- Jack and Mandy in a romantic moment
Carol Forsloff--The Horse Whisperer film gave us an insight into the behavior of horses as Robert Redford's character showed the expertise necessary to understand and work with the big animals. And some folks know about the dog whisperers as well, but many likely don't know how a cat whisperer can help a cat owner understand and manage cat behavior.
So learning the cat whisperer tricks, one might presume, could help us know how to manage our cats.
Jack, a young cat of four years of age, came to a family home at the age of six weeks and immediately took over the household. He aggressively challenged a female cat, four years old at the time and spent most of his time out and about in his new abode learning whatever he could. He came when he was called, almost immediately, and eats almost everything. This easygoing, playful wonder remains compliant, yet lets people know he's his own cat person, regardless of what other animal might be around, man or beast.
Mandy, an orange-haired tabby, has the coloring similar to Jack's, but a very different personality. She never comes when she's called. Curiosity satisfaction is left to Jack, who perhaps reports to Mandy about his experiences in some cat-type code, but no one knows, since most of the time he annoys her just by his presence alone. There were times, however, when both were much younger, that a snuggle or two could be seen. Mandy eats only the best of cat food dishes, and then sniffs in a style that seems to say, “Where did you get this, when I asked for something gourmet?” Contrary to Jack, finicky defines Mandy the most. And if someone addresses her by name and she's called, she's likely to hide in a fashion that makes everyone around her a begging fool of a sort.
So what to do about cat behaviors so unique that to satisfy one will hardly satisfy the other, except the fact that Jack will give in to Mandy's whims, then when the master of the house turns his back, he will defy any instruction to leave Mandy alone and pounce and chase until she succumbs to his will.
What would a cat whisperer say, one might ask. In this world of humanitarian affairs there has to be some recognition that cats are “people” too.
We all have those old tricks we try to employ when managing a cat, so here are some useful things from one of those cat whisperers to be learned that applies to both Mandy and Jack and their near and distant relatives too. These three suggestions are offered as a must read from a cat whisperer for those who have cats and want to help them behave responsibly. Well, not responsibly but comprehensibly. Uh, likely not that either, but at least allow for some cooperation:
“Scolding and punishing does NOT work for cats ...and it can make your cat even harder to train!
Cats can be easily housebroken ...but popular house training methods (like scolding, "catching them in the act", rubbing their nose in it) ...and other methods often backfire with these cats!
Cats have a special mental "trigger" that can be used to make them obey your every command like you had a special "kitty remote control". (Hint: It's NOT food or treats) “
But to get all the answers we need to understand the individual cat personality, we all have to pay, because cat whisperers have to make money for their knowledge, especially since trade secrets for handling cats are recommendations so dear that the cost would be well worth what is learned.
For this writer, journalist and “mother” of two cats, I'll stick with the method I've learned. And that's patience and kindness and trust in ways that all creatures understand. Making the recognition to give each living creature the space of its own to grow in an individual way without being directed and told what to do is the first step in understanding the cat, just as it is with us humans. Cats are as individual as people these days, and a good bit of listening and watching will serve to if not understand, then to manage one's feelings that cat's just can't be understood----anymore than you or me.