An active cat is a happy cat: At seminar, pet experts push training

By Janine Anderson

Sunday, September 24, 2006 2:10 AM CDT

RACINE - Aloof and independent, lazing in front of a window all day. Sound like a happy cat? Not so, say the pet experts running the Kitty Kindergarten program at Proper Paws University, a pet training business on Eaton Lane.

That example, the experts say, is a brain-dead cat - one who hasn't been socialized with people or other animals and whose indoor lifestyle has bored it to a stupor.

"Cats are way under-socialized," said Nila McKendra, dean of Proper Paws. "They need a lot more socialization. There are a lot of brain-dead, fat cats."

While a cat can survive left to its own devices, it doesn't really thrive without socialization, attention and training. And cat training isn't just about litterbox use and keeping the claws off the couch. It's also about sitting, coming when called and doing tricks.

Most people that relinquish their cats to Hope Safehouse cite behavior problems as the primary reason behind their desire to get rid of the cat.

"They're all basically excuses," said Lynn Nielsen, director of Hope Safehouse. "Their behavior makes it no longer a welcome family member."

Things like biting, not using a litterbox and damaging furniture are common problems people have with their cats, they said. With training, those are problems that can, most often, be fixed.

"Cats are very trainable," McKendra said.

Julie Lewis' cats have their own set of tricks already. They will sit on command (with a bit of food reinforcement) and can "hang 10," standing on their hind legs, reaching for the food; and "sit pretty," sitting back on their haunches with their front paws by their chests.

Positive reinforcement with food and praise are key for training cats for everything from claw-trimming to vet visits to tricks. When there are problems between cats and their owners, McKendra said it often stems from miscommunication.

"We don't know how to speak cat and they don't know how to speak human," she said.

For the people at the first-ever Kitty Kindergarten workshop this weekend, the chance to increase the likelihood that a cat-owner partnership will last is the best thing about Kitty Kindergarten. In addition to staff from Proper Paws, staff and volunteers from Hope Safehouse attended, kittens from the shelter in tow.

"We can make an impact on cats that need to be rehomed," said Annette Braun, a dog trainer on the Proper Paws staff. "We can improve cats lives and keep them in homes longer."

Ultimately, McKendra said, "we want to make people aware they can do amazing things with their cats."

Special Offer: Get 5 Weeks of the Journal Times for $7!