American Shorthair

　　One major difference between cats and dogs is that dogs usually enjoy playing and interacting with people, while cats are more inclined to play alone. Therefore, many cat owners tend to adopt a laissez-faire attitude when raising cats and rarely discipline them. Indeed, training cats generally takes more time compared to dogs, but often it is the lack of training that leads to many bad living habits in cats. Owners should pay more attention to this.

　　1. Understand your cat’s personality first

　　American Shorthair cats are naturally intelligent and renowned for their gentle temperament. Their personality is very stable and they have strong endurance. They are kind and will not lose their temper, which prevents owners from getting upset. This breed does not like to meow excessively but enjoys being with children and has a strong tolerance for them. Also, they have robust immunity, which is why many say American Shorthairs are not prone to illness.

　　Although American Shorthairs are brave, hardworking, stable, and independent, they also desire the owner's care and attention. They like to play and have fun with their owners and are willing to be close and communicate. When you gently stroke them, they will squint their eyes and lie in your arms, enjoying the gentle caresses of their owner.

　　2. Start training at the appropriate time

　　Some say the earlier you start training a cat, the better the results. Indeed, early training has a time advantage, but it may not always be the best time to train. Generally, it's better to train an American Shorthair after its body is fully developed because early training may not be well accepted, making the process inefficient. During daily training, the best time to train American Shorthairs is before feeding because a hungry cat is more willing to get close to people and behaves better. The food used in training is more enticing to an empty-stomached American Shorthair, making it easier for the owner to control the cat and for the cat to complete training.

　　When training American Shorthairs, owners should maintain a kind and patient attitude and combine various training methods for better results. Training pets should not be rushed; owners must progress step-by-step, ensuring the cat masters one action completely before moving on to the next. Meanwhile, the training environment should be quiet, without other distractions affecting the cat during training.

　　3. Correct methods are essential

　　During raising American Shorthairs, cats may exhibit various naughty behaviors. Many owners choose to provide necessary training and discipline during their kitten stage to cultivate good living habits and behaviors early, reducing troubles and worries caused by naughty cats during raising.

　　When cats make mistakes, they should not be spoiled; discipline should be timely with firm commands. If necessary, some punishment can be applied but it does not mean hitting or scolding them casually. Randomly hitting cats can cause them to develop fear of the owner and a submissive personality. Although cats don't understand human language, they clearly differentiate between scolding voice and praise. When praised, cats’ moods improve, leading to better educational outcomes. Of course, immediate on-the-spot praise rather than delayed praise is important.

　　Finally, during training, the owner's attitude must be clear and decisions decisive. Hesitation or giving up midway causes confusion for the cat and makes it hard for them to understand what is right or what makes the owner unhappy. Therefore, methods and attitude play a crucial role in whether cats can be properly trained.(Source：PetsZone)