Embracing Positive Reinforcement for Lasting Results
Do you want your cat to stop jumping on the kitchen counter? Or is your kitten leaving puddles outside her litter box? How about using a spray bottle each time he jumps on the table? Or if your kitten is leaving puddles all over the home – anywhere but in the litter box you lovingly chose for her – should you rub her nose in her pee to teach her that this is just not ok? Or put her in “time out” to discourage future misbehaviour?
Taking a page from older dog training manual in order to communicate what you don’t want or what you are upset about is one way to go. But an outdated one. In fact, while punishment can seem like a rational thing to a person, in reality, punishing a cat (or any other animal!) will most likely backfire. But do you know why?
Our understanding of how cats learn and behave is constantly evolving as are our methods of communicating and how we relate to them. Today the concept of punishment – or negative reinforcement – is seen not only as obsolete but also highly ineffective. Let’s look at four reasons why this approach is now widely criticized by modern trainers and behaviourists.
It Will Likely Be Misinterpreted
Animals tend to live in the moment and won’t make the connection between the event and the disciplinary action, especially if there’s a delay between the two. The association between you being upset, the event and the punishment is missing. The result? Confusion and in all probability more stress, which aggravates rather than resolves the problem.
It’s Ineffective
Rubbing your cat’s nose in its waste doesn’t effectively communicate what behaviour is undesirable. You can’t explain, as you would to a child, for example, why you dealt out this punishment. And, more importantly the reprimand does not actually address the underlying cause of the issue.
It’s Harmful to your Relationship
Physical punishment can damage the bond between you and your cat. Instead of promoting trust and cooperation, it may create fear and anxiety in cats, who are particularly sensitive to inconsistent and seemingly irrational behaviour from those around them. From your cat’s point of view, sometimes you are an awesome source of warmth, food, snuggles and love and then all of a sudden (for no apparent reason) you brandish a spray gun. What’s with the Jekyl and Hyde?
It’s based on Negative Reinforcement
Punishing undesirable behaviour in general relies on negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is much more effective (rewarding good behaviour rather than punishing the bad) AND it promotes a positive relationship between the cat and human.
So, what is positive reinforcement and can cats really learn from it?
YES! In fact, cats learn best through positive reinforcement! Positive reinforcement simply means providing a reward or positive consequence to strengthen and encourage a desired behaviour.
It’s a behavioural principle aimed at strengthening and increasing the likelihood of a desired behaviour. In the context of cat learning, it involves rewarding cats with treats or praise when they exhibit desired behaviours, encouraging them to repeat those actions. There is nothing more motivating for a cat, and that gets him to “forget” to do something unwanted than by rewarding him with a high-value treat for doing something you want him to do!
Ready to try?
Here are eight tips to keep in mind when using positive reinforcement to teach your furry companion.
1. Identify Desired Behaviour
Clearly define the behaviour you want to encourage in your cat, such as using a litter box or waiting patiently on a shelf for dinner rather than jumping on the kitchen counter.
2. Identify High-Value Rewards
Choose treats or rewards that your cat finds particularly appealing to make the reinforcement more effective. Favourite rewards for cats include delicious treats, catnip, interactive play, and petting or grooming. It is important to remember that the reward must be desirable to your individual cat, and may vary between cats.
3. Timing Matters
Promptly reward the cat with treats, praise, or affection immediately after they exhibit the desired behaviour. Correct timing strengthens the connection between the behaviour and the positive outcome.
4. Consistency is Key
Be consistent in rewarding the behaviour every time it occurs to reinforce the association between the action and the reward. This includes times when you “catch your cat” doing the desired action spontaneously rather than just in the context of what you don’t want your cat to do.
5. Patience and Positive Tone
Bee patient and use a positive tone when interacting with your cat to create a positive learning environment. If you are short on time or in a bad mood, it’s best to put off any training attempts until you are in a more relaxed frame of mind.
6. Create a Positive Environment
Going hand in hand with being in a good mood, ensuring your cat feels comfortable and secure enhances the effectiveness of positive reinforcement and sets you up for success.
7. Break it Down
If you are training a more complex behaviour or your cat just isn’t doing what you want it to do, you may need to break the overall goal into smaller steps that you can teach gradually. Think of actions that your cat may do naturally, and that you can catch her doing, and then reward the incremental progress.
8. Regular Reinforcement
Even after you see that your kitty has mastered what you wanted to achieve, occasionally reinforce the behaviour to ensure its continued occurrence. It’s like re-finishing an heirloom table or chair: you have to put in effort initially to give it a new look and life, but also polish it every so often to keep it in tip top shape!
So, next time your delightful feline does something that increases your blood pressure, think of what you would rather have her do – and reach for the positive reinforcement! Cats, being sensitive and independent creatures, respond remarkably well to this approach. By understanding and using these principles you not only address specific behavioural concerns but also nurture a positive and trusting connection with your feline companion.