Kitten training can be a handful when the pet owner is ill-prepared. However, it is a necessary process that every cat owner needs to go through. Training the kitten helps it grow into a responsible cat that will not trash the house in your absence. Instead, it will be the disciplined cat you look forward to getting home. Fortunately, it is easy to train a kitten. It all depends on one’s training goals and objectives.
Below are valuable tips that may come in handy when preparing a kitten for the first time. Remember that you do not have to be an expert pet trainer to get it right. Exercise patience and caution as you gradually get the kitten to do whatever is needed.
1. Train the Kitten to Sit
Even as you consider getting the little kitty some play items, it is important to find easy ways to have the pet fit into the home’s routine. One of the easiest ways to achieve this goal is by ensuring that the kitten understands how to respond to commands. A simple way to get started is to train the cat to sit. This is a base behavior that quickly gets the cat into the mindset that training milestones come with hefty rewards.
Note when the cat achieves this feat. Some people may use clickers and treats, while others simply affirm the cat’s action by merely pointing out the good deed.
However, trainers need to be cautious about rewarding unwanted behavior since this disrupts the learning process. If the kitten raises its paws towards the treat, pull it back until it touches the ground and assumes a sitting position. Doing this continuously cements the fact that sitting comes with a reward. It may take time before the cat grasps it, so owners must exercise a lot of patience when training the kittens.
One more thing to note is that these training sessions should happen when the cat is hungry since this is the only instance it will be interested in the treats. Doing this after meals can only lead to frustrations because the cat will be disinterested in whatever you do.
2. Crate Training
Contrary to what most people believe, crate training is not inhumane or terrible for the cat. Your cat must learn to enjoy its crate. This can be an easy one to achieve because all you need to do is feed the cat inside the crate. Start by leaving the door open until you are sure that the cat is comfortable being in an enclosed space.
With time, practice shutting the door at short intervals and adjust the timing upwards as the kitten gets used to the idea of staying in an enclosed space. Cat owners who intend to travel with their pets regularly need to do this. It can be an unfriendly affair when the kitten is restless in its crate, especially when traveling.
3. Learn the Best Positions to Handle the Kitten
Pets are not very different from human beings when it comes to their response to any form of treatment. Take time to understand which type of handling the kitten prefers. This will mean less resistance whenever you want to do something with it. Training can be time-consuming, but when you drive it right, chances of mastering whatever you intend to learn to happen faster. Note that the cat may not react to certain positions immediately, especially if they feel uncomfortable, but will react over time.
Teach visitors how to handle your little kitten to avoid messing with what you have worked hard to build. Kittens can be rebellious when they sense danger or ill-treatment. What’s more, understanding how best to handle the kitten makes it easy for you when dealing with grooming, such as trimming its nails.
4. Socialize the Kitten
Cats are generally friendly pets that stay around people without much fuss. However, they can get protective and even attack unfamiliar people if they sense danger. To avoid such instances from frequently occurring, especially when guests visit the house, make sure to socialize the kitten properly.
Consider taking your kitten on social trips with you. Reward the kitten every time it embraces a new relationship, making sure to let it know that it is safe to be around friends and family. Try using a kitten harness to ensure the kitten stays around when people gather. In addition to that, consider introducing your kitten to other animals such as cat-friendly dogs and other friendly cats. This way, you can be sure that the kitten will never cower.
5. Train it to Play with Toys
While it is excellent to bind with your kitten by playing, make sure to introduce toys early. Remember that the kitten grows to understand whatever it is taught. Avoid giving it your hands to play with because this will seem normal to it, despite the roughness accompanied by the whole process.
Featured Image Credits: Pixabay
