I believe many people don’t like cats because they don’t understand them. A certified trainer in Akron, Ohio is offering kitten socialization classes to new kitten owners in an effort to help them be better pet guardians.
Jennifer Mauger, a certified professional dog trainer, teaches kittens 8 to 12 weeks old socialization with the help of staff cat, Juice. The sessions help kittens get used to different sights, sounds and textures via a mat in the center of the room piled with irresistible toys.
Owners are taught to recognize feline behavior and how to handle a kitten properly so they aren’t fearful. The class teaches owners it is possible to take the fear out of getting into a carrier for a trip to the vet, to trimming their claws so there is no need to have a cat declawed — a horrible and inhumane surgery in the eyes of most pet lovers.
During the two-week, $40 session, kittens learn to adjust to harnesses and leashes, meet friendly dogs, come when called (OK, if they choose to come) and get into their crates by themselves.
The whole idea is to accustom animals to the things you want them to do and not make them afraid and run away, or fight back. Cats are members of a family and should be treated as such.
To learn more about positive, reward based training, visit Mauger’s website at lchaimcanine.com.
I really like this idea, and I’d like to get your thoughts on kitten socialization. Would you attend this class or recommend something like this to others? Please leave a comment and let us know.
Source: thejournaltimes.com
Written by Karen
