The ultimate guide on How to Train a Scottish Fold

So, you wonder how to train your Scottish Fold, but first, why do we need to train these little cats?

Training should be an important part of your life with the Scottish Fold. There is a general belief that cats cannot be trained, like dogs. But this cannot be further from the truth.

Actually, the way you interact with your Scottish Fold is ongoing training. It’s true that cats are wild, independent and semi-domesticated. But you can influence their behavior with patience and a basic understanding of their mindset.

When I talk about training your cat I am not referring to any behavior that might cause the animal harm or discomfort.

What I have in mind are actions that we would like our pet to do, for a better life together. Training is also a means of communication between you and your furry companion.

First of all, remember the basic and most important rule in training: if your Scottish Fold likes the result of a certain behavior, it will definitely do it again.

So positive reinforcement is the key in training your Scottish Fold. Reward the behavior that you like, ignore what you do not like. Never use punishment, as it will only induce fear and stress in your cat.

Here are some simple things that you can teach your cat.

Train your Scottish Fold to use a litter box

Cats are very clean beings. Most of them learn to use the litter box from their mother. This normally happens before the kitten comes into your life. When you have the new cat at home, follow the steps:

• Buy a tray big enough for the cat to move in
• Place it in a quiet area, where the cat can have some privacy
• Make sure the litter tray is away from food, water, and sleeping area.
• Cover the entire bottom of the tray with enough litter

Show the cat where the tray is, you can even place it gently inside the tray. After sniffing around, the cat starts digging in a few minutes. If this doesn’t happen, you simulate this with the cat’s front paw, easily.

Praise the kitten once she’s used the litter tray. Bring your kitten to the tray after she has eaten or taken a nap. You can notice that the kitten needs to go to the toilet, as it begins scratching the floor or sniffing around.

Make sure to keep the tray clean, as the cat will avoid going into a dirty litter. Accidents may happen. Do not punish the cat, only praise her when she has done it in the right place. Also, in older cats accidents may show some signs of illness, so a visit to the vet is required.

Train your Scottish Fold to use a scratch post

First let’s clarify one thing: cats do not scratch your furniture to get revenge. This is normal behavior and there are several reasons behind it. They do it:

• to sharpen their claws
• to mark their territory through scents and signs
• to stretch their muscles, especially when they wake up.

They will go for the furniture if they don’t find anything better in the house. That is why it is very important that you have at least one scratch post.

There are many models to test. Scratching posts can be made of natural logs, cardboard, rope, carpeting. It is important to determine the material that triggers your cat. They can be self-standing, horizontal or can be attached on the wall. At first, you may test several posts, in order to get to know your cat’s preferences.

Basic tips for scratch post training

Now you’ve bought the scratch post but your cat ignores it. I’ll share some tips and tricks on how to train your Scottish to use the scratch post:

• Catnip: sprinkle some of it, starting from the base up to the top. The smell will make the cat go crazy and start playing around the post. Once she does that, she can discover that this is actually a great spot to mark too.
• Toys and play: you can place a small toy on top of the post, to determine your cat to climb on it. You can also play with a wand around the post. The idea behind is the cat to discover that she can also do scratching on the post.
• Treats: use treats when the cat starts interacting with the post. Place the treats on top of the post, so she can climb and get it.

If your cat already uses a piece of furniture for scratching, offer alternatives. Examine it and buy or build a scratch post made of similar material. Cover the furniture (or move it out of reach) and place the scratch post instead. Using the tricks above, your cat’s interest will shift.

Remember that punishing will not help, since this is an instinctive behavior in cats. Offering alternatives do.

Train your Scottish Fold sit and High-five

Teaching cats to sit is very easy. If you work with treats, choose some that your cats are crazy about. I would recommend exercising before meals, to make sure the cat is interested in food.

 

Start in a quiet place, where there are no distractions. Make sure your cat knows that there are some treats waiting for her. When the cat is in a sitting position, reward. You can also use a clicker, and the principle is simple: every reward is done with clicker noise.

Reward with treats or food every time your cat is sitting. Practice this only 5 minutes a day, but do it regularly. Too much can be overwhelming for the cat.

Teaching your cat to give high five is actually teaching her a way to interact with people. After you’ve trained the cat to sit, you can continue with this trick.

It’s an exercise that will probably require more steps. Start with holding a treat inside your closed palm. The curious cat will paw up towards your palm, to discover what is there.

Reward with a click and then a treat for every lift of the paw. Keep exercising until the cat’s paw touches your hand. This may take a while, depending on the cat.

After the cat has learned to touch your hand with the paw, you can remove the treat and only use the closed palm. Do this gradually, until you can keep your hand in the high-five position. When your cat is ready with the exercise, start adding the verbal cue.

Always say it when the cat starts lifting its paw toward your hand. Keep practicing it, no more than 5 minutes a day. Outside the training time, reward the tricks only when you ask for them.

Train your Scottish Fold to come on command

 

This is very useful training. It helps when you start looking for the cat in the house, but it can be lifesaving if your cat is lost outside.

Your cat probably already comes when you call, only it is at the sound of food. You need to introduce a verbal command (call the cat by the name or use the words Come here) before you open the can or bag of food. This helps to associate the command with good food. Practice outside feeding times, using a very special treat. Repeat this about 20 times a day, within 5 minutes of training.

Train your Scottish Fold to fetch

Yes, you should definitely teach your cat to fetch. This allows you to play time together and more bonding. Start in a small room, where there are no other distractions. Once your cat has learned the trick, you can do it in other areas too. Choose your cat’s favorite toy, otherwise, you will not get too much interest in the game. Bring your clicker and some tasty treats.

Do the exercise in steps, and remember that some cats may need more practice.

1. Attention to the toy

In this step, the Scottish Fold needs to focus on the toy. Hold the toy about 20 cm away from the cat. Once it sniffs or touches the toy, click and treat. Repeat it until the cat focuses back on the toy after eating the treat.

2. Open the mouth touching the toy

Once your cat touches the ball every time, stop clicking and rewarding. The Fold will then try something else. Instinctively it will open the mouth on the toy. Click and treat immediately when it does it. Continue clicking and rewarding when the cat touches the toy with the open mouth. Don’t spend over time in one phase. Try to move on and see how the cat is doing. If you need to go back one step, you will know.

3. Grab the toy

Start this by putting the toy on the ground. Click and reward when the cat touches it. In the meantime move the position of the toy. Once the cat does this easily, start rewarding only when she does something else, like biting or grabbing the ball. Even if it picks up the toy for one second, click and reward. Continue this until the cat holds the toy in its mouth for about 10 seconds.

4. Fetch

In this step, your cat learns to pick up the toy and bring it to you. Place the toy behind the cat. At first, it will turn, pick it up and turn toward you. Once the cat turns its body to you, click and rewards. Keep on doing it, while placing the toy farther. Now you’ve learned the rule of fetch. You can start practicing with friends and other people too, once your cat knows how to do it.

Train your Scottish Fold to be a lap cat

Lap time means a very special bonding time between you and your Scottish Fold. When a cat enjoys staying in your lap, it lets the guard down and trusts you completely. So first you need to build up a good relationship with your cat, through positive reinforcement and socialization. You must be the person the cat feels very comfortable with.

Start the practice in a quiet room. Put your phone on silent and away from you. Choose a sofa and bring some treats with you. If the cat stays away, start by gently throwing some treats on the floor. Throw them closer each time. Put the treats on the couch and reduce the distance step by step. The last one should be on your lap.

If the cat comes into your lap, don’t make any sudden moves or try to grab her. Once it has settled in your lap, you can start petting. Use gentle strokes along the body and pay attention to the body reaction (movement, ears, turning around, etc.). This is how you determine what does not feel comfortable enough for your cat. Always give your cat the freedom to move. Any restriction will make the cat want to run away.

The basic principles of cat training – Conclusions

Now you know that you can train your Scottish Fold, and that cat is just as trainable as any other animals.

But for a good result, always remember the basic principles of cat training:

• Positive reinforcement – cats (and any other animal) responds to positive training. Use rewards when you are happy with the cat’s activity. Ignore the negative behaviors. Punishment and force will only induce stress and fear in the cat. Stress can lead to some very difficult health issues in the long term.
• Treats are magical. Make sure you find the treats that your cat likes. Test until you discover its preferences.
• Practice, but don’t over practice. Frustrations may come in both of you, so make sure you spend only a few minutes a day practicing.
• Once your cat has learned a trick, move to something new. This will keep its mind occupied and increase its curiosity.

Enjoy the time with your Scottish Fold and let me know how the training goes! It would be great if you would share your tips and tricks with me.

And do not deceive yourself though: the training is mutual. You cat has you wrapped around its little finger…