1. Keep sessions brief, 5-10 minutes. Cats have short attention spans.
2. Use irresistible treats for positive reinforcement. Find your cat's favorites.
3. Praise and pet your cat when they do the desired behavior.
4. Be patient and consistent. Cats learn through repetition.
5. Train in a quiet room without distractions to keep your cat focused.
6. End sessions on a positive note, even if not fully successful.
7. Incorporate training into playtime for a fun, engaging activity.

Litter Box Training Challenges and Solutions

1. Add more litter boxes - Provide 1 box per cat, plus 1 extra.
2. Thoroughly clean soiled areas with enzyme cleaner to remove odors.
3. Try different litter types - Cats may reject scented or coarse litter.
4. Rule out medical issues by consulting your veterinarian.
5. Evaluate litter box location - Offer privacy and accessibility.
6. Assess litter box cleanliness - Scoop twice daily.

1. Provide a larger, uncovered litter box to allow stretching.
2. Try different litter substrates - Some cats dislike certain textures.
3. Trim your cat's nails regularly to keep them blunt.
4. Add a vertical scratching post near the box to redirect scratching.

1. Confine kittens to a small space with food, bedding and the litter box.
2. Place kittens in litter box frequently and reward with praise and treats.
3. Be patient - kittens learn from their mother and littermates.
4. Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors.

Correcting Counter Surfing and Table Manners

1. Keep countertops and tables free of food when unattended. Out of sight, out of mind!
2. Apply double sided sticky tape to problem surfaces when away to discourage landing.
3. Place pleasing scratching posts or cat trees near tables to distract and divert cats.
4. Keep cats out of food prep areas completely. Close doors or use baby gates.
5. Never leave unattended plates or food sitting out within pouncing distance.

1. Provide solo feeding space for your cat away from your table at mealtimes.
2. Ignore begging - don't reward with any attention or food slips!
3. Enroll in trick training to teach a 'go to bed' cue for meal times.
4. Use a clear loud sound like a sssst! or whistle when cat is on table or begging.
5. Never get physical when correcting food stealing behavior.

Managing Night Time Waking and Vocalization

1. Make sure your cat is well-fed, stimulated and on a consistent schedule to avoid attention-seeking at night.
2. Lock your cat out of the bedroom at bedtime so they don't pester you.
3. Invest in earplugs and ignore attention-seeking behaviors at night to avoid reinforcing.
4. Consider a pheromone diffuser in the bedroom to promote calmness.
5. Schedule intense playtime and feedings at least 2-3 hours before bed to avoid energizing them.
6. Take time when you wake to give your cat morning affection so they don't associate night wakings with bonding.

Addressing Aggressive Behavior Issues

1. Neuter/spay your cat to ease territorial frustrations.
2. Build multiple perches and refuges so cats can choose to avoid contact.
3. Use calming pheromones to ease stress.
4. Introduce new people and pets gradually over days/weeks.
5. Clean soiled areas thoroughly with enzymatic cleaners to remove triggering smells.

1. Redirect your cat's attention to toys when aroused to avoid aggression spilling onto you.
2. Avoid physically handling an agitated cat - let them cool down separated behind a closed door.
3. Determine and remove any environmental triggers of stress and arousal like loud noises.
4. Consult your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications in extreme cases.

1. Set clear rules and limits for acceptable play with cues like "too rough" to signal unwanted behavior.
2. Avoid using hands or legs when play wrestling to teach biting humans is unacceptable. Use toys only.
3. Provide solo hunting toys like food puzzles to express prey drive in positive ways.
4. Schedule interactive play sessions right before mealtime to prevent hunting humans.

1. Confine your cat to a separate room before guests arrive to avoid confrontations.
2. Request guests ignore your cat initially - no direct eye contact or touching.
3. Have visitors offer treats to build positive associations with new people.
4. Provide cat tunnels, boxes or blankets for hiding so they don't feel trapped.
5. Use synthetic pheromone sprays and diffusers to induce calmness.
6. Ensure your cat has cat trees, perches and raised surfaces to observe newcomers from a safe distance.
7. Have trusted family/friends give your cat treats to build familiarity with frequent visitors.
8. Consider medication if aggression or fearful behaviors are profound - consult your veterinarian.

Discouraging Biting and Chewing Houseplants

1. Move houseplants out of reach to avoid temptation. Use wall shelves or dangling planters.
2. Try enclosing plants in decorative mesh or plastic covers to block access.
3. Use scent deterrents like citrus or pepper powder around or on plants. Reapply frequently.
4. If allowing access, ensure all houseplants are nontoxic to cats just in case.
5. Provide ample cat-safe greens like wheatgrass for approved chewing and nibbling.
6. Use automated devices like Ssscat spray deterrents to startle cats approaching plants.
7. Squirt them with a water pistol when caught chewing. Avoid physical punishment.
8. Hang critter cord barriers around plant groupings areas to block entry.

1. Keep houseplants out of reach by placing them on high wall shelves, hanging them from ceilings or using plant stands.
2. Use decorative pebble or stone mulch atop the soil which cats dislike digging in.
3. Insert chopsticks or plant skewers into the dirt to make digging more difficult.
4. Mist the soil with citrus-scented sprays, which cats dislike. Reapply frequently.
5. Consider using child safety fence around plant containers or table edges to block access.
6. Provide approved, safe "digging"materials like grass trays, small pots of cat grass, or digging boxes.
7. Use automatic pet deterrent devices near plants to surprise and deter digging.
8. Keep any toxic plants strictly out of reach to avoid poisoning if ingested. Monitor carefully.

Stopping Furniture and Carpet Scratching

1. Use carpet runners or plastic carpet protectors over high scratch traffic areas.
2. Apply double sided sticky tape on furniture to deter scratching.
3. Use cat repellent sprays containing aloe or citrus scents on fabrics. Reapply frequently.
4. Fit your cat with soft vinyl nail caps applied by your vet to dull damage.
5. Trim your cat's nails regularly to minimize destructive scratching.

1. Provide sturdy vertical and horizontal scratching posts. Place them near frequent scratch zones.
2. Cat scratching pads or corrugated cardboard also make appealing scratchers.
3. Use catnip spray on scratching posts and pads to attract your cat.
4. Praise and reward your cat for using designated scratching tools.

Preventing Door Dashing

1. Collar and microchip your cat for identification in case they do slip out.
2. Install secure, locking pet-proof screens on all doors and windows. Keep closed.
3. Set up double barriers at exits with storage bins of water or rocks to deter escape.
4. Keep doors deadbolted so cats can't manipulate handles - use child safety covers.
5. Attach hooks and latches up high or low on doors out of your cat's reach.
6. Train your cat to go into a carrier on cue using treats. Crate before opening risky doors.
7. Consider installing Ssscat automated spray deterrents at doors to surprise dashers.
8. Keep doors and exits off limits zones by closing cats into safe rooms instead of full house access.

1. Avoid sudden schedule changes - maintain consistent feeding and playtimes.
2. Give loads of affection and playtime before departures.
3. Introduce short absences at first to build confidence when alone.
4. Leave clothing with your scent, soothing music/TV on for company.
5. Use synthetic feline pheromone diffusers to induce calm.
6. Provide puzzle toys and food dispensers to occupy your cat while you're gone.
7. Consider easing anxiety with medications prescribed by your veterinarian if needed.
8. Hire a pet sitter to visit for playtime on longer days away from home.

Teaching Fun Tricks

1. High Five - Hold a treat over kitty's head, say "high five" and give the treat when they lift their paw. Repeat until they learn to lift their paw on command.
2. Jump Through a Hoop - Hold a hula hoop low to the ground with treats on the opposite side. Lure your cat through with the treats, praising as they go through. Gradually raise the hoop height.
3. Fetch - Some cats can be trained to retrieve toys. Offer praise and treats when they return the toy to you. Use flashing light toys to trigger their prey drive.
4. Sit - Hold a treat in your hand above their head. Say "sit" and move your hand up so they sit back. Reward with the treat when their bottom touches down.
5. Come - Call your cat cheerfully and give a treat when they come to you. As they learn, increase distance and offer random rewards to proof the behavior.
6. Stand - Hold a treat in your closed hand held upright. Say "stand" and wait for them to place paws on your hand to reach the treat. Reward the standing position.
7. Train in short, positive sessions of 5-10 minutes max. Cats have shorter attention spans but appreciate mental stimulation. Consistency, patience and enticing rewards are key to successfully teaching tricks.

• Cat Training
• Cats
• Cat How To's