Ten Commandments

Ten Commandments

Easy Steps In Teaching Cat Commands

Just as you need to take easy steps in learning something new, you also need to take easy steps in teaching cat commands. Teaching cat commands may seem harder than it actually is. If you apply the following steps you will have an excellent outline in teaching your cat some basic commands. Here are the some basic keys to remember:

• Calm voice - When training your cat be sure to use a calm voice. Yelling or using high pitch sounds will upset your cat and she will have a difficult time in responding and may even ignore your commands.
• Clicker - A clicker is an excellent tool to use for any type of cat training. Your pet will associate the clicker sound with the treat.
• Mindset - You can do it-your cat can learn. Do not attempt to train your cat if you are in a bad mood or mad. Your negative mindset has an adverse affect on your cat. She will have difficulty in responding.
• Patience - Your cat will require time to learn. Your impatience will impede her ability to respond and learn. If you have more than one cat, remember each one is unique. One may grasp the commands easier than the other. This is normal. Thus your patience is of utmost importance.
• Repetition - The best way for training any cat is to be repetitious with a routine schedule. This will help her to look forward to the training sessions.
• Treats - Some cats may respond to positive reinforcement, but, most cats will generally do better if they are being trained with treats. Use your cat's favorite treat; however be careful not to exceed more than 10% of your pet's total daily diet to help prevent cat obesity.
• Verbal praise - Verbal praise should always be given after each correct behavioral response.

You will need to apply the above keys to each of the following commands addressed in this article:

• Come
• Sit
• Lie Down
• Shake Hands
• Wave

The "Come" Command

The "come" command should be one of the easiest ones for your pet to learn if you have patience and a positive attitude. Here's the best way to teach this command:

• Call your pet to her food bowl, preferably at mealtime. As you call her, use her name proceeded by the word "come" as in "Daisy, come".
• When your cat comes, say, "Come, good come," using an upbeat voice and click the clicker.
• Give your cat her food or a treat.
• Once she has mastered this command by coming to her bowl; try the command in another location.
• Repeat the same steps as outlined above until your pet naturally comes when she is called.

The "Sit" Command

The "sit" command is usually taught to dogs and most cat owners think their cat cannot be taught this command. This is totally not true. You can teach your cat to sit. This command will take a little more effort and patience on your part. For your first training session have the following available: a clicker, treats your cat loves and the following props: a quiet area and a table.

Now you are ready to start by following these steps:

• Place your cat on the table at an edge nearest to you. Pet your cat to help her become comfortable and relaxed.
• Show your cat the treat reward. Say your cat's name followed by the command word "sit" as in "Daisy, sit". Next, move the food reward back to you and then over your cats head.
• As your cat tips its head back to follow the food, it will sit to keep its balance. Say, "Sit, good sit," click the clicker and give your cat a treat.
• Keep repeating these steps until she masters this command.
• Remove the table and try the floor without moving food over her head.
• When she responds, click the clicker, give her a treat and praise.
• Be gentle and patient. Do not frustrate or frighten your cat. If she resists, try again later.

The "Lie Down" Command

The "lie" down command is another easy command to teach after your cat learns to sit. Follow these steps:

• Place the cat on the table at an edge that is nearest to you. Give your cat affection so she is relaxed.
• Hold a treat in one hand slightly below and in front of the table. Say her name followed by the word "down" (or any word you choose) as in "Daisy, down." Which ever word you choose, it is essential to repetitiously use this word for this command.
• When you see your cat lowering herself to reach for the food, say, "Down, good down." When she shows this behavior, click the clicker and give her a treat.
• Keep repeating these steps until she masters this command.
• Remove the table and try the floor. When she responds favorably, click the clicker and give her a treat.
• Be patient and use a calm voice. If you should see your cat not in the mood for training, try again hours later.

The "Shake Hands" Command

The "shake hands" command can be taught to your cat and not just your dog as you may be thinking. You will be surprised that your cat can learn this command. Here are the easy steps: 

• Sit your cat in front of you.
• Touch her paw and say her name followed by the command "Shake", as in "Daisy, shake".
• When she responds and lifts her paw, click the clicker and give her verbal praise and her food treat.
• Be patient and consistent and repeat the above steps. Each time she responds with the proper behavior, click the clicker and give her a treat and verbal praise.
• Keep repeating until she masters this command.

The "Wave" Command

The "wave" command may be easier than you think. A cat's normal behavior is to swipe at a morsel of food. Using this instinct, you can teach her this command. Follow these steps:

• Hold a food treat in your hand.
• Place it in front of the cat's nose but just out of the reach of her front paws.
• Move the food treat back and forth with your hands in a waving motion while telling your cat to "wave" as in "Daisy, wave".
• When you cat reaches out for the food, it will appear as if she is waving.
• Once she simulates the waving behavior, click the clicker, praise her and give her a treat.
• Repeat these steps until she maters this command.
• Remember to have the mindset that you can do it. If she is not in the mood, try again later.

Conclusion

The above are some easy steps you can follow in teaching your cat commands. Here are some additional helps as you begin your training sessions:

• Keep the training sessions 10 to 15 minutes in length so that you maintain the mindset of "can do": you can teach your cat to learn and your cat can learn the commands.
• Stop the training before you are tempted to loose your patience and inhibit the learning ability of your cat.
• Do not try teaching your cat more than one command at a time. She needs to master the one you are training her on before going to the next. Repetition until mastery will prevent confusion.
• Give those treats. Proper behavior deserves a reward.
• Verbal praise with a calm voice conveys pleasure and excitement for the next training activity.

By following the above, you are well on your way to discovering success as you use easy steps in teaching cat commands. Your neighbors and friends will be impressed.

About the Author

If you want to learn more about cats, visit my website at www.petsstore4u.com has additional cat articles, gifts, supplies, organic cat food, furniture and training tools to help you become a better and more informed cat owner. 

Where can I find the Ten Commandments in pictures?

I'm trying to teach a group of 4-6 year olds the Ten Commandments. Anybody know wee I can find them in pictures to help the learn them visually?

http://www.instonebrewer.com/bpg2009/Free/Screen-sized%20pictures.htm

George Carlin The Ten Commandments Broken Down