Archive for May, 2009

Some Books for Cat Training

Jay Schindler asked:


A cat lover needs a reliable guide or manual to get through his cat’s training. It is not enough to just browse over websites for tips and other feline know-hows. What he needs are trusty cat training books ! Here are some of the best-selling and truly amazing cat training books that can have one’s pet cat do more than meowing and scratching:

1. “Guide to Well-Behaved Cat: A Sound Approach to Cat Training“  The book says it all. It aims to train the cat to behave. Written by Phil Maggiti, this book is packed with rich information and divided into four parts. The first chapter tackles the cat’s evolution, while the second is all about its domestication. Design and function of an ordinary cat is discussed in chapter three, while chapter four talks about human-pet relationship topics such as why does a kitty disobey the owner when it is called?

2. “Understanding or Training Your Cat or Kitten

This acclaimed book is from H. Ellen Whiteley, a veterinarian who understands cats more than an average person does. This book contains 292 pages of important information that can truly make you understand, train and appreciate one’s pet cat.

3. “Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat”

This book is a collaboration of Gary M. Landsberg, W. Hunthausen and L. Ackerman. Published by Elvesier Health Sciences, this is one of the most reputable books in cat training. Okay, so it is dual purpose – it is about cats and dogs, but it doesn’t matter. It is as informative as any other cat training book out there.

From discussing kitten development to suggesting therapy for behavior and diet-related problems, from approaching feline agression to finding out what the “European approach to behavior counseling” is, this book is indeed helpful.

4. “Cat Training in 10 Minutes”

The “Cat Training in 10 Minutes” is 142 pages of quirky information on how to communicate effectively with cats. Written by Miriam Fields-Banineau, a certified cat lover, this guide is easy to read and highly effective. Every cat owner can toilet-train his kitty in just a few reading sessions! It will not be long before the cat also follows the owner’s commands!  The photographs in the book are very attractive as well.

Nobody says cat training is going to be easy. That’s why cat training books are available online so one can get the gist and be the best cat owner in town.



Training Your Cat

Cortney Martin asked:


 

Training your cat is very important and for several different reasons. First, a cat that hasn’t been trained, doesn’t know what behaviors are acceptable and what are not, therefore, they are more likely to misbehave because they don’t know they are misbehaving. Having a trained, well behaved cat allows the cat and the owner to bond and have a loving relationship rather than having a misbehaving cat that causes its owner a lot of stress and frustration.

It is very important, as a cat owner, to understand that cats cannot be trained the same way as dogs. They don’t behave the same way and they don’t have the same thinking process as dogs. If you are trying to use the same training techniques on your cat that are designed for dogs, you probably aren’t going to see results. Forcing training techniques on a cat will not work. They are stubborn by nature and if it’s not something that is appealing to them, they are going to ignore you.

The first step to training your cat should be to learn and understand your cat’s personality. There are many aspects to your cat’s personality and they should all be taken into account when choosing the right training tactics. Find out what your cat’s likes and dislikes are and use that information to help you. There are a few simple tips to keep in mind when training your cat:



· Keep your training sessions short. If you drag out sessions for a long time, your cat will most likely become bored and will stop listening.

· Only start training session when your cat is already awake. Don’t wake your cat up for a session because he or she will probably just ignore you.

· Always be sure to reward your cat for obeying you, using treats, food, or showing them affection.



 

You should also only train your cat for one thing at a time. Whether you are teaching them to do tricks or use the human toilet rather than a litter box, you shouldn’t try to teach them everything all at once. When you’re training your cat, let them master one thing before moving on to another. This will avoid both you and them becoming overwhelmed.

There are many benefits to having a well trained, well behaved cat. You will have less stress because you won’t have to worry about how your house is going to look when you get home. You can enjoy a loving relationship with your cat instead of spending most of the time mad at him for misbehaving. Taking the time to train your cat will definitely pay off in the long run and you and your cat will both be happier.



Need-to-know Cat House Training Tips

Brendan Forde asked:


Many of us, getting a cat for the first time, assume that cat house training will somehow happen by itself, with the minimal input or effort from ourselves. Perhaps we credit the cat with more intelligence than it possesses, but many will underestimate how much time and patience is required before the cat learns to follow the basic house rules. In these early days, the new owner should refrain from smacking or slapping or even shaking the cat.

You cannot beat a cat or kitten into obedience, so that they become the perfect home cat – you will only provoke hatred and fear, which will further reduce the chances of training her properly. Here’s a great and very effective tip – always keep a spray bottle of water at hand, and if she misbehaves badly, just gently spray her.

If you gain an understanding of how and why your cat does what she does, what cat instinct she is following, then you are heading for success in your cat house training. If you expect her to do something that goes against her nature, then you better be prepared to make it worth her while. If you want to make the most rapid progress, a modest investment in a decent cat manual or guide will be richly rewarded, and you will at a stroke begin to understand “cat think” and cat care in general, and also avoid the most common mistakes.

In practical terms, this most commonly means rewarding correct behavior either with a physical treat – a favorite food, biscuit, for example – or with words of praise and congratulation. She will quickly learn to associate particular actions with positive responses, and, conversely, if these rewards are withheld, she will know that she has transgressed in some way.

Cats are known for their short attention span, so your training sessions should be fairly brief, ideally around 10 minutes. And because their attention does tend to wander, make sure your sessions are held somewhere where there are as few distractions as possible. So make it indoors, with no view of the outdoor world, and no visitors, human or animal.

The essential training exercises that concern most new cat owners are to do with urination, scratching, jumping and biting.

Most cat owners face problems with their cat not using the litter box – obviously, a new kitten has to be taught toilet training cat style, but even mature well-behaved cats can suddenly “forget” to use the litter box, and, when this occurs, the wise owner will know to look for some change in the cat’s environment that will have triggered this behavior.

The second biggest concern is with cat scratching, a behavior that is an essential part of the animal’s nature. The provision of good scratching posts in strategic places will alleviate the problem, and spare your furniture and curtains. The surgical removal of the cat’s claws was until recently seen as an easy and permanent solution to the problem, but in a more humane age this is seen as quite a barbaric act to perform on a Cat, and one that upsets the whole balance mechanism of the cat, and is really traumatic.

A cat will not expend unnecessary energy, so if she jumps there is a reason for it. Most often, she will jump onto the window sill to view the outside world – if you want her not to jump on a particular sill, block off the view for the first 15 inches, perhaps with a piece of fabric. If there is no view, she will soon go elsewhere. Jumping onto counters or worktops or tables in the kitchen should be completely discouraged from the beginning – it might simply signal that she wants feeding.

Biting is unfortunately often encouraged in a kitchen – children in particular enjoy being bitten by young kitten teeth, and will often playfully provoke it until it bites. Cats have pretty sharp teeth, so you have to let your cat know that biting will not be tolerated. If the behavior persists, you might discourage it with a spray from your water bottle.



Ragdoll Cat Owners’ and cat training books

bryan sumilat asked:


Ragdoll Cats are wonderful animals! and these animals have adapted to domesticity. It has been 3.500 years they have been living with human. They are so friendly with human, they also very useful to humans. So many books written that are devoted to the subject of cats. Most of these books topic is how to training cat. Since cats are predatory creatures by instinct; they still exhibit some behaviors that are best suited in the wilderness. This is sometimes becomes a human problem who have cats living in their house . That is why there are so many cat training books that have been written.

Different types of training books:

There are various different types of training books that are available in the market and you can buy that from the internet, amazon or clickbank. Some deal with the issue of cats‘ health and their behavior. the books written by veterinarians. They offer insights and tips on how to give a good care to your ragdoll cat or many the other cat breed. when training their cats, These books can be used as a resource by the owners.

Where can we get the books?

These books can be find at the local market. Or you can find in the libraries. But the most convenient place to get them would be online. Rates and reviews of these books are also available. This gives the buyer some insight about the book, helping them decide and pick out exactly the type of cat training book they are looking for.

Who want to buys these books?

A lot of cat lovers also have a collection of cat training books. Ranging in topics from: breed books, photography, fiction, cat care, training, nutrition, etc. Books on how to train cats are perfect. for first time cat owners. These books will offer them the much needed information they need in order to take care of their cats, so first find your perfect training cats books on the local market or from the internet.

Ragdoll Cat Breeders



Problem With Cat Spraying

Kathy Davison asked:


actually be easily trained and when behavior problems do occur we can tackle them simply if we look at the reasons why and see the world from a cats point of view

When Cats feel insecure they will spray so if we let them establish a sense of their own smell then their security increases. Spraying can become a problem if you cat starts to spray furniture and curtains. We need to first look into the reasons why cat spray. Both sexes spray and neutered males are just as likely to spray as un-neutered males.Normally cats do not spray indoors as they feel secure and there is no need to protect their territory. When you have more than one cat in the house they need to assert their identity and will mark their territory. If the spraying has suddenly started look for some changes in the household that could have caused stress. For some cats this could be the installation of a cat flap. This creates a Blurr between outside and inside and the cat has to mark its smell.

Some owners spray pepper or chilli or wipe the areas with vinegar but this does not really work. You can try to place a tray of marbles below the favourite spraying places but if you cat is determined he will just stand further away.A good idea that can work is to put a sheet of household foil around the spot as cats do not like the sound of urine hitting the foil. The psychological approach may be more successful. If you have more than two cats try giving each a seperate place to sleep in. When the neighbour’s cat comes calling ,chase it.Try boarding up the cat flap and see the behavior stops. In difficult cases confine the cat to one room and make sure it has a cosy bed under a radiator and its toys. As long as you do not leave the cat on its own for too long, its sense of security will increase. As you see the situation improve let it use more rooms of the house and keep an eye on it. lastly if none of these strategies work then see your vet about hormone treatment. Remember that cats love the safety of routine and any change in their familiar surroundings or the behavior of their owners can cause stress. This will show itself in various ways and one of them is spraying.



Cat Training – Very Useful

Kathrynn Kelley asked:


It is important to understand how cats think before teaching them basic tasks. They are able to learn, but must be trained. Cats respond well to training when a reward is offered as an incentive. They also appreciate praise. While they tend to have a short attention span, a cat training session can be effective in 5 or 10 minute increments.

It is possible for felines to be trained to use human toilets. Some will initially rebel against this process, but the vast majority can get there after some effort. While the cleanliness is definitely appreciated by your pet, it clashes somewhat with instinct.

Since they were small, the animal was taught scratching and covering waste is essential. With the toilet, no such outlet exists.

Older cats can be trained to use the potty, but of course kittens pick up this skill more readily than those who have long-established litterbox habits.

Homemade training systems can work well, and kitten training kits are also commercially available. The cat urine odors can be brought under control with the addition of lemon juice or vinegar to the water.

Start by putting the box near the toilet. After a few weeks, start to raise it gradually stepwise off the floor, using a solid support and continue this for a few weeks. Finally, place the box on the toilet and when this is comfortable, you are ready to start with the human toilet surface.

Take a heavy-duty foil turkey roaster pan, and securely tape it under the seat onto the toilet base. Initially, put a bit of litter in the bottom of the pan under the seat hole. As he gets used to this, you can place a progressively larger hole in the tray, until he needs to stand on the toilet seat. Always leave the seat lid up so he can get at his facility.

Some owners even teach their cat to walk along at the same time as the dog goes for a walk. Remember to keep the walks short, and praise the cat when they move forward when you call their name.

Leash cat training is more easily done in kittens than with adults. If the cat appears to have tired, it is fine to pick them up to help them home. Don’t expect the cat to stay neatly by your side. They will want to meander a bit, and may make periodic stops to gnaw a bit of grass.



Puppy Potty Training 101

Derrick Madison asked:


The biggest concern of people who have adopted a new puppy is potty training. Traditionally, this involves leashing or chaining your puppy to go outside or teaching him to use a certain area in the yard. The trick is getting them to let you know when they have to go. The other problem is what happens when the puppy is left home alone for extended periods of time. There are a lot of accidents, which proves to be frustrating for everyone involved.

For owners of small breed dogs and those who live in apartments or have a confined area for the their puppy outside, however, there is another option. You can train your puppy to go in a designated spot in your house, even when you are not home. This method is called litter training or (house training) and is similar to what cat owners use.

Introduce Puppy Slowly

Your puppy is already adjusting to new surroundings and being away from his pack. You should introduce everything to him as slowly as you can so that he is comfortable and not scared by anything. When you introduce the crate to your puppy, for example, you should first get him used to being in it for short periods of time, without leaving him alone just yet. Place your hand in the crate and let him know that it is a safe place to be. Let him go in and out at his leisure at first and progress from there with short segments of time when he is left alone in the crate. Making him feel comfortable in his new surroundings will make it a smooth transition.

Consistent Feedings

One key to training a new puppy is to provide consistent feedings. This will help in a number of ways. First, he will know when to expect his food. You will know when to expect him to have to go potty. Leaving a full bowl out all day will not allow you to have as much control over the situation. Once he has eaten, remove leftover food and take him to the spot you want him to go potty. He should be ready to use the litter box within 20 minutes after eating, so this is an important time to watch him carefully and help him succeed.

Puppy Training Pads

There are numerous brands of puppy training pads on the market. They are made for housebreaking puppies and creating indoor dogs. They block odor and protect your floors. They are easy to dispose of and make cleanup a breeze. Simply take your puppy to the pad when he needs to go potty. With the right encouragement, the puppy will begin to use it with more frequency.

Dog Liter

Similar to kitty litter, dog litter is also available. This is another useful aid in potty training your puppy indoors. Purchase a good size kitty litter box and fill it with a small amount of the dog litter. Use the same approach you would with the training pads, encouraging him to use the litter box and praising him when he does. Put the litter tray in a spot that is comfortable for your puppy. Dog litter will cut down on odor problems as well. When placed inside of the larger cage, as described above, it is especially convenient. Just be sure to keep the cage and the litter box clean for your puppy.

Crate Training

By slowly adjusting your puppy to a crate, you will be able to have more control over when and where your puppy urinates. Two methods work well in conjunction with the cage. The first plan is to have your puppy in a small crate whenever you are not home or are unable to keep a close eye on him. Immediately let him use the litter are when you take him out of the crate. This will teach him bladder control and keep him from using your entire house as a litter box. The second plan is to have one large cage with a comfortable area on one side and the litter box on the other side. This works especially well for puppies left alone for long periods of time on a regular basis. This is a lifesaver for the working pet owner. It allows for the puppy to go when he has to go. He doesn’t have to wait for you to let him out. There isn’t any punishment necessary, in this case, and makes it easier for you to spend time playing with your puppy rather than scolding him when you come home.

Praise and Rewards

The best way to ensure your puppy will adapt to the new training method is to provide consistent praise when he does what you want him to do. When your puppy eliminates on the pad or in the litter, give him plenty of attention and encouragement. Treats can also be offered as a way to support the positive behavior. The key with offering treats is to be consistent and offer praise each time.

Benefits of Indoor Training

By training your puppy to eliminate indoors, in his designated area, there will be less mess and fewer accidents. There will be no need to worry about accidents when you are away because your puppy will have a safe place to go potty. There won’t be messes outside for you to pick up after and you can simply dispose of the training pad or scoop the liter. Your puppy’s health is another benefit. Some annual vaccinations may be unnecessary if you puppy remains indoors. Your dog’s overall health will be better and you could save on costly veterinarian expenses.

Enjoy Your Puppy

Puppies are like children; they only stay small for a short time. This should be an enjoyable time for you and your puppy. Don’t let potty training and accidents ruin this fun and exciting time. Puppies are social animals and don’t like being isolated, so the quicker they are trained, the less time they will need to spend in the crate and the more enjoyable they will be as a pet. Play with your puppy, give him lots of attention and be consistent with whichever method of training you choose.



My Cat Has a Cold

Max Young asked:


 

Just like humans, cats can catch colds, and they do so somewhat frequently. However, colds are not passed on between humans and cats since the viruses that cause colds are species-specific. Simply put we do have a cold advantage over cats: while we can care for our colds with medicine, our pets can’t. This means that a cold can become a grave ailment for a cat, especially if you have more than one cat in your household.

Cat cold symptoms are almost identical to human colds: wheezing, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, mucous seepage. You may also discover what look like cold sores around your cat’s mouth or respiratory troubles.

Cat colds are most common during the summer, and they are highly contactable. Your cat can pick one up at the groomer, the vet, the kennel or from any cat it meets on the street.

Generally, a cat cold will run its course in seven to ten days, approximately the same length as the human cold. The cat’s immune system will take care of it, so don’t try to dispense human cold medication as a remedy. The only time a cat cold becomes dangerous is if the virus spreads, causing a respiratory infection or a secondary infection in the sinuses.

If you think your cat has caught a cold, call your veterinary surgeon. Getting medical involvement at the outset can be significant if the cold advances into something worse. Once your cat develops a respiratory infection, it can come back over and over again. You want to avoid this at all costs.

One of the first signs of a cat cold is a stuffy nose. Keeping an eye on your cat when he eats is an important way to tell if he is suffering from a stuffy nose, since he will not be able to smell his food (normal cat behavior). Typically, a cat that can’t smell his food won’t even eat or drink. Consequently, if you notice that your cat isn’t eating typically, call your veterinarian right away.

Keeping your cat up to date with all the suggested vaccinations is a great way to defend against the two viruses that cause cat colds: feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV). If possible, the best rule of prevention is to keep your cat inside

Cat ownership involves a certain level of basic, non-negotiable obligations. If you really want the best relationship that it’s possible to have with your cat, it’s worthwhile taking the time to find out what makes her tick. This implies finding out how to keep her happy and healthy, how to supply her with enough care and nutrition, how to help her adjust to your house (the house training secrets are a definite bonus!), how to prevent and deal with any behavioral troubles that might eventuate, and in general how to attain and keep up the kind of rewarding and mutually caring relationship with your cat that we would all like to have.



  

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