Getting
Started - The aloof kitten
Increasing your kitten's bond with you
Many people think all cats are naturally aloof and independent
when in fact, cats are very social creatures. In some cases,
aloof behavior is a ploy on the part of the cat to
control the pet parent, other pets, or the home environment. In
these cases, the cat has taken on a high status role and sees
the human as a subordinate or servant. Talk about a princess
complex!
Here are steps
you can take to lower your cat's status, increase your cat's bond
with you, and shape a feline personality that is less aloof
and independent.
ü
Hand feed
and feed meals to help the cat see you as a "provider"
ü
Teach your
cat a vocabulary - come, sit, drop - using food and toy
lures and rewards.
ü
Limit the
cat's territory - consider an indoor only cat - and limit
free roam of the home.
ü
Engage the
cat in daily object-directed play. You start and stop all
play.
ü
Praise all
friendly, engaging behavior. Ignore the cat otherwise.
ü
Do daily
gentling and leadership petting.
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