Are you having problems with a tricky kitty? Use this essential guide to tame your cat out of hell

DOES your cute kitty rip your favourite chair to bits or use your laptop as its bed?

Now you can get inside their furry heads and teach them not to, with a few simple tips.

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Experts John Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis say: “Once we understand how cats think, training one is straightforward.”

Of course it helps to reward your cat when it gets it right — with lots of strokes and petting,or a tasty morsel of food.

Here are nine steps — one for each of your cat’s lives — to get you on your way.

TAKE THINGS ONE STEP AT A TIME

Cats need to be eased into new situations. If yours is scared of the washing machine, switch it on when it is in another room until the cat accepts it as the norm.

EXPLORING

Let your pet observe its litter tray from a few body lengths away and explore it in its own time. Then reward it, so it associates positive behaviour with a pleasurable outcome.

LURING YOUR CAT

To entice cat to use a cat flap put its favourite food in front of its nose and move it along — this will inspire it to follow.

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MARKING A BEHAVIOUR

Mark good behaviour at the precise moment it occurs. This can be done by simply saying the word “good” in a distinctive way.

TOUCH-RELEASE-REWARD

Next time your cat needs a pill or jab, reward it straight after. This is the touch-release-reward method.

It will be calmer next time.

TEACH RELAXATION

Relaxed cats learn best. Teach your cat to associate relaxation with a comfortable place, such as a blanket, then you can ensure it is relaxed before training begins.

COLLECTING A CAT’S SCENT

Wear a clean cotton glove while stroking the cat around the patches in front of the ears. You can then rub this scent on to any new items brought into the house.

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MAINTAINING GOOD BEHAVIOUR

By rewarding your cat when a desired behaviour is shown, it will create the link in its memory.

ENDING A SESSION

End each session by saying “all done” or by making a movement such as crossing your arms.

- The Trainable Cat by John Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis, published by Allen Lane, £20, is out now.