How do you get a kitten to come when you call it???

Question

My cat Seb is really affectionate but when I want some peace and quiet he just keeps coming back. how do i get him go when i want him to go and come when i want him to come?

Answer 1

You can't with cats! cats do whatever they want when they want, if you wanted something obedient you should have got a dog!

Answer 2

You have decided that you only want affection from the cat when you want it - thats not very realistic! What about what he wants, is he not supposed to have an opinion? How is he supposed to tell when you're in the mood for a fuss or not?
There are some books that explain cat communication and body language , read those and learn to act more like a cat. Its the only way to teach him your moods and he'll learn to respond to your signals.
But you can't call a cat for a fuss unless the cat is also in the same mood and wants attention. Try using his name like you would a dog when he is coming towards you, then let him come for a fuss. Use it when you put his food down, and teach him to come for a brush and comb as well. But he's not a dog so don't expect him to be reliably trained.
Its also difficult to train an animal to 'go away', when you train a dog you have a place for them to go. 'Away' is too abstract a concept. 'Leave me alone, I'm not in the mood' is more realistic. Try pushing him onto a fleece blanket if you're not in the mood so he can sit on something warm nearby and enjoy your company without sitting on your lap.
Animals can understand the concept of 'don't bother me at the moment', they don't bother each other when they're going to the loo or having a drink, so thats not too difficult an idea. But you need to make it obvious in some way to him, otherwise all he see's is you sitting on the sofa and has no way to tell.

Answer 3

Seb is a cool name for a cat, I like it :-)

Yeah, if he wants to sit on your lap, he will keep trying! Especially if you're reading something or trying to play a game. (If I'm sitting with my legs crossed on the floor playing xbox360, he'll come and sleep in my lap, then bite my controller....)

If I'm reading a magazine and don't want him to sit on me (or rather, IT) I put his blanket next to me and pat it. Then he lies next to me, alongside my thigh. Try that :-) If you want him to completely bugger off, just keep picking him up and moving him away or throw a toy for him until he forgets that he wants to see what you're up to!

To get him to come to you, I have three techniques.

1. Make that kissing sound people make when they are taking the piss of someone who fancies someone else. Only, do it with your lips and suck your teeth at the same time.... that probably makes no sense...

2. Hide behind a corner, wall or door then call him. When he looks at you, hide. He'll come bounding over to see what you're doing! Playing hide and seek with cats is really funny!

3. My personal favourite. Take an empty crisp packet in your right hand. Ball your left hand into a fist. Insert crisp packet into the hole made by your thumb and index finger. Scrunch the crisp packet up tight so it stays in a little cone type shape when you've finished. Not only will this be his new favourite toy to bat around, every time you want him to come over give it a rustle and he'll come leaping to you!

:-) I'd love to know if these things work for you as well as me!
xx Emmie

Answer 4

Hi, Cat's only do what they want to do and when they want to do it. As your cat get's older he will want his own space, that dosent mean that he will leave you alone when you want a bit of peace and quiet. But he wont mither you as much. Cats are Cats and they are so clever he will soon learn the sound of his name.

Answer 5

You should simply shut seb in another room when you want peace and when you want him to come, call him and offer food, He'll eventually associate you calling with food and come whenever you want him.

Answer 6

Kittens are very curious, so you can get them to come to you by e.g.scratching the carpet with your fingers calling 'puss puss' (or his name) at the same time. Make a fuss of him when he comes to investigate, and he will soon come over when you just call 'puss puss'. As for making him go away again, I don't think it can be done! I've never found a way - the more you want to be left in peace, the more your cat will wind itself round your ankles!

Answer 7

If you call him and then give him a treat (whether it's food or a stroking session), he'll eventually decide that there's something in it for him if he comes when you call. My cat Jet also responds to clicking fingers. He knows when I do that, I want him.

He will (when he wants to) obey the 'stay' command and I have him trained so that when I say 'go', it releases him from 'stay'. Therefore, when he hears 'go', he knows that I want him to depart from me.

Answer 8

I also get my cat to come by making a clicking noise with my tongue. She comes whenever I do that. She won't go away though unless you push her away or put her down on the floor.

Answer 9

My cats go out when I tell them to go for a walk, they come in when I whistle.
Reward good behaviour, ignore bad.
Handle them a lot and give then loads of affection

Answer 10

What i do to get my cat to come to me is either say her name or make a clicking sound with my mouth or try tapping something i don't know if it works with all cats but it won't hurt to try!