Cat training at home

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Training pets is an interesting and challenging activity. This requires a lot of effort and time. But, in truth, the result is worth it to try it. With the training of cats, everything is ambiguous. These are very independent and proud animals that have a rather complex character. Getting a cat to do something it doesn't want to do is incredibly difficult, and sometimes even impossible. Then a logical question arises: “Is it possible to train a cat at home?”

The only cat theater in the world

In the mid-70s, in a circus, the audience saw a performance that later shocked the whole world. Clown Yuri Kuklachev performed on stage with a kitten. The animal sat in a large and bright candy "kis-kis", and when the artist opened it, it jumped out of there and walked importantly around the stage. In addition, Kutka (that was the name of Yu. Kuklachev's first cat) knew how to jump into a hoop, do somersaults and walk onhind legs. Over time, the artist got another cat, and then another, and then a dog. Every day there were more and more animals. And he decided to seriously engage in the training of cats. Kuklachev trained them, invented sketches and performed with animals around the world. This is how the only cat theater in the world appeared.

It turns out that it is quite possible to train these animals, and this example is a clear proof of that. There are certain tricks, using which you can teach a cat any tricks. It was thanks to them that Yuri Kuklachev was able to train all his pets. What is his secret?

The most important rule

Despite the fact that nowadays many pets know a lot of tricks and successfully perform them, cat training school is a rarity. This is due to the fact that these animals are very devoted to their owners and are difficult to train in an unfamiliar place, and even more so with a stranger.

Cats are very different from dogs, so the methods of training should be different. If it is very important for a dog that he feels that you are the boss in the house, then for a kitty the main thing is love and care. A proud and independent animal never obeys anyone. Before you start training a cat at home, you should establish a relationship with her. Never hurt or hit her.

Not so long ago, collars for training cats appeared on sale. Their principleaction is based on the fact that when the animal does something wrong, the collar shocks him. Yuri Kuklachev, like many others involved in animal training, believes that such an accessory cannot be used. An electronic collar involves violence against the will of an animal, and a cat is unlikely to agree to such mockery. Its use may have the opposite effect. The animal will stop loving you and start doing the opposite.

Choose a cat

Some people tend to think that only certain animals are suitable for training. Bengal cat training is considered the most promising. Yes, perhaps this breed is one of the smartest and most easily trained, but despite this, other cats can be just as good. When choosing an animal, you should be guided by your feelings. As practice shows, the most devoted and obedient cats are the most ordinary and outbred. Most of the talented pets Kuklachev found on the street. He cured them, raised them, and they repaid him with great performances on stage.

Cats and children

The famous clown Kuklachev believes that animals are very similar to children. They also require attention, affection and care. It is very important that the cat feel your love for him. Of course, attention does not manifest itself in the form of a delicious lunch or dinner. You need to talk with a cat, praise him and be sure to play with him. Before you start training an animal, you can conduct such an experiment. Tie a bow or a toy mouse to the ribbon and play with the animal1-2 minutes. So it is necessary to do at least every 3 hours, for several days. After a while, you will notice that the animal itself will begin to bring you a toy and ask you to play with it.

Also, in the store you can buy a special set "BONDIBON Cat Training School". In it you can find various balls, elastic bands, ribbons and beads. These accessories will help not only to have fun, but also to make the training of the animal successful.

Watching the cat

Because these animals are very independent and it is almost impossible to force them to do something against their will, special care must be taken. Before you start training, determine what your kitty is more willing to do. Maybe she likes to jump on cabinets and shelves or runs very fast? Or maybe she likes to walk on a thin fence or sleep in a pot? So, one of the most famous reprises of Kuklachev was “The Cat and the Cook”. And it came up quite unexpectedly. One day, returning home from the circus, Kuklachev noticed that Strelka was nowhere to be seen. When he entered the kitchen, he found her sleeping peacefully in one of the pots. He shook her out of there, but she climbed back up again. So the idea to include such a reprise in the performance ripened in his head.

Watch your animal too. What does he like to do the most? This is where you should start training your cat. In the book "Yuri Kuklachev and his 120 cats" the author describes funny situations that happened to his animals, andsome ways to exercise.

Easiest commands

Many animal training experts recommend starting with the simplest exercises. Such commands include: “sit”, “give a paw”, “lie down”. In order to teach an animal to do this, it is enough to praise him and give him a treat every time he performs a certain action. If you are determined to work out, you should always have a treat in your pocket. So, when the kitty sits, pet her and say the command “sit, sit, sit” several times, and then give her a treat. After a few repetitions, the cat will understand that the word “sit” is associated with an action, and you can even get a treat for it. The same should be done with other actions. In the case of “give paw”, you should gently take the animal by the paw, say the command aloud and reward the cat with a treat.

Pet care

A quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's allegorical fairy tale is known even to children: "We are responsible for those we have tamed." In order for a relationship with a cat to be warm and trusting, it needs special care. An adult should be fed no more than twice a day. Nutrition should be varied and balanced. Show her attention and care, and then the training will be successful.

Cats, like people, have depression, fatigue, drowsiness. It all depends on food, weather and general he alth. Do not force the animal if it is not in the mood. Wait until the cat wants to play withyou. Remember one more important rule: cats love freedom very much. They do not like being constantly carried around, squeezed and “squeezed”. They themselves choose their owner, they themselves come to him in his arms. Purring is one of the strongest manifestations of feelings in a cat. And if he turns his back to you and raises his tail high, you are an authority for him.

Training Methods

Tamers claim that cats can be taught tricks in two ways. The first is a meal. For example, you can arrange three chairs at a distance of 1 meter between them. Put the kitten on the first one, and bring a treat to the second one, say: “Ap, (name of the animal)”. When he jumps over, do the same with the next chair, and then in the opposite direction. So the “up” command will be associated in the animal with a jump. But not all cats are ready to jump for food. There is another way for such animals.

If the cat loves to play with the ribbon, then you can teach him to jump just for it. Make a kind of "fishing rod". Tie a bubo on a ribbon and connect the entire structure to the end of the stick. Now place the cat on the first chair. Play with him with a “rod”, interest the animal. Now abruptly move the structure to the adjacent chair. Most likely, the cat will follow the toy. Do not forget to say the command: "Up, (name of animal)".

This way you can learn a huge number of tricks. Consider the most popular of them.

"Snake". This command is very common in training with dogs. So,a person takes slow, wide steps, and at this time the animal passes between his legs. Cats can be taught this trick by using treats. So, you take a step, bend down and try to get the animal to pass between the legs. Then another step, and again the same actions. The team is named so because when the cat passes between your legs, it will move like a snake.

"Gopher". How often do our animals stand up on their hind legs to beg for food? But it turns out that in this way you can train the animal, and then it will execute the “gopher” command. It is very important that the cat just sits on its hind legs, without jumping up or begging. Hold the treat at his eye level. In addition, the command can be reinforced with some kind of gesture. Before you treat the animal, try to make sure that it does not stand, but sits on its hind legs. This command is also called "serve" or "bunny".

"Voice". You can try this common command for dogs on a cat. To do this, you need to choose a good moment when he meows. At the same time, you need to say "(name of animal), voice!" and treat him to something tasty.

"High five". This command is very easy to learn. Sit your pet in front of you. Take a tasty treat in your fist and bring it to the cat (let him smell it). The animal will first try to open its hand with its muzzle, but you do not give in. Wait for it to try to do it with its paw. Only now you can eatcat. At the same time, do not forget to repeat the command: "Give me a paw, (name)".