Train Your Cat at Home: Follow These Simple Steps

Cat training at home could be an event meant to build a special bond and improve their behavior. Cats can be independent sometimes; however, cats might learn positive behaviors through positive reinforcement. The following simple guidelines shall be used while training your cat at home.

1. Start with Basic Commands

An excellent cat training initiative is to teach the cat how to sit. Hold a treat above the cat's head and bring it slowly toward their back. As your cat follows the treat with his eyes and head, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground. As soon as they sit, say the command "sit" and immediately reward them with the treat. Do this regularly and your cat will begin to catch on to the command.

Come: Teaching your cat to come when called can be very helpful. Using a clicking device or a consistent sound, such as a bell or whistle, call your cat. When they respond by coming to you, provide treats or praise. Over time, your cat will learn that a sound indicates an acceptable behavior or reward and will be willing to come to you more often.

2. Provide a Consistent Environment

Consistency is the key to successful cat training. This enables your cat to remember and understand what is expected.

Consistent Commands: The same command or signal should be used with each distinct behavior. In training the cat to come, always use the same word or sound. If you mix up the commands, the cat can get confused easily, thus complicating training.

Training Times: Make sure your training session is only for about 5-10 minutes; do this repeatedly.

3. Show Patience and Stay Calm

Training is a slow process. Your cat may not learn at a pace similar to those of most pets. For this, it will take quite a bit of patience and much tranquillity on your side.

Patience: Cats do not rapidly get an idea at the first go, so give them a chance. If you find yourself frustrated, take a break and try again later. Being overly pushy is quite likely to meet resistance and adversely affect training.

Calmness: Cats are incredibly sensitive; a calm and quiet environment is very conducive for training. Select a time when your home is free of disturbance—other pets or toys making loud noises—so you have a tranquil environment for training.

4. Use a Clicker for Training

In cats, to mark the wanted behavior, clicker training is used where, by the desired action, the cat is told to do so by a small device that makes clicking noises.

CLICKER Begin by conditioning your cat to associate the sound of a clicker with throwing a reward. Make a clicking sound with your device, then immediately give your cat the treat. Repeat the process several times until your cat gets conditioned to receive the treat at the sound of that clicking sound

5. Practice Desired Behaviors

The old saying "practice makes perfect" certainly applies here. Practice will ensure that you can count on your cat to respond the way you want them to.

Repetition: If you were teaching your cat the word "sit," you might regale it with the command a few times each day. You could then develop a feeding and treat schedule to include commands for review before meals or snacks.

Progression: Your cat should have learned simple commands, and you can now proceed to learn many other behaviors. For instance, you can teach a cat to walk on a leash, an important skill when you are planning an outdoor adventure. What is best is to make sure that your car is accustomed to wearing a harness and that slowly she becomes familiar with the leash. Notice the cat who can walk nicely along with you, and then take baby steps gradually to not be uncomfortable.

6. Scratching Posts and Litter Boxes

Success in this can prevent chance behavior, which includes avoidance and unwanted behaviors, such as furniture scratching or improper elimination in cats.

Scratching Posts: Owing to the scratching nature of the cats, it is thus appropriate to have a scratching post around just to save the furniture. It is easy to train the cat to become familiar with the post by providing it in a convenient place. Reward the use of the post. If the cat scratches the furniture, gently re-direct it to the post, and when it is done, reward the cat.

Litter Boxes: Cats generally can use a litter box, but instinctively proper behavior should be encouraged. A good litter box should be put in a quiet location and accessible and kept clean at all times. On proper use of the litter box, praise your cat. The use of litter that smells different may not be acceptable to your cat. Look for other possible signs of stress in the cat.

7. Observe Their Progress Continuously and Shift Techniques as Needed

Keep in mind that training is not set in stone—observational learning and making changes to the methods being used are key.

Observation: Note how your cat responds to different techniques of training. Some types of reward work better than others in some cats. If a given approach isn't working, be sure to give other strategies a try.

Adjustments: If your cat seems unenthusiastic about one type of treat, do not be afraid to change it up for another type of reward. If she is struggling with a command, you can always divide the behavior into smaller steps and gradually build up the full action.

8. Do Not Hesitate to Seek Professional Assistance

However, with all your efforts, training your cat sometimes may be a little challenging. That's where a professional may come in to help you.

Professional Trainers: Should you be at your wit's end over a specific behavior or if the individual cat just does not seem to learn, consider calling a professional animal trainer or behaviorist. They can provide individual advice and techniques for busting through training roadblocks.

Behavioral Issues: If your cat has behavioral problems involving aggression, excessive scratching, or litter box issues, a behaviorist will assist the parent in recognizing the likely underlying problem and put together a targeted training plan. These issues will be averted and not constitute problems extending into the long term. 

Conclusion
Remember, patience, repetition, and a calm environment are the key ingredients to success in training. Realize that every cat is an individual, and you will need to modify or adapt the techniques according to the needs and preferences of your cat. And remember that, if you ever feel stuck, professional help is always worth considering.