Spray Bottles Have No Place in Animal Training Spraying naughty dogs with a water bottle has been used for decades. Cats are lumped into this punishment-based technique too; they’re often sprayed for scratching furniture or climbing on countertops. Dogs are sprayed for anything their owners find inappropriate. But does it work? It’s a new day, and we have newer and very … [Read more...]
How to Keep Felines off Counters
No one likes to find cat hair in their food. One of the more common complaints I hear from owners is how their cats won't stay off the countertops. I get it, I really do. It's an annoying habit for those of us who enjoy cooking or using the countertop as a dining area. Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep your cats off of the counters. Let’s start with the most … [Read more...]
Feline Chewing Problems
Taking a few effective measures can help keep your cats safe and sound. There are a variety of reasons cats might chew on and/or eat nonfood items. Felines might chew if they are bored or have too much excess energy. Highly stressed or anxious cats often chew as a self-soothing technique. Chewing on or ingesting nonfood items can not only be destructive, it can be very … [Read more...]
Why You Shouldn’t Toilet Train Your Cat
Teaching the behavior causes more problems than it solves. In “Meet the Parents,” Robert DeNiro’s character owns a cat named Jinx that has a unique talent: The cat uses the toilet instead of the litterbox. At first thought, the idea of your cat using the toilet instead the litterbox may have great appeal. Who wouldn’t like to avoid scooping the litterbox. However, the … [Read more...]
Buyers Guide: Tasty Cat Treats
Tempting and tasty morsels for discerning felines Owners around the world know the benefits of healthful treats for cats. Fortunately, there are a wealth of new (or new-ish) yummy products designed specifically for rewarding our feline friends. Cats thrive on positive reinforcement and keeping treats on hand is the perfect way to train them. A cat has a hunter mindset that … [Read more...]
Can Cats Be Trained?
How Cat Trainers are Saving Feline Lives Most people believe that a cat’s behavior and personality are just the result of a lottery, and you either win or lose. When a cat’s behavior becomes too aggressive or destructive, an owner, at best, might learn to deal with it. At worst, she might abandon her cat at the nearest animal shelter. When dogs exhibit aggressive or … [Read more...]
Misunderstood Felines
There’s a good reason why your cat is acting like a jerk. Let’s face it—cats get a bad rap. Ailurophobes around the world have (more or less) based their entire phobia on the idea that all cats are jerks. However, those of us who love and adore our feline friends know the only reason cats are ever jerks is because something is bothering them. To make your cat stop being a … [Read more...]
Cats vs Houseplants
No matter how tempting they might be, you can train your cat to leave them alone. It’s impossible to explain to a cat that the beautiful new palm tree in a stunning ceramic pot in the living room is not a litter box. A cat sees soil and can’t resist the temptation to scratch around in the dirt, flicking it all over the floor and then proceeding to pee or poop. It’s … [Read more...]