I didn't want to hijack a thread so decided to start this one, I hear all the time the importance of training our pets, mostly dogs. But I never hear about training cats. Is there such a thing? As you can tell I am not nor have I ever had experiences with cats. Hence my question. Do you train cats?
Becky
The Hoops. ED and Becky
Missy our little Bichon
2004 F350 V10
2005 Jayco Legacy 38RDQS
Cats will definitely learn their name if you use that to call them. When they are small, I usually use a spray bottle of water to train them not to jump on tables, kitchen counters, etc. Always spray when they are on the counter and then say "Down" or other command that they will learn.
A good trainer could probably get a cat to do a lot of tricks. I taught one to roll over because it loved to have its neck scratched. I would scratch its neck after it laid down and then slowly waited for it to turn some more before each scratch. After a while you could say roll over and it would in return for the neck scratching.
We have four cats (who do NOT go RV'ing with us, thank you very much). A couple of them will respond to their name when called, and one in particular will roll on her back when my wife says 'Show me your belly!' That's pretty much the extent of it.
I had a great dog for years and trained her to near-perfection - in my opinion, cats can't be trained like that; they're too independent and are not at all eager to please like dogs are, IMHO.
That said, a professional cat trainer would likely disagree with me, and that's ok.
maryshus wrote: I've seen some that seemed to be trained, but dogs have masters and cat have staff.
Or is it that cats have "slaves"! That's the way it's always been in our house. As the old saying goes "You're nobody unless you've been ignored by my cat!"
Danpaine wrote: We have four cats (who do NOT go RV'ing with us, thank you very much). A couple of them will respond to their name when called, and one in particular will roll on her back when my wife says 'Show me your belly!' That's pretty much the extent of it.
I had a great dog for years and trained her to near-perfection - in my opinion, cats can't be trained like that; they're too independent and are not at all eager to please like dogs are, IMHO.
That said, a professional cat trainer would likely disagree with me, and that's ok.
Exactly! Cats have no desire to please, they will do something if they get benefit from it. Hence they come when called, because that is probably associated with food. They roll over because they get scratched. If they do not want to do something, forget it.
They can't be trained, but they can train their masters. We have one who knows how to bang the cat food container until someone feeds him. He won't stop until you do. We have 4 lazy cats & they all have different personalities.
I think it depends somewhat on the individual and the breed of cat. Many purebreds and most mixed breeds are difficult (if not impossible) to bring around to your way of thinking. OTOH, I've read that Ragdolls (one of the more "dog like" cat breeds, and one I'd love to have one day), can be quite trainable. For a cat.
But even with the most amenable cat, training isn't going to be anywhere in the same league as training a dog, even a dog of one of the more independent/"stubborn" breeds. Of course, IMO most cats are practically perfect naturally, so . . .
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
A few years ago we worked with a very effective dog trainer by the name of Miriam Fields-Babineau here in Virginia. She really helped us with our chow mix, making it possible to keep her rather than have her put down (the dog was dangerous to other dogs - we had rescued her but she came with baggage). It was not cheap but was definately worth it. One of her most popular books is "Cat Training In Ten Minutes." She was a very effective dog trainer, so I would presume she knew about cats as well... It's worth knowing about this trainer and her books for dogs too. She taught us to use a dog head halter (she has one of her own design which works terrifically). With a less dangerous situation, one could learn all one needed to know from the book. In addition, she's just a nice lady.
Here is Miriam's Website: miriamfields.com
2001 Bayside PUP
2001 E350 extended 15 seat van
Me 41 YO Crazy Mother of 6 can't get enough of camping
Grumpy the Dad hates camping, can't sleep, stays home
4 DD 17, 10, 6 & 3
2 DS 15 & 13
Love camping in inverse relationship to assistance they can give
The only training going on with cats is their training of their humans. They like to see how quickly they can get the humans to snap to when they want something. I can report that my dh and I are very well trained when it comes to our two indoor cats. The cats have even trained the dogs to some degree.. quite amazing.
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That's the way it's always been in our house. 
