But they are not. If they don’t realize it, we should.
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Though kittens try hard not to be intimidated by their surroundings, we are the ones most likely to overwhelm the kitten. Anything presented with a wrong language of urgency will backfire when we are trying to train them. We need an attention getter, but in a way that will not scare the kitten.
Use these tools:
Rechannel what they want. To ward kittens off counters and drapes, first provide substitute shelves and climbing surfaces. Then shoo them away from forbidden areas by calmly plucking them from their old spot, telling them the new spot is much better, and repositioning them. Act happy to give it to them.
Be patient. Depending on the cat, the attractiveness of the object, and our behavior, a kitten can find their enthusiasm might overwhelm them and they misbehave. Depending on the age and their shown ability for understanding our requests, it might take a few days. Make the old areas unattractive with double sided sticky tape, something harmless and clattery like an empty plastic soda bottle, or anything that will remind the kitten they are not supposed to do this.
These foundations of training will work with any cat. Because like anyone learning a language when young, understanding takes great leaps when the grooves we have been patiently making in their mind take hold, and they understand what we want at the same time as they are doing what we don’t want.
The breakthrough can take a bit of time. At four months, Mr. Bond had it down pat. RJ still has some difficulties with it, even though he is now twenty months old. RJ’s early difficulties still give him trouble with the whole cause & effect thing. When he is excited by my arrival home or the prospect of treats or toys, he will channel this extra energy in the only ways he knows; either racing around madly, or scratching nearby pieces of furniture. However, as he puts his paws on the furniture he likes, he now does not scratch it. He takes himself to the nearby cardboard scratching toy instead, and gets praise and petting.
This is the result of months of our patiently plucking him from his inappropriate scratching and placing him on his scratching box. A normal kitten would only take a few weeks. But he is getting it. We have avoided damage to the furniture. We knew, going in, that he would be a special case that required more patience and persistence than the norm.
Still, it’s working, and he is learning. His example shows that even the most damaged cat can learn and grow.
So when we wonder if the kitten will ever learn, we should soothe ourselves with the knowledge that indeed they do. Our impatience with the process will only slow them down. Because any time they spend frightened and confused (as RJ spent his first few months of life) will be time they aren’t learning anything.
Kittens can learn fast; if we can get their attention, and show them how to focus it.
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