Many Ragdoll cat owners take the same approach training their cats as they do with their dogs. This simply does not work because cats do not have the same social beliefs that dogs do. Dogs respond to a social structure based on a dominate leader. Cats do not respond to a dominate leader like dogs; cats have a more democratic approach to social structures. As a result, physical punishment does not work on a cat. The only thing physically punishing your Ragdoll cat will accomplish is to make the cat fear you. You should never, ever hit your Ragdoll cat.
Instead, you must train your Ragdoll cat to exhibit the behaviors you want while discouraging the behaviors you don’t want. One way to discourage unwanted behaviors is to use loud noises. Cats hate loud noises. By clapping your hands or snapping and using a firm “NO” you can discourage behaviors. You must do this immediately upon observing the unwanted behavior.
Never force your Ragdoll cat to look at something or rub their nose in a mess. Instead, there is an effective method of training referred to as “face push.” If your cat is biting for example, you can let him or her know this is unacceptable by gently pushing back on the cat’s face and using the command “No.” Do not hit your Ragdoll cat; just push back on their face gently.
Your local pet supply store has products to help your training. Taste deterrents such as “Bitter Apple” can be used to discourage scratching and chewing. You can also utilize catnip powders and extracts to encourage scratching on the appropriate materials. If your cat is digging in your houseplants try placing aluminum foil around the base of the plant to discourage this. Cats have a strong dislike of citrus flavors and smells so you can use this to your advantage as well.
It is important to start training your cats when they are young; don’t tolerate bad behaviors from a kitten because they are “cute.” This will only make it much harder to correct unwanted behaviors when your cat is older.
Related Articles Other People Have Read:
- Training Your Cat Part II
- Training an Older Ragdoll Cat
- Behavior Problems and Your Ragdoll Cat
- Tips for Correcting Bad Cat Behaviors
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
i have a 12 month old rag doll cat i had him desexed (male) to try and stop this behaviour he has wee and poo on our brand new couch, any suggestions
i have a 13 month old female xciteddoll that liks to lay ruff! she will get over excited and bite! when i give her a strong no!!! she gets more agressive. how can i stop this behavior?
I have just in the last week found a stray ragdoll on my farm, I started to make friends with it, by feeding it as it was starving, finally got to pick it up and take it into the house. I put it into a small spare bathroom with mats, food, water and litter box with pine and paper pellets. It peed on the mat and poohed. Then I went outside and got some earth from where I had spotted the cat doing its business. I am hoping this will work, as I won’t let it thru my house. I have another female ragdoll, she is my best friend. I hope to either find the owner, or I have made up my mind to keep and look after this wonderful cat. Went to the vets this morning to see if it had a micro chip or ear tatoo, but it didn’t have. So I will contact the local Spca, pound, etc in my area, then in about two weeks I will claim it. I had the vet test its blood, and a few other things to make sure it is healthy and had it dewormed. It is not spayed yet. The vet said it is about 7 months old. My neighbours said the cat has been running around for 7 weeks or more so I will do my best for the cat. My farm has coyotes, racoons, deer, fox etc, I don’t know how this cat has survived in our winter conditions and the other wild animals. To all who want to know – the ragdoll cats are just super, they love you and family and friends. Hope someone can help me with the litter box thing. Elaine
I bought a six month old female ragdoll from another family who said they were never at home due to one of the childrens medical conditions. I have now had her 2and a half month and she poos anywhere but in the litter tray. I have tried various types of litter and located it in different places. I work from home so there is always company for her. I also have a 10 mth old Tonkinese cat and thet get along very well. However I am at the end of my tether as I have tried everything ,even sectioning her into a smaller room but still she poos everywhere. I really am almost at the point of trying to rehome her but the 3 children love her. Any suggestions please.
Litter box problems- We had this same situation (using our sofa as a litter box) with our persian many years ago. He was stressed. Our vet prescribed a kitty “prozac” and we got through it. Ask your vet about any anxiety reducing medication that might make the transition easier for your pet. He was only on the meds a matter of months and started using the litter box regularly within days. We just had to get him through a difficult time.
My mums ragdoll cat has suddenly had a mood change he wants more food, drinks alot more water and is alwats crying for attention, we arnt always home through the day so therefore can not give him more then he gets. We have resently introduced a new kitten to the house but she has been here about 5months now, at first i thought maybe he was jealouse, then soon relised it has only been about 2months he has changed. It kindaa worrys me because he hasnt always wanted our attention this much.