"Oh, a cat in a dog suit," said the vet, referring to my cat.
He comes when I call him, and when I whistle.
He follows me.
When I lived on the second floor of a brownstone, I could call from the street, "Hey, Ace!," and he'd jump to the window.
It's fun having a cat who's a dog.
Here's how to teach your new cat to behave like a dog.
A.
Adopt your cat when he's young.
Ace was a year old when I picked him up.
But he was aggressive.
He used to come up while I was watching TV and nip me.
This means, "play with me.
" That's when I decided: why not raise him as a dog? B.
Get used to discouraging bad behavior.
Claws sunk into your arm by a bored cat at 3 AM, bad! Start with a loud "no!" After that fails, keep a squirt bottle by your bed.
A cat sharpening his claws on furniture may require you to consider declawing.
But with silly stuff, like jumping onto dressers and breaking things, a squirt can be effective C.
Get used to rewarding good behavior.
Begin with a simple procedure: feed your cat, tell him he is a Good Kitty.
And pet him.
Just a little, while he's eating.
But when he comes next time, just before you feed him, praise and pet him.
This should get him coming reliably when you shake his food bowl, or turn the can opener.
But with some cats they will just do that anyway.
D.
Build on that praise-with-food.
Wait until he's just eaten.
Cats often wander around your living space after they eat.
Once he's used to the petting and praise, call him by his name.
After a few tries, he will come, expecting food.
When he comes, pet and praise him by name.
After awhile he'll be glad to come just for the attention.
Cats need attention.
Give your cat attention every time he comes when you call.
House cats are still tigers at heart.
A cat stalks his prey before he eats it.
We humans have disrupted this pattern.
Play with your cat, then when you're finished playing, feed him.
"Play" means roughhouse, like with a dog.
This will bond your cat with you.
That cat that was indifferent when you adopted him, may start jumping in your lap while you watch TV.
When you play with your cat, you become as good as another cat he is friends with.
That is about the best you are going to do, with a cat!