What is Flooding? Flooding is a method of behavior modification. It has been used on animals and people to stop them from reacting to something they fear. It basically means exposing them to the feared thing at full strength for a long time, until they are quiet. So, if you were afraid of spiders and I wanted to using flooding …
Training a Cat to Jump Up on Cue
Why you should train “up” Training a cat to sit somewhere off the floor is a good way to keep them off your kitchen table or counter. It also comes in handy during cat-cat introductions. We do this by training the cat to jump up on cue. Catch the wanted behavior When a cat jumps up, say “up” while he …
Finding the Perfect Training Treat
Get good foods to test For training, we want a food that a cat will work for. They will only be getting a few pea-sized pieces per training session, so we don’t have to think “health food”. As long as it isn’t harmful, it’s fine. You can start with commercial treats if you’d like. They are easier to work with, …
Petting a Cat
Petting a cat is not always a simple matter. Some cats like it, and some don’t. Some cats like it at times, and want to be left untouched other times. How can you tell? Ask the cat. Ask first. The safest way to tell if a cat would like to be petted is to ask them. You do this by …
Non-recognition aggression is so preventable!
What is non-recognition aggression? People recognize each other by sight. Cats rely more on smell. Each group of cats has a group-scent. If one cat goes somewhere and returns smelling as if he is from another group, he very well may be attacked when he comes home. He may also be attacked if he smells afraid or sick. This is …
The Slow Blink
For nearly a decade, I’ve been told that a cat will look at a person she likes and slowly close her eyes half-way. Some have called this a kitty kiss. I had seen cats do this when calm and relaxed, towards humans they had a good relationship with. So, it always seemed like a good hypothesis. But there wasn’t any …
Canned or Dry Food?
Is canned or dry food best for your cat? From a behavior standpoint, both have advantages. I recommend that cats get both early on, so that they recognize and accept both types of foods. Why should cats get canned food? Canned food is better for administering medicine. Some medicines are in powder or liquid form, and can be put on …
Harness Training for an Introduction of Two Cats
As an extra precaution, I often harness train cats before introducing them. Here is how I do that. Training a cat to wear the harness Put a treat inside the harness’s collar for the cat to eat. Next time, pull the collar up a little while he’s eating the treat. Work up to putting the collar on while he eats …
Carrier training
Loving the carrier from the start. Cats naturally love boxes—they are fun to hide in! Leave the carrier out all the time with the door off or opened. Put a fleece throw or a cat bed inside it. Give the cat a treat if he chooses to go inside it. Toss a treat in now and then as a surprise …