should stick with stuffed animal toys. If you think that you're the boss and they're going to do what you say... fu-getta-bou-it!! What you really want is a friend who shares your home in a way that is pleasant for you both. Not a psychologically maimed, fearful pet who would run away at the first opportunity.

When I say that training for your cat must be 'rewarding', I mean two things:

• First it's rewarding for you because her habits contribute to a pleasant lifestyle unfettered with nuisance behavior by your cat.
  
• Secondly, when your cat's good behavior is rewarded, it lets her know that she is welcome and loved in the household you both share.
  

Neatly tied to those rewarding concepts, is that training must also be pleasurable. When your cat learns that certain behavior earns her praises from you, she will opt for that behavior which brings her the special kitty cooing only you give to her. If she does things that do not yield the positive response she seeks from you, she's not dumb... like most creatures (people included), she will lean towards those activities that earn her positive reinforcement from you (and a treat, too). We're not teaching morals here. That's reserved for children (and adults that act like children). Teaching moral behavior is different for beings who can reason, and, requires a totally advanced and sophisticated training model. Most animals that I know of don't reason. They accept life for what it is and seek a comfortable existence in it.

Consequently, cats don't understand punishment.
It is completely 'unreasonable' for a cat owner to expect their cat to associate punishment with bad behavior. If punishment, or even loud verbal abuse, is used, a cat will only learn to fear and avoid you. If it's really bad, excessive or abusive... she'll probably just leave home for safer environs. Besides, could all that yelling and chasing around the house really be considered a happy home? fu-getta-bou-it, again. We're not here to prove that by chasing and trapping her in a corner, we are smarter and quicker witted than our pets. Doing so is such an ego centered activity (and might even define a low self-esteemed and unconfident personality). Besides, there are plenty of Politician's around to play that game. Nope, beating up on your cat is a poor choice of training compared to the far greater challenges we could spend that energy on.

So, how do you make your cat's bad behavior unpleasant?
Well, now you are going to have to show that you are smarter and quicker witted than your cat. First, you have to realize that each cat is different and learning her likes and dislikes requires that you see her as a unique individual. Not just as another cat. And, making an unwanted cat habit unpleasant is not the same as punishing her. So, forget all the scolding and reprimanding you might be tempted to offer... it's only frustration showing it's ugly head. If her habit of clawing the couch doesn't yield the results for her that she seeks because the plastic protective on the corner is too smooth, or there is netting or other material draped on the couch that she snags her claws in, or that double sided sticky tape makes her paws stick to the ground when she walks, she will naturally resort to the scratch post nearby that you have conveniently provided for her. It's designed to give her the stretch she so deeply craves, leaving her satisfied. Phooey on that couch corner! It's such an unpleasant experience!.

The same goes for the litter box. First you have to make sure the litter is always clean. Nobody wants to do their private activities in a dirty environment. And, you may have to test different kinds of litter to find one that she likes for her very special tastes.

Let's back up a minute. In a future newsletter I will discuss feeding habits for cats. For now, just accept that cats should have regular dining times just like the rest of us. When you are training her to use the litter box, you will get to know when it's time for her to 'do her thing' because you know when she eats, eventually she'll have to 'go'. Closed up in some special small room are you, the cat and the cat litter. When she uses the litter, that's your signal to praise her and reward her with a special treat she likes. Eventually you will not be overseeing the action and she will come to you when she has used the litter and call you for a treat. That's far better than washing the bedding every day or throwing out your favorite pair of shoes because they were mistaken for a litter box.

Training cats is not the same thing as 'herding cats', which everyone knows is an impossible activity. You can't herd cats, or canaries, or worms, or roses. Herding is a characteristic of cattle or Gnus. But, you can train any of those creatures including a cow, a gnu, even a rose (maybe not a worm). But, it is only successful if it is done with the anticipation of the reward and praises for what you would consider good behavior... and unpleasantness, not fear, associated with bad behavior.

See you next time,
Robert J Gallegos