While all cats have curiosity, Alphas are absolutely driven by it. It’s not only about What is that? It is also about What will it do?
Alphas are always active; mind, body, and soul.
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This can be a challenge for the Alpha cat’s person. They reap the considerable benefit of being the focus of the Alpha’s love and devotion, which are vast and all-consuming, the way an Alpha does it.
They also have to take on the responsibility that this incredible drive and focus has something to expend itself on. Safely.
So we must be energetic and clever to keep them amused properly.
Alphas are often over-disciplined because they honestly didn’t hear or see the first admonishment. Make the second, or third, effort as polite as the first. Alphas can be that focused, and we need to have a reliable way to call their attention back to us before we can expect cooperation.
Use a clicker, toys that make a distinctive squeak or rattle, or a particular form of their name, (this is why Alphas often have a first, middle, and last name,) to get the Alpha’s attention. Once we have it, we work with them to give up on whatever it is, even if it’s because we have a better version, right here, just for them.
Even if we have to enforce leaving the old one alone, having an adequate substitute is vital to smooth transitioning. They need the input and experimentation so much that when something catches their interest, it is difficult for them to leave it alone while there are depths yet to be plumbed.
If the object is something we do things with, the Alpha will want to do that thing too. It’s their way of showing affection.
The Alpha’s need for stimulation and games can make for a wonderfully interactive cat experience. We need to take care of their three big needs.
Better yet, bring home two Alphas. If we can commit to a period of stowing breakables and some kitten-proofing, we have solved most potential Alpha problems in one swoop. And gotten four times the fun. Let the cats or kittens amuse each other, and we get the considerable overflow.
Then we will find our Alpha is really not so difficult to handle, after all.
Because…
Sometimes we feel like a nut. Sometimes, we should get two.
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There’s more to raising and training a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CAT TRAINING TIPS.
I don’t think my Hankie is an Alpha, but he does have a BIG need for entertainment. Just recently, we worked out a deal for when I am too busy at the computer to play: I cleared off a space on my desk and turned the monitor slightly toward it — now we can BOTH stare at the mouse cursor’s movements… as long as he is a good boy and does not knock anything down or bring the claws out trying to catch the little moving arrow.