Specifics on how to train your cat (not dragon!)
When training a cat there are many simialrities to dog training, but also a number of major differences! It can useful to know a bit about beahvoural approaches to training. Cats respond to many different varities, so at Terapoya Cattery we aim to provide our Russian Blue kittens with exposure to many different stimulus.
With Winter setting into the ACT and Southern NSW, places such as Orange, Canberra and Wagga Wagga become harder to access the array of outdoor actities. This is often a time I like to train due to being forced inside with these condtions.
One thing to check first is find what stimulates your pet. This is something that they find rewarding, seems to make them excited and you will often see a beahvioural rsponse rather quick (Sascha will come and sit with his food, if he knows it is training time). When working with a newer cat, first start by just taking your time and exposing them to some of the following:
Treats: if you have any on hand, try them! Or, have a few different types and see if your cat likes any. Food can be a powerful reinforcer.
Toys: having an array of different toys, with bells, feathers, toys on a strip ect can be really useful as a postive reward when doing and learning a new task. Try different toys and see what ones your kitten responds to the most!
Pets (and for Russian Blue’s, ear sratches!): When I trrain SaschaI will often alternate between the different stimulus is use when training. Finding their favourite spot to pet or srartch can be a major reward when they do a task well.
After this, I spend time with a basic command, such as ‘come’ or recall training using their name. Thios initially is more about setting the scene, what to expect from training and oreiting your kitten towards how reinforcement works. I will often do this for some time and over time for some months as a kitten moves between 3-6 months of age.
As the kittens get older, you can begin to consider specific commands you’d like to teach, as well as ones that may be quite useful, such as recall training. THe reason for early oreitnation to play based training with no set agenda is at this point, it often makes it much easier to set the pace and tone for doing certain actions and commands.
As mentioned in other blogs, finding ways to initaite a beahviour natrually is often the easiest and best way to teach a new skills via command training. It can be useful to spend time watching your cat and kitten play. Explore and interact with their world. Often during this you will see wyas you can manipulate the enviroment to try and get those natraul behavious occuring.
Then you can try to do things that you have seen your cat do (such as a hand above a head to imitate a grabbvin motion, for example) that make it easier for them to learn to do the behaviour on command.