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Every Cat Exhibits Behaviors from Training, Psychology, Intelligence, or PersonalitySome cats wait by the door when they hear the family car or a loved ones' footstep. While this may be a sign of separation anxiety, it may also be a sign of intelligence. Most cats sleep up to 20 hours a day, so if it were separation anxiety, it might be exhibited by not sleeping, soiling in a certain area or an exaggerated aloof or clingy behavior instead of greeting you by the door. When we watch cats sniff each other where they do, the way a cat wants it's rear in your face (especially when you scratch the base of the tail), or the way they chase their own tails, it can be difficult to say that they are intelligent. But even in their silliest moments, many cat owners and enthusiasts have a hard time denying that cats seem to have personalities, both good and bad.
To the Top of cat behaviors training psychology intelligence personality The hard part is to distinguish between behavior problems and personality. I have two cats, Beasley and Princess. They both came from rescue, and both are adults. They both want to be only-cat, but Beasley ended up being so needy that I'm very glad they have each other to complain to about my lack of attention. I have other things to do than spend 24 hours a day petting and playing with him. I like to work on my internet site and I have to cook, clean and bathe. I also have a job to go to every day so that I can buy the cat food that they require.
At this point, they chase each other around the house, play together and are even lying on opposite sides of the bed at night. I can cuddle one with each hand, and they accept it. Beasley is still finding it difficult, but continues to find ways to be with me that Princess won't duplicate. For instance, when I wash the dishes, Beasley jumps up on the counter to watch. And, while I work on the computer, Beasley wants to be in my lap to help me type. However, when it becomes too difficult and I put him down, he will lay at my feet. Princess comes and gets lots of cuddles, drapes her long tail over his neck or wraps it around my arm. He totally ignores her unless she is "herding" him to some destination she has decided he needs to go to. I used to worry that Beasley was becoming depressed or ill, and he has a problem keeping his food down. He still eats all the wet food he can. He didn't exhibit this behavior until Princess came. Since our foster kitties came and left, he seems much better about the food, but still has a time of it on occasion. He realizes that there will always be enough for everybody. I've dealt with this in various ways over the years, and seem to have found the correct mix of treatments for now: hairball treatments and feeding very small amounts several times a day. I also tell Beasley to eat the crunchies - sometimes he actually does! Yes, he actually seems to understand me. However, he cuddles, grooms himself and otherwise seems fine. He even jumps up on my lap while I'm reading and tries to become a part of my chest. His cuddles can be pretty demanding, but I love it. I like that he wants to be with me. To the Top of cat behaviors training psychology intelligence personality Oscar, a cat I had for many years, was extremely clingy because he was blind. When I left the house, he would stay on the bed until I returned. He would not eat or use the litter box. When I came back, he would greet me with a loud meow and come alive. He would first use the litter box and then go to his food and water. This caused me concern at first because of daytime heating, but he continued fine for many years. Although his behaviors might be described as separation anxiety, I believe it was more not knowing where he was that caused his behaviors. On the bed, he felt safe in his dark world. He knew he would not get lost.
Do you remember the poem that says children learn what they live? Well, the same is true for cats. If you play rough with a cat, you will have a cat that plays rough. If you cuddle your cat a lot, you will have a cat that is always looking for cuddles. Striking a balance is best. Play with your cat to bond with it, cuddle and stroke your cat so that your cat cuddles with you, and groom your cat so that it lets you touch it all over its body. This is a good defense against unsuspected diseases and conditions. If you need to train your cat to stay away from certain areas or items, or to do or not do certain things, you get even more into the discipline of cat psychology. Cats, unlike dogs, do not live to please their people. Cats do things because they see value in it. By knowing how a cat thinks - and yes, they do think - you can be more effective in training your cat and not have to resort to extreme measures to achieve the desired result. There is an actual discipline involved in pet psychology. The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists certifies and regulates the education and practice of animal psychology. Testing an animal's intelligence, training and problem resolution are all parts of that discipline.
Cat Behaviors and Training, IntelligenceBehavior training includes obedience, or housebreaking; and training for specific things, like animal actors. Some trainers for animal actors use extreme methods. I have met the cats trained in this way, and the result is not a happy cat at all. The desired result is the behavior on command without stress to the cat, but if a cat cannot be stroked or cuddled, then there is stress to the cat. This is an ongoing problem with animal actors, and the care of the animals is overseen by the American Humane Society, and other, similar agencies throughout the world. Clicker training seems to avoid this extreme. Cats want to do the behavior, so I promote that training method.To the Top of cat behaviors training psychology intelligence personality Clicker Training Basics:Find your cat doing something you want it to do and "click" to mark the behavior. You then praise your cat, naming the behavior, and give a treat. You can repeat this several times in a short period to reinforce the behavior. Stop after 15 minutes. Reinforce again in 5 minute blocks over several days.You can combine simple behaviors into strings and give new names to them. This can be entertaining as well as a bonding activity for you and your cat.
Basic Training Ideas for your cat. Cat Treats Operant Conditioning Discussion Discussion of Cat Emotions How to Talk to Your Cat Profile of Kitty Love Your Suddenly Angry Cat To the Top of cat behaviors training psychology intelligence personality Contact Form CatLover Magazine Subscription Form
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