Chatting Cats: Do Cats Get Bored

Meow, What a day we had yesfurday. Lots of hugs and cuddles and luvvin’. We did get on the catputer and visit some, but mommy’s purromissed tomorrow will be all ours. Anyways, it rained and stormed all day yesfurday. And kittens!!! It was cold. Where’d that 90 degree weather go mommy?

 

Dezi site with her tail wrapped

          Well honey, it is winter time. Altho’ it’s been a crazy winter weather wise, it is still winter. 

 

 Raena lays in mommy's lap and enjoys some loving

 

     I’s don’t like winter mommy. Who wants to go strollin’ in the wind, cold and rains? 

 

          Not me sweetie. That’s why I tried to make sure we had new batteries for all the electronic toys. You’re so full of energy, I want you to have plenty to do. 

 

 Dezi plays with the frolicat

 

We purreciate that mommy. Cuz even tho’ we’re inside only kitties, we still get bored and feel cooped up in the winter time. We can only ‘magine how our furiends who do go outside are feelin’. You know, we think all kitties belong inside, and only outside with their human on a leash. But we do have furiends that are allowed to go out by themselves. We don’t know what all they do outside, but we do know it gives them a little break in their day. But with all the cold and some even have snow, it’s way too cold fur man or beast out there. During these times, a kitty can get bored and maybe even act out.

 

Ya’ know, Raena’s been bouncin’ off the walls…literally. She don’t wanna go outside, but she’s feelin’ a bit bored. She’s been climbin’ and jumpin’ on everythin’. Even a few “off-limits” areas.

 

 Raena playing with the Pet Safe Flitter

 

     I’s think you be exaggeratin’ a bit sissy. 

 

Really Raena? What do you call it when you jump on the door ledge and give mommy a heart attack? 

 

     Uh Havin’ fun?.

 

Yeah, That’s not what we call fun.

 

Well, I’s thought it was sissy. Did you hear the Fedex lady compurr me to that grumpy cat?

     Raena lays on the floor in the meatloaf position

 

Me did Raena. And me heard mommy tell her you didn’t and that you were anythin’ but grumpy. 

 

 Cat treats and hersheys kisses

 

     Fank the cats. Thinkin’ I’s look like some other kitty. Hmmpht  Altho’ she did bring us a Valentines day gift from Purr, Mr. M and awnty Jeanne. We got a jug of treats and mommy got a bag of chocolate kisses. Mommy said Kitty Kisses are the best, but chocolate’s nice too. Fank ya’ll, we really purreciate the gifts.

 

 Big Texas Cinnamon Rolls

Yep, that’s the dill mommy transferred to a pot ya’

see in the background.

 

Yep, and awnty Vonda sent mommy some green papers fur a whatever spend. Mommy bought herself a couple of those glazed Big Texas Cinnamon rolls. She says they’re so delishus. We never get a bite, so we wouldn’t know. But mommy also bought us a bag of our favorite freeze dried chicky breasts. We sure do fank ya’ awnty Vonda, we had us a “sweet” Valentines day. And mommy put the rest with her dental fund. 

 

 Lettuve growing from Aerogarden

 

     Hey sissy, we oughtta update everypawdy ‘bout da AeroGarden. Looks like mommy’ll be eatin’ salads next week. She “planted” 6 pods of lettuce and 5 are doin’ really well. She’s gotta call the garden peeps ‘bout the one that didn’t sprout, cuz they guarantee ‘em. She did plant us some grass, but the pods are so small, that only a couple blades came up. Looks like it’s back to the dirt fur growin’ us grass. MOL 

 

 Lettuce growing from AeroGarden

 

Yep Raena, and me saw her plantin’ up some last night. We’ll be eatin’ grass ‘bout the same time mommy’s eatin’ salads. Anyways, we wanted to remind everypawdy that whether ya’ have indoor only cats or indoor outdoor kitties, we need some extra playtime durin’ these winter months. We get the blues just like humans do. Shorter days and less sun affects us kitties too. So get out that wand toy, or your kitties’ favorite nip or ‘lectric toy and get ‘em runnin’ and exercisin’. They’ll be happier and so will you. Let’s wrap this up Raena and see ‘bout havin’ one of those play sessions befur O gets here. By the way, lots of ya’ thought it was very nice of O to take mommy on her errands. And it is, but It’s also his job. He’s getting’ paid fur it. Gotta go, the wand toy’s callin’ mes name.

 

Blog Header Nose to Nose awards
Borrowed from BlogPaws.com

We’re also still askin’ fur your nominations fur the BlogPaws Nose to Nose awards. You don’t need to be a member of BlogPaws to nominate us. Here’s the form. You’ll need our email address, which is: lexi.dezi@yahoo.com that’s lexi(dot)dezi(at)yahoo(dot)com.  

 

There are several categories we can be nominated in and you can nominate more than one blog fur the same award. You just need to reload the form. Those categories are: Best Written Blog Post, Best Cat Blog and Best Pet Photo on a Blog. We’ve taken a look at the posts we wrote from last year, and think either of these posts would be good fur nominatin’ fur Best Written Blog Post:

 

Service Cats: Discipline: Stop Countersurfing Kitty

or sis Lexi’s good bye posty:

Please Take Care of Mommy

 

To nominate us fur Best Cat Blog you’ll need our URL: https://dezizworld.com.

 

And fur Best Photo on a blog, here’s the one ya’ll seem to enjoy and the link where it first appeared.

 

Raena in stroller

 

Inspirational Strolling Strolling Strolling 

You can click on the foto fur the foto’s actual link.

 

 

We sure do purreciate you taking a few moments to nominate us.

 

Till the next time……………………………..Be Blest!!!

 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Mommy A: Black 

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle 

#Service Cats: Explaining Rewards and How Kitty Feels About Training

Meow Me would like to fank you all fur your unnerstandin’. Even tho’ Buddy wasn’t ours, we luvved him. After all, mommy had helped take care of him since he came to live with mr. W 7 years ago. Anyways, we know you all came by today fur Service Cat Monday. We’ve got some great questions to talk ‘bout and answer today. ‘Member, ifin ya’ have questions, purrlease leave them in the comments or send us an email. We do our bestest to answer them all in a timely manner. Ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, you can ketch up by clickin’ the links at the bottom of this post. We need to tell ya’, our Service cat posts are not meant to be a trainin’ manual as trainin’ is all ‘bout repetition and reward. Our tips are tailored specifically to kitties, but they also work well with dogs. And, as with all our educational postys, the followin’ will be written in human English fur reader and translation ease. So, let’s get started.

 

 Dezi lays in mommys lap for loving

 

Our first question comes from those amazing Canadian Meezers Shoko and Kali and awnty Jean. They want to know how Raena acts after a training session. Does she want to continue/more training? Is she proud of herself? Is she happy it’s over? Remember, all training sessions should be kept short, fifteen to twenty minutes maximum. We’ve mentioned in several posts that training is serious business, but it should also be fun. And we’ve posted a few stories about our training adventures that shows just how much fun they can be. The goal is for kitty to learn something. It doesn’t have to be the exact task you’re training the fist time, but at least a part of it.

 

 Raena heads to the kitchen with the nip nanner

I’s struttin’ mines stuff all the time.

 

 

As you know, mommy is starting Raena’s wheelchair driving training. The first complete task would be to be comfortable with the control panel and power the chair on and off. No actual driving or biting of the joystick. So, mommy takes Raena’s fascination with the horn as a win. It shows she’s comfortable with the beeping and if it accidentally gets hit while driving, it won’t startle her and cause her to try to jump off the moving chair. Mommy says it’s always better to stop a training exercise while kitty is still interested. As with anything else, you want kitty to look forward to training the next time. If kitty is hiding, or running from you at training time, you’ve pushed them too far. You can recover from this. Pick a new task and start as if it were the very first time. You can come back to the previous task when kitty/doggy has learned that training is fun. Speak excitedly and expectantly. Use your baby voice. Whatever gets your kitty excited and eager to spend time with you. That brings us to our next question. But we do want to give Raena’s take on how she feels after a training session first.

 

 Raena sits in mommys lap and massages her

I’s luvs gettin’ mommy luvvin’.

 

          I’s always excited at the end of a training session. I’s could continue but mommy says we’re all done. Mommy also says that I always sashay around and strut my stuff, so she can’t be sure if I feel proud of myself or am just walking normally. I’s always follow mommy and ask to sit in her lap and get some more loving when training is over. She’s always happy to oblige. 

 

 

 Dezi lays in mommys' lap for some loving

Me luvs mommy luvvin’ too.

 

Thanks Raena. Now that everybody’s confused…Me acted and acts pretty much the same way. Remember, training is continual and repetitive. Mes sessions are refreshers. And mommy counts anytime me actually performs a task as a training session. So to answer the question about how a kitty (Raena) acts after a training session is: If it’s been done right, kitty will probably exhibit one or more of those emotions. Always stop a session while kitty is still engaged and eager.

 

 Raena sleeps in mommys lap

Extra luvvin’ leads to this. No trainin’ session happenin’ now. 

 

The next question we got was from awnty Victoria. She wanted to know more about the reward system mommy uses. Mommy prefers praise and love instead of treats. Mommy talks a lot during training sessions. It’s not all telling us what to do, but also telling us that she loves us, she’s proud of us, we’re so smart, she’s so blest, and so on. The tone of praise is gentle, affectionate and almost giddy. The tone used to instruct us is stern but gentle. So, even if you don’t believe we understand the words, we do understand the difference in the tone of voice. Altho’, mommy would argue with you over the fact that we do indeed understand what she is saying.

 

Dezi in harness

Rewards also include pats, hugs and kisses. Reward time doesn’t last long. The training session is only fifteen to twenty minutes long, so you need kitty to stay focused. For example, Raena pushes the power button or horn and doesn’t move away. Success. Mommy would say, “Oh Raena, you’re so smart,” and bend into her for a quick hug, and then it’s back to training. And remember, when using love as a reward, Do Not give love during the actual sessions unless kitty/doggy has performed the task correctly. We told you that mommy uses a hand to hold/stabilize us while driving the wheelchair. As tempting as it may be to rub kitty, Do Not! Kitty must not relax into a love session. There’s plenty of time for that later. You know your kitty/doggy best, so you know what kind of love they prefer. If your kitty doesn’t like to be patted on or near the tail, don’t do it. You want kitty/doggy to feel rewarded and not agitated. And Play time has no place during training. Unless you are training kitty/doggy to fetch a toy. Play time is not a “love” reward.

 

 Raena posing in her harness on the small cat perch

 

You might consider us bringing mommy the phone or other items a game of fetch; but it is not. Typically a game of fetch entails the human throwing something for kitty/doggy to run after, pick up and bring back. Mommy isn’t throwing the phone, food or anything else. We are learning to bring mommy something from a stationary position. Awnty Victoria had asked how long the loving reward should last, as her kitty gets frustrated after being petted for long periods. This is pretty typical behavior in most cats. Kitties typically warn you by a quick flicking/swooshing of the tail. If this is happening, your reward is lasting too long. Remember, rewards should be quick and only offered when kitty has performed at least some part of the task correctly. There’s plenty of time for extra loving before or after a training session.

 

 Raena in stroller

Well, we hope this post helps you understand the “Love Reward” system a bit better. Again, if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments or send us an email. We hope to be a bit busy today with mommy’s worker, so we’ll be ‘round to visit when we can.

 

Do you (your cat/dog) have a favorite love reward?

Have you trained (your cat/dog/human) to perform any specific task (other than feed me now-MOL)?

 

Till the next time……………………………………….Be Blest!!!

 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

Raena: Navy Blue

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle 

 

Service Cats

What to Look For     Training Foundations     Train Kitty to Massage

Smelling Disease     Do You Need One     Who Bears the Cost 

Housing Laws and Exceptions     Accommodations and Common sense 

When the Handler Dies     Proper Training Methods Pt. 1 & Pt. 2

Easiest Task to Train     Getting Kitty Ready for an Outing

Discipline: Stop Countersurfing Kitty     Internal Disputes 

Calling Emergency Help     Just What is Kitty Capable Of 

Shad: Original Service Cat     Harness or Vest Leash or Stroller 

Dezi the Wheelchair and the Chest     Round and Round We Go

Tumble and Fall Response     Raena Calls for Help 

The Rest of the Story     Raena and the Wheelchair Pt. 1

When to Train     

Service Cats: When To Train: Before or After a Meal

          Hey, is anypawdy there? It’s Service Cat Monday, and guess who it’s all about? That’s right, Me, RaenaBelle. 

 

Raena lays in the wheelchair

RaenaBelle Mayce!!! Get off the catputer!!! Me’s writin’ the Service Cat posty. Even ifin it’s ‘bout you. Me wants to remind you all that ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, you can click on the links at the bottom of this post. As with all our educational posts the following will be written in human English. Ifin you have any questions, purrlease leave them in the comments or you can send us an email at: lexi.dezi@yahoo.com. Our posts are not meant to be a training manual, but to entertain and educate; as training is all about repetition. We can cover in one post what might take weeks or even months of actual training time. Me thinks mes hit all the high points and disclaimers, so let’s get to it.

 

Dezi lays in wheelchair

When we left off last, mommy was training Raena in the wheelchair. Now, it’s not all that important that we know how to turn on the wheelchair unless we’re going to drive it without mommy in it. Sis Lexi had that mastered. Me? Me prefers to drive from mommy’s lap. It’s much safer and me gets extra loving. That being said, mommy realizes that Raena is very smart, and just might be the next solo driver. But even if she isn’t, the reason mommy trains us on this is that the power button, horn and speed buttons are all very close to the joystick. On more than one occasion me has hit those buttons while driving; so mommy thinks it’s important for us to be comfortable with the beeping sounds so we don’t get scared and get hurt trying to escape. The joystick requires only the slightest push or pull to move the chair. So you can imagine the dangers of a 200 pound moving machine against a small kitty. Yes, even at our size, we are by comparison, small.

 

Raena plays in the gift bag paper

We did get another good question from our dear Weim brofur Da Phenny from the blog EasyWeimaraner. You know sweet Easy ran off to heaven like sis Lexi and Phenny, like Raena is full of piss and vinegar and needs a little training. He and his mommy asked if mommy recommends training before or after a meal. This is where it gets a bit tricky. Mommy prefers training after the meal because she doesn’t like to train with treats. So a full kitty/doggy isn’t constantly looking for treats and can easily focus. That being said, if you do want to use treats as a reward, mommy recommends training before the meal. But don’t forget to adjust the meal portion to account for any treats given. And keep the training session short. A hungry animal is going to be a bit more erratic and unfocused. Mommy likes to train about an hour or so after the meal. Kitty/doggy has bathed, the food has settled, they may even have had a little nap and are more focused and ready to pay attention. Another thing on treats, if you choose that option. Pick a treat that isn’t given at other times and is an absolute favorite. That treat should only be given during training sessions or when asking the animal to do a trained task. Hope that helps.  

 

 Raena lays in the wheelchair

Anyways, every day for approximately fifteen minutes, mommy and Raena head to the wheelchair for a training session. Even me gets bored after the first few lessons and have taken to the bedroom for an afternoon nap during these times. Me can still hear them. Mommy gently and lovingly talking to Raena and telling her how proud she is and how smart Raena is. And me can hear the constant beep beep of the chairs power button. Occasionally me hears the annoying horn. Ya’ know those cars/trucks/vans that beep when they back up? Well that’s the horn on the wheelchair. It’s piercing for a poor kitty’s ears, but Raena doesn’t seem to be affected by it. She loves the horn button. Ever patient, mommy gently tells her no and redirects her paw to the power button. For those of you wondering why she isn’t hitting the joystick and making the chair move, mommy has learned to keep a close eye on where that paw lands, and has the speed turned to 0. Obviously the chair doesn’t move on 0. Just wait till Raena figures this out. MOL 

 

So mommy’s still working with Raena on the power on and off thing. But Raena is getting better. Mommy thinks she likes the beeping of the horn so much that she doesn’t focus. But one day, it’ll click and the lessons will move forward. That’s how training works. So if you’re feeling frustrated and don’t think your training is working, stick with it. It is working and the worse thing you can do is give up.

 

 Dezi lays in the wheelchair

 

Let me take you through one of Raena’s lessons. Mommy and Raena sit in the chair. Mommy adjusts Raena and sits her on her right leg closest to the control panel. She now tells Raena “Up”. That means to put her front paws on the arm of the chair. Raena’s really good at this part. Mommy supports Raena by firmly but gently holding her in place. Raena could easily jump down. Mommy’s grip is for support and protection, not forced submission. Mommy then places Raena’s paw on the power button on the control panel and says, “Push on” or “Push off”. Raena seems to be right pawed. Generally the first time, mommy has to gently push Raena’s paw down till she hears the beep. The remainder of the 15 minutes goes pretty much the same. With Raena occasionally getting excited and standing on the horn. When this happens, mommy gently pulls her paw away and says “No” and refocuses her (lots of hugs and praise about how smart she is). Throughout the session mommy gently praises Raena and gives her extra love. This is very important if you’re not using treats. If you are using treats, you would reward by giving a small treat each time you get the correct action/outcome. They wrap up a training session with lots of hugs and a good brushing.

 

Well we’re gonna wrap it up fur today. We hope we’ve offured you some insight into training in general and specifically a Service cat. Remember, if you have any questions, just let us know. We do hope to be further along in Raena’s training next week, but you’ll just have to tune in and see. We’ve got mommy’s helper that’s supposed to start today, so mommy’s gonna be busy training them. Hmmmmm Mommy seems to be doing a lot of training lately. MOL Wonder ifin she’s gonna train them to drive the chair? MOL  Anyways, we hope you all have a pawsum day.

 

Till the next time…………………………………..Be Blest!!!

 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

Raena: Navy Blue

Mommy A: Black

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle  

 

 

Service Cats

What to look for    Training Foundations    Train Kitty to Massage

Smelling Disease    Do You Need One    Who Bears the Cost

Housing Laws and Exceptions      Accommodations and Common Sense

When the Handler Dies     Proper Training Methods Pt. 1 & Pt. 2

Easiest Task to Train      Getting Kitty Ready for an Outing

Discipline: Stop Countersurfing Kitty      Internal Disputes

Calling Emergency Help      Just What Is Kitty Capable Of

Shad: Original Service Cat      Harness or Vest Leash or Stroller

Dezi, the Wheelchair and the Chest      Round and Round We Go

Tumble and Fall Response      Raena Calls For Help

The Rest of the Story     Raena and the Wheelchair Pt. 1

Hunt, Kill, Eat Your Breakfast

(Raena zooms through the house letting out her signature hum each time her right paw hits the floor. She rounds the corner and leaps onto mommys lap purring so loudly, it’s almost mistaken for a growl. Her eyes dart from left to right and she catches a glimpse of Dezi in the distance.)

 Raena lays in mommy's lap

(Dezi rounds the corner and heads for her breakfast plate as Raena leaps from mommy’s lap with all 4 paws outstretched. She looks much like a flying squirrel <mommy’s not fast enough to catch this on camera, but continues to try>. She lands on the other side of Dezi and turns and zooms up the Liberty cat tree. Dezi hisses but Raena’s already out of reach. Dezi settles in to eat and Raena steps from ledge to ledge down the Liberty cat tree and walks back over to mommy and rubs her legs and looks up. Mommy reaches down and lifts Raena to her lap and gives her a kiss and says,) Honey, you need to calm down and eat your brekky. See how nice sissy’s eating her brekky? That should be you too.

 

Raena looks out from the top of the Liberty cat tree

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me RaenaBelle.

Dezi looks up from her breakfast plate and over at Raena

          (Dezi looks up from her plate)  Raena, did you hear mommy? You need to come down here and eat your brekky. And that doesn’t mean play with mes tail.

 

I’s don’t wanna eat right now sissy. I’s not hunted and killed anythin’ yet.

 

          We don’t have to hunt and kill our noms Raena, mommy purrvides us with great noms served up on silver platters.

 

Raena eats breakfast

I’s thought they were china, sissy?.

 

          Oh Kittens, Raena!!! Me didn’t literally mean silver, altho’ mommy says our china plates do have silver edges. Me was just makin’ a point. That point was that you have all the food you need without ever liftin’ a paw.

 

 Raena carries a Christmas toy from Cat and Lisa

I’s know sissy. But you know how much I’s like to hunt and kill befur every meal. But I’s lost mines new favorite prey.

 

          Well, ifin ya’ didn’t take everythin’ to the kitchen where the black holes of the oven and furigerator live, you might not lose stuffs so fast. 

 

 Raena heads to the kitchen with the nip nanner

Raena heads to the kitchen, nip nanner in tow.

 

Well sissy, I’s went fishin’ in the black hole under the oven last night, but mommy wouldn’t help me. All she had to do was move da oven and I’s coulda checked fur mines new favorite prey.

 

          Mommy can’t move the oven silly. You know that. Do you want mommy to fall down again? Or pass out? 

 

Of course not sissy. But she coulda just took that big pull out out and let me under there. I’s know fur sure there’s at least one silvervine stick, fluffy ball, mines awnty Ellen fishy, and somethin’ with feathers on it in that black hole. And maybe mines new favorite prey.

 

 

Dezi sits on the brown cat tree in her signature pose

          Well Raena, me suggests you find another new favorite prey. Least till the new helper comes to work. Cuz me doesn’t think mommy’s gonna be pullin’ out anythin’ or movin’ furniture any time soon. We got lots of great new toys fur Christmas. Pick one of them.

 

Ya’ know sissy, this is one of those educational moments. Attention all kittys’ slaves… 

 

          Raena!!! 

 

 Raena plays hunt, catch, kill with the wand toy

Uh, yeah, me means “Attention all kittys’ pawrents.” Did you know that we kitties still have some wildness in us? Yep, even us gentle giant Ragdoll cats. Obesity is a real purroblem in house cats. That obesity can cause all kinds of health issues, that could have been avoided, or at least kept at bay fur many years. A kitty’s true nature is to hunt and kill befur we eat. Those of us furtunate enuff to have a furever home with luvvin’ pawrents, no longer have to do this. But just cuz we don’t have too, doesn’t mean the drive isn’t still there. 

 

Raena fly fishing with a wand toy

You know, we think D-I-E-T is a four letter word in our house, but we know it’s sometimes necessary. But there are other ways to keep kitty happy and healthy. Rigorous play not only serves to wear us out, but is also a good way to help us shed those extra pounds. It’s also a good way to entice us to dine on a schedule. With all of the infurmation available today, mommy has learned that kibble isn’t an optimal diet fur any kitty. And that kitties don’t really need food available 24/7. Even the tiger who stashes her kill, doesn’t munch off and on all day and night. That bein’ said, the kitties in mommy’s house have been eatin’ on a schedule fur years now, and I’s don’t know any different. Mommy says I’s need to insert the fact that as a kitten I’s get an extra meal or two each day to meet mine’s growin’ needs. Altho’ we’re not yet eatin’ the complete raw diet mommy would like us too, we do eat the next bestest thing, freeze dried raw. And befur each meal we have a little game of hunt and kill where we build up our appetite and satisfy those wild urgings. MOL 

 

Dezi sits on arm of chair

          That was a great little lesson you purrsented Raena. Me’s kinda impurressed. You’re gonna have to get off mommy’s lap and close out the posty ifin you plan to #hunt, #kill and #eat this meownin’. Furst let’s link up with Rascal, Rocco and their co-hosts fur the weekly Pet Parade

 

Pet Parade Blog Hop Badge

 

(Raena glimpses a sparrow outside and leaps from mommy’s lap and runs up the Liberty cat tree to get a better look)

Raena looks out the door from her perch on the Liberty Cat tree

Sissy!!! Did you see that birdy? Maybe I’s can hunt, ketch and kill him. 

 

          Shut it down furst Raena.

 

 Raena sits on the Liberty cat tree and looks out the door

 

(Meowing from her perch on the tree) Oh yeah. Fanky fanks fur remindin’ me sissy. We hope you all have a pawsum weekend. We’ll be round to visit as soon as we can.

 

Till the next time……………………………………Be Blest!!!

 

Do you (your kitty) have any routines/habits you (your kitty) do(es) before each meal?

Do you (your kitty)  like to play hunt, kill and eat?

Do you (your kitty) have a favorite prey toy?  

 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

RaenaBelle and Deztinee