Here's How to Train Your Cat to Stop Clawing the Furniture

First, understand that cats were made to claw; they scratch on things in order to release the top layer of their nails, thus revealing sharper layers below. It would be unrealistic to train a cat not to claw at all. Rather, the trick is to teach them where it is appropriate to scratch, and where it is not acceptable.

Following these steps will help you teach your cat not to scratch on the furniture:

1. Provide a suitable place for the cat to scratch. The best option is a scratch post, covered in carpeting or rope. Ideally, have more than one scratch post, with at least one tall enough for Kitty to stretch fully, in her natural way, reaching up to rub her front claws across the surface. Place these posts in areas where the cat enjoys spending time, and where you can take the cat to it easily.
2. When you see your cat scratching, walk over to him, then firmly say, “No.” Pick the cat up, gently, and carry him to the scratch post. Very gently, rub your cats paws on the post in a scratching motion, sweetly talking to the cat, telling him what a good boy he is.
3. If your cat does not seem interested in the scratching posts, make them more interesting. You can rub some cat nip on them, purchase feline pheromones to spray on them, or, start feeding your cat his favorite treat only on, or at the base of, the scratching post. Get the cat to like his post and feel comfortable around it. Then, continue to take him to the post every time you see him scratching elsewhere.
4. Perform step 2 religiously. Constantly. Without fail. It is all about persistence, and could take a couple of weeks. If the cat is left alone a lot during the day, it could take longer. Cats learn through repetition. So, every time you see her clawing on furniture, you must get up, and do step 2.
5. 

   A Scratch Post is Important

   Often, after using this process for only a few days, the cat will begin to scratch on the scratch posts. But, they may still occasionally scratch on furniture. At this point, if the cat has definitely learned to scratch on the post and is doing so regularly, you can now begin simply discouraging furniture scratching. Thus, you no longer have to carry the cat to the scratch post.

   Rather, find something that the cat does not like, perhaps the noise of a tin can being shaken with rocks in it, or a light squirt of water from a spray bottle. Then, when the cat scratches where he should not, shake the can or squirt the water at his backside (never squirt at his face, or use anything other than water), while saying “No!” Also, consider purchasing an aversion spray, to apply to areas that you do not want your cat to scratch.

6. One to four weeks of this process, without fail, will result in your cat stretching and clawing only on her scratch post. Of course, like any creature, the cat will “test” every once in a while, to see if perhaps now it is ok to scratch on the couch or rug. If she does, a firm “No!” should be all that is required. But if the habit starts to return, immediately go back to step 2 and start the process again.

For most cats, redirecting them to an acceptable scratching post is an effective way to keep your furniture safe. With a bit of due diligence and consistency, you can have a well trained can – well, he probably will not bring you the paper or fetch your slippers, but he will keep his claws to his own scratching post.

How to Train Your Cat to Stop Clawing Furniture is a post from: Learn to Train Cats

How to Train Your Cat to Stop Clawing Furniture from the people at How to Train Cats

Train Your Catch to Fetch a Ball

Feline Observations

Attempts at training any feline to do tricks can be difficult. The first step to achieving this goal is to pay close attention to your cat’s personality. There are as many cat personalities as there are human personalities. Understanding this fact avoids years of frustration. Imagine a human with a personality that is inflexible and adverse to suggestion. Now, you have an idea of what kitty may be like. Oddly, cats are more sensitive to their owners than we realize. This is assuming that the owner has spent a good deal of time with their pet. Cats observe behaviors in a unique way: By watching every move we make and processing their observations to determine their owners moods and habits. Meanwhile, we go blithely amid the kitties thinking they aren’t paying attention. All the while, we are the main focus of their daily curiosities.

Progression Tricks

If your kitten has figured out how to fetch a ball, returning the ball has to be enjoyable for the kitten so it will continue to fetch. Attach a long string to the ball. Toss it into the air. Wait for the kitten to make a run for it. Slowly pull the ball toward you. The kitten will naturally follow it back to you. Be prepared to be very patient. Remember, this is a cat. Tricks should be taught in progression. As an example, to get your cat to roll over, make it follow an object with its eyes. Do this so that the cat rolls from side to side at first and then revolve the object so that the cat has to roll completely over. Practice these tricks again and again. Be aware that the cat may become bored and just decide “enough is enough” and walk away with that bored look. That’s the signal that training for the day is over.

Can A Cat Play Piano?

Can a Cat Play the Piano?

So, can a cat play piano? Yes. If the cat has full and complete trust in its owner, it may be able to play “Three Blind Mice” or, maybe just a few bars of this tune. Initially, cats find no pleasure in striking the ivories with a paw only to get a scary sound for their efforts the first time they try. Hence, the need for complete trust in their owner. Let the cat become acquainted with the piano first. It may well be a place for a short nap in the beginning. That’s okay.

Next, allow the cat to sit in your lap as you play. This breaks down the barrier of fear of noise that’s emitted from the piano. Eventually, every kitty needs a good stretch after napping in your lap. Allow your cat to stretch toward the keys. Don’t force the cat toward the keys. Cats have indelible memories of things that scare them off.

Training Takes Practice

In order for any training with a cat to be successful, it has to be a daily effort or it won’t happen. Practice nonchalantly each day. Remember, your cat is also very smart. Any clue that this is a chore will make kitty unwilling to train at all. Choose tricks that are simple before you try to train a cat to jump through hoops.

How To Train A Cat To Do Tricks is a post from: Learn to Train Cats

How To Train A Cat To Do Tricks from the people at How to Train Cats

Train Your Cat to Walk on a Leash

1. Firstly, make sure your cat loves to be around you. Try calling him over when you are on the other side of the room. If he loves to come over and be by you while you pet him and snuggle with him, then he should have no problem following you around either.
2. The second step is finding a treat that your cat loves. If you are a person that gives your kitty treats every day you will already know this step and it will be easy! Cats can be quite particular though, so before training with treats make sure he loves those little tasty morsels. You might have to try a few different flavors.
3. Thirdly, buy a leash and harness. Make sure the collar, or harness, is not one that just goes around your cat’s neck, it has to go around his stomach as well, and have a little clip on the back. This way, your cat can’t just wiggle right out of the collar if he decides to get flighty, like all cats do.

Leave the leash and harness around the house, maybe on the floor by his kitty bed, or perhaps over by where he likes to lounge in the sun. Cats are curious, and they will look at this harness, and hopefully accept it. Once your cat is familiar with the harness, you can try putting it on.

Give your kitty a treat when putting on the harness to distract him a little, and then slip it right over him and clasp it quickly before he gets away! It’s ok if he is a little skittish about his first time wearing a harness. Cats don’t wear harnesses in the wild, so it will feel abnormal to him.

Do not put the leash on right away. Let him walk around the house, and wear the harness for awhile, because he needs to get accustomed to the feeling of it around his body. It shouldn’t restrict your cat’s leg movements or be on too tight, but it will seem a little strange to him at first.

It's Easy to Leash Train Your Cat

When asking him to come over, coax him over with a treat, pet his head and neck nicely, and then offer him the treat. Offer him another one. Pet him again. You are looking for him to stay by you, even though you had just recently surprised him with that harness that he is still getting used to. When he gives you a little purring noise, attach the leash at the top of the harness.

Now this is the important part, because just having your cat attached to the end of a leash is not going to make him come with you. Use kind words and set out some treats in a little trail in front of your cat about 1.5 feet apart from one another. Every time your cat goes to the next treat, take a step forward. This way your cat will get used to moving forward as your body is moving forward.

Before you take your cat anywhere and expect him to stay on the leash and walk with you, I would suggest practicing this every day for at least one week. He should get more willing to put the harness on and leave it on for extended periods of time, and then when you walk with him he should follow. It is important to reward your kitty with kind words, treats, and a little neck rub to remind him that you love him and you want to give him all the attention in the world, which is why you want him to be with you everywhere and follow you on that leash.

Step by Step Guide to Walking Your Cat on a Leash is a post from: Learn to Train Cats

Step by Step Guide to Walking Your Cat on a Leash from the people at How to Train Cats

Learn to Toilet Train Your Cat

Preparing for the Toilet Training

It is ideal to have two toilets inside the house if you want to train your cat. The first toilet can be for your usage while the second one can be for the cat. Your cat needs to get used to the height and strength of the flush of the water tank so if the two toilets have different specifications, don’t switch from one to another.
Also, take note that the cat should be at least six months old before undergoing toilet-training because they are continually growing. At some point, they need to balance themselves in the toilet seat. If they are used to using it when they were small, they might struggle once they get bigger.

Materials

Using aluminum trays as a tool is highly effective. One tray will be fitted into the toilet while the next one should replace the cat’s litter box. The latter is important because it conditions the cat to use aluminum trays whenever he has the urge to relieve himself. The transition from using the litter box to the toilet becomes easier by using aluminum trays.

Patience is the Key

Don't Toilet Train Your Cat Like This Guy

How to Toilet Train Your Cat is a post from: Learn to Train Cats

How to Toilet Train Your Cat from the people at How to Train Cats