training a kitten

[m3rma1d]

ok, i've decided my kitten is superior to all other kittens. she can stand on her hind legs really well, and she's even walked backwards on them a couple times. she's also able to jump really high and land back on just her hind legs. (and i decided, her name is phoenix)

last night i was playing tricks with her, i've got this feather on a stick and if i wave it the right way, i can get her to do a backflip!

last night i got invited to a small get-together (does 6 people qualify as a party?)

well anyhoo, i didn't wanna go, 'cos i was too interested in staying home & playing with the kitten, (i'm such a nerd) but my friends convinced me to just bring her, i said what the hay....i took her with me, and she sat contently on my lap the whole time!

so i think i want to train her to be happy to go out for walks & places with me....people will know me as "that weird girl with the siamese cat"

(by the way, the pic in my avatar is of my other cat, delia, who is very cool, but hates going out)

maybe if i can train phoenix to do all those tricks, i can set up a little street performance and put out a change hat...(summertime here, lotsa tourists go fer that kinda schtuff)...

anyone ever attempted this kind of thing before?

[FishDaddy]

Hey Anne-Marie,
Sounds like you have a smart kitty! None of ours have ever been trained to do anything except recognize the sound of a can of tuna being opened!!

There is a street performer in Key West who has an awesome group of trained cats. They jump through hoops and lots of other tricks that I've never seen cats perform. Maybe you've got a shot at the real Margaritaville with your kitten!
Dick

[hesaias]

Hmph.
My cats settle for getting me to do tricks. Get some food, change the litter, yada yada.
Anne-marie, you got a cool kitty there, and cat people rock

[mapster]

Maybe you can teach it to use the toilet, just dont expect her to flush, cats dont have thumbs.

[OodleyBoodely]

When I worked at Petsmart, I got into a conversation with a fellow who raised and showed persian cats. (He just happened to have one of his show kittens with him) He said he has to take them everywhere with him to get them used to public places and other people. I'm sure if you take your kitten out often enough while still a kitten, Anne-Marie, she should become a good traveler and socialite. Just remember, that no matter how docile she is with you while out and about, never forget to keep her on a leash-it only takes one panicy moment to lose your cat in a public place. Also, don't force her on other people. If she's not willing to go forward on her own to greet and be petted, respect her feelings or she will come to hate her outtings. HTH