If you have seen my TV series of ever purchased any of my dog training videos, one of the main aspects of my training technique is understanding that all animals have different personalities. This area will help you with understanding a little about some of the personalities that cats have, and how to best deal with some of those unique characteristics.

HIGH STRUNG CATS

If you notice your cat paces or doesn’t like to be held and just wants to run around, or jump up on you, I would classify this type of cat as high strung. There are different levels as to how high strung a cat can be.

Also keep in mind that just because a cat is high strung does not mean that this is a bad thing. The fact is that some of the best cats that I have ever trained for movies, TV shows, and commercials were originally high-strung cats.  Also, just because a cat is a little high strung initially may be due to being nervous in his new surroundings. That individual cat’s personality may very well change as he becomes more comfortable in his new environment.

What makes a cat high strung? There are a few things that could make a cat high strung, but the biggest reason is simply that this may very well be the animal's natural personality. This is his natural makeup, something that he was born with, just like humans. We each have a personality that makes us who we are, and your cat is the same way. And like humans, there are some things you can do to change some of the make up of a cat’s natural personality.

Another reason that a cat is high strung may very well be a result of how this animal was cared for in the past. When cats are kept in stressful environments that they are not comfortable with, they might engage in behaviors that they would not normally exhibit. The point is the cat might have been much calmer beforehand. It’s just that the previous owners might have done something in the way that they cared for the cat that results in a cat that now wants to pace around or run.

If you first notice your cat as being a little high strung, the first thing you want to assess is why the cat is high strung. The one question you are going to want to ask yourself is, "is this the way the cat is naturally or was it something that occurred from the previous owners? You will find the answers to this question and so many others the longer time you spend with your cat.

MELLOW CATS

Mellow cats are the “middle of the road” type of cats, and the type of cats that most cat owners would like from the very beginning. The reason is their laid back attitude and demeanor makes everything so easy. They are easier to train because of their laid back personalities, and they are much easier to socialize too.

Because they lack the EXTREME characteristics of high strung cats or shy cats, they are much easier and fun to train from the onset. You’ll find quite often in working with mellow cats that they have the type of personality that can change too. At certain times, they can get excited and at other times they can be laid back, but so much of this is dictated upon you or the situation at the time. If you want to try to train a cat, these are the ones you can have a lot fun training.

One of the greatest parts of working with mellow cats is that you really can use a variety of treats to train them. Remember, the more different types of treats you are using, the more fun it is for your cat.

SHY AND TIMID CATS

I think that one of the biggest differences between cats and dogs as far as personalities are concerned are that there are a much higher percentage of cats that are shy or timid. I would even classify cats that are "cautious" as shy and timid as well.

Remember that in dealing with any animal that is shy or timid, they are going to require a lot more patience, especially from the beginning. If you have a cat that is a little shy here are a few tips:

The first thing you want to do is think about making everything as fun and as positive as possible. If you have just brought your cat home, and you see some shyness from the beginning, try to identify those things and try not to expose him to those things. Try to keep things fun and make the environment something that he is comfortable in.

You might even want to spend some extra time in your house just petting your cat. What's great about this is that it can give your cat a good sense of security, and at the same time, gives you a chance to bond.

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