Kelly Marshall asked:

Cat Leash Training is enormously underrated by new puppy owners. The procedure of getting your puppy or adult dog used to being on leash is quite simple and just takes just a small amount of your time. This small investment of properly training your puppy to walk graciously on his leash will pay off in the long run, especially if he actually grows up weighing 50 or more pounds.

Cat Leash Training: Got Leash Training Questions? We Got The Answers

Ethan Parker asked:


It’s funny how many dog-training guides there are available. All the information you could ever want on how to teach your dog tricks; how to communicate with your dog; how to understand what your dog’s thinking; how to prevent behavioral problems.

Why aren’t there more books on how to do all this for cats? After all, cats are just as popular as dogs (if not more so); and, arguably, they’re just as intelligent and just as capable of being trained.

For example: my cat’s ridiculous amount of scratching up furniture.  The two things I didn’t do – but should have – were place a phone-call to that new acquaintance (I’m afraid my pride got in my way: I fostered fond dreams of casually unveiling my cat’s mastery of a stunning array of tricks and obedience work the next time she dropped around); and I didn’t even think of looking online until my husband (who, as chance would have it, works in internet marketing) castigated me gently for not “Googling” the subject straight away.

So I hopped onto the computer, and within five minutes I’d found what I was looking for in the Complete Cat Training Guide; and it was clear to me within just a few pages that the author, Paula Robb, is a woman who really knows what she’s talking about …

So What’s Included?

Let me get one thing straight: although this is a book that will teach you (among other commands) how to get your cat to beg, jump, twirl, stay, sit, come, open cupboards, kiss, play dead, and retrieve, that’s by no means all that you’ll learn.

Something I found incredibly useful was the book’s total-coverage philosophy: pretty much all aspects of cat ownership have been covered, in real detail.

For example, as well as cat training, you also get information on how to fix just about ANY cat problem (this is no baseless claim – over twenty-five cat behavioral problems are covered, from urine-marking to nocturnal disturbances to aggression).  There is a real-life case study for each problem (which is a real help when it comes to putting the information into context), and you learn about your cat’s body language and vocals, and how to use that knowledge to understand what he’s thinking and how to communicate with him.

If that isn’t enough for you, there are also numerous interesting chapters on crucial things to know like choosing the right cat for you; understanding feline behaviors both “good” and “bad”; how to help your cat adapt to your lifestyle and home; how to toilet-train your cat; and two whole sections on cat health and nutrition, all of which goes a long way towards deepening and strengthing your relationship with your cat.

Other Benefits

I sometimes find it hard to understand written instructions. It can be kind of confusing, especially when you’re also trying to control a wriggling, energetic cat. That’s why the clear step-by-step photographs and illustrations came in so handy with the training strategies: I actually understood exactly how to position myself and make the most of my body language during the training. It made the whole process a lot easier – and a whole lot faster!

Something else I liked: the book was instantly downloadable. This is a pretty big deal to me; I don’t like paying for something, then waiting days (usually weeks) for it to be shipped overseas, processed through the post, and then – likely as not – delivered to the wrong address. What I do like is instant gratification, which is exactly what I got with Complete Cat Training: seconds after paying my money, the book was downloaded onto my computer and I was gleefully reading through it.

The Best Bits

I don’t really understand how this woman can be making any money off her product, because she seems to be giving away a lot of stuff for free (but hey, I’m not complaining!)

Here are just a few of the handy little freebies that I got with my book:

- Two free bonus books: “The Essential Cat Recipe Book”, which shows you how to prepare tasty, healthy meals and treats for your beloved kitty; and “The Ultimate Guide to Pampering Your Cat”, which shows you how to develop a real bond of affection with your cat through improving his quality of life.

- A free, private email consultation (worth $120) with a team of real live cat trainers. Any problems that you have, any queries whatsoever, and all you have to do is send an email – you’ll get a detailed, personal reply from a team of seasoned cat trainers, to make sure any problems are truly resolved to your satisfaction. Not bad.

In a Nutshell

Two words: it’s good. You really can’t go wrong here; not only is the whole thing jam-packed with practical advice and hands-on tips, but the price is extremely reasonable: just $37 for the book, the consultation, and the bonus books.

And if you’re not convinced it’s worth parting with your money, there’s also a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee for 60 whole days after making the purchase.  Yes, it works, and you will get your money back if you ask for it (of course, then you’ll lose access to the system).

All in all, I have no qualms whatsoever about recommending Complete Cat Training to anyone who’s got, or is thinking about getting, a cat.  It’s put out by the same people behind the SitStayFetch dog training system, which I highly recommend, so you know it’s good.

Basically, whether it’s training, behavioral problems, trouble-shooting, or improving your relationship with your beloved kitty, you’re sure to learn something useful.

So if you want to stop cat biting, cat spraying, cat aggression, or other common cat training problems, this is a great place to start.  Enjoy!

Nancy Cope asked:


Get the Right Box

            Dog litter training has actually spawned a plethora of boxes meant just for your dog. There are even boxes that have fake grass on top and a catch bin underneath for waste, though these are fairly expensive. If you don’t have enough to buy a grass box, a large litter box (like a cat’s) will suffice, and do the job of protecting your floors just as well.

Reward Proper Elimination

            With litter training positive reinforcement is far more productive than punishment. If you scold your puppy too much he may think you **** to see him eliminate, and start hiding it all over the house. Instead, pat and rub your puppy for eliminating inside the box on a consistent basis and he will begin to associate good feelings with the box.

Don’t Over-Clean the Box

            Dogs go more often than cats, so you will spend more time cleaning up after a litter trained dog than a cat. But don’t go overboard with cleaning the box. Dogs are averse to harsh chemical smells, and will avoid the box. Besides, a little of his scent will remind him that this is where he needs to go.

Don’t Do Two Things at Once

            It’s hard enough for a puppy to learn one form of potty training, don’t confuse him with two. Either pick outdoor training or litter training, and focus on one or the other for the moment. Later, if you want to switch you can retrain your dog, but your puppy will be easier to train and happier if you concentrate on one thing at a time.

Litter training can be a great option for the right dog owner, and is just as easy as regular potty training. Good luck, and remember to be persistent and kind.