This article shows how to use behavioral techniques of trust, positive association and reinforcement to train your cat.
So first item to address is: can a cat be trained? Here is just one of hundreds of YouTube videos showing cats doing tricks. This brief extract is of the Savitsky Cats on America's Got Talent showing what can be achieved.
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So the answer is YES!! But can we train a cat to NOT do something!!?
We don't need to train a cat to do tricks but how to stop scratching furniture.
How to Train Your Cat?
I'm sure you understand that cats can be quite independent creatures but with the right approach they can be trained. Let me say in advance I know how difficult training can be especially when you are settled watching a TV show or sleeping at 4am. But consistency in training is essential. If your cat doesn't seem to be responding to a particular technique, try a different one. Every cat is different and what works for one may not work for another.
Are cats easy to train?
The psychology of cats is that they respond well to trust, patience, and consistency. Training involves play and reward. Positive reinforcement is the key when it comes to training and they should always be rewarded for good behavior.
Cats can get overwhelmed easily so you need to start training your cat by breaking your training sessions down into small steps.
1. At the first step, Why Do Cats Need to Scratch, we gain our cat's trust by holding and cutting their claws or applying cat claw caps in a low stress environment supplemented by a few treats to reinforce that experience.
2. The second article Scratching Alternatives introduces the need for consistency and rewards. When cats misbehave we say no and carry or direct them to the scratcher. We reinforce the scratcher by making it a fun place. For example:
- play with them on the scratcher eg using a feather ball;
- provide lots of pats when they are on the scratcher; and
- give them random treats when on the scratcher.
Sometimes it's ok for your furry family member to sit close to you on the couch or whilst working on the computer. Maybe a towel, mat, or cardboard box is suitable as an alternative location and you just need to gently direct your cat the appropriate spot. How do you get your cat to stay? You need to find the best reason for your cat to stay. Our cat Lucy just loves having her coat groomed so we know that just picking up her comb is the best way to direct her to "her spot" on the couch. After a while it only takes a few minutes before everyone settles and you can return to your activities in peace.
3. We know cats don't stop scratching furniture immediately, so we need to protect our existing furniture by using protectors, shields, and sticky tape. This provides our furniture some protection in case we are not at home. It also helps to train our cat by redirecting away from furniture to the scratcher where we are continually reinforcing it at as the fun place.
4. Finally, deterrents such as sprays and physical deterrents are used to deter our cats by again making our furniture an unpleasant environment. This continues our reinforcement of furniture as not a nice place in contrast to the scratcher which is a fun place.
In conclusion, there is not one miracle solution.
The above 4 steps combined with training is a process that depends upon trust, patience, and consistency. Training your cat to stop scratching furniture can be achieved and you will be thrilled when you hit on the correct solution and stress levels drop - including your cat's!