Cat Training With A Clicker

Clicker training is a reinforcement or reward for a cat when training them. Clickers are use most often for support when training a cat for a reward. Cats associate the clicker with a good behavior they will use for a long time. Clicker training is associated with classical condition (they associate the sound with food.) and operant conditioning (cat performs movement to receive food).

Why use a clicker and not tell a cat or make a sound to get your cat to do a trick? A clicker has a sound a cat can hear and associate good behavior. With words, our tones in our voice can change from time to time, which a cat can become confused with the training. With talking for the commands, a cat could mistake the commands. With using a clicker, it is more of a training tool to get the behavior started with the cat. Then you can put the clicker away for that behavior or trick once a cat has learned the behavior

When taking the cat out for a walk or on a trip, the clicker is a good item to carry along with you. Cats can get distracted with other people, or animals in the area. With using the clicker, it will reinforce the behavior that you have taught them. In addition, a clicker can help you with having your cat walk with you instead of wondering around.

With the clicker, a cat can be trained using three easy steps: Get a behavior, mark a behavior, and reinforce the behavior. Get a behavior is the first step. A good example would be for the cat to jump a hoop. The cat will have to know that when you click that they get a treat. Start with very small treats in your pocket. Clicks, Treat, Click Treat do this for a few times until you see the cat coming for the treat on the click. Next marking the behavior: You will have to show the cat the hoop. Once the cat touches the hoop, click, treat. Then show the cat to go though the hoop once it does click, treat. Continue to do this until the cat goes though the hoop on its own or your command. Reinforce the behavior Remember to have snacks handy so when you do see your cat go though the hoop a snack is available.

Training a cat with a clicker can be fun for both you and the cat. Taking steps in training will be rewarding to you and the cat. Try not to rush a cat in training, as they can become confused especially if they did not get the step before down. The training will take time and steps to achieve this behavior. Patience, love, and rewards will be the key factor in training your cat.

The clicker is a good exercises tool for a cat. 10 to 15 mins a day you should get your cat to exercises. For exercising, you can have the cat use a hoop, play with a toy, and climb on the scratching post or something that focus on the cat getting exercise. Exercises will help the cat to stay healthy and help to keep it out of mischief.

Clickers can come with books to help you train, treats, and a clicker. Clickers come in many different size shapes, and color. You will want to research the clickers out. Check out a pet store, Internet sites give lots of information on training and using a clicker. Check out companies that make the clicker by using Internet to see what kind they offer and any additional information that you might need to get the process of training done. Check out articles about the clicker. Talk to someone that has used one. Talk to your area veterinary about training with a Clicker

Once you have used a clicker, the cat will get good exercise and be a healthy cat. The cat will be happier and you will be happier with the new behaviors that you have taught your cat.

To sum up training your cat, important things to remember is have patience, love and the clicker.

Caring for a Ragdoll Cat

The ragdoll cat is a large breed of cat, best known for its easygoing and mellow nature. They have long, thick fur coats and markings that resemble a siamese. Caring for your ragdoll cat should involve a regular feeding and grooming schedule, along with regular visits to the veterinarian for checkups and vaccinations. If you take good care of your ragdoll cat, they will be healthy, happy, and a better active pet for you to enjoy.

Feeding

Fresh food and water is an absolute necessity for your ragdoll. It is recommended that you always have a bowl full of dry food available for your cat, as well as a bowl of clean water. Wet food is probably not necessary on a daily basis, but it is really up to you, and what your ragdoll prefers. You may need to experiment with different brands and flavors of wet food. It can provide extra nutrients and add variety to your ragdoll's diet. We recommend feeding your ragdoll one of the premium brands of food, as the quality is usually better. Usually kittens should have a special formula of food, so check with your veterinarian or local pet store if your not sure.

You should try to clean the water bowl daily, and the food bowl as much as possible to prevent germs and bacteria from building up.

Grooming

Ragdoll coats can vary in thickness and hair type. The average ragdoll hair is fairly thick, and very soft to the touch. The length of the fur can be medium to long.

They usually do a good job of grooming themselves, and don't require excessive brushing. It is a good idea to brush them strenuously a couple of times a week to prevent matting of the fur. The other reason for brushing on a regular schedule, is if you happen to find a knot forming, you can easily brush it out before it gets out of control.

Ragdolls tend to enjoy grooming and make it easy for you to brush away!

Bathing

Bathing is not really necessary if regular grooming is done. It may be beneficial to give your ragdoll a bath a couple of times a year, to clean the coat if really dirty or if they have gotten into something that can not be brushed out.

Make sure that you use a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated especially for cats, as regular human products may be harmful to your ragdoll.

Claws

Declawing a cat is a controversial subject, and one that brings many different opinions. We generally don't recommend declawing a ragdoll unless it will help with the safety within a household, specifically with children. Clipping the claws can be done on a regular basis to avoid damage to your furniture or other items in the house, so if that is your only reason for declawing the cat, your decision should be weighed carefully because it is not reversible.

Keep in mind that if a ragdoll cat is declawed, it should be limited in it's exposure to the outside world. Without front claws, a ragdoll doesn't have much of a defense against other animals or threats that it might encounter.

Litterbox

The litterbox should be kept in a fairly secluded area to allow for privacy, but not so out of the way that it is difficult to access for cleaning. Usually a laundry room or other spare room serves as a good location.

We recommend scooping out the inside of the box at least once a day, and actually replacing the litter weekly. If you have more than one cat, then it may be necessary to clean the box twice daily, morning and night for example.

There are many different brands and types of litter out there, it is just a matter of preference. The main thing is to find something that your cat will use, is easy to keep clean and affordable for your budget.

Veterinarian

You should take your ragdoll to a veterinarian on a regular basis according to what they recommend. You will want to get vaccination shots and any other treatments that will keep your cat healthy and safe.

There may be special considerations if your ragdoll spends more time outside, such as pest control and a higher susceptibility to disease. Make sure you discuss this with your vet and work out a plan that makes sense.

Guide to Owning a Ragdoll Cat: Colors & Patterns

In this article, I will discuss the different types of Ragdoll Cats. Although Ragdoll Cats are a unique breed in themselves, they can be further divided into groups based on the colors and patterns of their fur. The combination of color and pattern can then be used when describing a Ragdoll.

Colors Ragdoll Cats are one of the following four colour types:

* Seal - Mostly cream/beige/fawn with dark brown points, nose and paw-pads
* Chocolate - Mostly ivory with milk chocolate colored points, nose and paw-pads
* Blue - Mostly bluish-white with blue-gray points, nose and paw-pads
* Lilac - Mostly white with pink-gray points, nose and paw pads

Patterns The colored patterns of a ragdolls fur are either:

* Colorpoint
* - The body is predominantly lighter, with darker ears, nose, tail, face and feet points. There is no white fur. Mitted
* - As the colorpoint except with white front paws, rear paws and legs, chin and ruff and a white strip on the stomach. Bi-Color
- Predominately white with darker back, tail and ears with a trianglular pattern on the head between the eyes. Pink nose leather and paw pads.

Training Your Cat to Use the Litter Box

A lot of people discover that training a cat to use its litter box isn't the difficult process that they imagined. Most of them will quickly figure out how to find their way to their box. And typically the whole process of training has already begun before you even take your new kitten home. The mother cat begins the training process before her brood is even weaned.

Another thing that makes cats easy to train is that they are finicky animals and prefer cleanliness in both their bodies and their surroundings. It's instinctive for a cat to cover up its own waste. So offering them a convenient place to do it in the form of a clean litter box is usually all that's needed.

In case your cat is not trained, however, the whole undertaking of getting your kitty to use its litter box can be accomplished in a few simple steps. Litter box training is really all about creating a new habit for your feline friend.

Each time you feed your cat, get into the habit of taking it to the litter box right after it has finished its meal. It's usual for cats to want to do their business after eating, and you'll encourage that natural tendency if you place them in the box on a regular basis. When this has become an established habit, your cat will start to head off to their litter box as part of their after dinner routine.

If your attempts regarding litter training your cat don't go as quickly or successfully as anticipated, it's important that you remember to be patient. There could be all sorts of reasons why your kitty doesn't want to use the box you have provided for it. It might be in an area that's too exposed. Cats don't like eliminate where they're out in the open and can be viewed by everyone who walks by.

As well, there might be a problem with the brand of litter you're using. Cats are very finicky and a certain texture or smell could be enough to put them off using the box. If that's the case, experiment with various brands and formulations until you find one your cat will use.

There are lots of reasons why you should learn how to toilet train your cat. Visit Cat Toilet Training to find out why and how you can easily teach your cat to give up its litter box and use the toilet instead!

Toilet Training a Cat

Cats - we love them, however we aren't so keen on the mess they sometimes leave for us to clean up. Cat Urine Stains in our homes are a big problem. The stain is incredibly hard to remove and the smell - disgusting is a word that comes to mind, but still doesn't quite describe cat urine odor effectively. This is where toilet training a cat comes in.

But first, when your cat is urinating in your home there are 3 things we need to look at.

1. Why - what is causing your cat to pee inside on the carpet and furniture, rather than where it should be peeing. We need to address this as part of toilet training a cat.

2. How - we need to clean cat urine out of our carpet and furniture, clothes and any other item we own that our cat has taken a liking to. There is little point toilet training a cat if your home still stinks of cat pee from it's previous mis-adventures.

3. When - NOW! This is when we say "enough is enough!" This is when we start to toilet train a cat.

Lets look at WHY. There are many reasons why your cat is peeing in all the wrong places. The first place to start is with a visit to your vet. You must make sure there is no medical reason first. Then we go on to look at our cats home life - are there other pets, new cats to the home, have you moved, has someone new come to live with you, or someone left. Any of these changes can be traumatic to a cat. Although none of these issues should affect us in toilet training a cat, but they should be addressed just the same. We don't want a sad cat.

Now on to the HOW. There are soooo many different methods available to clean cat urine, some of them work, but unfortunately most don't. Cat urine is one of the hardest stains to remove, I wont go into too much detail as I could fill 10 pages on the subject and this topic is about toilet training a cat, not how to get rid of cat urine. But I will say you need an effective cleaner that will penetrate deep into the fibers of your carpet, or furniture, or clothes or whatever else your cat is urinating on. You need a Natural Cat Urine Cleaner, one that will remove the stain, the smell and above all else, make sure the stain NEVER comes back. I use a recipe that I mix myself when I need it. This recipe uses everyday products that are readily available from your local store, it's easy to make and even easier to use and the best part is the smell never returns.

This is the important one - NOW.

Successfully toilet training a cat can be done with cats and kittens, your kitten needs to be more than 8 weeks old. You can't properly toilet train a cat that is less than 8 weeks old.

If you haven't already, name your cat. Your cat needs to know its name, this is an essential part of toilet training a cat. You'll get much better results if your cat knows its name.

Cats are very private animals when it comes to them peeing and pooing, they tend to hide their "business". Before starting toilet training a cat, buy a litter tray so that the cat knows where it has to go. Make sure the litter tray you buy is enamel or plastic. Fill the litter with some soil, sawdust, sand and cat litters (commercial). These materials are essential for toilet training a cat.

If a kitten is raised with a mother who uses a litter tray for her business, the kitten automatically learns to use litter tray too. Try to familiarize your cat with the litter tray. Put your cat inside the litter tray after she's finished eating or after she's finished playing or even after she wakes up. This will help her to become familiar with the litter tray. Make sure that you put the litter tray in a hidden and quite place while toilet training a cat as like us, cats don't like to be watched.

Praise the cat or acknowledge her after she uses the litter box. Make sure she knows you're happy with her behaviour by patting on her head or some food rewards can also be used.

If your cat isn't using the litter tray, then try to teach her by correcting her immediately after she has finished her business. This can be done by shouting loudly "NO" or more effectively with a squirt bottle full of water, give the cat a light spray at the time she pees or poos in the wrong place. This will help her in learning what is right and what's wrong. Make sure you don't use physical punishment as this is unnecessary and can ruin your relationship with the cat, it's quite ineffective in toilet training your cat, she'll look at you with complete contempt - not respect, and you'll be back to square one.

The last stage of toilet training a cat is to get puss to actually use the toilet. To do this, move the litter tray towards the toilet slowly and steadily. Make sure that you make only slight changes as a big change to the place of litter tray can make your cat suspicious or can even confuse her. You eventually want the litter box sitting on the toilet, once your cat is used to this place you can remove the litter tray and your cat will keep coming to the toilet bowl.

Your mission of toilet training a cat is accomplished. You need to immediately clean up any accidents along the way, if you don't get to it straight away your cat will be drawn back to the site of her accident, rather than the litter box and toilet training you cat will take longer.

How to make your ragdoll stay healthy and fresh

sluggish, laying around all the time, lack of energy and not eating are the signs that you need to take him to the vet immediately, remember Your cat’s behavior can be the one of the most critical factors when you are trying to determine whether or not he is under the weather and if you notice his coat dull and patchy or notice him shedding abnormally, you should contact your vet as soon as you possibly. U must always wathcing your cat every time as possibly.

If your cat seems to be coughing for another reason, you should have him checked out as soon as possible. Maybe he got Diarrhea, even diarhea is a basic sickness, but u must tke him to the expert of cat.

To ensure that your cat isn’t subjected to various diseases, you should always make sure that he stays up do date with his vaccinations. There are several diseases out there that require vaccinations, including rabies and feline distemper. Feline distemper is one of most devastating diseases a cat can get, yet it is also one of the easiest to prevent as well. The disease strikes cats very fast, and leaves you as an own very little time to seek treatment.

Feline diabetes is the other disease. This occurs when a cat becomes aged. The more it grows old, the more it must stay at home.You could obviously notice as well that it gets thirsty so fast. You have to watch its diet for improper food intake is what the real cause of diabetes is. When you notice signs and symptoms like the cat urinates always.

Another problem, which is very common with cats that stay outdoors, is worms. There are several different types of worms, including ringworm and hookworm. Worms can come from fleas, lice, or even the organs of dead rodents that cats consume. Normally, the cat will digest the eggs which will later mature and attach themselves to the walls of the intestines. If you feed your cat garlic frequently during feedings, it can help to protect him against worms.

If he gets the proper vaccinations when he is required to get them, he should be safe against numerous pests and diseases. If you take care of your cat, chances are you’ll keep him healthy for years to come. You should always make sure he has quality food, and doesn’t miss any of his scheduled checkups with the vet. and remember to give him something can make him happy or you can play with him.

This Ragdoll Cat Likes to Wear a Hat

After losing our 16-year old beloved but crabby tabby cat to old age we really felt a void in our household. For years we had been attracted to the idea of adopting a Ragdoll cat, but Bunky (our tabby) was not at all receptive to the idea. We longed to fill the void in our lives with a breed of cat which is noted for being very gentle and affectionate.

We began to research catteries on the internet and we were lucky enough to find a male, blue color-point Ragdoll kitten which would be available in just a few weeks. The breeder arranged to ship the kitten to us via Continental Airlines. We were a little leery about having a tiny kitten taking a plane trip, but Continental is renowned for their care in transporting animals in temperature-controlled cargo holds.

When we picked up our kitty, Andy, he was just a little 2-pound ball of fluff. He was happy to come out of the pet carrier and he slept, purring in my wife’s lap on the 90 minute drive home from the airport.

Ragdolls are noted for their sweet temperament and Andy fits the bill. Now that he is 18 months old he is almost 14 pounds with a long, muscular solid body and dense, silky hair which is non-matting.
Even with his large physique (and he won’t be full-grown until he’s 3 years old) Andy lives up to the Ragdoll reputation of relaxing all his muscles when we pick him up. He is a big, blue-eyed bundle of fur that enjoys being pushed along the tile floor where he lays waiting in front of the pantry door for a treat. One of his favorite things is being brushed. He actually begs for it so of course we have to comply at least once a day!

He follows me around the house like a puppy dog and is fascinated by water to the point where he will join me or my wife in the shower.
He stays next to where the water is splashing and laps up a long drink while his silky hair becomes dotted with the sparkling drops of water. Andy also likes to wear a hat! If I leave my baseball cap where he can get to it, he ducks his head underneath the hat until just his nose and eyes are sticking out from under the bill. He seems to enjoy wearing the hat as he relaxes beneath it.

The Ragdoll breed is so docile that their claws rarely come out when their humans are playing with them. Andy uses his paws like hands to let us know he isn’t done being petted. When we are asleep he is most comfortable with one of his big soft paws resting on my face or arm.

I can’t say enough about the virtues of this wonderful breed of cat.
Andy and our new little Ragdoll cat, Molly, have certainly enhanced our lives. If you like cats, you will LOVE Ragdoll cats!

by Robert Henie

6 Things To Look Out For When Buying A Ragdoll Kitten

What you are about to read may save you a lot of
heartache. Buying a Ragdoll Kitten, even from a breeder, can
be a minefield. Here are 6 things you should look for when
going to a breeder for a Ragdoll kitten.

Ragdoll cats are one of the most popular breeds at the
moment. There's good reason for that. The Ragdoll cat is
affectionate and a pleasure to have around. But you really
have to be careful about where you buy your kitten from
because not all breeders are created equal, and you don't
want to end up with a kitten that has health problems.

1. Ask your breeder if the kitten is a full-bred Ragdoll.

It may seem like a silly question to ask, but it's something
you really need to know. Some breeders are cross-breeding
the Ragdoll with other breeds in order to get new colours
and patterns. A Ragdoll cat is only considered to be a
fullbreed when its four generations out from any cross.

2. If a breeder is asking a much lower price than most
others in the area, ask why.

It's possible that the breeder is cutting corners and not
telling you the full story. It's a shame, but you have to be
on the lookout. It could be something as simple as they are
trying to attract more customers, or they have more kittens
this year than expected, but you should ask the question all
the same.

3. Is the kitten 12 weeks old or more?

If you want a well-adjusted kitten then its essential that
you wait until the kitten is at least 12 weeks old. This
gives the chance for the breeder to socialise the kitten, as
all good breeders will know how to do. In addition to this
the kitten's immune system will be much stronger. Make sure
that the kitten has had at least one of its shots. Steer
clear of any breeder offering kittens up at 8 weeks. If they
are doing this it is to save costs, since a kitten grows
especially fast in the time between 8-12 weeks. You're much
better waiting to get your Ragdoll. It will be easier on
you, and easier on them.

4. Get a health guarantee and contract.

Never buy a kitten without a health guarantee and contract.
This protects both you and the breeder. Remember to read the
contract carefully. Don't just take their word for it. A
breeder will be more than happy to sign a contract if they
are certain that their breeding stock is disease-free. Make
sure it's at least a two year guarantee, as some defects
don't show up until a cat is fully grown.

5. Visit the cattery.

If it's at all possible you should visit the cattery and see
the conditions the cats are bred under. There are several
things to look for: overall cleanliness; whether the males
and females are separated to prevent inbreeding; are the
cats with kittens kept separate from the other cats? Just
make sure that the cats aren't too separate. If they
look like they are getting by with a minimum of human
contact this can be just as bad. They'll be nervous around
strangers and you don't want that.

6. Make sure the kitten is socialised.

If the kitten runs away from humans, then there is a good
chance it hasn't been socialised. This will make for a
nervous kitten and maybe even a nervous or neurotic cat when
the Ragdoll cat grows up. If you buy a kitten that isn't
socialised it's going to be hard on them to move...and even
harder on you.

A Ragdoll cat is one of the most beautiful and loving cats
you can buy. When going to a breeder for a cat, you need to
be aware of the pitfalls, so that you and your new kitten
will be happy.

Trudy McDonald

Choosing a Ragdoll Cat

When I was growing up, our family always had indoor-only cats. I grew up with at least one pair of cats (Siamese) around all the time, and there became my love of cats.

When I got married, both my husband and I decided to choose a cat for our new life together. Our criteria was, a family friendly cat which we could keep indoors, a cat which got along well with young children (as we were expecting a child), and a cat which was easy to groom and had a great temperament. Oh, and my husband liked large cats too.

After extensive research over several months and several cat shows, we finally decided that the Ragdoll cat was our perfect pet, and purchased a Mitted Seal Point male who we now call Bijou.

The following information should help you when choosing a ragdoll cat:

The Breed

The Ragdoll was first bred in the 1960's in the USA. It was a cross between a Birman and a Persian-type cat. The breed was found to be so relaxed and laid back that it could be easily compared to a child's ragdoll when picked up. Ragdolls are slow to mature and reach full maturity in 3-4 years. Neutered males can weigh between 13-20 lbs, females about 5 lbs less. It's important to note that these are indoor only cats and should never be let outdoors unless supervised. This breed is so sociable, they can easily be taken by strangers. The coat of this cat is more like rabbit fur than standard cat fur. Although these animals are long hared, they are easy to groom and shed very little with no matting in the fur. A mystery to us indeed, but we like the low maintenance.

Personality

When choosing a Ragdoll cat, you want to take into account that Ragdolls are gentle and affectionate cats.They are sociable and loving and get along with children, other cats and dogs without problems. Although you may read that Ragdolls are quiet cats, that's not the case with ours. Bijou is very vocal and will let you know when he wants to be fed as well as "singing" for us sometimes at night when the lights go out. Although our 7 year old is quite rough with him, he tolerates the squeezing and tugging well. Our ragdoll has never once bitten anyone and probably never will as he is so laid back. One other thing: the ragdoll will frequently follow you around the house like a dog and is quick to come to you when called, and ours is no exception. He also loves to lay down with you on the bed and seems to be with you wherever you are.

Colors

Ragdolls come in a variety of colors and patterns. There are only four colors accepted by the Cat Fancier's Association: Seal, Chocolate, Blue, and Lilac. The colors come in pointed, mitted, or bicolor patters, so when choosing a Ragdoll cat, you will need to do your research to determine which you like.

When choosing a ragdoll cat, you will want to determine if you want a sweet tempered, family oriented cat. If so, then the big ragdoll might be the ideal cat for you.

If you are looking for more information about the Ragdoll cat, I can highly recommend a guide which will provide you with Ragdoll cat specific tips for every stage of your cat's life. Click on the Authors website below if you want the best advice to make your ragdoll happy, healthy, and well behaved

by Mary Freeman

Do Cats Talk?

Of course they do, they talk to each other and they talk to you.. You just have to learn to be a good listener. It's sort of like a dog's training class, the trainer isn't training the dog, he's training you.

For instance, my oldest cat, an eight and a half year old Ragdoll, is a whiner. I often ask her if she wants whine with dinner. But, apparently, her whining has gotten her what she wants and she's not about to change.



So, when she comes into my bedroom at 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning, I first know she wants me to get up. But I've come to understand there is probably a good reason she wants me up. She has become the ‘spokesman' for an empty food dish. But then, she has four other felines depending on her to make sure the food and water fountain are filled and, believe me, she is very good at it because she is persistent.



Then there is Smokey, our seven year old Russian Blue. He is responsible for getting the pet door to their outdoor kennel opened, first thing in the morning. That's why he is uncharacteristically loud early in the morning. He also takes responsibility for reporting back in, to us and his housemates, if the weather is cold or if it is raining. On cold, wet mornings, he wastes no time with his report. I can tell he wants us to do something about it. I just comfort and sympathize with him until he calms down and finds another spot inside to relax.



Our third vocal kitty is Little Bit, a two and a half year old Manx with a stub of a tail. It has fallen to her to scold the others, chasing them while she does it. She's the most mischievous one in the family. It has also befallen her to be the beggar of treats, starting about 5:00 in the afternoon. Since I like to wait until dusk to bring them in, with the shaking of the treat container like the pied piper, she sometimes has to wait but continues to make her impatience known. After all, she has four others depending on her for their daily treats, so, she continues improving her vocal demands and I know exactly what she is saying.



Then, there is Precious, sister to Little Bit. Precious was given her name before we discovered her personality. Now, when I speak of her, I often say "Precious...NOT." Don't get me wrong. She is very lovable. She is also very vocal. She can be loud when she paces the house calling for her sister. She gets cross, like a sleepy baby, when she wants me to take a nap with her and I'm too busy. She will sometimes spend an hour or more following me every step I make, asking me to take a nap(I swear she says mama, over and over), until finally she gives up and finds a place to nap by herself. She also is like a little girl, watching my every move when I'm folding clothes or some other task, as if she's trying to learn how, in order to help me.



Last, but certainly not least, is Squeaky, a three and a half year old gray Tabby . She got her name when she was a ‘stray' living outside and only showing up for meals twice a day. I would call her for her food and not realize she was there until she was right next to me because of her faint meow. She is still quiet and shy with other humans, basically, only trusting me. She has become friends with Precious and they snuggle together at night. Even though she is shy, Squeaky does talk, mostly to tell me when Little Bit or Smokey are bullying her or when she needs a little love from me, often demanding it quietly by jumping into my chair if I'm working at the computer.



So, you see, they all talk, some more than others. Once you understand the personality of each cat and you learn to listen to them, their communication will become much clearer to you.

by Pat Lemmons

How to teach your ragdoll lie down

To teach your cat lie down, you will need. your ragdoll cat mealtime, a quiet room where your cat fell comfort, your spesific command (down) You say down to your cat, the reward ( your cat favorite food or special treats)

Gently sit the cat on the table at the edge nearest to you, and pet him so he is comfortable.

You hold the food reward in one hand slightly below and in front of the table (but not close enough that he can grab it), give the command "Your dog name, down."

When the cat lowers himself to reach for the food, hit the clicker (or use your positive sound) and say "down, good down." Immediately give him his food reward.

Eventually your cat should respond to the command "down" and a downward gesturing of your hand, without the food being held below the table's edge.

Once your cat has learned this behavior consistently, you no longer need to place him on a table.

Are You Considering Buying A Ragdoll Cat?

Ragdolls are large cats with pretty blue eyes and soft bushy tails. They do not have extreme features. A male ragdoll cat may reach over 20 pounds and a female cat reaches as high as 15 pounds. Their coats are soft and feel much like cashmere.

Ragdolls have four different types of coat patterns: van, bicolor, mitted, and pointed. Each of these patterns come in six different colors: blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and seal.

Pointed ragdoll cats have siamese type markings with dark ears, legs, and tails with a creamy colored body.

Mitted ragdoll cats look like pointed ragdolls except they have mittens and boots are soft, fluffy white, and so are their chins.

Bicolor ragdoll cats have white legs, a white underbelly, a white chest and an upside down V marking on their face are white. Only the tail, ears, and the outer part of their masks show darker markings.

Vans ragdoll cats have crystal white bodies that contrast with their point markings and blue eyes. Only the top of the maks, ears, and tail, and sometimes some spots on the body show darker markings.

Ragdoll cats are gentle cats which are careful not to scratch people and they are good with children, older people, and with dogs. They usually will not scratch or bite even when frightened or in pain. They are usually not jumpers. They like to stay on the floor. They do not speak very often and when they do speak they have a soft voice. They are people oriented cats that will often greet you when you get home from work. They will follow you around, sleep with you, and generally keep you company wherever you go in the house (even the bathroom!) Ragdolls love attention.

Ragdoll cats are calmer cats compared to some. They are less likely to be knocking stuff off your table or knocking a cup out of your hand than some other cats!

Ragdolls need little help when it comes to grooming. They groom and bath themselves. They rarely shed, have hairballs, or need any grooming at all unless they are a show cat. While Ragdolls do not normally need to be combed they actually do enjoy it!

Ragdolls are one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. They are a friendly calm breed of cat. If you are on the look out for a new cat then a ragdoll is definitely a great choice!

A Beginner's Guide to Ragdoll Cats

The original Ragdoll Cat Breeder was Anne Barker who created the breed in the 1960's and they were brought worldwide attention by Denny and Laura Dayton. Anne bred Ragdolls from predominately Persian and Burmese breeds that had desirable traits such as a large size, a placid demeanor and a fondness of being around humans.

Physical Description

Although they are large compared to other breeds (males are between 12-20lbs and females are between 10-15lb, on average), they are very gentle beings and are generally happy to be picked up by people. They have a muscular body with short legs, however because they are docile, they should not be left outside for prolonged periods - or at all - as they will not defend themselves if attacked. For this reason, Ragdoll Cat breeders will tell you it is very much an "indoor" cat. Ragdoll's have large blue eyes and rounded ears that tilt forward slightly.

Coat

The Ragdoll Cat is a medium-long haired cat that are categorized into one of the following colors:

Seal - Fawn and dark brown

Chocolate - Ivory and chocolate brown

Blue - Pale gray and dark gray

Lilac - Frosty white and pinkish gray

They also have different patterns on their fur that Ragdoll cat breeders split into the following categories:

Color point - Dark colored feet, ears, tail and face with a lighter body color and no white markings.
Mitted - Similar to a color point but with white paws, chin, stomach and ruff.
Bi-color - Dark points on the ears and tail and light between the eyes. Dark points also on the back with a pink nose and paw pads.

Although it has a soft medium-long coat, a Ragdoll Cat will not require to be groomed constantly and it's fur will not matt or shed to excess.

Personality

As previously mentioned, Ragdoll Cats are sociable creatures so you must be able to give them attention and not leave them alone for long periods. They are also quiet and not particularly active. They make a loving companion that is easy to train and will got along with other cats.

Summary

I hope you now understand a little more about Ragdoll Cats and if you decide that the Ragdoll is right for you, you will discover it can be a highly rewarding experience.



Daniel Dutton

Guide to Owning a Ragdoll Cat: Top Five Tips for Ragdoll Cat Breeders & Owners

1. Always make time for your Ragdoll. Ragdoll Cats are notoriously sociable creatures and require a lot more attention than other breeds. It is important to make you spend time with your Ragdoll preferably every day. Without your interaction, they could quickly develop behavioural problems. You can give your cat the attention it needs by simply playing with them or grooming them.

2. Groom your Ragdoll at least once a week Although Ragdoll Cat's require less grooming than other long-haired cats, it is important to groom them at least once a week. Not only will your cat have a beautifully groomed coat but it will also prevent the chances of your Ragdoll getting hairballs.

3. Don't let your Ragdoll outdoors alone. Ragdoll Cats should be either be kept indoors or be closely monitored if they are outdoors. Their gentle demeanour means that they will not defend themselves if attacked and they are at risk of contracting parasites.

4. Prevent scratching by covering the affected area with tin foil Many Ragdoll Cat breeders and owners have problems with their cats clawing furniture and other objects around the home. An easy way to stop this is by wrapping tin foil around the object. Cats do not like the texture of the foil and cease scratching it.

5. Make sure your Ragdoll has plenty of toys to play with One of the most rewarding aspects of owning a Ragdoll Cat is watching it play (and even joining in!). Playing is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your Ragdoll. Not only does it provide fantastic exercise but allows cat and owner to bond, so it is important that your Ragdoll has plenty of toys to play with. Toys can either be bought from a pet store or found around the house. Something as mundane as a cardboard box or a large bottle top can provide hours of entertainment.

I hope these tips have been of use to you and I wish you many happy and enjoyable years with your Ragdoll Cat.

If you want to know more about Ragdoll Cats, I can highly recommend The Complete Ragdoll Cat Keepers Handbook by Drew Pilton. In it you will discover a plethora of "trade secrets" for looking after this amazing breed including training your Ragdoll, feeding your Ragdoll, understanding it's body language and professional grooming techniques. Written by Ragdoll experts, this book is essential reading for all serious Ragdoll cat and kitten breeders.

by Daniel Dutton