Is Cat Discipline Possible?
People often ask me if training cats is really possible. Cats are intelligent animals and will learn new behavior much faster than you think. Many people find it hard to believe that cat discipline is possible but despite their independent nature it is possible to train a cat that a particular behaviour is bad. All it takes is some patience and consistency in their training. So try it and don't give up.
Cats are not humans
It is important to remember that cats are not human beings they think using their own logic and instincts. Your Ragdoll cat probably sees you as another large cat and will communicate with you accordingly.
Violence will not work
A cat will not understand the use of violence as a form of discipline and so will not associate it with their bad behaviour. The only thing this will do is make them afraid of you. Hitting your Ragdoll cat is not a good form of punishment for bad behaviour, the following methods are kinder ways to effectively discipline your Ragdoll cat:
The 'Face Push' Technique
For times when you are near your cat when behaving badly 'The Face Push' technique should be used. It consists of a GENTLE but firm push back on your cat's face accompanied by a stern 'NO' command. This is a strong message to cats and used consistently will teach him that a particular behaviour is bad.
The Squirt Gun
When your ragdoll cat is further away and needs reprimanding a squirt gun filled with water and a dash of vinegar is a great tool. Just a quick squirt in the face with a stern 'NO' command is enough to stop them in their tracks.
The Rattle Bottle
If the above techniques are not practical a small can or plastic bottle partly filled with pebbles or coins when shaken or dropped along with the 'NO' command can provide a great deterrent from bad behavior. Avoid over use of this technique to prevent your Ragdoll cat from becoming desensitised to its affect.
Being consistent with these methods will soon teach your Ragdoll cat which behaviour is good and which is unacceptable.
Problems with aggression
Aggression problems in cats is not as common as it is for dogs but for many reasons cats can develop an aggression problem and you must address this as early as possible to avoid impacting the problem with wrong treatment from you the owner. There are different types of aggression in cats and below are the most common:
Play Aggression
Play aggression is the most common form of cat aggression and is usually your cat playing rough. This is almost always because they have been taught to play like this from when they were kittens; this is called 'conditioned aggression'.
Conditioned Aggression
As explained above if you have this problem then it was conditioned into your Ragdoll cat from when it was a kitten. To avoid doing this when rearing kittens always divert aggressive play onto toys and other objects like string on the end of a stick. This will help to distance the aggression from you. If necessary use a squirt gun to stop the wrong behavior along with the usual 'NO' command.
Pain Aggression
If the aggression problem suddenly appears for no apparent reason it could be caused by pain. Your cat has no way of telling you if it has a medical condition and is in pain so biting or scratching you could be your cats way of either getting your attention or protecting itself. If it continues you should consult your veterinary surgeon to discover if there is a medical problem, which needs treatment.
When your ragdoll cat jumps on the table
This problem is common in cats if they are not taught otherwise. A squirt in the face with the squirt gun or a drop of the rattle bottle along with the 'NO' command may be all that is required to deter your cat from jumping up but you must be consistent so that your Ragdoll cat knows why they are being punished.
As mentioned above it is not that difficult to have a cat that is well behaved and knows his boundaries if the above techniques are used consistently.
The author is the writer of 'The Complete Ragdoll Cat Keepers Handbook, to find out more visit:
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