When a cat has been sufficiently house broken and potty trained, it is time to extend the lessons so the feline can gain skills that will help him have a more comfortable life. Most cat-owners will acknowledge the difficulty associated with attempting to train cats with commands, or transport them in any kind of vehicle. The loud noises and movement of a car seem to ignite all kinds of feline fears, causing most trips to be unpleasant. Since cats will have to experience car rides at numerous intervals of their life, the sooner they can be familiar with the sounds and sights of a running car, the happier they will be.

Traveling with Your Cat

If given the proper implementation, a cat can be trained to tolerate journeys in cars when they are able to acclimate gradually to the environment. Training your cat to travel well is a simple process if it broken down incrementally.

  • Put a towel in your cat carrier with some treats and toys inside. Help your cat get accustomed to the carrier. Leave it open at home so he can go in when he pleases, establishing it as a safe zone. Practice putting him in his cat carrier with the door closed for 10-15 minutes for 2-3 days, until he starts to relax. Be sure to cuddle him and give him treats after each time he is confined in the carrier.
  • Once he seems calm in this scenario, bring your cat to your car and sit inside with him. Keep the car turned off and allow him to scamper around and explore as he wishes. Do this for 2-3 days until he feels familiar with the vehicle, then on the 3rd day, turn the car on. Sit with him while your kitty explores the seats and floor, becoming familiar with the sound of the running car.
  • The 3rd day of being in the vehicle, put your cat in the carrier in the running car for a day or two. On the 2nd or 3rd day of being in the carrier inside the car, take a short driving trip of 3-5 minutes. Extend your car rides little by little until your cat is comfortable on longer trips. The more this process can be repeated, the more at ease your cat will become on any visit to the vet or family outing.

Obedience Training

Training a cat requires a longer commitment than training a dog , since cats are not as eager to please or obey humans as their canine counterparts. Similar to dogs, they do respond well with positive reinforcement and delicious treats with flavors like salmon, tuna, chicken or turkey. By providing consistent commands, and sufficiently rewarding and praising your pet, a cat can be trained to walk on a leash and perform skills.

Walking Your Cat

Though cats may not naturally gravitate toward walking or “controlled exploring,” learning to walk your cat will open up new avenues of adventures to experience. Putting on a harness or leash of any kind will most likely be rejected at the first attempt. However, if the owner buys a light harness, and puts it on his cat for a few days, the cat will become accustomed to how it feels. After adding a leash, allow your kitty to explore your home with the leash and harness on. (Be sure to supervise the cat while he explores, so the leash doesn’t get caught on anything.) After a few hours of letting him play with the leash on, hold the leash and gently guide your cat from time to time. Keep practicing this for a few minutes a day; then follow it by a short “play time” excursion out in the yard, while he has a leash on. Let him lead you wherever he wants to for the first few days, and always follow the outings with treats, petting and praise. Eventually you will be able to take your cat on lengthy walks and excursions outside with the safety of a leash.

Command Training

Cats can learn many of the same commands as dogs, if given the proper time and instruction. The pet parent must first make sure that the cat is well-rested and focused before attempting to teach him anything. If a cat is too tired or inattentive, he cannot be expected to retain the commands given. When he is ready to learn, say the command and show him the motion associated with it. Repeat this process 3-4 times always giving him lots of verbal encouragement. On the final time, see if the cat will obey the instruction by himself. If he does not, help him sit, do a high five, lay down or whatever the move might be. Follow this by repeated encouragement and a tasty treat.   By continuing this training process for several days, your cat will begin to catch on and the skill will solidify with each practice. Cats work best when they know that it will be a fair exchange, and every action will ensure that they get a yummy morsel in return. With dedication and proper incentivizing, your fluffy friend could be shaking hands, sitting, rolling, and laying down on command!