How to Train Himalayan Kittens

First bred in the 1950s as a type of Persian cat, the Himalayan has a colorpoint pattern similar to a Siamese with the features and long hair of a Persian. Himalayan kittens have a sweet, docile personality and a soft and melodious meow; and they love to be near you, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association. To teach your Himalayan to do tricks or even use a toilet instead of a litter box, start its training during its first few months if possible, since a younger cat tend to learn more quickly than an older one.

Things You'll Need

  • Clicker training device
  • Cat treats
  • Cat slicker brush
  • Pet eye wipes
  • Kitten shampoo
  • Kitten conditioner
  • Litter box
  • Phone books
  • Aluminum baking pan capable of being pierced
  • Flushable litter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach the kitten to react to the clicker device by clicking it in front of your kitten, then giving it a small, pea-sized treat, repeating the process during each training session. Keep the sessions to 15 minutes per day, in a quiet location, so you can maintain your kitten's attention. Continue to teach your kitten to associate the clicker with a treat reward until it anticipates a treat whenever it hears a click.

    • 2

      Click the training device then give a verbal command to the kitten, followed by its name. When it performs a behavior you ask for, give the kitten a treat. When the kitten sits, click the device, say "sit" and the kitten's name, then give the kitten a treat. If the kitten comes over to you, click the device, say "come," then give the kitten a treat.

    • 3

      Move a treat in a motion that tempts the kitten to perform the desired command. Hold a treat over the kitten's head, while moving over the head, causing it to look up and sit, then click the device, say "sit" along with the kitten's name, and offer the treat. To get the kitten to lie down, move a treat down and forward, in front of the kitten's face, until it lies down, click, then say "down" with the kitten's name, and offer the treat.

    • 4

      Command the kitten to "come" and "sit," then brush its coat for about 15 minutes each day. Himalayans require daily grooming because of their long fur. You can make "brush" a new command, clicking, saying it verbally, then using the brushing to reward the kitten, along with a treat. Most kittens enjoy being brushed, so the grooming should further positively reinforce the commands.

    • 5

      Himalayans needs daily wipes of their eye area because they develop a discharge from the eyes due to their short noses. Click the device, say "stay," and give the kitten a treat when it sits for an extended period of time. Use this time to clean the kitten's eyes with a special pre-moistened pet eye wipe, found in pet supply stores. Click, tell the kitten "clean," then give it a treat.

    • 6

      Train the kitten to stay calm. When the kitten sits calmly and well-behaved during training sessions, say "calm" then click and treat. Once the kitten understands this command, place it in a bathtub or kitchen sink, and say "calm" to keep it well-behaved during the bathing process. Wet, lather and rinse the fur with kitten shampoo and conditioner, continuing to say "calm" if it starts to get upset. This teaches the kitten to behave during the bathing process, which a Himalayan needs every one to two weeks to prevent matting and stains on its fur.

    • 7

      Teach the kitten to use a toilet after it reaches 6 months old. Place its litter box next to your toilet, then use telephone books or other materials to elevate it gradually to the level of the toilet seat. Put the box over the toilet seat, with the top lid up. Once your kitten becomes used to this arrangement, replace the litter box with an disposable aluminum baking pan filled with flushable litter, nestled under the toilet seat ring and held securely in place with duct tape. Leave the top lid up, allow the cat to get used to the new arrangement, then poke a hole in the aluminum pan to drain away liquid waste. Slowly make the hole bigger until the kitten has to stand on the seat of the toilet to use it. Remove the pan altogether once the kitten uses the pan regularly.