Are Ragdoll Cats Easy To Train? Very Practical Info!

Known for their beautiful blue eyes and colorpoint coat, Ragdoll cats are great companions and pets. They have big and masculine bodies, which have made some people wonder whether they’re easy to train. So, are Ragdoll cats easy to train?

Ragdoll cats are easy to train due to their playful and docile nature. Inexperienced cat owners can housetrain them by using a reward training method. They can also be trained to perform tricks such as playing a game of fetch.  

There is no one way of training your Ragdoll cat, and it doesn’t require much experience or time either. There are different cat training methods you can use to curb the cat’s behavior. There is also a lot you can teach your cat, which you will learn if you read on.

Can Ragdoll Cats Be Trained?

Yes, Ragdoll cats can be trained.  Compared to other medium-sized cats, Ragdolls are considered very social and get along quickly with people.

Ragdolls are the type of cats that would run to the door to greet you when you get home and walk around, following you in the house. Due to their social and comfortable nature around people, Ragdoll cats are very easy to train.

Unlike other cats that can only be housetrained, Ragdolls can learn simple tricks such as fetch, making them perfect human companions. Due to their curious and intelligent nature, some cat owners have attempted to teach them puzzles.

Ragdoll cats experience energy bursts which make them very active, mainly after they have been fed. Their playful nature might get in the way of training, which is why you need to observe patience during training. By following the proper training method, sticking to strict schedules, and a little patience, you should have your cat behaving in no time.

Speaking of the Ragdoll cat’s energy level – whether you see them be docile or have their energy bursts, they will end up getting thirsty either way.  To learn more about if Ragdoll cats drink water, check out my article:  Click Here.

Training a Ragdoll Cat

A well-behaved cat is a joy to any cat owner. Not only does it ensure mutual respect between you and the feline, but it also makes your relationship exciting and fun. There’s a lot you can teach your Ragdoll cat, as long as you’re willing to put in the work. Here’s what your Ragdoll cat can learn from you:

Litter Training Ragdoll Kittens

Every home has a set of rules that ensure harmony between those sharing the house, including pets. Housetraining your Ragdoll kitten should include basic behavior such as using a litter box.

Make sure you begin this training when the Ragdolls are still kittens to give them enough time to get used to your rules. In the case of an adult Ragdoll, try housetraining them immediately you bring them home.

Kittens can be clumsy and messy due to their curious nature, which is why you should consider crating them. Although cat owners have shied away from crating a fully grown Ragdoll due to their free-roaming nature, it’s still a consideration, especially when the cat is still new to your home.

However, this should only come as a last result, or when it’s necessary, like in a case where you have more than one pet, and they don’t get along well.

Make sure you choose the correct litter box for your Ragdoll kitten to feel comfortable using; otherwise, they will abandon it and do their “business” elsewhere, like under the bed. Here’s what you should consider when choosing a litter box for your Ragdoll kitten:

• The size of the litter box – Ragdolls get big and need more room to move around when they’re doing their “business.”
• The height of the litter box – Many indoor cats are “sprayers,” so choosing a litter box with at least 7″ height is ideal, with the point of entry standing 3″ high.
• Have more litter boxes – As a rule of thumb, you should have one extra litter box compared to the number of cats in your home.

To learn more about Ragdoll cats, I recommend reading my article on if Ragdoll cats need company:  Click Here.

Training a Ragdoll Cat for Obedience

It’s terrible when your cat bites you or starts scratching the furniture. How about when they become aggressive towards other pets, or they start digging into the trash?

If your Ragdoll cat has developed a habit of doing any of these things, it’s a sign that they’re not trained for obedience. The best way to curb this destructive behavior is to start training them immediately.

You should start with simple commands such as stopping them from running around the house and progress to more detailed behavioral changes such as using a pet door.

Instead of scratching and biting the furniture, you should introduce toys to your cats to chew on. Make sure you drop the toys near the cat every time they start scratching the furniture. This action will divert their attention from the furniture to the toys, and eventually, they’ll forget about the furniture.

When you suspect your cat is hostile towards other pets, temporarily separate the two by either locking them in separate rooms or crating the aggressive cat. The aggression can be caused by the cat being territorial or suffering from an underlying health condition such as hyperthyroidism.

Make sure you introduce many hiding spots around the house and a cat tree to keep the cats separate until they resolve their conflict.

We talked a bit about cat aggression.  To learn more about if cats will fight to the death, check out my article:  Click Here.

Cats are curious in nature, and they will jump in your trash can for the fun of it. This behavior is typical with kittens since everything to them is an adventure. Buy a lidded trash can with safety locks to keep your cat out.

How do you Teach a Ragdoll Cat Tricks?

Besides their gorgeous blue eyes and massive bodies, Ragdoll cats are famous for their ability to perform tricks. Such tricks are taught to them, and it takes time to master a single trick. If you’re interested in teaching your Ragdoll cat to perform tricks, here are some tips that will help:

• Keep the sessions short.
• Make them fun and interesting.
• Take them through several sessions until they master the trick.
• Reward them every time they perform the trick successfully.

First, start by identifying the trick you want them to learn. Start with the most straightforward trick, such as giving high-fives. Every training session should be short and fun enough to keep the cat interested.

Some cat owners have trained their Ragdoll cats to stand on their back legs or jump on a cat swing and actually use it. With proper training and time, Ragdolls are capable of performing tricks and playing a game of fetch.

Ragdoll Cat Training Methods

Training a Ragdoll cat might be easy, but you still need to follow proper training methods to accomplish this task. The following cat training methods have proven to work on Ragdoll cats and don’t require much experience from your side:

Reward Training a Ragdoll Cat

Reward training entails giving your cat treats whenever they do something impressive or when they refrain from misbehaving. It’s used to encourage good behavior in cats, such as using a litter box. You can also use it to reward a cat who shows improvement in their behavior, like when they stop scratching the furniture.

Speaking of furniture, to learn more about if cats should be allowed on furniture, read more in my article:  Click Here.

However, when enforcing this training method, you mustn’t overfeed your cat with treats, which might lead to severe health conditions such as obesity.

Clicker Training a Ragdoll Cat

A clicker is a remote-like device that produces a clicking sound when pressed. The sound is specific and unique to help the cat distinguish it from other ordinary sounds. Clicker training is used to curb bad behavior in cats.

However, avoid being too restrictive in your training since this might confuse the Ragdoll cat and stress it in the process.

A clicker works well combined with reward training, and the reward should be worth the cat’s restrictions.

Conclusion

Ragdoll cats are incredibly loveable and great to have around. They’re goofy, energetic, and above all, quite easy to train. Housetraining is the primary cat training and should be initiated when the cat is young or new to the house.

Training cats for obedience will ensure they behave in a desirable manner which makes them excellent companions. Ragdolls are excellent at performing tricks once they’re taught to them. Behavioral and clicker training are effective methods to train your Ragdoll cats. Be patient and keep the training sessions short.

If you enjoyed this article, check out a few more:

• American Shorthair vs Maine Coon (The Best Beautiful Cats):  Click Here
• Siamese vs Burmese (The Unbelievably Gigantic Review): Click Here
• Maine Coon vs Turkish Van (Intriguing Differences Revealed!): Click Here.