Can cats really learn?

Question

Hi!
I know cats are super stubborn, and they hate to learn...when my brother holds his cat, the cat always claws and tries to get away. My brother thinks, "we are their owners, so they should listen to us. we're the superiors. they're here for our enjoyment, they need to learn that." and he thinks he can train his cat by holding it in it's arms until it "gets it"...i'm trying to convince him that "it can't learn!" but he's sure it can. What's the truth?

Answer 1

Yes, cats can learn, but that's not the way to teach them.
Try feeding the cat with treats in your lap a couple times every day. It'll get the cat used to the feeling of you holding it without it feeling like it's in danger. Slowly progress, as the cat is comfortable with it, to holding him while feeding treats. Over time you will be able to pick him up without trouble.

If you are going for the "I'm the boss" thing try training the cat. It'll make him more aware of you and that you are in charge. Try teaching commands like sit or stand. You teach it to a cat much like you would to a dog. Just remember that it takes time, patients and persistance for them to learn anything.

Answer 2

There are a few misconceptions here that need to be addressed. 1) Yes, cats can be stubborn, but generally they have good (cat) reasons which may or may not correspond with human desires. 2) How do you know cats "hate" to learn, since they can be taught many things as noted in earlier answers. 3) Your brother should own a dog. Most cats think they are the owners and all cats think they are superior and they are often correct. He will have better luck if he loses the "we are superior" attitude. 4) The cat can learn, and has, but what your brother has taught it is to resist. If he wants to take the time to train the cat properly, and teach it something else, he will have better luck. Trying to force the cat to stay in his arms is obviously not working, so suggest that he try rewarding the cat for the behavior he wants.

Answer 3

The first thing to remember about cats, is that they are not pack animals. Therefore they don't have an inborn desire to submit to a leader, and as solo predators, they don't need to rely on others for their survival. If given the opportunity, an unhappy cat will leave home to look for somewhere that it feels more appreciated.

Cats are naturally independent, but can be motivated by rewards. They are clever animals and can learn to adopt behaviour that benefits them in some way, which is why positive reinforcement works best of all when training cats.

Finding a food treat that your cat loves is key to training them. They can also become bored very quickly, so when you can see he is getting distracted, stop the training and try again another time. Once you find a food treat that your cat adores, there are various techniques you can use to teach your cat different verbal commands. The web article below explains how to do this.

http://www.catsplay.com/dailycat.php3?cat=mind&scat=mind_training

There is a famous Russian clown called Yuri Kuklachev, who is widely regarded by many people as the only cat whisperer in the world. He created the Moscow Cats Theatre and has successfully trained them to do all kinds of things - see the video clip below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmd2W36VgPg

Answer 4

Cats are very smart and will allow you to train or teach him/her tricks and behaviors if it is worth their while or if they are in the mood. My kittens will do what they physically can to get tasty crunchy treats. They will also listen to you for praises and petting.

They will come, sit, stand up, go up, go in, come out...

I ask them to jump in a box by pointing in the box and saying "in". I can point at a place and they will jump to the place I pointed if I give them the appropriate command (up, down...)

My bf did not think it was possible and used to laugh at me for even thinking about training our kittens. Now he gets super excited if they do something he says. :)

They will come if I call them from a different room. I know it does not seem like much for those dog fans out there. These tricks are just things I have been able to teach my kittens in the 2 months that I have had them. It is not easy training two kittens together at the same time without any help. Current task is to train them to fetch. This is a slower learning process for all of us.

Answer 5

Look, plain and simple... It's not that they cant learn, its...

1. Everybody knows cats are REALLY smart.
2. Cats ONLY DO what cats WANT TO do.

Answer 6

well i no cats can be trained cas i saw it on tv
but im not sure bout what u can do about the clawing some cats just dont like cuddles

Answer 7

confident, cats can learn their names. All my cats respond to their names, whether i'm in simple terms conversing approximately them. they do no longer inevitably come, yet they a minimum of look at me. the main suitable thank you to instruct them is to call them via call once you feed them or puppy them. They learn very immediately that their call ability interest in basic terms for them. in simple terms be careful - a cat will respond to in spite of call it hears maximum in many cases. My cat Little undergo became renamed Rat via my brother, and my cat Toulouse (like in Aristocats) in basic terms responds to "howdy, stupid!"

Answer 8

Seems to me your brother's the dumb one in this story.

How many times does he have to be bitten and scratched before HE learns?

The best way to teach a cat (and yes, they can learn) is with positive reinforcement. Praise the behavior you want, and bribe her with food.

Answer 9

Your Brother has it "Backwards..." Cats are TEACHERS...-it's your Brother who's not getting the "message..." :) Score ONE for his Cat- but HE gets an "F"... :)

Answer 10

yes cats are very smart as smart as any dog i have 11 cats and they are all very smart