She really likes to go outside, but I can't imagine just letting her out, and when we go sit on the porch with her, she's down the steps, under the car -- it just doesn't feel safe to me, that she could dart out if a car is coming down the street. So . . . we're trying the harness route.
(Linkup with Camera Critters)
Doesn't she look spiffy? She didn't protest too much, when we first put it on, just rolled on the ground a little to see if it would come off. Now we're taking her out a couple of times a day on a long leash, letting her explore for 15 minutes or so, and she seems to be doing fine with it. A little cautious, but that could be the strange environment, too. When we come in, I immediately give her a spoonful of canned cat food, which she loves and which we're saving for treats at this point. When she's finished with the cat food, she goes right over to the door and cries to go out again. Here she is exploring an empty box.
I think she's going to like it, eventually. I also got a book on clicker training for cats, which we're going to try, because going the spray bottle route to keep her off the tables doesn't seem to be working. She waits until I walk over and pick up the spray bottle, then she jumps down before I can use it. There must be a better way.
Any tips on cat raising, much appreciated. My Loved One, who has a very laid-back attitude toward cat raising, is very dubious about any of this working, but we'll see.
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15 comments:
I think you are doing well with the leash training. I have never tried to train a cat, except to stay off of tables & counters, and I used a "No!" and a swat. But you have to be fast!
Unfortunately, she's about 10 times faster than I am, so I can't catch her. The clicker training sounds like a fair amount of work, but it's supposed to be effective.
she's a cutie.
I'm in love with little Buttercup you know. whenever you post about her it makes my day. training cats is not that difficult really. the thing to remember is to be consistent. she will quickly learn what is no and what isn't, and while she's a kitten she will test you repeatedly. just get through the first nine months or so and she will begin to mature and settle down. especially once she is spayed she will mellow. appreciate these days with her, like kids, they grow up fast! wishing you many happy days and years with your adorable Buttercup.
Thanks, Becky! She is spayed, so we don't have to worry about that coming up -- the shelter insists on it. She's very smart and curious, so I think she'll learn quickly.
she looks so adorable...the clicker is simply fabulous and it works!!!
She looks like a real sweetie!
Thanks for your visit.
Yes, watercolors are difficult to master!
I wish you much success.
Barb
cat training?
Are you sure you don't mean dog training? As far as I know a cat trains her owners, not the other way round.
Every cat I've ever had has gone her/his own sweet way.
I know that's the common understanding -- I had it too. But I'm reading that it can be done!
Cats are absolutely trainable. Look how well trained she is to hop off the tables when she sees the spray bottle. Clicker training with positive reinforcement should work.
It's nice to see she's adjusting to the leash. Some cats just can't seem to settle into being housebound. My mom lets hers out on her 4-season porch and that keeps them satisfied.
How fortunate that she likes her harness. My cat was quite adept at getting out of hers. I finally gave up and it turned out that whenever she went outside she never actually wandered off the driveway or yard (though she did like to hide, in plain view!!)
Buttercup is beautiful!
She is adorable.
I think you are going very well with training.
Regards!
She is adorable. I like the idea of the harness, it does keep them safe. I used one with a cat we had a few years ago. The only problem is once they have been outside they want more. Sometimes I think it's better to just keep them inside and make sure they have lot of things to do and explore.
Training is possible but it takes time.
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