MeeeOW everypawdy, hope you all had a great weekend. It’s another miserable Monday and we ain’t da least bit miserable. Okay maybe a little, da lawn crew’s here and da hots have arrived. We’re all tryin’ to stay cool and me’s tryin’ to hide. Raena? She’s right at mommy’s side bein’ a great Service kitty in training. Anyways, are ya ready fur another educational posty ‘bout pickin’ and trainin’ Service Cats? As with all me’s educational postys this will be written in da human English fur translation purr-pusses. Ifin you missed me’s furst posty in this series, you can check it out here. We got some great questions and comments so we’ll try to answer them today. Ifin we didn’t answer your questions or you have more, purrlease leave them in da comments or use our contact us page to send us an email. Now let’s get on with it, shall we?
Last week we discussed how to pick a cat to train. We said that neither breed or sex matters. The most important thing to look for is a kitty that wants to be with you and is both outgoing and calm. Yes, that kitten/cat does exist. We also stated that you must be realistic in your expectations of the things a cat can do. While us kittys may be able to do things you might not expect, it shouldn’t be forced. In other words, don’t expect kitty to carry anything that weighs half their weight, much less more than them. The average weight of a healthy cat is between 8 to 12 pounds. That can vary from breed to breed, but do keep these numbers in mind when determining tasks for your kitty to perform. Remember, ALL TRAINING is based on kitty’s natural instincts. And, for the purpose of these posts we are focusing on a kitten of 6 to 8 weeks.
We were asked again, if Ragdoll cats are better suited to being Service cats. Our answer is still NO. Mommy has had and trained several Service cats and till me joined her, she had never had a Ragdoll. For mommy’s particular needs, Ragdolls are a good choice. This goes back to our first post and knowing what tasks you need performed and if a particular breed would be better suited to those tasks and your lifestyle.
The next big question we got was:
At what age can training begin?
Mommy says training begins the minute kitty comes home. You want kitty to perform tasks without fail. You need to develop a close bond with kitty. You’re going to want kitty to feel rewarded when they receive extra love and pats as opposed to treats. Mommy has a game she calls “Scent Me Up”. She rubs her cheeks and chin on kitty’s cheeks and chin. She often speaks softly while doing this. Mommy will say things like I love ____________(insert name), or ____________(insert name) is such a good kitty, this will also help kitty learn it’s name. Scenting is a natural behavior for kitties where they deposit their scent on whatever they’re rubbing; thereby owning/claiming that person or object as theirs. This is also one of the ways cats greet each other and treat their family members. Doing this brings you closer to kitty. Typically this behavior will cause kitty to respond in kind, purr and occasionally start kneading. The kneading behavior will be focused and become massaging as training progresses. You may or may not need kitty to perform massages for you, but this is a task that we perform for mommy several times a day.

If you need kitty to perform massages, PLEASE, DO NOT DECLAW KITTY!!! We will tell you how to get kitty to retract their claws in a later post.
We do scent me up with Dad and really like it. He tries to get us all to do it as often as he can. Purrs
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are amazed that training starts with a kitten of 6 to 8 weeks! Sphynx typically don’t leave their cat mom’s side until they are 12 to 16 weeks. So 6 to 8 seems really, really young to us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Training begins when kitty comes home, regardless of the age. Because Raena was 6 weeks old dat’s what we focused on. But you can also start at 16 weeks or more.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLike
We are so enjoying reading and learning about training service cats. We did not even know about service cats until we found your blog. We are so happy sweet Dezi and sweet Raena that you both are such a big help and comfort to your sweet Mom. Bless all of you. Hugs and nose kisses
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fank you. Mommy says she is blest indeed. And we tell her dat we be da blest ones. So it’s just big blessings all around. Most peeps do think of doggies when they hear ’bout Service animals, but we cats are tryin’ to make our mark on da Service Animal world.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you! You are amazing examples for others to train and have therapy cats.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fank you.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s some great information, Dezi and it is good to learn about it. Granny rubs her cheeks on mine too every day, she also gives me headbonks, even if I’m not a service cat…I think she’s one..MOL 😀 Pawkisses for a Happy Day 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dat’s pawsum Binky. We say da cheek rubbin’ should be pawrt of every kitty’s life. It’s all ’bout bondin’, not just fur Service kittys. We think your granny is a keeper.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLiked by 1 person
My mommy said she was sad when Sasha came to her house. She wasn’t a lap kitty and was pretty independent. She also hated Suki, who left for Heaven not too long after. Suki watched over Mommy, sat in her lap, and took care of her, but Sasha wouldn’t. As the only cat Sasha still wouldn’t be a lap kitty. It would take several years, then all of a sudden she constantly wanted Mommy’s lap! brandi wasn’t a lap kitty, but she would sit right beside her mama and even sleep by her head. Me? I am a lap kitty only when Mommy is really really sick. Or we’re in the middle of a purr session (as long as the pets continue!). I know “good girl” and “I love you” and “What a pretty girl”, but treats I don’t care for, so that would never work with me. But compliments and love? You’re so right! They always work!!!!
I love your “training class”. And the header? I love the three girls! And Angel Lexi SHOULD be in the middle. Sort of overlooking efurry thing!
Now if we ever got brave enough to program this silly Window 10 to download (upload?) pictures….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love learning about this, Dezi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good. We hope we don’t bore anypawdy. Mommy says trainin’ is so much repetition dat it’s boring fur lots of peeps.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another wonderful article ladies! We were surprised too see that you all do the scent-me-up as Dad does that with us too. Another thing he will do is lick his index and pointing fingers and then groom us with them. We love it and Dad thinks that is why we all are very bonded with him. That may not be for everyone MOL.
Can’t wait for the next installment
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really Timmy? Dat’s so cool. Mommy hasn’t met many other peeps dat even know what she be talkin’ ’bout. But we agree, da close bond is da result of such in tune mommy’s and daddy’s.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLike