So you want your cat to come when you call them? You came to the right place. This is one of the most common problems faced by many cat owners. Getting a cat to come to its name can seem like an impossible task for all those who have tried and failed. And that's because it is indeed very difficult. Not only does your cat need to learn their name, but also you need to teach them that coming to you is a good thing. This article will take you through the entire process step by step and fully explains each step.
How to get any cat to come to you
1. Decide on a name
This is the very first step when it comes to getting your cat to come when you call them. It's important that you choose a name for your cat and train them to respond only to this name. Choose something simple and easy to say so that even if they are far away from you, there will be no confusion. However, it's important to understand that you should NEVER use your cat's name in a negative manner. For example, if your cat makes a mess and you shout their name while scolding them, they will ignore the positive aspect of their name and may end up ignoring you when you call them next time.
2. Identify your cat's response to their name
Your cat should not be allowed to wander too far away from you. If they are, it will cause more problems later on in the training because, for example, if you cannot see them when you call their name, how will they know that they are supposed to come? You need to understand that if you cannot see your cat when you call their name, they will assume that the only reason why their name is being called is that they have done something wrong. If your cat gets scared easily, it's advisable to use a different stimulus so as to not scare them even more.
3. Train your cat to come when called
There are a number of techniques you can use to train your cat. However, the best method is to combine a few of them so as not to confuse your cat. For example, if your cat responds better when you use a treat as motivation, then try to incorporate this into the training as well because positive reinforcement works much better than negative reinforcement.
4. Be consistent
This is one of the most important aspects of training a cat to come when called. It's very important that you stick to certain guidelines so as not to confuse your cat. For example, if they have been taught to only respond when their name is said in a high-pitched tone, but then you call them in a low-pitched voice, they will become confused. It's important that you stick to the rules and be consistent.
5. Praise your cat
Once your cat has responded to their name, it's extremely important that you use positive reinforcement to motivate them, even more, to come the next time around. A good way to do this is to praise them and give them a treat. Not only will this make them feel better, but they will also associate their name with something positive and be more likely to come when called the next time around.
If you follow these 5 simple steps, it's highly unlikely that your cat won't learn how to come when you call them. It may take some time, but it will be worth it in the end. If you are serious about training your cat to come when called, then do follow these guidelines and explore new ideas along the way if needed.
6. Don't give up
If your cat doesn't respond the first few times you call them, it's important that you don't give up. Keep trying because there is no harm in repetition. It may take a while before they come to respond, but eventually, they will so long as you are patient.
7. Train others how to call your cat
If you have children who live with you, it's important to teach them how to call your cat when necessary because you never know when they will need to. For example, there could be a situation where the cat has run out of the house and one of your kids may not know what to do so it's important that they have been taught how to call.
8. Use a name that is easy to say
When training a cat to come when called, it's important that you choose a name that is easy to say. For example, if your cat's name is "puss", it would be quite difficult for someone else who isn't familiar with the name. It's best to use a name that is short and easy to say. If you like, you can use a combination of letters and numbers (eg. Speckles or 1234). Oftentimes, cats respond better when their name is attached to something they like such as food or treats. For example, if your cat loves firecrackers and responds well when called "firecrackers", then it's best to incorporate this into the name you use when calling for them.
9. Stop calling your cat if they don't respond
If your cat doesn't respond the first few times that you call their name, it's advisable not to keep on trying because this will do more harm than good. It may scare them even more and now they will be even less likely to come when called next time around because this negative reinforcement won't work.
10. Get help if you need it
If your cat is particularly stubborn, then there's no harm in asking for assistance from someone who has more experience than yourself so as to get the best out of their training.
Conclusion
As a cat owner, it's important that you teach your cat how to come when called because there will be certain times when they'll need to. Cats better respond to positive reinforcement than negative reinforcement, and by following these tips you should be able to train your cat to come when called in no time at all.
