**Introduction**
If you’re a cat owner, you know the frustration and angst of losing sight of your feline friend. Whether we’re frantically calling their names from the backdoor in a useless attempt to get them home before dark, or we’re just fed up of sounding like desperate lovers, calling out their name time after time when dinner is served – cats aren’t always keen to come running when you beckon.
If that scenario strikes a chord, then you’ve landed your mouse cursor in the right place. This article takes you on a jaunt into the world of feline communication and obedience, guiding you through the steps of training your cat to come when called. No, this isn’t a twist on the dragon-themed epic fantasy novel. And, regardless of whether your cat is named Toothless, training your feline to come when called is an achievable feat that only requires a bit of patience, persistence, and of course, a dash of love. Are you ready to upgrade your cat-calling skills?
**Section 1: Understanding Feline Behavior**
Before we delve into the steps of calling your cat, it’s important to understand the inherent nature of our feline friends. Unlike dogs, cats are not pack animals. They are solitary hunters, which means their social interactions are fundamentally different. Nevertheless, they do communicate and establish relationships with other cats and humans. It’s this relationship bond that we can leverage to train our cats to respond when we call them.
According to the American Behavior Society, cats learn fastest through play and reward-based training. These are the principles that successful cat trainers use and the ones we’ll be delving into in this guide.
**Section 2: Practical Steps to Train Your Cat to Come When Called**
Training your cat to heed your call involves more than just constantly calling out their name. It’s a process that requires patience and consistency. Start by choosing a name for your cat that it can easily recognize. Short names or names that end in a high pitch tend to work best. Once you’ve got the perfect name, follow these simple steps:
1. Choose a Treat: Every successful training session requires a good reward. Choose a treat that your cat absolutely loves.
2. Establish the Call: Start in a quiet room with no distractions. Call your cat’s name followed by an action word like “come” in a friendly, high-pitched tone. Remember, consistency is key.
3. Reward: If your cat comes towards you, give them the treat immediately and shower them with praises or gentle petting.
4. Repeat: Practice this process several times in a day in short bursts making sure to only call them when they’re likely to be receptive and less distracted.
**Section 3: Common Mistakes and Misconceptions**
Training your cat to respond to your call is NOT about imposing your will or being the “master”. It’s about creating a positive association between the call and a reward. A common mistake among cat parents is to call their cat when they’re about to do something the cat dislikes, such as taking medication or cleaning their ears. Avoid these pitfalls and ensure calling your cat is always a positive experience for them.
**Section 4: Case Studies**
Meet Bella, a Siamese who responded to her owner’s call after only a week of consistent, reward-based training. Then there’s Tom, a street cat turned house cat, who learned to come when called following the same method. And let’s not forget about Daisy, a lovable Persian who now comes running at the sound of her name, and has even learned to do a few simple tricks.
**Conclusion**
Training your cat to come when called is not an impossible task. With an understanding of feline behavior and consistent reward-based training, you can create a connection with your cat that leads to a beautiful response – their trust in you. It takes time and patience but the rewards are certainly worth the effort.
Your cat rightfully belongs in your home and heart, not hiding under the neighbor’s shed or napping on a dangerous ledge. So, let’s improve our relationships with our feline friends by taking the first step to engaging better communication. Who knows, your cat might just surprise you with how quickly they catch on to this new routine of ‘coming when beckoned’. Best of all, you’ll never have to seem like a desperate lover ever again when calling for your cat. Good luck!
