While people don’t normally think of training a cat the same way they think of training a dog, most cats are completely trainable. The process of training a cat is very similar to training their canine counterparts, that is, using lots of treats and positive reinforcement.

Cats can be trained to stay off counters and tables, come when they’re called, do tricks, and even play fetch. The bottom line in training is that whatever you want your cat to do (scratch his post instead of the sofa, or retrieve a ball at your command) should be really fun and exciting for him. And whatever you don’t want him to do should be really unpleasant and no fun. That means you use lots of praise, attention, and treats when he does what you want, and ignore him or give him a negative consequence (like a squirt of water or a loud noise) when he does something naughty.

One thing to keep in mind is that shouting and punishments rarely work on cats. They only serve to confuse your kitty and just make him think that, well...you’re kind of mean. He won’t equate the punishment with whatever he did that was naughty, so he won’t get the lesson you’re trying to teach him.

Make learning new behaviors fun and rewarding, and he’ll jump through hoops (perhaps literally) to please you!