Apart from the obvious litter training etc what things could you teach a kitten?
Now I know cats choose what they want to hear and they do as they wish but have you ever been able to teach anything else useful to them?

You can train a kitten any behaviour that it is physically capable of performing!

Have you trained any other animals? Dogs for example? If not, get yourself a clicker, some tiny, super yummy treats and a basic guide (book or online) to clicker training.

I've used a clicker to teach:

Their names "Bob" and "Jones" (they look at me if in the same room, or will recal from another room)
"Sit"
"Up" (get onto something eg the sofa),
"Off" (get off something, back onto the floor)
"touch it" (targetting - touch a target stick or pointed finger - I can lead Jones round the room like this)

If you haven't trained anything / used a clicker before there are some great basic guides online and some good books. Its easy once you get the hang of it and great fun. Just use the treats to lure the behaviour (eg to get a kitten "off" just hold the treat out to him, then in a very slow, sweeping motion (slow enough the he follows it) swing your hand down so you're pointing at the floor. As the kitten jumps down to get to the treat, click the clicker and hand over the reward.)

The off is probably the most useful, followed by recal and targetting, but your options are endless.

Don't get me wrong, my boys won't be winning any obedience competitions any time soon, but I've yet to have a guest not impressed by their party tricks.

Hope this helps!

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"For all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world"

Colette this is great thank you. I don't expect much, I know they do as they please but I think I will try this anyway and let you know how we get on

All my cats have learned to beg just like a dog. I taught them by holding their food above them and asking them to "say please" as soon as they reach up for the food I give it to them.

Gradually I perfect it by giving the food when they do a better and better begging action. The day comes when they will beg as soon as I say "say please".

The best of it is when you look down at your little friends and they spontaneously beg to tell you their hungry.

One of our new kittens will play fetch with a ball. My son is perfecting this but I think this is in the cat all ready. His mum is a Maine Coone and I've heard they often retrieve like his.

You don't train them, they train you!!!!!!

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Bugs knows 'up' and 'say please/paw' its fun working with cats/kittens

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One of the great things about buying a pedigree cat from a good breeder is that it will already have been taught a lot of things......
So, he should be used to general grooming....combing, cleaning ears and eyes, checking teeth, clipping claws etc
Finding a special treat that the cat adores can be very useful when it comes to any pilling or medical checks. A small piece of cheese or chicken, a blob of malt paste or squeezy cheese can all be used as bribes.
I also like to train my cats to come to a whistle....so start doing this whenever you feed a meal or give a treat.

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

What if you can't whistle?

These are good ideas. Just anythig that make be useful, so coming to call etc. I know they do as they like so dont expect too much but this is the first kitten i have ever had so might give it a go.

Buy one from a shop!

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