[ChrisKon]

Hi cat lovers,

I just recently introduced to wonderful kitties to the home. After reading through some threads and researching the net, I must say that they are actually well behaved. However, If I can still train them with certain things, I'd like to do so.

Can you train kittens not to bite at such a young age? They're not very rough to be honest, however I'm assuming that when they get bigger so do their bites!

I also looked in to clicker training cats to sit, come to you on command etc.. Is there an appropriate age to start training cats with more advanced training?

I've uploaded pics of Max & Buena for you to see.

Thanks for your comments and advice in advance

 

[spid]

8 week old kittens should really still be with their mums - those kittens in the photos (though still incredibly gorgeous) are about 6 weeks old as they still have blue eyes.

Normally Mum would teach the socialisation skills at this age - teaching them not to bite or to scratch so now this is your job. Blow gently in their faces when they bite, say ah-ah and if they persist put them down. Never use your hands to play use toys.

HTH

 

[lymorelynn]

They are very cute kittens :001_wub:
If kittens are left with their mum until around 12 weeks they learn from her and any siblings about what level of biting is appropriate and are less likely to bite the hand that feeds them, so to speak You can discourage biting by distracting them with some other game like a laser dot to chase or a fishing pole toy to jump and catch. Don't encourage biting games by tickling tummies but swap your hand for a kicker type of toy if they do start to attack your hands.
Cats can be trained to do a lot of things but most cats will only do it because they want to not because, like a dog, they want to please you.
Start clicker training with some simple things and see how you go on.

 

[ChrisKon]

Thank you guys for your advice.

Yes Spid, you're right. The seller advertised that they were 8 weeks old however, when I took them for a health check etc.. I was told that they are roughly 6 weeks old. I've had them for 2 weeks now. Considering they were so young when they left their home, they have adjusted well to their new house hold.

 

[Citrineblue]

Hi

Lovely kittens, so lovely.

I attach a Youtube clip of Harvey at 22 weeks, I had been training him, at this point, for around 4 weeks. He could paw, up, down, roll over. Since then he can jump onto hard objects eg stool, chair, sink etc and comes when called. However our new kitten, now 6 months has not been so keen, so you may find one of yours most biddable whilst the other not all!!!!

All training is done on their own terms and when bored they go......Harvey loved Dreamies but is now onto Thrives as a food incentive/treat. I did by a clicker and I think they are a good idea however Harvey and myself did not get on with it. Purely trying to give an immediate treat and the hand signal and a clicker was awkward.

Harvey is a house cat although lead/harness trained for walking outside ( he waits by the door when I shout walkies) so I thought training him would stop boredom. He has shown his clever side when being naughty!!! ie pulling out the food drawer by lying on his back and pulling with his paws then selecting only the flavoured treats he wanted, raiding the bin by sitting on the auto opening lid and then lifting himself in and throwing out snacks!!

Good luck with the training, if you want any help with ideas just pm me I will help if I can.

Harvey at 22 weeks, training - YouTube

Other Youtuve videos show Harvey raiding the food drawer.

 

[chillminx]

Very cute kittie CB!:001_wub:

 

[Treaclesmum]

Beautiful babies!! Some breeds are easier to train than others, and many moggies cannot be trained to do tricks, but you should be able to train them not to bite when they are older by following the tips given by everyone here

They will of course still be teething for several months yet, so they need to be given things they can bite to soothe their teeth. Try plastic drinking straws, and dangly wand toys with catnip

One of mine was a very bitey baby but stopped when he was a few months older