It is very likely that if you have just introduced a young kitten to your life, you will be interested to know how you must educate it for that coexistence to be harmonious. As we will see in the next lines, apart from age, other circumstances can motivate a mini-no to behave as you wish.
The key lies in knowing the animal’s temperament, tastes, and needs to educate it in the best possible way: speaking the same language. Remember to be assertive, patient and, above all, very constant. If you want to know more, stay with us.
Why don’t you obey?
There are several factors involved in erratic or feline behaviour. The most obvious or the most influenced are the ones summarised below.
Changes
This is the determining agent in the disorientation and disobedience of a cat. If the conditions of his environment have changed (a baby has been born, you have acquired a new pet or you have moved out of the house) or its routines (the schedules, the type of feed, the location of the sandpit, etc.) the animal will accuse it, stress and ignore you.
Instinct
Your need to sharpen your nails and mark what you assume as your territory can trigger you to scratch furniture or urinate outside the sandpit. Your hunting instinct will make yours in your table. To fix it you should stimulate your pet from the game.
Diseases
If you’re in pain from a stroke or arthritis, it’s natural to, for example, have a hard time making your needs inside your sanitary tray. Other diseases, such as urinary tract infections, could also lead to such “accidents.”
Age
Young cats are usually immersed in socialisation and learning, and it is common for their behaviour to give what we want in our homes. On the contrary, seniors are also often reluctant to obey. You should check with your veterinarian to rule out the concurrence of an old-age illness.
How to get a cat to obey
The general recommendation of subject matter specialists, ethologists, is summarised in employing positive reinforcement, being assertive, patient and, above all, constant. Never scold or punish your cat for inappropriate behaviour. You’ll generate anxiety and distrust you. You may even be aggressive if you have trauma.
If you don’t know what positive reinforcement is, it deserves your attention, its enormous teaching capacity with cats. Learning from prizes or rewards that motivate them is faster and more enjoyable. Every time your pet acts appropriately, right after they do, and whenever they do, you’ll have to reward them until they internalise it.
How to re-induce certain antics
There are many rebellious actions that a cat can execute if it has not been adequately socialised since it was a child. That’s why we’re going to focus on the most recurrent ones to provide you with tactics that allow you to reverse the situation. You’ll need to be creative and provide him with alternatives.
If you scratch the furniture
In this case, it is advisable to present your scraper or a wooden log until you get to play with it. When you use it, reward him with his favourite treat, caress or favourite toy, whichever motivates him the most. Repeat this proceeding until you assimilate it when this happens place the scraper in its final location.
If another piece of furniture ever scratches again, you’ll need to pronounce a firm “no” and take your pet wherever the scraper or wooden trunk is. Ideally, it would be best if you had several of them. If they are of different heights and some are located near a much better window. You will be more predisposed to use them.
If it scratches you or bites you
Chances are you’ll do it as part of the game you’ve presented to him since he was a puppy. We always tend to play with the minors using our feet or our hands.
To bring this routine back, you’ll need to stop the game as soon as it’s added to you and provide it with another option. For example, a toy that can bite. When he does, give him his reward. This will associate this behaviour with something you like and repeat it.
He doesn’t obey my calls.
If your minion isn’t yet able to identify his or her name, it may be because you sometimes use diminutives or different intonations that confuse him. It is recommended that your name be short and straightforward to facilitate your learning.
Repeat this tactic throughout the day: get within walking distance of it and call it. Reward him when he does. Increase the space, and you can even position yourself in a different room, and call it. When you check that you’ve learned it, you’ve learned the rewards.
Meet your best friend
You won’t get a fruitful apprenticeship if you don’t know your pet or understand their performances. Keep your needs covered and leave what you like or motivate to teach. Your bond will be strengthened. Guaranteed!
So, don’t forget to keep your sandbox and where you sleep free of dirt, play with it in the afternoons, replenish your feeder and drinker before bed and try stimulating toys to entertain yourself while you sleep or are working. Ready to put it into practice?