| Cats make great pets. They're cute, they're | | | | you've done what you have, they'll only be |
| clean, they're smart, and they have an | | | | frustrated and upset with you. |
| independent streak that you just won't find in a | | | | In fact, trying to train your cat through physical |
| dog. Unfortunately, cats can also exhibit | | | | punishment can completely ruin your relationship |
| notoriously difficult behavior. They may destroy | | | | with him. He won't trust you, he won't understand |
| furniture, constantly meow and whine, and even | | | | why you're punishing him, and his behavior |
| claim territory all over your house. If one or more | | | | certainly won't improve. |
| of these things start happening, it might be in | | | | Training your cat requires you to talk to him, |
| your best interest to start cat behavior training. | | | | using positive words and tones combined with |
| Contrary to popular belief - and what you | | | | rewards of food or new toys when he's done |
| yourself may have been told - cat behavior | | | | something good, and the opposite when he's done |
| training is possible. Cats aren't so independent that | | | | something wrong. |
| they'll refuse any and all efforts to train them. In | | | | You also need to maintain a stable environment, |
| fact, they can be quite responsive, so long as you | | | | as cats are very sensitive to any and all changes |
| use the right techniques. | | | | going on around them. Have you moved recently? |
| Keep in mind that cats aren't quite like any other | | | | Have you introduced a new pet into your home? |
| animal, and they're certainly not the same as | | | | Have you moved your cat's litter box? Any of |
| dogs. Some methods of behavior training that will | | | | these things have the potential to negatively |
| work with other household pets will utterly fail | | | | influence your cat's behavior. |
| with your cat. | | | | Perhaps above all, you need patience. Cat |
| What's the most important thing to keep in mind | | | | behavior training is not exactly a walk in the park. |
| when training your cat? You absolutely need to | | | | It takes time, it takes effort, and it takes |
| know and accept that reacting physically won't | | | | dedication. With some perseverance on your part, |
| help a thing. Cats don't respond to being swatted | | | | however, and the right techniques, there's no |
| with a newspaper or having their noses rubbed in | | | | doubting the fact that you will be able to improve |
| their own urine - on the contrary, they'll only | | | | your cat's behavior, which makes for a better |
| resent you for it. They won't understand why | | | | relationship between you and your pet. |