Is cat discipline possible?

People often ask me if it is really possible to train cats. Cats are intelligent animals and they will learn new behaviors much faster than you think. Many people find it hard to believe that cat discipline is possible, but despite its independent nature, it is possible to teach a cat that a particular behavior is bad. All it takes is patience and consistency in your training. So give it a try and don’t give up.

Cats are not human

It is important to remember that cats are not human beings who create using their own logic and instincts. Your Ragdoll cat probably sees you as another big cat and will communicate with you accordingly.

Violence won’t work

A cat will not understand the use of violence as a form of discipline and therefore will not associate it with his bad behavior. All it will do is make them fear you. Hitting your Ragdoll cat is not a good form of punishment for bad behavior, the following methods are kinder ways to effectively discipline your Ragdoll cat:

The ‘Face Push’ technique

For times when you are around your cat when he misbehaves, the ‘The Face Push’ technique should be used. It consists of a SOFT but firm push back to your cat’s face accompanied by a stern ‘NO’ command. This is a strong message for cats, and if used consistently, it will teach them that a particular behavior is bad.

The water gun

When your ragdoll cat is further away and needs a reprimand, a squirt gun filled with water and a pinch of vinegar is a great tool. Just a quick blast in the face with a stern ‘NO’ command is enough to stop them in their tracks.

The bottle rattle

If the above techniques are impractical, a small can or plastic bottle partially filled with pebbles or coins when shaken or dropped along with the ‘NO’ command can provide a major deterrent to misbehavior. Avoid overuse of this technique to prevent your Ragdoll cat from becoming desensitized to its effect.

Being consistent with these methods will soon teach your Ragdoll what behavior is good and what behavior is unacceptable.

Aggression problems

Aggression problems in cats are not as common as in dogs, but for many reasons cats can develop an aggression problem and you should address it as soon as possible to prevent the problem from being affected by improper treatment by your owner. There are different types of aggression in cats and below are the most common:

Play aggression

Gambling aggression is the most common form of feline aggression, and your cat usually plays rough. This is almost always because they have been taught to play like this since they were kittens; This is called “conditional assault.”

Conditional aggression

As explained above, if you have this problem then your Ragdoll cat has been conditioned since he was a kitten. To avoid doing this when raising kittens, always divert aggressive play toward toys and other objects such as strings on the end of a stick. This will help distance the aggression from you. If necessary, use a squirt gun to stop the incorrect behavior along with the usual “NO” command.

Aggression of pain

If the aggression problem appears suddenly for no apparent reason, it could be caused by pain. Your cat has no way of telling you if he has a medical condition and is in pain, so biting or scratching you could be a way for your cat to get his attention or protect himself. If it continues, you should see your vet to find out if there is a medical problem that needs treatment.

When your ragdoll cat jumps on the table

This problem is common in cats if they are not taught otherwise. A squirt in the face from the water gun or a drop from the rattle bottle along with the ‘NO’ command may be all that is needed to deter your cat from jumping, but you need to be consistent so your Ragdoll cat knows why they do it. being punished.

As mentioned above, it is not that difficult to have a cat that is well behaved and knows its limits if the above techniques are used consistently.