Well it’s Miserable Monday and da beginning of another work week. It’s also time fur another Service Cat posty. Furst mommy and me would like to thank you all for your kind words with regards to yesfurdays Blest Sunday posty. We are still working through our feelings over losing sis Lexi, and purrobably always will be. But one thing is certain, we are extremely blest to have had her in our lives. Now, as with all our educational posts, da following will be written in human English. Ifin you’ve missed any posts in da series, you can ketch up by clicking da links below.
Now that you’re all caught up, let’s talk more about training today. We didn’t get any questions from our last couple of posts, so we’re not sure which direction you all would like us to go, but we need to expand on training a bit. We have been asked where mommy learned her training methods. Years ago she started out training dogs. Once she fell into the clutches of a cat, she quickly learned she had to modify her training techniques to fit the feline behavior and mind. Most of what she learned she learned from raising motherless kittens. As most of you know, the mother and littermates would train a kitten to use the litterbox, how hard and when to bite, scratch, play and everything else a new kitten would need to know to survive. Kittens who lose their mothers before learning these things can grow up to be unruly and/or have a lot of behavioral issues. But even the kitten with an ideal upbringing can still benefit from a little training.
Last week we told you that positive reinforcement is the best and proper method to train a cat. Negative reinforcement in very limited amounts has it’s place (the ear biting technique we discussed last week). Positive reinforcement can be anything from a treat to a hug or pat. Get to know your kitty, and you’ll quickly learn what their preference is. We also stated that most cats are not ruled by their tummies, so treats are not always effective training tools. Please, Do Not starve your non food motivated kitty in order to treat train. Mommy prefers to use other rewards anyways.
Last week we talked about inappropriate scratching, and offering appropriate options for kitty to use and even how to get kitty to use them. Remember if kitty is exhibiting behavioral problems, see your VET and rule out any illnesses before proceeding with any training. A sick cat, or one in pain will not learn no matter what method you try. We’ve been asked about how mommy trains us to massage her and what to do about kitty claws. We briefly covered this in a post above, but the question has been asked since then as well, so we thought we’d go over it again. Because we are Ragdolls and soft pawed, we don’t use our claws. But Shad, Devon, Lucky, Ransom and Lexi all had claws that needed to stay retracted, so mommy learned a technique that with repetition will work.
Kitty massage is merely kitty kneading that has been focused to a specific area. Almost all kitties knead. Mommy starts training massage as soon as kitty first starts to knead her. It’s never too early or too late to train kitty to retract their claws. Once kitty starts kneading, (usually a leg while sitting or laying in your lap) which is a push and pull with the paws; mommy lightly taps kittys paws when the claws come out. At the same time, she will say “ouch” and make a whimpering sound, or say “no claws” or “it hurts” followed by a small whimper. Typically kitty will splay open their paws, stop kneading and look up. Mommy smiles and asks kitty to massage her again while stroking kittys’ head, neck and/or face/chin; focusing on the scent gland areas. Typically kitty will start kneading again, but instead of a push and pull, kitty will push hard and almost pick up their paws to draw back. This may not happen the first or second or even tenth time, but repetition and sticking to the same method of training will cause kitty to eventually get it.
Once kitty is proficient in massage, it’s time to move them to the area you need massaged. For mommy, that’s just about everywhere, but let’s say your issue is migraines and you want a head massage. Mommy finds laying down to be the best for her, but if you have a chair with a back that kitty can lay on without falling off of and can reach your head, you can sit up for your massage. Let’s go with laying down. Either carry kitty with you or call kitty to come to you once you’ve laid down. Place kitty beside or behind your head, depending on how your bed is made up and where you are laying. Remember, wherever kitty is laying must be stable without the possibility of kitty falling off. Kitty will become euphoric during the massage process and thus lose their sense of balance. They may also drool and/or nuzzle.
Once you and kitty are in place, start petting the head and face and speaking softly to kitty until kitty starts kneading. At this point the knead will mostly be a pushing. Keep your head in place, don’t move it with the push. Begin to praise and thank kitty at this point. Mommy always says things like “Thank You”, or “That feels so good”, and always, “I love you”. At some point during the session, comment about how your migraine is feeling better. Be specific. There will come a time when you are able to say, “I have a migraine” or “I need a massage” and kitty will automatically get into position to give you one. You can use the same technique for any part of your body. Always remember, training is all about Repetition, Repetition, Repetition.
Well there ya’ have it, mommy’s training tips on kitty massage. Mommy says there’s nothin’ better for a migraine, than a purring massaging kitty. We do want to remind you that kitty should not eat your hair, and anytime pawssible, the hair should be clean of hair products as a lot of those products are hazardous to kitty. Me’s gonna wrap it up now and see ‘bout getting’ a nap in and maybe even a stroll later today. Please leave any questions or topics you’d like us to cover in da comment section below.
Till da next time………………………………….Be Blest!!!
Is there something you need help training your cat to do?
If there was a kitty kindergarten like there is for dogs, would you be interested?
Would you take (have taken) kitty to socialization training classes?
42 thoughts on “Service Cats Proper Training Methods Part 2”
Another very interesting and grrrrrerat post. And we’re sending another extra hug and lots of pawkisses about what you said about sis Lexi. We understand completely and any time you need to miss her out loud all us cat/dog fur-ball loving cyber family out here understand. Sending special cyber hugs to ya’ll Luv ya! Paulette, Max, & Bella
Katie starts soft but the claws some out on the uptake when she is getting ready to touch my legs again…or chesticles if we are in bed about to turn off the light…Katie likes to perch atop the chest and usually softens it up with kneading. Ow.
No kitty starts out kneading with claws retracted, one of da reasons mommy cats wean. Those little suckers start hurtin’. MOL And even as Ragdolls we can knead with our claws out. ME tore up 2 cat beds, and several blankeys and throws by doin’ just dat. We need a new blankey fur da bed right now cuz me tore up da last one. But we don’t use our claws on humans. Mommy says training is all ’bout da repetition, and can be done with any breed of cat dat has da ability to retract their claws.
Great post full of useful information. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this all down! I’ve often wondered about training techniques and I really like your overall philosophy of positive reinforcement.
Thank you. Mommy says contrary to some big name trainers beliefs, kitties can be spiteful. And negative reinforcement usually yields nothin’ more than spite. There are only a few instances of negative reinforcement dat actually work. Da biting one is at da top of da list, but it completely natural behavior fur training a cat by other cats, thus it works. Big hugs and good luck training.
Mr. M suffers from arthritic paws and can not totally retract his claws. (It is NOT wise to wear lace around him.) He never tries to claw furniture, clothing etc, but continually needs help getting unstuck from laps, etc. Aside from giving him Cat-a-bliss blends, which help his aging joints+ silvervine sticks to chew on, we accept his claw issues as being part of him, like his tuxedo fur.
If you know of any exercise, etc. which might help him, we’d be interested, even though this really doesn’t have anything to do with training a service cat.
Aaaaaaaaw Bless his heart. Lexi had arthritis too. Mommy gave her Barley Cat as a supplement for years. It helped her a lot. As for exercises, not so much an exercise, but you massaging his paws, paw pads, ‘tween da fingers and ankles at least a few times a week would fur shure help him. Mommy would have to look up da accupuncture point, but applyin’ purressure to dat point could also purrvide relief.
I already to massage his paws, but he can get impatient with that… I didn’t realize there was an acupressure chart for cats, so I will look for it! Thanks for the tip – I have a book on this for humans, but it is currently out on loan.
Yes there is a chart specifically for cats. Mommy can’t member which book it’s in now, but it’s purrobably in quite a few these days, and maybe even online. She’s so old, she still reaches fur her medical books. MOL Good luck.
I found some jpgs on google & am studying them… as soon as I find M, I shall begin experimenting on him. If this works at all, I shall blog about it. Thanks, again, for the tip!
thanks for a super interesting post… I think it is super impossible to “speak and understand” cat-language … they can tell us so much with a move of their paw and we should watch them to understand and to “answer” :o)
Another great Post, Some kitties have a hard time remembering to keep their claws in. Our Ms Murphy loves to massage dad, but after several minutes she puts her claws out dad says Ouch and she retracts them only to do the same thing a few minutes later. Dad thinks when she is really happy, she just forgets.
Service Cats U.S. 
Another very interesting and grrrrrerat post. And we’re sending another extra hug and lots of pawkisses about what you said about sis Lexi. We understand completely and any time you need to miss her out loud all us cat/dog fur-ball loving cyber family out here understand. Sending special cyber hugs to ya’ll Luv ya! Paulette, Max, & Bella
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Fank you and many fanks awnty Paulette, Max and Bella fur your kind words with regards to sis Lexi. Big hugs to ya’ll as well.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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I do a pretty good job keeping my claws in, but sometimes they are just too long and the Dad takes care of that. Great post pretty girls!!!
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Fanks Brian. Yes sometimes we need a claw clippin’ and no amount of retracting is gnna work.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Katie starts soft but the claws some out on the uptake when she is getting ready to touch my legs again…or chesticles if we are in bed about to turn off the light…Katie likes to perch atop the chest and usually softens it up with kneading. Ow.
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Yep, we do dat too. Mommy says da tappin’ of da paws really does work.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Great posty, Dezi. Thank you. Your posts are always very interesting and I always learn something new. xxx
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Another great post! Our kitties definitely don’t keep their claws in when kneading, so it would be interesting to try and train them not to. Hugs!
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No kitty starts out kneading with claws retracted, one of da reasons mommy cats wean. Those little suckers start hurtin’. MOL And even as Ragdolls we can knead with our claws out. ME tore up 2 cat beds, and several blankeys and throws by doin’ just dat. We need a new blankey fur da bed right now cuz me tore up da last one. But we don’t use our claws on humans. Mommy says training is all ’bout da repetition, and can be done with any breed of cat dat has da ability to retract their claws.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post full of useful information. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this all down! I’ve often wondered about training techniques and I really like your overall philosophy of positive reinforcement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Mommy says contrary to some big name trainers beliefs, kitties can be spiteful. And negative reinforcement usually yields nothin’ more than spite. There are only a few instances of negative reinforcement dat actually work. Da biting one is at da top of da list, but it completely natural behavior fur training a cat by other cats, thus it works. Big hugs and good luck training.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mr. M suffers from arthritic paws and can not totally retract his claws. (It is NOT wise to wear lace around him.) He never tries to claw furniture, clothing etc, but continually needs help getting unstuck from laps, etc. Aside from giving him Cat-a-bliss blends, which help his aging joints+ silvervine sticks to chew on, we accept his claw issues as being part of him, like his tuxedo fur.
If you know of any exercise, etc. which might help him, we’d be interested, even though this really doesn’t have anything to do with training a service cat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aaaaaaaaw Bless his heart. Lexi had arthritis too. Mommy gave her Barley Cat as a supplement for years. It helped her a lot. As for exercises, not so much an exercise, but you massaging his paws, paw pads, ‘tween da fingers and ankles at least a few times a week would fur shure help him. Mommy would have to look up da accupuncture point, but applyin’ purressure to dat point could also purrvide relief.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLiked by 1 person
I already to massage his paws, but he can get impatient with that… I didn’t realize there was an acupressure chart for cats, so I will look for it! Thanks for the tip – I have a book on this for humans, but it is currently out on loan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes there is a chart specifically for cats. Mommy can’t member which book it’s in now, but it’s purrobably in quite a few these days, and maybe even online. She’s so old, she still reaches fur her medical books. MOL Good luck.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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I found some jpgs on google & am studying them… as soon as I find M, I shall begin experimenting on him. If this works at all, I shall blog about it. Thanks, again, for the tip!
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Reblogged this on Jeanne Foguth's Blog.
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thanks for a super interesting post… I think it is super impossible to “speak and understand” cat-language … they can tell us so much with a move of their paw and we should watch them to understand and to “answer” :o)
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Fanks Easy.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Another great Post, Some kitties have a hard time remembering to keep their claws in. Our Ms Murphy loves to massage dad, but after several minutes she puts her claws out dad says Ouch and she retracts them only to do the same thing a few minutes later. Dad thinks when she is really happy, she just forgets.
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Yep Pete, it’s dat state of euphoria we’re talkin’ ’bout.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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