Many people write about how to train a puppy and learn a dog to respond in the right way but lots don't realise that it is possible to train a cat.
Even learning them a few basic behaviours will make your life with them better and help them to deal with your expectations.
The key to training a cat is to understand them first.
Socialisation Just like puppies, there is an important period for kittens when their social development takes place, usually between three and seven weeks old.
This is when they learn to interact with other cats and with people and positive or negative experiences in this time can have a lasting effect on them.
Unfortunately, unless you breed the cat yourself or they come from a breeder, it is likely that they will be past this stage before you meet them.
Some pet studies have shown that as little as five minutes a day handling by people when kittens are between three and five weeks will help produce friendly, well-behaved cats.
This is even more important for feral cats if they are to go to be pets when they are older.
Kittens that don't receive handling can develop asocial personalities.
This means when they are older, they dislike being picked up or held.
They will spend time with their owners but on their own terms and it may be limited.
They may sit on the lap but for a short while and can bite or growl to stop the attention.
It doesn't mean they won't make good pets but they will likely be more restrained and cautious.
Parental guidance The other main factor in the behaviour of the kitten comes from its parents.
If you are looking to buy a pedigree cat, meet both the parents, as this will give you an idea what the kittens will be like.
If they are friendly and outgoing, then the kittens will likely take after them but if the parents are cautious and shy, then the kittens will often be the same.
Even in feral cats, patterns can be noticed.
If they are raised by wild mothers, they are more likely to be nervous and cautious, even when placed with a family at a relatively young age.
On the other hand, studies show that friendly male cats tend to sire friendly kittens.
The personality of the mother is one of the biggest factors though, as Dad does little more than contribute his genetics to the deal.
Learning behaviours Once you understand the personality type of your cat, you are better equipped to try to learn them behaviours that you want them to have.
If you tend to have people coming to the house, for example, you want your cat to be adaptable to strangers and not terrified by them.
A good way to help instil this in them is to introduce them to different people in a safe and calm manner from a young age.
Supervise time spent with the kids to ensure no one gets too rough with the kitten as this can create a fear of children and can lead to biting and scratching as well.
Meeting other animals at a young age can also be important, especially if there are plans for another pet in later times.
Meet friends with other kittens and cats or with cat friendly dogs to show your kitten that these things are good.
While doing this, learn the kitten to travel in a pet carrier.
While the cat is a kitten is the best time to learn them to wear a harness and lead to go outside.
Let them play with the lead before putting it on in stages over a series of days and then work up to going outside with them restrained by the lead.
Learning them to come to you with a food treat is a good early way to establish a rapport with them.
Call them by their name when you are playing with them and then use this to call them to you.
When they respond, give them a small treat as a reward and a cuddle.
Conclusion Cats learn differently from dogs because they aren't motivated by praise alone.
A treat is a good bribe to get the cat to do what you want and they are very intelligent as a rule so quickly learn what to do to get that treat.
Never shout or smack the cat as this will build up negative emotions towards you and ruin any chance you have to train them.