(no subject)

[madbaker]

We've tried the traditional methods of disciplining Galen:
 1) say "Ga-len!" in an annoyed tone.
Results: cat ignores us.

 2) Blow in his face.
Results: cat gets pissed off and does whatever again, more-so.

 3) squirt with water.
Results: cat ignores us. Washes perplexedly.

Back to #1, I guess.

What I'm reading: Jim Butcher, Blood Rites

Comments

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Hiss. Seriously. It still works for Rebo and Zootie. They stop and look for mom hissing at them, then realize they need to (get off the table, stop whatever ...). They're pretty good most of the time, but once in awhile a reminder ...

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

This hindbrain hiss thing must be why my "psht" noise works on my cats. That's the noise that means "get off immediately." I thought it was repeating the noise that my water-squirter used (started training with both, moved just to the noise later), but maybe it's just hiss harmonics.

We also have a command, two tongue clicks, which means "I'm going to get up if you don't want to be dumped out of my lap get down now." That one is also very effective. And a hand signal which means "if you come over here now, I will pet you."

That concludes the cat commands.

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

Ah. We haven't gotten ours trained to much. Sometimes Zootie comes when his name is called, in the hopes of there being a rose to munch on. But then, he's usually waiting for herself if she's out gardening anyway. Mr. Hopeful.

They don't do laps (yet, although frankly with Zootie's weight, that's probably a good thing for my legs ...). They do have their own little "things", but nothing really special.

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

He eats roses? What is he, part butter-bug?

If you want them to do commands, it can work even later in life. Just keep doing it, they'll probably catch on. Especially if there's food involved. Or roses, in Zootie's case.

I taught mine to meercat-up on her hind legs by using a spoonful of fancy catfood. It's pretty funny when she pops up to try and see something better, even now when I've stopped reinforcing it.

[goldenstag.livejournal.com]

I dunno. He just likes roses. What can I say?

They handle having claws trimmed (being indoor cats) well, because after the trimming they get kittie "yums" (whatever the current back of 'em is). Once I got them on that, they wait for the kitty treats, and if one of them is getting his claws trimmed, the other is nearby waiting for his turn. Weird.

They're brothers ... sometimes Rebo does the meercat thing all on his own. We're just happy that they're social, loving critters, and haven't really thought about teaching 'em tricks.