Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Teach Your Cat to Respond to a Clicker
• Part 2 of 2: Teach your cat to paw
• Tips
• Warnings

Contrary to popular belief, cats can be taught to obey commands if the right motivation is chosen. Many cats love attention, so they look forward to training. Use the clicker to work out positively. This will allow the cat to understand the connection between the click that the clicker makes and receiving the reward. There are many tricks you can teach your cat. The easiest way is to teach a cat to give a paw.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Teach Your Cat to Respond to a Clicker

1. 1 Get a clicker. The clicker usually consists of a thin metal plate placed inside a plastic case. This device emits a clicking sound when used. The clicker can be purchased at many pet stores.
   • The learning theory is that the cat will learn to associate a sound (click) with a reward (a tasty treat). The good thing about the clicker is that its sound is associated only with rewards. Thanks to this, cats respond better to training.
   • It is possible to train a cat with words, but it is difficult. This method, unfortunately, rarely gives a positive result. Since we use words on a daily basis without addressing them to our pet, it is likely that the cat will not respond to them. Moreover, if you decide to teach your cat the command "Give a paw!", Then you can hardly expect a good result, since your pet, most likely, hears these words in a different context and therefore does not know how to react to them correctly.
2. 2 Determine which treat your cat likes the most. Cats are picky enough. Very often, what one cat loves may not be to the taste of another. Training will be faster and easier if you use the treats your cat likes the most.
   • Buy some treats and offer them to your cat. This will help you determine your pet's taste preferences.
3. 3 Choose a time to train. The ideal time is when your pet is relaxed. However, the cat must not sleep. She should be sitting next to you. Begin the training process with your cat's attention fully focused on you.
   • If your cat has just woken up, then this is not the right time. Give the cat five minutes to "recover" and only then begin training.
4. 4 Train your pet using the clicker. Once your cat is on alert, click on the clicker and give her her favorite treat. Repeat the process several times within five minutes.
   • Cats cannot hold their attention for long periods of time, so a clicker training session should not last more than five minutes.
5. 5 Repeat the activity. Do another clicker workout later that day or the next day. Keep repeating this exercise until the cat associates the clicker sound with the treat.
   • Each cat learns at its own pace. However, most will establish the link between the clicker and the treat after two to three five-minute sessions.
   • Be consistent and repeat the clicker exercise once or twice a day until your pet associates the treat with the clicker.
   • You can tell if your cat has learned a lesson by paying attention to her behavior. She will look at you with a look that will indicate that she is expecting something from you. In addition, she will lick her lips after you click on the clicker.

Part 2 of 2: Teach your cat to paw

1. 1 Choose the right time and place for your workout. Once your cat understands the connection between the clicker and the treat, choose a time when he is relaxed but attentive. For example, you can start exercising before eating because a hungry cat will respond more quickly to treats.
   • Choose a quiet place with fewer distractions. This will keep the cat focused only on you.
2. 2 Click on the clicker and give the cat a treat. Click on the clicker and give your favorite treat to remind your pet of the connection between the clicker and food.
3. 3 Take the cat by the paw. Gently lift one paw of the cat. It is best to always take the cat by the same paw. Your cat will learn the lesson faster if you are consistent.
4. 4 Click on the clicker, say the command and give the treat. While holding the cat's paw in your hand, press the clicker with your other hand and say your chosen command, for example, "Give your paw!" Then give the cat a treat.
5. 5 Release your paw and pet the cat. Release the cat's paw and pet it. This will show that you are happy with your pet's behavior and that the training process will be more enjoyable for him.
6. 6 Repeat the process. Repeat the exercise as many times as the cat wants to do it for five minutes.
   • If the cat suddenly raises the desired paw on its own during training, immediately click on the clicker, say the command and give a reward. This will help your cat understand what you expect from her.
   • Do your best to make the cat enjoy the process. If it seems to you that the cat is not interested at all, and she does not want to do this, then do not force her. Give the cat a walk and try again at another time.
7. 7 Wait, then repeat the process. Later that day or the next day, repeat the entire process. Raise the paw of the cat, if she does not do it herself, immediately click on the clicker and give the treat.
   • Be prepared for the fact that it may take several sessions for the cat to start raising its paw without your help and a little more so that it starts to do it on command.
8. 8 Say the command before clicking on the clicker. When the cat begins to raise its paw often on its own, try saying the command "Give your paw!" without a click. When the cat's paw is in your hand, click on the clicker and give her a reward.
   • A cat's clicker is associated with a reward, and speaking the command's words tells the cat what to do. Your goal is to make the cat respond to the command "Give a paw!"
9. 9 Reduce the number of treats. Finally, stop giving the treat when you execute the command.
   • However, reward the cat from time to time. Do this every third to fourth time to reward your cat for a job well done.
   • Always end your workout with a treat. Thanks to this, your pet will consolidate a valuable lesson and this will be a good motivation for him.

Tips

• Don't have a clicker? No problem! Take your phone and download the appropriate app.
• Reward the cat as soon as she puts her paw in your hand. Procrastination will complicate the process of developing an association between action and reward.
• If your cat doesn't like it when someone touches her paws, this trick may not be for her. Or you can say the word "Paw" and it will just lift it up. Use the same training techniques.
• Cats are independent animals, so it will take persistence to teach some of them. It is better to start at a younger age. The cat will be more responsive and more likely to succeed.
• Be prepared for the fact that not all cats learn very quickly.
• Some cats may not respond to treats and clickers. They may also dislike touching their paws. If so, then you should consider whether it makes sense to continue what you started.

Warnings

• Do not force the cat to leave its paw in your hand. As a result, she may scratch you.
• Don't force your cat to do the trick. If she doesn't show her interest, try another time.
• Cats with removed claws have very sensitive feet. This is especially worth considering if the claws have been removed recently. Be careful with these cats.