FREE ESSAY ON BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION

BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION

Give your cat a manicure, it's best to start when it's a kitten. Take your cat to a
proffesional groomer or do it yourself. Get your cat accustomed to having you touch its
paws. You will need to have a good source of light and you will want to be able to
gently, but firmly, control your cat. Only trim the very tip of the cat's nail.
Scratching and stretching are a natural part of being a cat. You cannot punish your cat
for scratching with his claws, however you can provide your cat with a place to scratch
that is acceptable for both you and your cat which will re-enforce desirable behaviour.
Here are some examples:
? Either purchase a scratching post or build your own using carpet samples and wood. 
? Get a chunk of log - cats love this since it feels just they're scratching on a tree!
? If you have several cats in your household, be sure to provide several scratching
areas. 
Cats mark their territory when they scratch: they actually release small amounts of oil
or a scent from glands located under each claw. Therefore, it is very important to teach
your cat early on where he can and cannot scratch. Once an item is marked, the cat will
prefer to return and scratch there again. If you can train your cat to mark his
scratching post, he will use it over and over again! Aversion therapy is very effective,
keep a squirt bottle filled with water near areas you don't want the cat to scratch. When
he approaches and starts to scratch on a forbidden object, startle him by squirting water
on his back (never his face!). Then, simply pick the cat up and take him to his
scratching post. Start to play with the cat by dragging a string on the post. When he
scratches the post, give lots of positive reinforcement, praise and show excitement -
your cat will love the attention and repeat this to get more attention. 
Be consistent don't permit undesirable behavior sometimes. Be clear what you will and
will not allow and ensure that everyone in the household (including your cat) knows, and
follows, the same rules. Behavior modification techniques are very powerful and will work
if used correctly.
Bibliography
Refrences
Online site Ambys Declawing cats: Issues and Alternatives
http://amby.com/cat_site/cattrain.html
Online site Humane Society of Delaware County:
http://www.delawarecohumanesoc.org/declaw.htm