Training a cat to have likeable behaviors

Cats can be very finicky at times. When you are trying to change bad
behaviors, this can be hard. Cats will not always do what you want them to.
When you are trying to change a bad behavior you need to introduce one good
behavior. Redirect them into a behavior that is more acceptable for the
both of you. Make sure that you reward your cat for any good behaviors that
they may show. Use treats, praise, cuddling, hugs, and games.
When you spot, you cat doing something undesirable you should
redirect them to something else. For instance, if you catch them scratching
at the couch you should get them a scratching post. There are some things
that you should remember, do not ever hit your cat. This can make your cat
get extremely irritated and skittish.
Here are some ideas that can help with deterring your cat from doing
things that you may not want him to. You can use water, try slyly
squirting your cat with water, naturally they do not like water. Try using
loud noises such as: shaking pennies in a soda can. Use a compressed can of
air to make a loud hissing noise. All of these can be used for a quick stop
when your cat is expressing a bad behavior. In addition, with some success
hopefully you can catch them doing these bad behaviors. The discipline can
be used to help them realize that these bad behaviors are not going to be
accepted. On another note if you have gone away and you come home to find
your trash can tipped over. You can not punish them for this. One, they
will not remember doing this; secondly, they will not know why they are
being punished.
Here are a few things to try if you want to keep your cat from
jumping on your counter tops. You can use things such as double sided
sticky tape, aluminum foil, plastic wrap. The double sided sticky tape is
to be put wherever you don’t want your cat. If the cat goes near it and
puts one of their paws on it, they will stick to it. As we all know cats do
not like having sticky things on their paws. This goes along with the
plastic wrap, it has the same effect. The aluminum foil can be used like a
mirror. This will give off a reflection of the cat. Typically cats do not
like reflection they believe they see another cat. Or even at the most
extreme you can put an electric mat on the counter; most of the time this
can be purchased at a pet store. This mat will give off slight shocks to
keep the cat from the counter.
There are some things that you can buy at local pet stores, to keep
your cat from biting on plants, and electronic wires. You can get some
bitter tasting and bitter smelling things to put on the plants and wires.
You have to be careful what you put on these items. You can look on the
back of the product to tell if it will harm your plants. You should also
monitor how much you put on these. Your cats need toys to play with; they
need to keep themselves occupied. You can also take the time and grow them
their own plant or grass. Just be careful and find out what type of plants
that can be harmful to your cat. One more idea to keep your cat from
getting into your plants is to get plant hangers and keep your plants out
of the cats reach.
Just a few reminders that you love your cat and you need to be
patient. All cats have at least one bad habit, there is always some way of
dealing with this. When you want your cat to behave just treat it fairly.
They need time to learn new things, just like you would. They also need
time to break bad habits. Don’t forget they are not trying to make you mad
they just want love and positive attention.