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You love that sweet ball of fluff, those inky blackberry eyes so full of mischief, and that almost deafening purr, but her one bad habit is driving you crazy. So, how do you train your cat? Is it actually possible to train your cat? Yes, but only if your will is stronger than hers.

Look at the big cats, particularly the ones used in circuses and magic shows. Lions and tigers have big wills and yet these giant felines can be trained. How? By appealing to their natures.

Cashing in on your pet cat's natural instincts is the key to changing your cat's behavior. Cats respond to food treats, far better than they respond to kind words of praise. They are solitary creatures in the wild and don't depend upon flattery for their existence. Food is the better motivator, but cats also like to have their head scratched. Watch animal handlers slip morsels of food to their feline divas, once the cat has performed its trick, and then follow that with a quick ruffle of the animal's fur.

Some behaviors like clawing at furniture are natural cat behaviors (no, your cat hasn't created a fanciful way to annoy you). Try a commercially available scratching post. Repeated firm removals of your cat from the couch and relocation to the clawing post should do the trick. Especially if you scent the post with catnip.

Is your kitty shedding and choosing your favorite quilt as her chaise lounge? Cats understand boundaries. Take a bath mat and place it on your bed or couch. Place your cat on the mat and hold her firmly but gently until her body relaxes. Pat her there. Each time she moves off, return her to the mat and pat her once she lies down. She will soon acquaint lying on the mat with the pleasure of your hand.

Punishment has no place in your cat-training regimen. Deliberate motives and applied patience will result in a trained cat, so long as your training is administered consistently.

Does it seem as if you, the owner, are being trained along with your cat? That's true. Training yourself to be consistent before attempting to correct your cat's behavior, will always yield the best results. And the most purrs.

Learn more about this author, Sheree Zielke.
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